PA Environment Digest Dec. 24, 2012

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PA Environment DigestAn Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Life is PreciousHarrisburg, Pa December 24, 2012

POWR, DCNR: Vote Now For Pennsylvanias 2013 River Of The Year

The public is invited to again vote online for the 2013 PennsylvaniaRiver of the Year, choosing from among six waterways nominated

across the state. Voting ends January 18.The rivers nominated are: Juniata River and Swatara Creekinsouthcentral Pennsylvania; Kiskiminetas and Monongahela rivers inthe southwest; Lackawanna River in the northeast; and SchuylkillRiver in the southeast.Pennsylvanias 2012 River of the Year is the Stonycreek River,flowing through Cambria and Somerset counties.

We are excited to partner with DCNR for a third year of public voting on River ofthe Year, POWR Executive Director Janie French said. The River of the Year program isa great way for us to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the states waterways.As part of the larger river sojourn program, the River of the Year helps connect thousands of

Pennsylvanians to the water.Individually, each of these waterways showcases unique natural resources and

recreational potential, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard J.Allan said. Collectively, they demonstrate just how blessed Pennsylvania is with its wealth ofrivers and streams.

Nomination of the six waterways was based on their conservation needs and successes, aswell as celebration plans should the nominee be voted 2013 River of the Year. Visit to read thenomination statement for each riverand vote online.

This is the third year that our selection process is through public voting, Allan said,and we know the spirit of competition rallies community support around our waterways andputs deserving rivers and streams in the limelight.

DCNR and the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, or POWR, administer theRiver of the Year program. Nominations were made by local groups.

Pennsylvanias River of the Year is an honor designed to elevate public awareness ofspecific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements. The award hasbeen presented annually since 1983.

POWR and DCNR also work with the local organization to create a free commemorativeposter celebrating the River of the Year.
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After a waterway is chosen, local groups implement a year-round slate of activitiesand events to celebrate the river, including a special extended paddling trip known as asojourn. These water-based journeys for canoeists, kayakers and others raise awareness of theenvironmental, recreational, tourism and heritage values of rivers.

The Pennsylvania Sojourn program, jointly run by DCNR and POWR, is a unique series

of a dozen such trips on the states rivers. For more information about the sojourns, visit thePOWR website.Visit DCNRs Rivers Conservation Program webpage for more information.

NewsClip:Lackawanna In Running For 2013 River Of The YearKeep PA Beautiful Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers, Programs

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced they have awardedCelina Seftas from Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful withtheir Presidents Award at their Annual Volunteer

Recognition Dinner held December 11 at the Fred RogersCenter on the St. Vincent College campus.The Presidents Award for Distinction in Volunteerism, developed in 2007, honors a

volunteer who has demonstrated a sustained commitment and exceptional contributions to theKeep Pennsylvania Beautiful mission.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful also honored outstanding programming work being donein their three focus areas of Prevent It, Clean It, and Keep It. The three award winners receivedKeep Pennsylvania Beautifuls Gold Shovel Award.

The Prevent It! category went to PA CleanWays of McKean County for their annualunwanted household medical collection program. Since launching this program in 2008, PACleanWays of McKean County has collected over 1,000 pounds of pharmaceuticals.

The Clean It! category went to Allegheny CleanWays for their Tireless Project. Thisprogram is a collaborative endeavor of several organizations with a common interest in thewaterways of Pittsburgh. Since its beginnings, more than 2,600 volunteers have extracted 173tons of debris, including 2170 tires and 310 bags of recyclables from the rivers shores.

The Keep It! category went to the York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA) fortheir support of volunteer cleanups by providing York County volunteers with free disposal yearround. They have also distributed thousands of KPB Open Your Eyes to Litter booklets andKPB education materials and this past year offered residents free tire disposal over a period of amonth in support of Keep York County Beautiful to prevent and eliminate illegal dumping and toeducate residents about proper tire disposal.

Additionally, two corporate sponsors received a Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful GoldShovel Award.

The Home Depot and BEHR Paint were awarded Gold Shovel Awards for theircontributions in 2012 to various Community Greening and Beautification Programs includingthe Ohio Valley Region VA Hospital Community Beautification and Greening Project and FreshPaint Days Pennsylvania.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliates and local Keep America Beautiful affiliatesnominated their own volunteer of the year and these volunteers were presented with an engravedwalking stick as a tribute to their efforts to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.
http://pawatersheds.org/on-the-water/sojourns/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/index.htmhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-in-running-for-2013-river-of-year-1.1419290http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/index.htmhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/index.htmhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/index.htmhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/index.htmhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/index.htmhttp://pawatersheds.org/on-the-water/sojourns/http://pawatersheds.org/on-the-water/sojourns/http://pawatersheds.org/on-the-water/sojourns/


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Click Here for Presidents Award winner. Click Here for Golden Shovel Award winners.Visit KPBs Awards and Grants webpage for award winners over the years.Warwick, Lititz Receive EPA Award For Protecting Watersheds

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday honored two Lancaster Countycommunities for protecting sources of drinking water used by more than 20,000 people. EPARegional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin presented the agencys 2012 regional Source WaterProtection Award to the Warwick Township Municipal Authority and the Borough of Lititz at aceremony at the Warwick Municipal Office.

Protecting the sources of our drinking water benefits public health, our environment,and our economic well-being as well as our quality of life, said Garvin. Warwick and Lititzhave shown the way for more than a decade of working with farmers and others in takingresponsible steps protecting drinking water supplies.

The Source Water Protection Award recognizes organizations and communities that takeextraordinary steps to protect drinking water sources in EPAs mid-Atlantic region.

Warwick and Lititz were recognized for their joint Wellhead Protection Program toprotect groundwater sources from contamination. The communities were nominated for theaward by the Department of Environmental Protection.

DEP is proud to nominate Warwick Township and Lititz Borough for their approach ofworking with local farmers, DEP Southcentral Regional Director Lynn Langer said. They haveset the bar high for protecting drinking water, and hopefully other communities will follow theirexample.

We know that in order to protect our sensitive water supply we need to use manydifferent approaches, said Dan Zimmerman, Warwick Township Manager.

Sue Barry, Lititz Borough Manager explained, We appreciate the willingness of ourpartners in the community and state, local and county governments who have helped to make thisprogram successful.

The communities created a steering committee of local stakeholders to guide their steps,supported state-of-the-art farming techniques and plans, sponsored public education activities,completed watershed improvement projects, and developed protective land use planningstrategies and emergency water supply plans.

These steps are designed to deal with high levels of nutrient pollution in the heavily-agricultural area. More than 30 percent of the public water systems in Lancaster County havenitrate removal systems installed to assure that water provided to customers meets health-basedstandards.

The communities reported a steady decline in raw water nitrate concentrations for theirdrinking water sources, reducing treatment requirements and expenses.

The upgrade of the Lititz Sewer Authoritys wastewater treatment plant is helping toprotect local waters and the Chesapeake Bay by significantly reducing nitrogen and phosphorusdischarges to Lititz Run. The plants technology is also producing dried biosolids that are beingused by local farmers as a slow release fertilizer as part of their nutrient management program.

Warwick and Lititz are the first Source Water Protection Award winners in Pennsylvaniasince 2009.NewsClips:
http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards.aspxhttp://www.warwicktownship.org/warwick/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=471894http://www.landstudies.com/projects/projects_sheet.asp?PID=28http://www.landstudies.com/projects/projects_sheet.asp?PID=28http://www.landstudies.com/projects/projects_sheet.asp?PID=28http://www.landstudies.com/projects/projects_sheet.asp?PID=28http://www.landstudies.com/projects/projects_sheet.asp?PID=28http://www.landstudies.com/projects/projects_sheet.asp?PID=28http://www.warwicktownship.org/warwick/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=471894http://www.warwicktownship.org/warwick/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=471894http://www.warwicktownship.org/warwick/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=471894http://www.warwicktownship.org/warwick/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=471894http://www.warwicktownship.org/warwick/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=471894http://www.warwicktownship.org/warwick/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=471894http://www.warwicktownship.org/warwick/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=471894http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/GoldShovelAwards.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/GrantsAwards/PresidentsAward.aspx


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eimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/12/20/while-touting-transparency-corbett-declines-to-explain-free-vacation/http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0015http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0015http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0015http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0015http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=21425http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=21425http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=21425


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February 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13March 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24May 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

News From The Capitol

Senate Republicans Name Sen. Gene Yaw Environmental Committee Chair

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) Wednesdayannounced Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford) will serve as Majority Chair of theSenate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Sen. Yaw was elected to represent the 23rd Senatorial District inNovember 2008.Last session he served as Majority Chair of the Urban Affairs and Housing

Committee and as a member of the Environmental Resources and Energy,Law and Justice, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Rules, Labor and Industry,Executive Nominations Committees and the Majority Policy Committeeand as Chair of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

"It is an honor to have been selected to chair the Environmental Resources and EnergyCommittee," Sen. Yaw said. "As incoming Chairman, I look forward to continuing the greatwork and momentum initiated by my predecessor, Senator Mary Jo White. We will continueworking to strengthen our laws and regulations to further protect Pennsylvanias rivers, forestsand streams for future generations. We will also work to improve our air and water quality, andpromote the sustainable and safe use of our natural resources in order to reduce our dependenceon foreign energy sources. Equally, we will ensure that current laws are strictly enforced. I look

forward to working with my colleagues in this new role during the 197th General Assembly."Sen. Yaw represents the heart of the Marcellus Shale drilling fields in northcentralPennsylvania and has been very active in drilling-related issues.

Prior to running for the Senate, Yaw served as Lycoming County solicitor for 17 yearsand was named County Solicitor of the Year in 2004. He has also served as general counsel tothe Pennsylvania College of Technology for more than 20 years and now serves on the Board ofDirectors of that institution.

Other Chairs

The full list of Republican and Democratic Senate Chairs include--

Aging & Youth

Republican: Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Lehigh)*Democrat: Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Washington)

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Republican: Sen. Elder A. Vogel, Jr. (R-Beaver)

Democrat: Sen. Judith Schwank (D-Berks)*
http://senatorgeneyaw.com/profile.htmhttp://senatorgeneyaw.com/profile.htmhttp://senatorgeneyaw.com/profile.htmhttp://senatorgeneyaw.com/profile.htmhttp://senatorgeneyaw.com/profile.htmhttp://senatorgeneyaw.com/profile.htm


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Appropriations

Republican: Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre)

Democrat: Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia)

Banking & Insurance

Republican: Sen. Don White (R-Indiana)

Democrat: Sen. Michael Stack (D-Philadelphia)

Communications & Technology

Republican: Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny)*

Democrat: Sen. Lawrence Farnese (D-Philadelphia)

Community, Economic & Recreational Development

Republican: Sen. Kim L. Ward (R-Westmoreland)*

Democrat: Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny)

Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure

Republican: Sen. Robert M. Tomlinson (R-Bucks)

Democrat: Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh)

Education

Republican: Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon)*

Democrat: Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester)

Environmental Resources & EnergyRepublican: Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford)*

Democrat: Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne)

Finance

Republican: Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster)

Democrat: Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna)*

Game & Fisheries

Republican: Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin)

Democrat: Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Somerset)

Intergovernmental Operations

Republican: Senator-elect Scott E. Hutchinson (R-Venango)*

Democrat: Sen. Sean Wiley (D-Erie)*


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Judiciary

Republican: Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf (R-Montgomery)

Democrat: Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery)

Labor & Industry

Republican: Sen. John R. Gordner (R-Columbia)

Democrat: Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia)

Law & Justice

Republican: Sen. Charles T. McIlhinney, Jr. (R-Bucks)*

Democrat: Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny)

Local Government

Republican: Sen. John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-Blair)

Democrat: Sen. Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin)*

Public Health & Welfare

Republican: Sen. Patricia H. Vance (R-Cumberland)

Democrat: Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia)

Rules & Executive Nominations

Republican: Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware)

Democrat: Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny)

State GovernmentRepublican: Sen. Lloyd K. Smucker (R-Lancaster)*

Democrat: Sen. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny)*

Transportation

Republican: Sen. John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-Montgomery)

Democrat: Sen. John Wozniak (D-Cambria)

Urban Affairs & Housing

Republican: Sen. David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill)*

Democrat: Sen. James Brewster (D-Allegheny)

Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

Republican: Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)

Democrat: Sen. Tim Solobay (D-Washington)


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*New Chairs

Senate Democrats Again Name Sen. John Yudichak Environmental Committee Chair

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) Thursday was named Minority Chair of the

Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by SenateDemocratic Leadership; the only returning Environmental Committee Chair ineither the Senate or House.Sen. Yudichak was first elected to the Senate in 2010 after spending 13years in the House. He followed long-time Senate Environmental CommitteeChair Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne).Sen. Yudichak has provided leadership on enactment of the Growing

Greener II Program which invests in reclaiming abandoned mine lands and restoring streams andpromoted investments in renewable energy and creating green jobs.

He also supported a severance tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling and atemporary moratorium on further leasing of state forest lands for Marcellus drilling.

As a member of the House, he was prime sponsor of the Waste Tire Act to providefunding for the removal of waste tire piles.Other Chairs

The full list of Senate Republican and Democratic Chairs includes--Aging & YouthRepublican: Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Lehigh)*Democrat: Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Washington)Agriculture & Rural AffairsRepublican: Sen. Elder A. Vogel, Jr. (R-Beaver)

Democrat: Sen. Judith Schwank (D-Berks)*AppropriationsRepublican: Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre)Democrat: Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia)Banking & InsuranceRepublican: Sen. Don White (R-Indiana)Democrat: Sen. Michael Stack (D-Philadelphia)Communications & Technology

Republican: Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny)*Democrat: Sen. Lawrence Farnese (D-Philadelphia)Community, Economic & Recreational DevelopmentRepublican: Sen. Kim L. Ward (R-Westmoreland)*Democrat: Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny)Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
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11/46

Republican: Sen. Robert M. Tomlinson (R-Bucks)Democrat: Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh)EducationRepublican: Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon)*

Democrat: Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester)Environmental Resources & EnergyRepublican: Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford)*Democrat: Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne)FinanceRepublican: Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster)Democrat: Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna)*Game & Fisheries

Republican: Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin)Democrat: Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Somerset)Intergovernmental OperationsRepublican: Senator-elect Scott E. Hutchinson (R-Venango)*Democrat: Sen. Sean Wiley (D-Erie)*JudiciaryRepublican: Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf (R-Montgomery)Democrat: Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery)Labor & IndustryRepublican: Sen. John R. Gordner (R-Columbia)Democrat: Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia)Law & JusticeRepublican: Sen. Charles T. McIlhinney, Jr. (R-Bucks)*Democrat: Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny)Local GovernmentRepublican: Sen. John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-Blair)Democrat: Sen. Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin)*Public Health & WelfareRepublican: Sen. Patricia H. Vance (R-Cumberland)Democrat: Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia)Rules & Executive NominationsRepublican: Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware)Democrat: Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny)


12/46

State GovernmentRepublican: Sen. Lloyd K. Smucker (R-Lancaster)*Democrat: Sen. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny)*

TransportationRepublican: Sen. John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-Montgomery)Democrat: Sen. John Wozniak (D-Cambria)Urban Affairs & HousingRepublican: Sen. David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill)*Democrat: Sen. James Brewster (D-Allegheny)Veterans Affairs & Emergency PreparednessRepublican: Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)Democrat: Sen. Tim Solobay (D-Washington)

*New ChairsReps. Ron Miller, Greg Vitali Named Chairs Of House Environmental Committee

Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) Wednesday named Rep. Ron Miller (R-York) Majority Chair and Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) Minority Chair ofthe House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.Rep. Miller (photo) was first elected to the House and served asMajority Chair of the Labor and Industry Committee and was a member of the HouseHe has been appointed chairman of the seven-member Pennsylvaniadelegation to the Chesapeake Bay Commission and serves as theCommissions vice-chair."I'm looking forward to leading this committee into the upcoming session,"

Rep. Miller said. "My years in the private sector and current responsibilities with the ChesapeakeBay Commission make this a perfect fit."

"Chairing this committee is a natural tie-in to my responsibilities with the commission,"he added. "The twenty-one legislators who serve on the commission are responsible foridentifying legislation to address the needs of the Bay, hearing the wishes of their constituentsand determining actions that make better stewards of all of us."

Rep. Miller is a past recipient of the Pennsylvania Conservation Districts LegislatorRecognition Award, which is given in recognition for outstanding efforts to further the activitiesand accomplishments of conservation districts. He is a longtime promoter of environmentalstewardship through assisting at York County's Envirothon events and has authored or co-sponsored numerous pieces of legislation to facilitate conservation district activities includingamendments to the Conservation District Law, mitigation of flood hazards, and establishingdedicated fund for conservation districts.

Previous to his election to the House, Rep. Miller was the safety, health andenvironmental manager for Adhesives Research in Glen Rock, where he had been employed for25 years.


13/46

Rep. Vitali was first elected to the 1992 and has served as a member of theEnvironmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Last term, he worked to ensure Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling is done in a safe andresponsible way. He has introduced a drilling tax bill that would dedicate some of the moneyto Growing Greener. He has introduced legislation to prohibit the leasing of additional state

forestland for natural gas drilling.Rep. Vitali also has introduced legislation to promote use of renewable energy.He served on the House Appropriations and State Government committees. He was also

chairman of the state's Government Committee's Subcommittee on Government Operations.Other Committee Chairs

The other Committee Chairs named by Speaker Smith were--Aging and Older Adult ServicesRepublican: Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester)Democrat: Rep. Steve Samuelson (D-Lehigh)

Agriculture and Rural AffairsRepublican: Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny)Democrat: Rep. Joseph Petrarca (D-Armstrong)AppropriationsRepublican: Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware)Democrat: Rep. Joe Markosek (D-Allegheny)Children and YouthRepublican: Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks)*Democrat: Rep. Louise Bishop (D-Philadelphia)CommerceRepublican: Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester)*Democrat: Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia)*Consumer AffairsRepublican: Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery)Democrat: Rep. Peter J. Daley (D-Washington)*EducationRepublican: Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks)Democrat: Rep. James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia)Environmental Resources and EnergyRepublican: Rep. Ron Miller (R-York)*Democrat: Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware)*FinanceRepublican: Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Mifflin)


14/46

Democrat: Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne)Game and FisheriesRepublican: Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron)Democrat: Rep. Gary Haluska (D-Cambria)

Gaming OversightRepublican: Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford)Democrat: Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia)HealthRepublican: Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga)Democrat: Rep. Flo Fabrizio (D-Erie)Human ServicesRepublican: Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks)

Democrat: Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Philadelphia)*InsuranceRepublican: Rep. Nick Micozzie (R-Delaware)Democrat: Rep. Tony DeLuca (D-Allegheny)JudiciaryRepublican: Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin)Democrat: Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks)Labor and IndustryRepublican: Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe)*Democrat: Rep. Bill Keller (D-Philadelphia)Liquor ControlRepublican: Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia)Democrat: Rep. Paul Costa (D-Allegheny)Local GovernmentRepublican: Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery)Democrat: Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Northampton)Professional LicensureRepublican: Rep. Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh)Democrat: Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny)State GovernmentRepublican: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler)Democrat: Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia)


15/46

Tourism and Recreational DevelopmentRepublican: Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair)Democrat: Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland (D-Delaware)Transportation

Republican: Rep. Dick Hess (R-Bedford)Democrat: Rep. Michael P. McGeehan (D-Philadelphia)Urban AffairsRepublican: Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York)*Democrat: Rep. Ted Harhai (D-Westmoreland)*Veterans Affairs and Emergency PreparednessRepublican: Rep. Stephen E. Barrar (R-Chester)Democrat: Rep. Chris Sainato (D-Beaver)

*New ChairsSenators Yaw, Pileggi Propose Expanded Use Of Natural Gas

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford) and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware)announced Friday they will introduce legislation designed to make natural gas available to morePennsylvanians.

The Pennsylvania Natural Gas Expansion and Development Initiative will promote theexpansion, distribution and use of low-cost, energy-efficient, Pennsylvania-produced natural gas,thus developing an intrastate market for our own resources.

The incentives will primarily focus on encouraging anchor users, such as schools andhospitals, to convert to natural gas. The legislation will also adopt mechanisms for the PublicUtility Commission to use in reviewing current levels of natural gas service and to enable publicutilities to more efficiently expand natural gas services to areas which are currently underserved.

The abundant natural gas reserves found in the Marcellus Shale formation represent anincredible growth opportunity for our state, Sen. Pileggi said. We should make that resourceeasily available to as many Pennsylvanians as possible.

According to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, only 51 percent of Pennsylvaniahomes are heated with natural gas, Sen. Yaw said. Certainly, the lack of natural gas serviceis a hardship for citizens in Pennsylvania who are required to purchase more expensive heatingsources simply because of a lack of natural gas distribution infrastructure. Expanding thatinfrastructure is critically important to providing consumers with the best energy value, both nowand into the future.

Sen. Yaw said the lack of infrastructure affects both rural and urban communities. Thatlack of service is a barrier to future development and job creation, but it is a barrier that we canand should remove, he said.

Senators Yaw and Pileggi have circulated a co-sponsorship memo, seeking support forthe Natural Gas Expansion and Development Initiative from other Senators. The legislation willbe introduced in early 2013.
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December Environmental Synopsis Now Available From Joint Conservation Committee

The December issue of the Environmental Synopsis is now available from the Joint LegislativeAir and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

This months issue features stories on: i-Tree and the value of trees, green buildings,

business opportunities in green initiatives, illegal timber trade, EPA power plant rules and more.The Joint Committee has also scheduled its first Environmental Issues Forum forFebruary 11 featuring a presentation on a new venture which collects and recycles plastic wellpad liners used by the Marcellus Shale industry.

The Forum will be held in Room G-50 Irvis Building starting at noon.Sign up to receive the Environmental Synopsis by email by sending an email to:

[email protected]. For more information, visit the Joint Committee website.

News From Around The State

EPA Provides $1.8 Million To Restore Habitats, Urban Environments In Lancaster Area

EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin joined Mayor Rick Gray and the NationalFish and Wildlife Foundations Director of Chesapeake Programs Amanda Bassow at a pressconference Tuesday in Lancaster to tout locally-led efforts to restore watersheds and engagepeople in environmental stewardship work.

More than $1.8 million in grants will fund seven projects, including one in the Cityof Lancaster, that will ultimately improve the health of Lancaster area rivers, streams and theChesapeake Bay.

The Lancaster area projects are among 41 selected this year by the National Fish andWildlife Foundation, a nonprofit which administers grants on behalf of EPA and other fundersunder the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund.

A $350,000 EPA grant to the City of Lancaster will fund a project to drastically reducepolluted stormwater runoff in the city by retrofitting private properties covered by impervioussurfaces.

Other Lancaster area projects funded this year under the Chesapeake Bay StewardshipFund:-- Penn State University $378,105 Grant -- PSU will facilitate and employ an innovativepublic/private partnership approach to accelerate forest riparian buffer and green infrastructurerestoration efforts in Pennsylvanias nutrient hot spot of Dauphin, Lancaster, and LebanonCounties. Community green visioning sessions will result in greater acceptance and adoptionof green infrastructure approaches to stormwater management. A volunteer conservation corps

will engage in tree plantings, buffer maintenance, and seedling rescues to establish a regionalnative tree nursery.-- Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium $150,000 Grant -- Brought together byLCCWC, six diverse municipalities throughout Lancaster County Mount Joy and LititzBoroughs, and Manheim, West Lampeter, East Cocalico, and Warwick Townships willdevelop a collaborative approach to managing municipal stormwater programs via sustainablefinancing strategies. The participating municipalities range from extremely rural to large
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suburban and vary in their political, economic, and social landscapes. The municipalities arereceiving technical consulting services from the Environmental Finance Center at the Universityof Maryland.-- Stroud Water Research Center $500,000 Grant -- The Stroud Water Research Centerwill

accelerate implementation of agricultural best management practices in Lancaster County byproviding technical assistance to farmers and advancing nutrient credit trading opportunities.A partnership of public agencies and private groups will bring an estimated 27 farms to fullregulatory compliance, demonstrating that the process is affordable and achievable.-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation $200,000 Grant -- CBF and its partners will provide outreachand technical assistance in south-central Pennsylvania to accelerate first-time enrollment ofnew Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) forested buffers. The project willachieve 368 acres of new CREP forested buffers, including 57 acres of wetland restoration. TheFoundation will also work to increase landowners use of available cost-share for post-plantingcare, resulting in 1,715 acres of buffers being improved through better maintenance. In addition

to the push for new buffers, the project will enable willing landowners to re-enroll existingCREP forested buffers under fresh contracts.-- Nature Conservancy $161,158 Grant -- The Nature Conservancy and its partners willimplement conservation practices to improve water quality and brook trout habitat in the Juniata,Lower Susquehanna, and Potomac River watersheds. The project will use science-based spatialanalysis to identify priority areas where restoration can be expected to achieve water qualitybenefits; help landowners participate more effectively in Farm Bill conservation programs(specifically the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program); restore forested riparian buffers;and, exclude livestock from riparian corridors.-- Borough of Wrightsville, York County $100,000 Grant -- The Borough and SusquehannaGateway Heritage Area will receive technical assistance to design several innovative greeninfrastructure practices at its revitalized Riverfront Park. The park is the cornerstone of eco-tourism & community development and is on the Susquehanna. The design will seek toefficiently manage urban stormwater and improve the environmental function of the rivercorridor associated with the park, as part of a holistic approach to revitalize the parks greeninfrastructure.

Managing urban stormwater is critical to protecting local rivers and streams and creatinghealthier, more sustainable communities, said EPA Regional Administrator Garvin. Whenlocal governments and private sector stakeholders step up and commit to creative solutions,that's when restoration efforts really succeed. EPA is proud to provide resources for these effortsthat can serve as models for other communities in this area and throughout the Chesapeake Baywatershed.

Garvin commended Mayor Gray and other local leaders at todays event for their on-the-ground actions to tackle stormwater pollution and other environmental threats to communitiesand waterways.

The City of Lancaster is eager to demonstrate how the use of green infrastructuretechniques and innovative financing can help communities overcome the challenges involvedin managing stormwater, said Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray. Our EPA-funded project promises
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multiple water-quality, community health and economic benefits that stand to last for years tocome not just here in Lancaster but throughout the Bay watershed.

Lancaster is a leader in developing innovative solutions to protect local waters andclean-up polluted runoff from city streets, and from area farms, said Amanda Bassow, Directorof Chesapeake Programs at NFWF. We are pleased to be able to leverage funds from diverse

agencies like EPA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Forest Service, withprivate funding from Altria Group, to make these grants possible.The City of Lancaster will use its grant to create and pilot an innovative business model

for financing urban stormwater retrofits on privately-owned properties. Given that more than 87percent of land area in the city is privately-owned, providing financial incentive for retrofittingimpervious surfaces on private properties may prove effective in accelerating the Citys effort toreduce stormwater runoff.

Unmanaged stormwater accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment, or other pollutants thatcould adversely affect water quality.

After piloting its financing program, the City of Lancaster will transfer responsibilityto a selected private consortium for continued implementation using private equity investment

instead of grant funding. The overall goal is to offer a successful business model that can beadapted and used by other Bay jurisdictions.

NewsClips:

Lancaster Gets $350K For Chesapeake Bay Saving ProjectStudy: More Chesapeake Bay Pollution From Midstate SewageEditorial: Get To Bottom Of Susquehanna River ProblemDEP Recommends EPA Delist Presque Isle Bay As Area of Concern

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it officially requested theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency remove Presque Isle Bay from the list of Great LakesAreas of Concern.

If EPA approves the request, Presque Isle Bay will be the second American Area ofConcern taken off the list of environmentally impaired sites identified under the Great LakesWater Quality Agreement.

After more than 20 years of investigations, monitoring and restoration actions, the bay ishealthy and ready to be removed from the list, DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. This actionis the result of collaboration among federal, state and local government agencies, universities,researchers and citizens. It is a success story for the City of Erie and its economy, and itdemonstrates how government and the public can work together to accomplish environmentalprotection and restoration.

The first indication of problems in the bay was in 1984, when local anglers reportedbrown bullhead catfish with external growths. In 1991, due in part to these concerns and at therequest of local citizens, Presque Isle Bay became the 43rd AOC under the Great Lakes QualityAgreement.

Two impairments, restrictions on dredging activities due to contaminated sediment andfish tumors or other deformities, were identified.
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eronline.com/article/local/794478_Lancaster-gets--350K-for-Chesapeake-Bay-saving-project.htmlhttp://lancasteronline.com/article/local/794478_Lancaster-gets--350K-for-Chesapeake-Bay-saving-project.html


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Upgrades to the City of Eries wastewater treatment, collection and conveyance system;reduction in combined sewer overflows within the bays watershed; and regulation of pollutantdischarges all contributed to the reduction in contaminants entering the bay.

These actions translated into the bay becoming the first American AOC to be designatedin the Recovery Stage in 2002, with the restrictions on dredging impairment having been

removed in 2007.DEPs request this week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)recommends the removal of the fish tumor impairment, which also results in the delisting of thebay as an AOC. The recommendation to delist is grounded on the best science and technologyavailable today.

In making its recommendation to delist, DEP consulted with the Presque Isle BayPublic Advisory Committee and determined that the goal of the AOC program, to improveenvironmental conditions so they are equal to other non-AOC locations elsewhere in the GreatLakes, has been met.

Remedial measures with the greatest direct benefit to the bay are complete; otherwatershed measures that positively impact the bay are ongoing; air, waste and water discharges

are permitted and monitored; no other species of fish or organisms living at the bottom of thebay appear to be impacted; and a human health and ecosystem health assessment concluded thatthe existing conditions in the bay do not increase cancer or non-cancer risks to people or theenvironment.

While we celebrate this achievement, our work is not done, DEP Northwest RegionalDirector Kelly Burch said. DEP will continue working with the public advisory committeeand other partners to monitor the bays health, conduct investigations and continue to addressenvironmental issues through our broad range of statutory, regulatory, permitting andenforcement authorities.

EPAs Great Lakes National Program Office will review DEPs recommendation to de-list and coordinate a final decision with the U.S. Department of State.

For more information, visit the Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee.NewsClip: Presque Isle Bay Committee Discusses DelistingFish & Boat Commission: Susquehanna River Needs Your Help

John Arway, Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission, Friday invited the public tosubmit stories to the agency outlining problems with the Susquehanna River. Arway's messagesaid--

Holidays are for reminiscing and sharing fishing stories with family and friends, so Iwould like to offer you the chance to share some of your memories of the Susquehanna Riverwith your PFBC family.

The Susquehanna has been a friend and great company for many of us who haveenjoyed the river over the years. Whether it is fishing, boating, floating or just sitting on the riverbank watching the river flow by, the mighty Susquehanna really is part of our family heritage.Right now our friend - the river - is in trouble and needs your help.

The government agencies in charge of protecting the river have gathered the facts whichshow that the fish in the river are sick. However, that has not been enough evidence to convinceothers in positions of authority to act.
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Over the last several years, many of you have shared with us your personal stories aboutfishing the river and your concerns about the changes that are occurring. We invite you to visitour website and submit these personal stories about your good times on the river. Please includephotos of big fish or creatures or tubing or boating on the river. Tell us about how you rememberthe river and how it compares to what you see today.

This is your chance to make a holiday wish that the Susquehanna River gets healthyagain and to show others that we really care about the river and why we care so much. I knowthat we can make a difference if we all work together to get our river back. Please help us tomake our wish come true.

You can submit the stories online. Visit the Fish and Boat Commissions SusquehannaRiver Impairment webpage for more information.Register Now For Feb. 20-21 PA Lake Management Society Conference

The PA Lake Management Society Conference will be held February 20-21 at the Ramada Hoteland Conference Center in State College.

Dr. Robert Kirschner will be the keynote speaker for the Conference. Dr. Kirschner hasbeen with the Chicago Botanic Garden since 1999, and today he serves as the Garden's Curatorof Aquatic Plant & Urban Lake Studies as well as its Director of Restoration Ecology. Prior tojoining the Garden staff, Bob served for 21 years as the Principal Environmental Planner at theNortheastern Illinois Planning Commission.

While there, he worked on lake and stream protection projects throughout northeasternIllinois, as well as public policy relating to water resource protection.

Click Here to register online or for more information.DEP Invites Comments On Limestone Run TMDL In Northumberland, Montour Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting comments on proposed totalmaximum daily load plans for the Limestone Run Watershed in Northumberland and Montourcounties. (PA Bulletin page 7760) Visit DEPs TMDL webpage for a copy of the proposedTMDL plans.Ag Census Asks For Info On Additional Farm Conservation Practices For First Time

Pennsylvanias farmers and ranchers will soon have the opportunity to make a positive impacton their communities by taking part in the 2012 Census of Agriculture. For the first time, thesurvey will ask farmers about the use of additional conservation practices on their farms.

Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agricultures NationalAgricultural Statistics Service, the Census is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches andthose who operate them.

The Census remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data forevery county in the nation, said Kevin Pautler, director of NASSs Pennsylvania Field Office.Its a critical tool that gives farmers a voice to influence decisions that will shape the future oftheir community, industry and operation.

The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, productionpractices, income and expenditures and other topics. This information is used by all those who
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serve farmers and rural communities from federal, state and local governments to agribusinessesand trade associations. For example, legislators use the data when shaping farm policy andagribusinesses factor it into their planning efforts.

For the first time, the 2012 Census contains questions asking for the number of acresunder conservation tillage practices, acres planted to cover crops and acres under conservation

easements. This information will be critical in documenting the work farmers are doingcollectively to be good stewards of the environment.Through the Census, producers can show the nation the value and importance of

agriculture both environmentally and economically. By responding to the Census, producers arehelping themselves, their communities and all of U.S. agriculture.

Your answers to the Census impact farm programs and rural services that support yourcommunity, Pautler said. So do your part and be counted when you receive your form, becausetheres strength in numbers that only the Census can reveal.

NASS will mail out Census forms in late December, to collect data for the 2012 calendaryear. Completed forms are due by February 4. Producers can fill out the Census online via asecure website, or return their form by mail. Federal law requires all agricultural producers to

participate in the Census and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential.For more information, visit the Census of Agriculture website.Take Penn State Survey On Pennsylvanias Water Resources

This is your chance to be heard on the value and importance of water resources in Pennsylvania!Researchers from Penn State along with several other partner agencies are conducting an onlinesurvey of Pennsylvania residents about the state's water resources.

The objective of this survey is to collect opinions from a large number of Pennsylvaniaresidents on the current status of our water and how to prioritize funding and other resourcesto best protect and manage our water resources. This informal survey is intended as a publicengagement project and does not necessarily represent a statistical sampling of opinions.

The five-minute survey can be completed online.The survey is open to Pennsylvania residents who are at least 18 years of age. The survey

will remain open until February 28, 2013 and a summary of results will be published on thePennsylvania Water Resources Research Centerwebsite in Spring 2013.

This survey is funded by the Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center and Sea GrantPennsylvania in partnership with Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania American WaterResources Association.(Reprinted from Penn State Extension Watershed Winds newsletter.)

Penn State Extension: Decommissioning Water Wells Safely

Do you have an old well on your property that isnt used anymore? Pennsylvania has one of thelargest rural populations of any state in the country, and most rural populations depend on privatewater systems for drinking water. So it is common to find old, unused wells throughout the state.

Homeowners may choose to abandon a well on their property if it is plagued withproblems and they believe that a new well will provide a high-quality water supply. A well mayalso go unused if it does not provide an adequate yield and a new well is thought to provide a
http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttp://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/news/2012/penn-state-conducting-online-survey-of-opinions-about-pennsylvanias-water-resources?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/news/2012/penn-state-conducting-online-survey-of-opinions-about-pennsylvanias-water-resources?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/news/2012/penn-state-conducting-online-survey-of-opinions-about-pennsylvanias-water-resources?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/news/2012/penn-state-conducting-online-survey-of-opinions-about-pennsylvanias-water-resources?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://state.awra.org/pennsylvania/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/http://www.pawatercenter.psu.edu/https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PaWaterhttp://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/


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more abundant water supply.Regardless of the reason that a well is no longer in use, it is very important for any

unused well to be properly sealed (or decommissioned) by a qualified well driller. The goal ofsealing a well properly is to restore the area to the same condition (or better) that existed beforethe original well was drilled.

An unused well that is not properly sealed becomes a direct conduit for surfacecontamination to affect the surrounding groundwater supply. In certain situations an unused wellthat is not sealed properly can lead to mixing between aquifers of poor and good water quality.Besides the potential pollution that an unused well might cause, it can also be a physical hazardand sealing it properly will help to prevent injury.

It is never acceptable for unused wells to be used for the disposal of any type of liquid orsolid waste.

Pennsylvania currently has no statewide residential regulations regarding sealing wells.The procedures generally used in Pennsylvania are based on the recommendations of theNational Ground Water Association.

The first step in properly decommissioning a private water well is to hire a qualified

professional. Use special consideration if the well to be plugged is a flowing artesian well. In thissituation, you should select a driller who has extensive experience in sealing an artesian well.After a qualified driller is obtained, the following steps should be taken:

-- Research must be done on the well. Any records on the well, including the well log ormaintenance records, should be located and given to the contractor. If no records can beobtained, then a down-hole camera and other techniques can be used for the contractor to gatherinformation about the well.-- Any material potentially hindering the proper sealing of a decommissioned well should beremoved. In most situations, the well casing or liner should be removed from the borehole alongwith the pitless adapter, pump, screen, and any debris that has fallen into well.-- The well should be shock chlorinated (100 to 500 mg/L) to reduce the presence of bacteria andthe chance that the sealed well might be a future source of bacteria for other wells in the area.-- A grout or cement material chosen by the contractor should be used to seal the hole. Thesealing material must be introduced at the bottom of the borehole and filled up to the surfaceusing a tremie or grout pipe, cement bucket, or dump bailer under pressure.

Methods and equipment used for the sealing should be selected based onrecommendations from a qualified professional.

And finally, information about the decommissioned well should be recorded by thecontractor and a copy of the report given to both the homeowner and the state or local regulatoryagency.

More information about the National Ground Water Association and specificrecommendations for well decommissioning can be found at www.wellowner.org or theDepartment of Environmental Protection.

For more information, visit: A Guide to Private Water Systems in Pennsylvania.(Written By: Dana Rizzo, Water Resources Educator, Penn State Extension, reprinted from theWatershed Winds newsletter.)

OSM, USGS Release Update To Mine Drainage Modeling Software
http://www.wellowner.org/http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/Wc/Subjects/SrceProt/ground/sympos/GrdMonitor-chap7.htmhttp://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/news/2012/decommissioning-wells-for-safety?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/news/2012/decommissioning-wells-for-safety?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/news/2012/decommissioning-wells-for-safety?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/news/2012/decommissioning-wells-for-safety?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/agrs111.pdfhttp://pubs.cas.psu

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PA Environment Digest Dec. 24, 2012

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