Pa Environment Digest Feb. 3, 2014

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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates

Winner 2009 PAEE Business PartnerOf The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa February 3, 2014

Breaking NewsCorbett Unveils Enhance Penns Woods, $200 Million Investment In State Parks, Forests

Gov. Tom Corbett Saturday offered a preview of his 2014-15 budget proposal with an announcement

he is launching Enhance Penns Woods, a 2-year, more than $200 million effort to repair and upgrade

our natural treasures.The Governor is directing the pooling of resources and dedicating an additional $45 million

dollars from Growing Greener II bond funds toward a comprehensive infrastructure development plan in

state parks and forests through fiscal year 2014-15.

There are so many ways to enjoy Pennsylvanias great outdoors. With such a variety of unique

activities world class fishing, hunting, hiking and one of my favorites, kayaking theres something fo

everyone in the Keystone State, Corbett said. As a strategic investment in our future, well make the

largest, short-term investment in state park and forest history to Enhance Penns Woods.

The initiative was unveiled during a tour of the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg,

where the Governor also purchased his fishing license.

The hunters, anglers, campers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all types not only enjoy our

naturaltreasures in Pennsylvania, but they also spend money in our local communities, Corbett said.This short-term investment will make sure we enjoy the long-term benefits of a first class park and

forest system such as healthy outdoor recreation, protecting our natural resources and attracting

residents, tourists and private investment to communities around the state.

The Governor was joined for the announcement by DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti Fish and

Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway and families with children who participate in hunting

and fishing.

The vision of great conservation leaders in Pennsylvanias history has resulted in the system of

state parks and forests that Pennsylvanians enjoy and love today, Ferretti said. Our modern challenge

is caring for our public lands, focusing on improvements for aging facilities well-managed forests and

high management standards for our award-winning state parks.

DCNR is grateful for Gov. Corbetts commitment to honor the legacy of our state parks and

forests. Our staff works tirelessly each day to protect these resources and ensure our visitors have a

meaningful and enjoyable experience. This will allow us to be better stewards of the parks and forested

entrusted to us, Ferretti said.

The department estimates about 200 projects will be covered under the 2-year investment,

including:

-- Improvements to some of the most visited and unique parks in the system including a visitor center at
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Kinzua Bridge State Park, McKean County new park office at Cook Forest State Park, Clarion

County and completion of the visitor center at Ohiopyle State Park, Fayette County

Dam repair at Sinnemahoning State Park, Cameron County Marsh Creek State Park, Chester County

Chapman State Park, Warren County Pymatuning State Park, Crawford County and Gouldsboro

State Park, Monroe County

-- New opportunities for interaction with the public at offices in the Buchanan State Forest, FultonCounty, and Gallitzin State Forest, Cambria and Indiana counties

-- Repairs to fire towers in state forests statewide

-- Adding 20,000 acres to the state forest system

-- Twelve campground improvement projects including at Gifford Pinchot, Prince Gallitzin, Hickory

Run, Bald Eagle, Parker Dam, Laurel Hill, Hills Creek, Black Moshannon and Caledonia state parks

-- More than 50 public access improvement projects to roads, bridges and trails

-- Seventeen state park drinking water or wastewater system projects and

-- Continuing DCNRs track record of green buildings and sustainable features.

Enhance Penns Woods covers the current fiscal year 2013-14, and fiscal year 2014-15. The

additional special allocation of $45 million will be from premiums and interest on Growing Greener II

bond funds.For each fiscal year, the infrastructure design and construction projects are expected to support

almost 1,000 jobs in the engineering, architecture, landscape design, construction and other fields.

In addition to announcing Enhance Penns Woods, Gov. Corbett also unveiled the Pennsylvania

Outdoor Adventure Guide. Structured for outdoor enthusiasts, the 80-page guide highlights an array of

recreation opportunities across the Commonwealth, and conveniently categorizes these adventures and

activities.

Whether its launching a kayak in more than 86,000 miles of the states wild rivers and scenic

streams or sliding down challenging runs at one of Pennsylvanias 21 ski resorts, the guide outlines and

inspires outdoor recreation of every form.

Pennsylvania has 17 million acres of forest, attracting hikers, birdwatchers, hunters, anglers and

other outdoor enthusiasts from far and wide. Our Outdoor Adventure Guide highlights the many unique

tourism destinations that beckon visitors to Pennsylvanias natural year-round playground.

This first-of-its-kind guide represents the beginning of a unique collaboration among the

Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department

of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Game Commission, and the Fish & Boat Commission.

Pennsylvania has 120 state parks totaling almost 300,000 acres, and 2.2 million acres in 20 state forest

districts. Visitors to Pennsylvania state parks generate more than a billion dollars in economic activity in

nearby communities annually, supporting almost 13,000 jobs.

Growing Greener Coalition To Corbett: Protect Environmental Funding

The PA Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation

organizations in the Commonwealth, Wednesday issued the following letter to Gov. Corbett urging him

to protect funding for critical programs that help, protect our open space, preserve our family farms,

support parks and recreation, and safeguard our historic treasures.

The text of the letter is as follows:

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, thank you for your recent

announcement of more than $20 million in grants for watershed protection projects across the
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Commonwealth.

These grants from the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund are important

investments in our communities and play a significant role in combating pollution and keeping our

drinking water clean.

As you prepare to deliver your budget address next week, the Coalition strongly urges you to

protect funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund as well as for other critical conservation andrecreation programs.

In addition to the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, these programs include

Farmland Preservation, Historic Preservation, the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund

and the Heritage Areas program.

The Coalition is firmly opposed to any cuts or freezes to these programs, especially at a time

when Pennsylvania needs to be investing more money to protect our open space, preserve our family

farms, support parks and recreation, and safeguard our historic treasures not less.

Consider that:

The Commonwealth still has 19,000 miles of streams that are unsafe for fishing and swimming.

More than 2,000 family farms remain on the statewide list for preservation.

Pennsylvania continues to lose three times as much forest, wildlife habitat, farmland and other openspaces to overdevelopment than we are able to preserve.

Abandoned mines still scar almost 190,000 acres in 44 counties and are the cause of more than

5,000 miles of dead streams.

Also, consider that investments in conservation, recreation, and preservation bolster the

economy. A Trust for Public Land study found that for every $ 1 invested in land and water

conservation, $7 in natural goods and services is returned to the state of Pennsylvania.

Moreover, investments in parks and open space add billions of dollars to property values and

help support Pennsylvanias tourism and recreation industry. A report by the Outdoor Industry

Association indicates that outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania generates $1.6 billion in state and local tax

revenue and supports 219,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.

In addition, conservation funding is an essential component for meeting federal Clean Water Act

mandates associated with the Chesapeake Bay Blueprint and the need to reduce pollution in our local

rivers and streams. Failure to meet the requirements to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment

according to the Bay Blueprints timeline opens the Commonwealth up to backstops from the federal

Environmental Protection Agency. Growing Greener grants are needed for on-the- ground efforts to

help meet these mandates.

Lastly, polls show strong, consistent public support for programs that improve our quality of life,

boost the economy and protect the environment throughout Pennsylvania. The Growing Greener

Environment Stewardship Fund which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year has enjoyed strong,

bipartisan support from voters, legislators and governors since the beginning.

Please do not change that now.We recognize the challenges ahead and look forward to working with you and the Legislature to

ensure that funding for programs that protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support our

parks and trails, and safeguard our historic treasures remains intact.

Thank you.

Sincerely, Andrew Heath, Executive Director

NewsClips:

Finding Right Home For Oil & Gas Revenue
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Wheres DCNRs $6 Million Marcellus Monitoring Report?

Gamesa Wind Turbine Plant, Touted By Rendell, McGinty Closing

House Committee Hears Overwhelming Opposition To Bill Banning Stream Buffer Mandate

The House Environmental Resources and Energy CommitteeWednesday held a hearing on House Bill1565(Hahn-R-Northampton) which would eliminate the mandate on the use of stream buffers to

control erosion and sedimentation in High Quality and Exceptional Value Watersheds under Chapter

102 of DEPs regulations. The regulations were adopted in May of 2010.

Businesses and landowners alike have expressed their frustration with our 25 Pa. Code,

Section 102.14 riparian buffer requirements and the negative impacts they have on development and

land use in many areas of the Commonwealth, said Rep. Marcia Hahn, prime sponsor of the bill. It

seems to me that this regulation has resulted in a major shift of state policy, which in effect, amounts to a

taking of property without legislative oversight or approval.

Harry Campbell, PA Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation,presented testimony

stressing the importance of streamside forested buffers as a means for improving and protecting the

Commonwealths most sensitive and pristine waterways.The science is robust, clear, and growingforested streamside buffers provide a myriad of

functions from the protection of drinking water resources to reducing the impacts of flooding, and even

support of vital habitat for our economically important game fisheries, said Harry Campbell, CBF

Pennsylvania Director. Establishing or maintaining a streamside forested buffer no less than 150 feet

wide for our most pristine streams, is a critical component of reducing pollution and improving water

quality.

For nearly two decades Pennsylvania has invested in restoring streamside forests. Protecting

existing forested buffers, while at the same time re-establishing lost buffers, is an integral component of

Pennsylvanias efforts under the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint.

Without protected and restored streamside forests, the Commonwealth will have difficulty

meeting targeted pollution reductions as established in the state Watershed Implementation Plan, and

meeting our clean water goals will be far more challenging and costly, Campbell continued.

Kelly Heffner, DEP Deputy Secretary for Water Programs, noted the importance and

effectiveness of stream buffers in protecting water quality in streams.

The Commonwealth has an obligation to maintain existing and designated water quality uses

however, there are several ways to adhere to this obligation, one - but not the only - of which is the use

of riparian buffers and riparian forested buffers, Pennsylvania's riparian buffer requirements found in

Chapter 102 were developed under the authority of the Clean Streams Law (Act 394 of 1937).

These portions of the law not only underscore the inherent obligation to protect water quality

as a trustee of the Commonwealth's resources, but also the economic necessity of maintaining clean

waters.Since the Chapter 102 buffer requirements became effective in 2010, DEP has issued

approximately 6,337 NPDES Stormwater Construction permits. Of those 6,337 permits, 155 permits

(2.4 percent) included riparian buffers and of that subset of 155 permits, 75 permits (48.3 percent)

qualified for waivers of the riparian buffer requirements.

Heffner said DEP could be supportive of the bill, but only if the legislation gives the agency

sufficient flexibility to ensure projects remain protective of water quality.

The department should be authorized, on a case by case basis, to require riparian buffers or
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riparian forested buffers if the department determines that doing so is necessary to protect water

quality, she added.

Marel Raub, PA Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, said Pennsylvania is falling short

of its goal under the Bay Watershed Implementation plan to install 158,813 acres of stream buffers by

2025 and outlined the consequences if the state does not meet that goal and related milestones.

"Intact functional riparian buffers are an important and cost-effective practice that will help usmeet and maintain our obligations for downstream water quality, reducing risk to the Commonwealth

from federal backstop measures," said Raub. "Regulatory protection of these sensitive areas is

meaningful and is complementary to state and federal efforts to restore buffers across the region."

Ann Swanson, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, explained how

important stream buffers were, saying they are "no ordinary best management process, they are more

important features of our landscape."

Joe Harcum, President, Duck Harbor Group, said he feels passionately that buffer zones

should not be a requirement. He said Wayne County, where he resides, contains property where 93

percent of the land is not developable because of the buffer. Harcum explained the land must be

maintained in perpetuity forever and that homeowners pay for the buffers to be inspected and

maintenance to be done."There are 35 best management practices approved by the DEP," pointed out Harcum. "We

support the bill because it will give flexibility and creativity and license for people to do what needs to be

done while ensuring water quality because other DEP mandates still have to be followed."

Brian Oran, CF Environmental Consultants, said the good qualities and values currently related

to buffer zones are going to be protected because it is currently illegal to build in wetlands or floodways.

He said most riparian buffer zones are currently in either of those areas and will not be affected by the

bill. Oran said a fact based scientific approach is the only way to determine which public policy will be

best for developers and the environment.

Tom Reilly, Reilly Associates, PA Builders Association, explained there are many other

options besides riparian buffer zones that will protect the environment. He said a small pond dug by a

farmer many years ago requires the same 150 foot buffer as a large waterway or body of water. Reilly

said customizing and tailoring how the buffer zones are used on sites can protect waterways while fitting

the land in a more reasonable way. He called for a holistic and flexible approach to creating a plan that

keeps the water clean without impeding economic competition.

Testimony was also submitted to the Committee by Craig Todd, District Manager, Monroe

County Conservation District and Lisa Schaefer, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.

A video of the hearing will be posted on the Committees website.

Rep. Ron Miller (R-York), Majority Chair of the Committee said he would be scheduling a

second hearing on the legislation.

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair.

NewsClips:Report: 2,500 Miles Of PA Waterways Pollution-Impaired

Hope For Susquehanna Smallmouth Bass

EPA: Alcosans $2B Sewer Upgrade Doesnt Go Far Enough

Alcosan Expects Approval Of Sewer Plan

Growing Greener Along The Quittapahilla Creek

Broken Pipeline Spills Crude Into Delaware River

Federal Farm Bill Passes House, Heads To Senate
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CBF-PA Testifies At House Hearing On Importance Of Stream Buffers

Harry Campbell, PA Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation,

Wednesdaypresented testimonybefore the House Environmental

Resources and Energy Committee to stress the importance ofstreamside forested buffers as a means for improving and protecting

the Commonwealths most sensitive and pristine waterways.

The Committee met to discuss House Bill 1565

(Hahn-R-Northampton), which proposes to remove the existing

riparian forest buffer requirement for land developments that require

erosion and sedimentation control and post-construction stormwater

permits when occurring alongside Pennsylvanias scientifically determined Special Protection Waters.

Pennsylvanias rivers and streams with the most outstanding water quality, reflected in both

water quality chemistry and aquatic life, are afforded the greatest degree of protection, and are

designated either High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV). Collectively, these streams are often

referred to as Special Protection Waters.The science is robust, clear, and growingforested streamside buffers provide a myriad of

functions from the protection of drinking water resources to reducing the impacts of flooding, and even

support of vital habitat for our economically important game fisheries, said Harry Campbell, CBF

Pennsylvania Director. Establishing or maintaining a streamside forested buffer no less than 150 feet

wide for our most pristine streams, is a critical component of reducing pollution and improving water

quality.

For nearly two decades Pennsylvania has invested in restoring streamside forests. Protecting

existing forested buffers, while at the same time re-establishing lost buffers, is an integral component of

Pennsylvanias efforts under the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint.

Without protected and restored streamside forests, the Commonwealth will have difficulty

meeting targeted pollution reductions as established in the state Watershed Implementation Plan, and

meeting our clean water goals will be far more challenging and costly, Campbell continued.

Benefits of Buffers

Research has continuously indicated that forested buffers provide significant removal of nonpoint

source pollution, such as nitrogen, sediment, and phosphorusthe leading causes of stream degradation

in Pennsylvania and the major pollutants impacting the Chesapeake Bay.

While site-specific conditions dictate the effectiveness, many researchers have concluded that

buffers can remove upwards of 80 to 90 percent of such contaminants when equal or greater to 100

feet in width.

Forested buffers also help to reduce the costs of treating drinking water. Research has shown

that trees play a vital role in maintaining the quality of the water entering drinking water treatment plantsand, therefore, reduce the costs of treatment. More than half of all Pennsylvania residents get their

drinking water from streams, reservoirs, or lakes, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency for every $1 that we invest in protecting water quality at the source we save $27 the cost of

treating that water to be suitable for drinking.

Another cost worth considering is the real, and the human costs associated with floods. Towns

across the Commonwealth have suffered the burden of costly repairs to flood protection systems, such

as underground pipes and land-consuming detention or infiltration basins. They have also suffered the
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aftermath of catastrophic floods.

Hundreds of small towns throughout the Commonwealth deal with these issues every time it

rains, said Campbell. Increasing development pressures and impermeable surfaces further exacerbate

the issue.

This is where proactive planning and green infrastructure, like streamside buffers, can greatly

assist communities in dealing with stormwater problems. A riparian buffer can help to prevent propertydamage because they capture, absorb, and store amounts of rainfall up to 40 times greater than

disturbed soils, like agricultural fields or construction sites, and 15 times more than a typical suburban

lawn.

Research has consistently concluded that because of these benefits, those projects which

preserve and restore buffer systems often require less or smaller-sized stormwater infrastructure.

Yet one final benefit of buffers worth noting is simply the added value of having trees in our

communities.

Studies have shown that the natural character of communities with trees results in increased

property values. As an example, in the Pennypack Park area of Philadelphia, the forested stream buffer

network was found to increase adjacent property values by an average of 33 percent, with a net

increase of more than $3.3 million in real estate values.We believe that the forested buffer requirement under Chapter 102 is vital to assuring our most

pristine streams are clean and healthy not only today but for future generations, said Campbell. No

other pollution reduction practice provides so much benefit for so little investment.

A copy of the testimony is available online. Click Herefor more background on the issue.

NewsClips:

Report: 2,500 Miles Of PA Waterways Pollution-Impaired







17 Groups Express Opposition To House Bill Removing Endangered Species Protection

On Monday 17 environmental groups from around the state wrote a letterto every member of the

House of Representatives expressing their opposition to House Bill 1576(Pyle-R-Armstrong) making

fundamental changes in the way threatened and endangered species are listed and protected in

Pennsylvania.

The groups included: PennFuture Sierra Club-Pennsylvania Chapter Pennsylvania

Environmental Council Clean Water Action PennEnvironment Appalachian Mountain ClubChesapeake Bay Foundation The Nature Conservancy-Pennsylvania Chapter Audubon Pennsylvania

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Keystone Trails Association Pennsylvania Forest Coalition

American Rivers Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association Natural Lands Trust Wildlands

Conservancy and Pennsylvania Land Trust Association.

The text of the letter follows--

On behalf of the undersigned conservation and environmental organizations, we urge you to

oppose House Bill 1576 and Senate Bill 1047. These proposals would undermine the ability of our
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1576&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE_k9XMs4o51NThNoeaZsNDxvlgAwhttp://goo.gl/jku3HShttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2014%2F01%2F30%2FFarm-bill-passes-House-heads-to-Senate-for-vote%2Fstories%2F201401300210&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEsPS1b9ccmIG926wV5xPTtAlnJ7ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F28%2Fbroken-pipe-spills-crude-oil-into-delaware-river-south-of-philadelphia%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEmzcKNv8ZS6LylsFMdf9UCVNya_Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ldnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fci_25010598%2Fgrowing-greener-along-quittapahilla-creek&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHh58bp3vJ0goK0QO9i3IB5F2Xy2ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Flocal%2Fregion%2F2014%2F01%2F30%2FAlcosan-expects-approval-of-sewer-plan%2Fstories%2F201401300203&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEGpi16YDJHsKc9B9ohOyaTAPshSAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Flocal%2Fcity%2F2014%2F01%2F31%2FFederal-officials-say-Alcosan-s-sewer-upgrade-plan-doesn-t-go-far-enough%2Fstories%2F201401310158&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG75rswvuJwP7G6KbCXtMya1GuzlQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fopinion%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F01%2Fsmallmouth_bass_decline_susquehanna_river_mystery_ray_of_hope.html%23incart_river_default&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGTxl_Yg7xxUI69nT1QEsaTJ0FKdAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ellwoodcityledger.com%2Fnews%2Flocal_news%2Freport-miles-of-waterway-across-pa-pollution-impaired%2Farticle_785c1957-3807-5128-83ff-33dcb0bc5953.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH7UR0fIyKPlrfSyC6AxxrGhjCHQAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D27636&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG6qzkkQLBGeNMUrzWGCVDSSniutwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2FHarryCampbell-012914&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHFct9oJstyKw0EIzcJ868jFCwiXQ


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wildlife management agencies to protect the mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians of the

Commonwealth.

The current process allows scientists and wildlife management experts from the Pennsylvania

Fish & Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission to designate state threatened and

endangered species, and wild trout streams in the case of the Fish & Boat Commission, on the basis of

the best scientific data available. Among our serious concerns with the legislation, House Bill 1576 andSenate Bill 1047(Scarnati-R-Jefferson) would subject these decisions to an additional, lengthy and

cumbersome regulatory review process requiring the approval of persons with no particular expertise in

science or wildlife management.

The manner in which the commissions list species is deliberate, grounded in scientific data,

subject to rigorous analysis and review by other scientists and resource professionals, and open to

public comment.

Protecting species at the state level is the most effective way to prevent their decline and

extinction nationally. Effective state conservation programs are critical to avoiding a listing under the

federal Endangered Species Act, and the requirements that accompany such a designation.

We urge you to protect the wildlife of Pennsylvania and oppose House Bill 1576 and Senate Bill 1047.

A copy of the letter is available online.House Bill 1576 has been Tabled in the House since November 13 when the bill was amended

and reported outof the House Game and Fisheries Committee. Click Herefor more information on the

issue.

PennFuture Lauds Extension Of Comment Period On Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations

PennFutureTuesday applauded the decision by the state Department of Environmental Protection to

extend the public comment period on proposed new regulations for oil and gas development Chapter

78 of the DEP's regulations for 30 days.

Citizens may now comment, either in writing or at two additional public hearings helmed by the

Environmental Quality Board, through March 14.

"State agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of

Conservation and Natural Resourcesare stewards of our natural resources for all Pennsylvanians and

future generations and, as such, they must consider the will of the people when it comes to oil and gas

activities in our state," said Cindy Dunn, president and chief executive officer of PennFuture. "That's why

we called for an extension of the public comment period on these proposed new regulations. It's

imperative that our citizens make their voices heard, and we urge them to call for the strongest of

regulations, and diligent enforcement, on oil and gas activities in the Commonwealth. We are grateful to

DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo for heeding the call and agreeing that public engagement is critical during

the rulemaking process."

For more information, visit PennFutures website. Visit DEPs Oil and Gas Regulationswebpage for information on how you can submit comments.

NewsClips:

All Sides Weigh In On Draft Drilling Rules

DEP Holds Tunkhannock Hearing On Drilling Regulations

Act 13 Ruling Could Change Drilling Case Law

Ample Supplies Of Natural Gas Stabilize Prices

Editorial: Natural Gas Drilling Warms Consumers Wallets
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fopinion%2F2014%2F01%2F28%2FWinter-of-our-content%2Fstories%2F201401280007&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFqOMH65MT30Q5k39N2yhLw2wr-Wwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Flocal%2Fmarcellusshale%2F2014%2F01%2F26%2FAmple-supplies-of-gas-stabilize-prices%2Fstories%2F201401260146&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHrLRQVhn8CULDI2JJ5KM2c2N_lqQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesleader.com%2Fnews%2Flocal-news%2F1143149%2FAct-13-ruling-could-change-drilling-case-law&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEV5lRJUKWKG9b3i2ak0iFsH1PcAQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fdep-holds-tunkhannock-hearing-on-proposed-oil-and-gas-regulations-1.1624853&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHVXbU1_K96eiKBermDI2OivgmlQwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F28%2Fall-sides-weigh-in-on-draft-drilling-rules%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHNirGs_ZHoUhno81u3RNFv06Jd8ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fpublic_resources%2F20303%2Fsurface_regulations%2F1587188&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGfyIpbOtfdSOAF-lp0rCmS98x8SAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpffacts.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F01%2Fspeak-now-public-hearings-on-new-oil.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHZTa8vAwf3SuuKOg__eqZhzzZ6NQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennfuture.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEifsI5s-ssxgc5d-solBZy68Qw-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D26529&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE4Dfld0RNIBMSOn08HMoKlKqnXjQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D27048&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFZU6uJdMCQ_gLc0rT-lV02yu4EXAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D27048&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFZU6uJdMCQ_gLc0rT-lV02yu4EXAhttp://goo.gl/jku3HShttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1047&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF2PA6KYg0aeQgY-p7DknwuELNXCA


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Wheres DCNRs $6 Million Marcellus Monitoring Report?

Op-Ed: Marcellus Drilling Good For PA With Protection


Drilling Company Names Sites After Superheros

Clinton Marcellus Task Force Hits Grab Bag Of Issues

Broken Pipeline Spills Crude Into Delaware RiverPA Refiner Issues Call To Lift Crude Oil Export Ban

Editorial: U.S. Needs Better Rules For Trains Hauling Oil

Infrastructure Causing Natural Gas Price Blowouts In PA

PECO Customers Can Offset Their Carbon Impact

Making Headway On LNG For Rivers

McGinty: Gas Is Part Of Secret Sauce To Drive Economic Growth

Marcellus Drilling Continues Despite Extreme Weather

Op-Ed: Marcellus Shale Helping To Boost PA Recovery

Marcellus Shale Responsible For $1.14B In Deals

NY Extremely Unlikely To Allow Drilling Before 2015

Need For Pipelines Cited At Marcellus-Utica Midstream Conference

New Poll Shows Support For Drilling, Protecting Environment

A new Franklin & Marshall Pollreleased Wednesday shows 40 percent of those polled believe the

benefits of natural gas drilling outweigh environmental damage. At the same time the poll found

protecting the states environment was third on the most important list of problems facing Pennsylvania

at 19 percent 31 percent believe unemployment and the economy are the states most important

problem, followed by schools and school funding.

NewsClips:

Poll: Majority Of Pennsylvanians Support Gas Drilling

Poll: Majority Of PA Voters Support Drilling, Want It Done Safely

Poll: Most Support Gas Drilling, Not In State Forests

Corbett Poll Numbers Better, OK With Ending Gay Discrimination

Poll: Corbett Speaks What He Believes, But Few Like It

Poll: Corbett Out Of Step With Voters

Will Low Support Sink Corbetts 2nd Term?

Support For Second Corbett Term Stays Low

Corbett Popularity Stalls, Support For Medical Pot, Gay Marriage

Corbett In Trouble Shows Keystone State Poll

PUC Increasing Marcellus Gas Well Fees For Calendar 2013

The Public Utility Commissionpublished noticein the February 1 PA Bulletin increasing Marcellus gas

well fees for calendar 2013 based on an increase in the average price for natural gas from $2.78 in

2012to $3.651 in 2013. The increase in horizontal well fees will be--

2012 2013

Year 1 $45,000 $50,000

Year 2 $35,000 $40,000
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pabulletin.com%2Fsecure%2Fdata%2Fvol43%2F43-6%2F252.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF-bD5wELaUwvTFdm0ZW00dphKsrwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pabulletin.com%2Fsecure%2Fdata%2Fvol43%2F43-6%2F252.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF-bD5wELaUwvTFdm0ZW00dphKsrwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pabulletin.com%2Fsecure%2Fdata%2Fvol44%2F44-5%2F263.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEoLDgog5vcOelRXycJZNK_OCzm7Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanevents.com%2F2014%2F01%2F28%2Fpenn-poll-shows-corbett-in-trouble%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE8NScwctIxXDpGlKdbdpgKB-lxBQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F01%2Flow_corbett_popularity_continu.html%23incart_m-rpt-2&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFooVNY6P6MjPSg_M5UJJcb8eXapQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fallegheny%2F5498487-74%2Fcorbett-percent-voters&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHmJAuMN3aQ7lY6UmC9kp81biFypghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flancasteronline.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fwill-low-support-for-second-term-sink-corbett%2Farticle_2fcc3656-89f9-11e3-a72b-0017a43b2370.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHfnV6nkDJyKcYzj1nzAZ5RL1O5Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flancasteronline.com%2Flancaster%2Fnews%2Ff-m-poll-corbett-out-of-step-with-voters%2Farticle_90ad0cb4-8933-11e3-b033-001a4bcf6878.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEQjCMLbZZUmxauLcN6Ot6tgOZwlwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F20140130_Poll__Corbett_speaks_what_be_belives_____but_few_like_what_he_s_saying.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFi0tAlWJIP0QKHHl5-Bmo-4hZQ7Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fstate-voters-ok-with-ending-discrimination-against-gay-and-transgender-people-corbett-poll-numbers-better-but-still-lousy-1.1625646&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFQjDxUQRPWPvU_RAUOLKB4SbjJSghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F31%2Fpoll-most-pennsylvanians-support-gas-drilling-but-not-in-state-forests%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHZUNFeo7SY4L9rb8JO6X9tq8V6hghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F01%2Fmajority_of_pennsylvania_voter.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGxxTO42AptoB4k16xeJvNVbqQ85Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wtrf.com%2Fstory%2F24591908%2Fpoll-majority-in-pa-support-gas-drilling&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGrojt3ex4m9b-3J6FeBZC6SfeUmQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fandm.edu%2Fuploads%2Fmedia_items%2Fjanuary-2014-franklin-marshall-college-poll-release.original.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHEM6rK3rjQc8tuKv2bhaT30skHvAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fbusiness%2Fheadlines%2F5498707-74%2Fgas-pipeline-industry&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEzeqRTeb7QIxb-H03bOwEyFrF8oQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F29%2Fnew-york-extremely-unlikely-to-allow-fracking-before-2015%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEn5e4h1dRmOnQ90J8TtThTZQU3pghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fbusiness%2Fheadlines%2F5494513-74%2Fdeals-gas-marcellus&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGPpWO-LKp9UETdJLpCuVa7X9JFZwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2Flocal%2F20140127_Shale_helping_boost_Pa__recovery.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEHg6Cipkcfm09oUiwm4QLEc6w-3Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F01%2Fmarcellus_natural_gas_drilling.html%23incart_river_default&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF5UEVlvpjcQXwKLtqlnyQ4r86gEwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F27%2Fmcginty-gas-is-part-of-secret-sauce-to-drive-economic-growth%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH0QNqEgzVDGjxiZGFrzuykQ6qhcwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Flocal%2Fmarcellusshale%2F2014%2F01%2F30%2FMaking-headway-on-LNG-for-rivers%2Fstories%2F201401300161&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH8VJriCeH3jYge8CubMmBU-Twvdwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fierceenergy.com%2Fstory%2Fpeco-customers-can-offset-their-carbon-impact%2F2014-01-27&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGpbemzrzxzbnMnjLmtHdh7kvmgcQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizjournals.com%2Fpittsburgh%2Fblog%2Fenergy%2F2014%2F01%2Finfrastructure-causing-natural-gas.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHhD2qjEoZ0Kf3Wwav2O-PsrvK6fAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fopinion%2F2014%2F01%2F26%2FDisaster-by-rail%2Fstories%2F201401250014&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGgFQe9mt-YenvNp2gElQ6Kd8s4Owhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F28%2Fcalls-to-lift-ban-on-crude-oil-exports-threaten-some-southeast-pa-refiners%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEla8DFmWf6B45rklKC5Hy1fGK1kghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F28%2Fbroken-pipe-spills-crude-oil-into-delaware-river-south-of-philadelphia%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEmzcKNv8ZS6LylsFMdf9U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Year 3 $30,000

Add Us To Your Google+ Circle

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA. Just go to your

Google+ page and search for [email protected], the email for the Digest Editor DavidHess, and let us join your Circle.

Google+ now combines all the news you now get through the PA Environment Digest, Weekly,

Blog, Twitter and Video sites into one resource.

Youll receive as-it-happens postings on Pennsylvania environmental news, daily NewsClips

and links to the weekly Digest and videos.

Also take advantage of these related services from Crisci Associates--

PA Environment Digest Twitter Feed: On Twitter, sign up to receive instant updates from:

PAEnviroDigest.

PA Environment Daily Blog:provides daily environmental NewsClips and significant stories and

announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up and receive as

they are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email

alerting you to new items posted on this blog.

PA Capitol Digest Daily Blogto get updates every day on Pennsylvania State Government, including

NewsClips, coverage of key press conferences and more. Sign up and receive as they are posted

updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email alerting you to

new items posted on this blog.

PA Capitol Digest Twitter Feed: Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest Twitterfeed

to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a

list of new environmental bills introduced--

Session Schedule

Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--

House

February 3, 4, 5

March 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 31

April 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 28, 29, 30

May 5, 6, 7

June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2FPaCapitolDigest&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGWrE0J29KeaafDM7MJyMC8ers1CAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crisciassociates.com%2Fcategory%2Fcapitol-blog%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEr34LqbrgLctLRRFIpQj8389er0Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crisciassociates.com%2Fcategory%2Fenvironment-blog%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFbHV5G7iUyBtnZtTKN4KGsug3TQQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGXriPf7nAwCc24P4VynFe1LpqWFghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crisciassociates.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXIVMkGh_c7n4BmGVntccrLXM7egmailto:[email protected]


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Senate

February 3, 4, 5

March 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 31

April 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 28, 29, 30

May 5, 6, 7June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Bill Calendars

House (February 3): Click Herefor full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (February 3):Senate Bill 411(Kasunic-D-Somerset) encouraging the reuse of mine drainage

and mine pool water for drilling operations Senate Bill 771(Gordner-R-Columbia) establishing the

State Geospatial Coordinating Board. Click Herefor full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House:the Environmental Resources and Energy Committeeholds a hearing on House Bill 1684

(Everett-R-Lycoming) guaranteeing minimum royalty payments to oil and gas well owners-- sponsor

summary. Click Herefor full House Committee Schedule.

Senate:the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committeemeets to consider Senate Bill 1149

(Brubaker-R-Lancaster) regulating the application of fertilizer on lawns, golf courses and athletic fields--

sponsor summary. Click Herefor full Senate Committee Schedule.

Other:Governors Budget Address the Legislative Budget & Finance Committeemeets on

House Resolution 129(Causer-R-Cameron) directing the Committee to study the combination of Game

and Fish and Boat Commissions- sponsor summary

Bills Pending In Key Committees

Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending in each--

House

Appropriations

Education

Environmental Resources and EnergyConsumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human Services

Judiciary

Liquor Control

Transportation

Links for all other Standing House Committees
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2FStandingCommittees.cfm%3FCteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE0OH51wmcZ0tLzkVBDYDfFkI-Vdwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D38%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG766DjTIHBb4RERLenJpHLZjl_zQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D28%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE8laLY8-2fNFQwO2I3GM8xy67vNAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D24%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEj0T4DMvS-Do_PTGnG1M1IMJZd7whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D56%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGtzO07uQSwtQoHuuk14hWq3d60gwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D54%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNETvX_kv57bKi9X1aUnj7T000SRiwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D10%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFTt-ARiXW9soyui0IvrazqU61quAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D8%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFxUAkR70KgxtgUTF3f8bVMWtCySghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D12%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHChd4URUtlhk9tHinZDzI9l2PFSAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D4%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHMLwVjcUxZLx4Cw4D2aell4MHkRAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D11778&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNELvY8dvhhIf1STp0P3pUEKSvPqwghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DR%26bn%3D0129&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHbeSiz2w9cRR5FQSg0tELrQNZvQwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FCO%2FSM%2FCOSM.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGm2MqrSWvfq9tan4rDgY7fJhcc2Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DS%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D12424&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGUsNhPeV5ryytpTMlUQr-uuV5A1whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1149&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFUy3JYihFdP9dmjg2DXxrbtEnbLAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FCO%2FHM%2FCOHM.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHN4VHsg-7-WbaLdRZFal9NTpr5vQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D13074&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH6yQilMMiY1PznXKY9gUokyiXojQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D13074&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH6yQilMMiY1PznXKY9gUokyiXojQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1684&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHLO7PB50CZ34gTSRfNjNRouyNklQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FSC%2F0%2FRC%2FCAL.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNENWoZbghsL-QNbPuf7XexFfCvTqQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FSC%2F0%2FRC%2FCAL.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNENWoZbghsL-QNbPuf7XexFfCvTqQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D0771&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHbQEx0_Ylle-24yd0kjgghSJ-fwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D411&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGJ_Ezd-jsznxl4gVNvQRCbuQOpLwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FHC%2F0%2FRC%2FSCHC.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9F2VxwWmFjFIYNSSBlw4h-xB5dghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FHC%2F0%2FRC%2FSCHC.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9F2VxwWmFjFIYNSSBlw4h-xB5dg


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Senate

Appropriations

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational DevelopmentEducation

Judiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

House

Radon Month:House Resolution 604(Readshaw-D-Allegheny) recognizing January as Radon

Awareness Month was passed by the House.

Senate

Geospatial Council: Senate Bill 771(Gordner-R-Columbia) establishing the State Geospatial

Coordinating Board was reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now on the Senate

Calendar for action.

News From The Capitol

Senate Committees Hear Support For Federal Flood Insurance Fix

The Pennsylvania Senate Banking & Insurance Committee and the Environmental Resources and

Energy Committeemet Tuesday to hear testimony from statewide organizations, county officials and

residents concerning the implementation of the federal flood insurance law, known as the

Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.

The hearing also brought to light the negative impacts that the federal law will have on local

residents and businesses statewide. On October 1, 2013 approximately 4 million property and businessowners nationwide saw their flood insurance premiums skyrocket as the result of BW-12.

The joint Senate committee hearing, chaired by Senators Don White (R-Indiana), Majority

Chair of the Banking & Insurance Committee, and Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair

Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, welcomed 17 senators from both parties across the

state.

Something must be done to offer relief to those who are being hit with enormous, unaffordable

increases in their premiums, Sen. White said. The hearing shed light on this important topic and I
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fenvironmental.pasenategop.com%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fnational-flood-insurance-program%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF98lHdU7UiXtii7o9naLOXIHKpbwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fenvironmental.pasenategop.com%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fnational-flood-insurance-program%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF98lHdU7UiXtii7o9naLOXIHKpbwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D0771&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHbQEx0_Ylle-24yd0kjgghSJ-fwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DR%26bn%3D0604&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHGM1KrSEd2AGKpypYRxN8rb-w36ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2FStandingCommittees.cfm%3FCteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEC58agufzJmhvE4RnWHsK0a7ZX_ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D19%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHYexuTKRMSJJuBXd_OihjSSIbxzghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D33%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFjDz5OMb9vRkkZfsgptcHsAAoQIghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D29%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFRblqtaEenQ0VT95qBN99spSVughttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D39%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGen44rvRCPWPNWdkE78IRMtdYD8Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D23%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFX6wadL86stvoAjqp_6XVmIr3CPQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D31%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGWo5gPwUqwjzbCCyXJsXuHG9LBQwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D7%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGgl8oWuYIE7IS-GPdHIkQnMbzMTghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D9%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH8Oe-V64S3ruX2jiyUpOyg7imNJghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D3%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG3mRHkOALJiQh5zbZfq4w6uhsOGg


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hope it will encourage our colleagues in Congress to act quickly to resolve the current problem.

Without a change to the current law, property owners across Pennsylvania will not be able to

afford flood insurance, thats the bottom line, Sen. Yaw said. We will see homeowners simply walk

away from their homes and businesses. It seems to me this federal legislation was passed without

thorough planning or good judgment.

During the hearing, those testifying discussed their experiences with BW-12, and the negativeimpacts should the legislation not be repealed and/or amended.

Lycoming County was half way through a County-wide reassessment when BW-12 began to

roll out, said Commissioner Jeff Wheeland. Since October 1, 2013 we have heard reports of buyers

leaving the table at closing when flood insurance rates were quoted. The biggest shock came to

homeowners and business people who purchased in good faith after July 6, 2012, only to find out the

premium quoted upon renewal AFTER October 1, 2012 was 1000 percent higher than the quote they

received at their original closing. Baring full repeal of this law, what do we do as community officials?

What is the path out for our constituents?

The hearing also provided an opportunity for local homeowners to vent their concerns with the

federal law.

If the unintended consequences of the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act are notreversed, I fear many hardworking, middle-class citizens will lose everything they have worked their

entire lives for, making a choice between paying for flood insurance or their mortgage, said Lurie

Portanova, homeowner and resident of Jersey Shore Borough. The tax bases in these communities will

eventually erode as the property values decrease and banks foreclose on basically worthless

properties.

Dr. Vince Matteo, President and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce,

also addressed the Senate Committee. This is Washingtons mess, and Washingtons got to fix it. But

this Act has to be repealed and it has to be repealed now because jobs are going to be affected,

businesses are going to be affected.

Offering perspective on the real estate market, Kim Skumanick, President of the Pennsylvania

Association of Realtors said the law has hurt home sales.

The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors has heard countless stories of how these rate

increases are impeding real estate sales, said Skumanick. For example, in my own office, we recently

had a client who wanted to sell his property in Luzerne County and listed it for $90,000. The property

experienced minor flooding in the basement in 1996 after a heavy snow which required the replacement

of its hot water heater and furnace. His annual flood insurance premium was $788. He accepted a

buyers offer but when the homebuyer discovered the new flood insurance rate would be $7,015, the

deal fell through. At that rate, the monthly escrowed flood insurance payment would be $175 more than

the monthly mortgage payment.

Barry Denk, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, provided an overview of

subsidized and unsubsidized federal flood insurance policyholders, by municipality, to the bipartisanSenate panel.

Among Pennsylvanias 2,562 municipalities, 218 (9 percent) have a high percentage of flood

insurance policyholders, 1,998 (78 percent) have less than 5 percent, and 346 (13 percent) have no

policyholders, Denk said.

Denk added that, Pennsylvanias geography is not the sandy coastlines of Florida, North

Carolina or New Jersey or the sea-level topography of Louisiana. The overwhelming majority of

Pennsylvania homes covered by federal flood insurance are primary residences and not secondary


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resort homes.

Others testifying at the hearing included: Fran McJunkin, Lycoming County Planning

Commission Lisa Schaefer, Director of Government Relations for the County Commissioners

Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) Donald Griffin, Vice President, Personal Lines, Property

Casualty Insurers Association of America Dan Berninger, President and CEO of the Muncy Bank and

Trust Company and Jeff Waltman, resident of Muncy Borough, Lycoming County.A video of the hearing is available on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy

Committeewebsite.

NewsClips:

Homeowners Testify About Flood Insurance Woes

End Of Flood Insurance Subsidies Would Devastate Dauphin County

U.S. Senate Delays Flood Insurance Hikes For 4 Years

Ice Floes On Delaware River Create Memorable Sight

Will Icy Rivers Choke Philadelphia Energy, Food Traffic?

Ice Twice As Thick As Normal On Allegheny River

Cold Weather Keeps Ice On Susquehanna River

Rep. Vitali Announces Bill To Keep Oil & Gas Fund Revenues For DCNR Use

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy

Committee, and leaders of statewide environmental groups Thursday urged Gov. Corbett not to use the

Oil and Gas Lease fund to balance the Commonwealth budget.

The groups also voiced their support for legislation introduced by Rep. Vitali-- House Bill

1500-- that would require the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to be used exclusively for conservation,

recreation, dams or flood control projects-- sponsor summary.

"Revenue from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund comes from development of state lands," said Rep.

Vitali. "That development in many cases diminished the value of that land. The purpose of the fund is to

serve as a counterbalance to that diminishment by providing money for projects that enhance the value

of state lands."

At his Capitol news conference, held less than a week before Corbett will give his annual

budget address, Vitali discussed his legislation. He was joined by representatives of several

environmental organizations who said Vitali's bill is important to ensure the future of state parks and

forests.

"House Bill 1500 would finally put an end to the practice of using funds intended for

conservation and environmental programs for operating expenses that should come from the General

Fund," said Joanne Kilgour, director of the Pennsylvania Sierra Club. "Our valued public lands are

strained by the burden of resource development, and the commonwealth cannot afford to continue

undermining conservation efforts that would help to preserve these shared spaces for futuregenerations."

"House Bill 1500 is a first step to ensure that all of us, as well as future generations of

Pennsylvanians, will be able to live in a commonwealth that appreciates and understands the true value

of its woodlands," said Ralph Kisberg from the Responsible Drilling Alliance.

Former DCNR Secretaries John Quigley and Richard J. Allan have both noted the $1 billion

backlog of infrastructure projects in state parks and forests. These projects include the replacement of

high hazard dams, the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges, and water and sewer projects.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D13941&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHCkVYx27lXki9A1GNqVVv2PEDn2Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1500&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEbf9wXkC8hZr1k6tzAbm28W_5XDghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1500&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEbf9wXkC8hZr1k6tzAbm28W_5XDghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F01%2Fcold_weather_keeps_ice_on_the.html%23incart_river_default&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH9Oyr5X2_ZtRTAnUWkl2FM8DYixwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Farmstrong%2F5493103-74%2Fice-river-hendricks&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHu2kkP25f6NllFolV5UxRjRjtKEQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FWill-icy-rivers-choke-Phila-energy-food-traffic.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEdCkVrsQHqaH7YotfBufCqhxvsSQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.cbslocal.com%2F2014%2F01%2F27%2Fice-floes-create-a-memorable-sight-along-delaware-river-near-trenton%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEgXZMI5kJrOgwHqtKQeOUp-807PAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F01%2Fnational_flood_insurance_progr_13.html%23incart_river_default&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHbQDLq7kS_c8Y8O4zIyh7S31yWxAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F01%2Fnational_flood_insurance_progr_12.html%23incart_river_default&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHGVjAOS4SHEKJilmkAD7FBC7SjAwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fdickson-city-homeowners-testify-about-flood-insurance-woes-1.1623744&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE-WGEHa_aHH6qtnUtxkfG4-MkA2Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fenvironmental.pasenategop.com%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fnational-flood-insurance-program%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF98lHdU7UiXtii7o9naLOXIHKpbwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fenvironmental.pasenategop.com%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fnational-flood-insurance-program%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF98lHdU7UiXtii7o9naLOXIHKpbw


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Because so much of the Oil and Gas Lease Fund is being used to run DCNR, there is

insufficient money in the fund to address these infrastructure needs.

Rep. Vitali said in the 2013-14 fiscal year DCNR received $106 million from the Oil and Gas

Lease Fund, up from $69 million in the previous budget. In addition to taking away needed funds, the

use of the fund creates a conflict of interest for DCNR, Rep. Vitali said.

"There's an inherent conflict of interest when an agency whose mission is conservation has topromote extraction to fund itself," Rep. Vitali said.

While assuring the money would be used for conservation, Vitali's bill would restore DCNR's

exclusive authority to make disbursements from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund. It also would replace

transfers from that fund to the Environmental Stewardship Fund and the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund

with transfers from the Unconventional Gas Well Fund.

Also speaking at the news conference were PennEnvironment Field Director Adam Garber,

Clean Water Action Central Pennsylvania Campaign Coordinator Nathan Sooy, PennFuture Vice

President and COO John Norbeck and Dick Martin from the Pennsylvania Forest Coalition.

NewsClips:


Wheres DCNRs $6 Million Marcellus Monitoring Report?Gamesa Wind Turbine Plant, Touted By Rendell, McGinty Closing

House Environmental Committee Hearing On Oil & Gas Well Royalty Payments Feb. 4

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committeeis scheduled to hold a hearing on House

Bill 1684(Everett-R-Lycoming) guaranteeing minimum royalty payments to oil and gas well owners.

(Pennsylvanias ) Guaranteed Minimum Royalty Act (Act 60 of 1979) provides royalty owners

with a guaranteed minimum one-eighth royalty for oil, natural gas or gas of any other designation in

order to protect landowners from unfair or deceptive leases for the recovery of these natural resources,

said Rep. Garth Everett, prime sponsor of the bill.

The development of unconventional shale gas wells in the Commonwealth has been

accompanied by an effort by some companies to reduce royalties below the statutory minimum by

transferring post-production costs to royalty owners, said Rep. Everett. These are costs that are

incurred between the wellhead and a final market point of sale and typically include dehydration and

transportation. When these expenses are deducted, final payments often result in royalty shares of less

than one-eighth.

In 2010, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court considered this issue in Kilmer v. Elexco Land

Services, Inc. and determined that the General Assembly is the branch of government best suited to

weigh the public policies underlying the determination of the proper point of royalty valuation,

explained Rep. Everett. When PA landowners signed leases stating that they would receive one-eighth

of the value of the gas produced, they assumed that an eighth is an eighth not something significantlyless than that because of deductions. Accordingly, we believe it is within the legitimate police power of

the Commonwealth to address and clarify this issue for our royalty owners, gas developers and the

Courts.

A sponsor summaryof the bill is available.

The House Committee hearing will be held in Room G-50 of the Irvis Building starting at 9:00.

Last week, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental

Resources and Energy Committee, introduced his own package of bills on the royalty issue: Senate Bill
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1236&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEvRDthCvdpIuoUdK6_yDTYRKo0wAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D13074&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH6yQilMMiY1PznXKY9gUokyiXojQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1684&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHLO7PB50CZ34gTSRfNjNRouyNklQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1684&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHLO7PB50CZ34gTSRfNjNRouyNklQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D8%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFxUAkR70KgxtgUTF3f8bVMWtCySghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fhomepage%2F20140130_Slowdowns_at_Gamesa_diminish_operation_in_Bucks.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHKi97Db57SOP4Hiswvz0_sfPyOGwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F26%2Fwhat-happened-to-dcnrs-6-million-marcellus-monitoring-report%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH5E6yMDud9z2tvucpMJ9tslNyV9ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fcitizensvoice.com%2Fnews%2Ffinding-right-home-for-oil-and-gas-revenue-1.1622948&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEmTWxbv2qXMI9TUtt1qOfwIxsJgg


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1236amends the Oil and Gas Lease Act further providing for payment of royalties, Senate Bill 1237

establishing the Natural Gas Lease Anti-Retaliation Act to protect royalty interest owners, Senate Bill

1238establishing the Oil and Gas Lease Satisfaction Act providing for certain forms and damages.

Sponsor summaryof all three bills are available.

Rep. Ron Miller (R-York) serves as Majority Chair and Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves

as Minority Chair.

News From Around The State

CBF: New Draft Chesapeake Bay Agreement Available For Comment

Chesapeake Bay FoundationVice President Kim Coble issued this statement Wednesday regarding a

proposed new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which was released for public comment by the

Chesapeake Bay Program:

There are a number of elements to celebrate in this new draft Agreement. I am happy to see

that the draft holds states accountable to the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, the plan to finish the

job of restoring the Bay. However, the draft contains no specific goals to reduce toxic contamination.

That is shortsighted.

CBF is shocked that the new draft Agreement contains no specific goals to reduce toxic

contamination. Twenty years ago the Executive Council debated, then agreed to set a goal of

eliminating toxic impacts in the Bay. This draft agreement moves us backward not forward with regard

to stopping toxic pollution.

We are also shocked that this draft Agreement fails to address one of the most critical

environmental challenges to our planet global climate change. How could this be possible in 2014?

CBF acknowledges the hard work and commitment that has led to progress in restoring the

Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams during the past 30 years. There is much about which

everyone should feel proud, but there is still more work to do. CBF remains an active and enthusiasticpartner to ensure progress continues and the goal of a clean Bay is achieved. We will work steadfastly

to ensure the new Bay Agreement enhances and accelerates Bay restoration.

The draft Chesapeake Bay Agreement and information on how to comment are available online.

NewsClips:

Report: 2,500 Miles Of PA Waterways Pollution-Impaired







American Farmland Trust Calls On Congress To Pass The New Farm Bill

The American Farmland Trustcalled on Congress Monday to pass the new Farm Bill. The bill includes

a number of American Farmland Trust's legislative priorities that will help preserve agricultural land,

promote sound farming practices, and help keep farmers on the land.

Among the key positions in the new Farm Bill AFT supports are:
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmland.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHSKQRGAIqsO1rqSorESN1_PTGdBwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2014%2F01%2F30%2FFarm-bill-passes-House-heads-to-Senate-for-vote%2Fstories%2F201401300210&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEsPS1b9ccmIG926wV5xPTtAlnJ7ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F01%2F28%2Fbroken-pipe-spills-crude-oil-into-delaware-river-south-of-philadelphia%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEmzcKNv8ZS6LylsFMdf9UCVNya_Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ldnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fci_25010598%2Fgrowing-greener-along-quittapahilla-creek&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHh58bp3vJ0goK0QO9i3IB5F2Xy2ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Flocal%2Fregion%2F2014%2F01%2F30%2FAlcosan-expects-approval-of-sewer-plan%2Fstories%2F201401300203&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEGpi16YDJHsKc9B9ohOyaTAPshSAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Flocal%2Fcity%2F2014%2F01%2F31%2FFederal-officials-say-Alcosan-s-sewer-upgrade-plan-doesn-t-go-far-enough%2Fstories%2F201401310158&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG75rswvuJwP7G6KbCXtMya1GuzlQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fopinion%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F01%2Fsmallmouth_bass_decline_susquehanna_river_mystery_ray_of_hope.html%23incart_river_default&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGTxl_Yg7xxUI69nT1QEsaTJ0FKdAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ellwoodcityledger.com%2Fnews%2Flocal_news%2Freport-miles-of-waterway-across-pa-pollution-impaired%2Farticle_785c1957-3807-5128-83ff-33dcb0bc5953.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH7UR0fIyKPlrfSyC6AxxrGhjCHQAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chesapeakebay.net%2Fchesapeakebaywatershedagreement%2Fpage&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEr0hcwQyF10vw1OkqADUsivnslOghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fhow-we-save-the-bay%2Fchesapeake-clean-water-blueprint%2Fwhat-is-the-chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFT1auH3sH7n9Hvw70pOVivIupTLQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chesapeakebay.net%2Fchesapeakebaywatershedagreement%2Fpage&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEr0hcwQyF10vw1OkqADUsivnslOghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fpa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGSWPVAaMesqRihAJwZTyppW6zgVAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DS%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D13430&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEvAu79p-C71S-ByOrqinWXvwTteghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1238&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFWnuKA6paUobwHS4DMtViEIh0Lcghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1238&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFWnuKA6paUobwHS4DMtViEIh0Lcghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1237&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGSysh84OICcYmwoWeDfA07Le4KzQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1236&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEvRDthCvdpIuoUdK6_yDTYRKo0wA


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-- An investment of $2 billion in conservation easements, helping limit the loss of our nation's working

farms and ranch lands to non-farm uses

-- Requiring conservation compliance requirements for federal crop insurance premium assistance. This

provision will help protect highly erodible soils and wetlands and provide a safety net for both our

nation's farmers and our natural resources

-- Reauthorizing the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) at $8 billion-- Providing for 10 million acres per year to be enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program and

-- $1 billion for targeted conservation through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

"For these reasons, the Trust calls upon Congress to promptly pass the pending Farm Bill," said

Andrew McElwaine, President and CEO of AFT. "As with any compromise there are pros and cons,

but on the whole we congratulate the House and Senate Agriculture Committees for coming together to

craft a bill. We look forward to its swift enactment.

The American Farmland Trust is the nations leading conservation organization dedicated to

protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land.

For more information, visit the American Farmland Trustwebsite.

NewsClips:Federal Farm Bill Passes House, Heads To Senate

CBF Praises Congressional Action On New Farm Bill, Good News For Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay FoundationPresident William C. Baker issued this statement regarding a new federal

Farm Bill, which was passed Wednesday by the U.S. House of Representatives:

CBF commends the House for passing a new federal Farm Bill, and we celebrate its strong

new conservation program, known as the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. This program

will help farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed keep fertilizer on the land and out of the water. It

will help them continue to implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.

We encourage organizations that work with farmers in the region to participate in the Regional

Conservation Partnership Program. Under this new program, organizations will work with farmers on

installing specific agricultural conservation practices that are vital to improving local and downstream

water quality.

We look forward to the Senate speedily passing the bill and particularly thank our senators and

representatives in the Bay watershed for ensuring that the Regional Conservation Partnership Program

will be a vital tool in reducing pollution to the regions rivers, streams and the Bay.

NewsClips:Federal Farm Bill Passes House, Heads To Senate

Reminder: Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 21-22 In State College

The 2014 Keystone Coldwater Conferencewill be held on February 21-22 at the Ramada Inn

Conference Center in State College. The last day to register is February 14.On February 21 there will be an optional afternoon workshop that will focus on how to protect,

conserve, and restore stream habitat, while also protecting adjacent property from potential flooding

impacts. The workshop will be followed by a Friday evening social. At the social attendees will have the

opportunity to network and visit the many exhibitors and posters. The event will include appetizers and

a cash bar.

On February 22, the program will begin at 8:30 a.m. with our keynote speaker Chris Wood,

CEO of Trout Unlimited. Twelve breakout sessions will round off the morning and afternoon, with
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.outreach.psu.edu%2Fcoldwaterconservation%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEc1Zp8Olpr6o0wm3ulFc_Eyr1OpAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2014%2F01%2F30%2FFarm-bill-passes-House-heads-to-Senate-for-vote%2Fstories%2F201401300210&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEsPS1b9ccmIG926wV5xPTtAlnJ7ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fpa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGSWPVAaMesqRihAJwZTyppW6zgVAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2014%2F01%2F30%2FFarm-bill-passes-House-heads-to-Senate-for-vote%2Fstories%2F201401300210&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEsPS1b9ccmIG926wV5xPTtAlnJ7ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmland.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHSKQRGAIqsO1rqSorESN1_PTGdBw


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topics related to conserving, protecting, and restoring our coldwater streams.

The presentations will highlight research, case studies, proactive community action, policy and

regulations, and targeted outre

Documents

Pa Environment Digest Feb. 3, 2014