Pa Environment Digest Nov. 9, 2015

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PA Environment Digest

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

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Issue #593 Harrisburg, Pa November 9, 2015

DEP, DCNR Launch New Website Designs, Transition May Cause Broken Links

The Department of Environmental Protection (note new web address: www.dep.pa.gov) and the

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Friday launched a new website designs

which significantly changes the way information is organized and made available to the public.

The new design will take some getting used to and users will have to put up with some broken links for a while.

New DEP Design

According to a notice on the website , the best bridge from the old website to the new one

is through the Site Map link on the new homepage. You can also enter search terms in the search

box at the top.

There are drop down menus for Citizens, Businesses, Public Participation and Data and

Tools at the very top of the homepage that include many of the links that were at the left panel of

the old website.

Three main blocks at the bottom of the homepage will be constantly changing-- Top

Pages, Newsroom and Video Spotlight. There are also links on the homepage to the DEP

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Channel.Folks will just have to noodle around on the new website design until you find what you

want. If you can’t find it, send email to: [email protected] .

New DCNR Design

DCNR’s new website design is a less radical change; at least many of the same main

links are familiar like State Parks, Forestry, etc.

There are also more convenient links for Reservations, Find A Trail, Grants, Geology,

Local Parks and Maps to find information quickly.

Drop down menus at the very top of the homepage-- Explore, Conserve, Communities--

include choices that were previously found on the Quick Links section of the old design.

The big blocks at the bottom of the homepage will also be changing over time-- News

Releases, Explore The Outdoors, Woods That Work and How Do I?There will also be a transition from the old DCNR site to the new one as underlying

webpages are converted to the new format.

And if you really can’t find something, send an email to DCNR about the issue.

Both website design changes are part of an effort to overhaul the look and feel of all state

agency websites.

DEP Secretary: Drilling Regs. Going To EQB In January, Water Plans Coming Soon

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/discoverdcnr/ataglance/contactdcnr/emaildcnr/index.htmmailto:[email protected]://www.dep.pa.gov/Pages/AlertDetails.aspx#.VjyPnoSa10chttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/http://www.dep.pa.gov/http://www.dep.pa.gov/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/discoverdcnr/ataglance/contactdcnr/emaildcnr/index.htmmailto:[email protected]://www.dep.pa.gov/Pages/SiteMap.aspx#.VjyOOoSa10dhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Pages/AlertDetails.aspx#.VjyPnoSa10chttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/http://www.dep.pa.gov/http://www.dep.pa.gov/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953


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DEP Secretary John Quigley gave a briefing to media Wednesday on key

issues the agency is working on. While much of what he said was not

new, here are a few takeaways from the 45 minute long session--

-- Chapter 78 & 78A Drilling Regulations: Quigley said the final

version of the drilling regulations

would be going to the EnvironmentalQuality Board for its action in January and to the Independent Regulatory

Review Commission in April, putting to rest previous speculation on the

schedule of their final adoption.

Asked about drilling industry objections to the regulations,

Quigley said he thought the objections were primarily procedural and not

substantive and pointed to the extra lengths DEP has gone to to solicit

comments on the regulations from industry and the public.

Asked about the status of implementing recommendations made by the Auditor General

in a 2014 report on the water quality protection programs related to Marcellus Shale drilling

regulation, Secretary Quigley said the agency was committed to addressing each of the

recommendations.He said work was begun on implementing some of the regulations prior to him getting to

the agency, but they had more work planned, including the development of a new electronic

complaint tracking system.

-- Chesapeake Bay Commitments/State Water Plan: The Secretary said DEP plans to kick off

a long-delayed update to the State Water Plan which deals with water quantity issues. He said

DEP is also in the final stages of developing a plan for meeting Pennsylvania’s commitments to

the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay.

Quigley said the agency would be focusing more of its efforts on improving water quality

in Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams and developing more ownership in water pollution cleanup

in local communities.

-- EPA Clean Power Climate Plan: Quigley said the last of the 14 listening sessions

on EPA’s

Clean Power Climate Plan will be held tonight in Williamsport to gather comments from a

variety of interests and the public on what Pennsylvania’s plan to meet those requirements

should contain.

He said the requirements in the EPA rule to reduce Pennsylvania’s carbon dioxide

emissions by 33 percent by 2030 are “achievable and reasonable” given the reductions the state

has already made.

He noted carbon dioxide emissions have already been reduced by 20 percent from 2007

to 2014 to about 107 million tons annually-- a 27 million ton reduction-- largely as a result of the

switch from using coal to generate electricity to natural gas, additional EPA controls on mercury

emissions at power plants and the national economic recession.He said the first milestone in the EPA rule is 2022 which would require Pennsylvania to

reduce CO2 emissions to 106 million tons, about 1 million tons below where the state is now.

By 2030, the state would have to take steps to reduce emissions to 91 million tons, only about 15

million tons more.

The Secretary said DEP would be revisiting studies of carbon capture and storage

opportunities in Pennsylvania done when he was Secretary of DCNR which he said reviewed the

feasibility of developing centralized carbon storage facilities in the Commonwealth.

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=15756http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=15756http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/ClimateChange/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0eTISa10chttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=33568http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/statewaterplan/docroot/default.aspxhttp://www.paauditor.gov/press-releases/auditor-general-depasquale-commends-dep-for-taking-action-to-implement-audit-recommendations-to-protect-water-qualityhttp://www.paauditor.gov/press-releases/auditor-general-depasquale-commends-dep-for-taking-action-to-implement-audit-recommendations-to-protect-water-qualityhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Energy/OilandGasPrograms/OilandGasMgmt/Public-Resources/Pages/Oil-and-Gas-Surface-Regulations.aspx#.Vj0eKoSa10c


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He said he wanted Pennsylvania to be a national leader and the center of carbon capture

technology and storage.

Quigley referenced again the Climate Impact Assessment released by Penn State released

earlier in the year for comment which determined there will be significant impacts to

Pennsylvania’s forests, increases in invasive species, health threats from diseases like West Nile

Virus and more from climate change.-- Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force: Quigley said the Task Force is on track to produce a

draft report by Friday, November 6 to begin the 60 day public comment process on

recommendations by 12 work groups that are part of the Task Force. He said he believes the

final Task Force report will be one of the best reports of its kind in the country to identify best

practices the pipeline industry should be adopting. A final report is due to Gov. Wolf in

February.

[Note: The draft Task Force report has apparently been delayed, no announcement was

made Friday and nothing new was posted on the Task Force webpage.]

Click Here to watch the press conference. (Unfortunately the last 7 minutes of the press

conference are not included due to a technical glitch.)

NewsClips:Industry Complaints Abound In Process For Updating Drilling Regulations

1 Week Left To Weigh In On PA Climate Plan

DEP Finishing Up Clean Power Plan Listening Tour

DEP, Coal Industry Still At Odds Over Clean Power Plan

Carbon Conflict Erupts Between States Over Power Plan

World Set To Exhaust 75% of Carbon Budget By 2030

Natural Gas Pipeline Recommendations Coming Soon

Philly Energy Hub Plan Counter To Pipeline Opposition

C.O.G.E.N.T: SB 1044 Would Give State Jurisdiction Over Gathering Lines

1,500 File To Intervene In PennEast Pipeline Project

Obama Nixes Keystone XL Pipeline

Obama Rejects Construction Of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline

Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline, Citing Climate Concerns

Keystone XL Owner Asks For Delay

Keystone XL Pipeline Builder Faced Darkening Prospects

Supreme Court Asked To Hear Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Challenge

Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force Draft Report Delayed, Keep Checking New Webpage

DEP Secretary John Quigley told a press conference

Wednesday

draft recommendations by the PipelineInfrastructure Task Force would be made available Friday to

begin a 60 day public comment process.

As of the close of business Friday, there was no

announcement of the draft report and no new information was

posted on the Task Force webpage.

Keep checking the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force

webpage in case it is posted in the next few days. Be sure to

http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0boK6rRBwhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0boK6rRBwhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0boK6rRBwhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/dep-secretary-final-drilling.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/dep-secretary-final-drilling.htmlhttp://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bal-farmers-builders-ask-supreme-court-to-review-chesapeake-bay-pollution-diet-20151106-story.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/03/us-transcanada-keystone-idUSKCN0SR2J320151103http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20151103_Pipeline_owner_TransCanada_asks_for_delay.htmlhttp://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-administration-to-reject-keystone-xl-pipeline-citing-climate-concerns-1446825732?alg=yhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/07/us/obama-expected-to-reject-construction-of-keystone-xl-oil-pipeline.html?_r=0http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/2015/11/06/Obama-Secetary-Kerry-to-make-statement-at-White-House-likely-to-address-Keystone-XL-pipeline/stories/201511060238http://citizensvoice.com/news/more-than-1-500-file-to-intervene-in-pipeline-project-1.1966316https://plus.google.com/+CogentpaOrg/posts/V45BKFuohDThttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/05/philadelphia-energy-hub-proponents-plan-to-counter-rural-pipeline-opposition/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/gas-pipeline-recommendations-soon-1.1967517http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/10/31/World-set-to-exhaust-75-percent-of-carbon-budget-by-2030-UN-says/stories/201510310122http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/05/Carbon-conflict-erupts-between-states-over-Obama-power-plan/stories/201511050127http://www.plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/978/DEP-coal-industry-remain-at-odds-over-PA-compliance-with-federal-Clean-Power-Plan.aspxhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/11/dep-finishing-up-clean-power-plan-listening-tour.phphttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/11/one-week-left-to-weigh-in-on-pennsylvania-climate-plan.phphttp://www.plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/980/Industry-complaints-abound-in-ongoing-process-to-update-Pennsylvania%E2%80%99s-oil-and-gas-regulations.aspxhttps://youtu.be/Vhlsi2ZidWMhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0boK6rRBwhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/ClimateChange/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0eTISa10c


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use the new link to the Task Force webpage because it moved with the DEP website design

change.

NewsClips:

Natural Gas Pipeline Recommendations Coming Soon

Philly Energy Hub Plan Counter To Pipeline Opposition

C.O.G.E.N.T: SB 1044 Would Give State Jurisdiction Over Gathering Lines 1,500 File To Intervene In PennEast Pipeline Project

Obama Nixes Keystone XL Pipeline

Obama Rejects Construction Of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline

Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline, Citing Climate Concerns

Keystone XL Owner Asks For Delay

Keystone XL Pipeline Builder Faced Darkening Prospects

DEP: Citizens Advisory Council Nov. 17 Meeting To Be Webinar Due To Budget Impasse

After cancelling the October 20 meeting, DEP told the Citizens Advisory Council the November

17 meeting will be held by webinar and it cannot reimburse any Council members for theirexpenses for attending in-person until the FY 2015-16 budget is passed.

DEP said it is only paying those advisory committee member expenses where they are in

the process of developing regulations or fees.

The CAC meeting will be webcast from Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in

Harrisburg, so members of the public can attend in person if they wish. The meeting starts at

10:00 a.m.

The agenda for the meeting includes--

-- Presentation on EPA’s Clean Power Plan

-- Presentation on EPA’s Oil and Gas Methane Emission Controls Rule

-- Presentation on EPA’s New Ozone Pollution Standards

-- Presentation on final Chapter 78 & 78A Drilling Regulations.

Also available are DEP’s monthly reports to Council on important agency activities.

Click Here for a copy of DEP’s November Report To Council. Click Here for a copy of DEP’s

October Report To Council

Click Here to register for the webcast. This is the last scheduled meeting of the year for

the Council.

For more information, contact Katie Hetherington Cunfer, Acting CAC Executive

Director and Director of External Affairs at DEP, by calling 717-705-2693 or send email to:

[email protected].

Nov. 17 EQB Meeting Features 2 Controversial Regulations

The agenda for the November 17 Environmental Quality Board meeting includes two

controversial regulations: a final rule setting Reasonable Available Control Technology

Requirements for major sources of NOx and VOCs and proposed changes to the disinfection

requirements for public water supplies.

Also on the agenda is another proposed regulation making Class A Wild Trout Waters

designations.

http://www.dep.pa.gov/PublicParticipation/EnvironmentalQuality/2015/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0exISa10chttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Environmental%20Quality%20Board/2015/November%2017/November_17_2015_EQB_Agenda----.pdfmailto:[email protected]://copa.webex.com/mw0401lsp13/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=copa&service=6&rnd=0.16586969657023276&main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcopa.webex.com%2Fec0701lsp13%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26confViewID%3D4189466797%26%26EMK%3D4832534b00000002b188ee5f644aefd797193872ae32dfc2752f30c4965745081b725be94b6b6111%26%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAALwNQMbEGoXbHjsI_8hiSys7K2Ap7GzPiauBMB3xGOlXw2%26%26siteurl%3Dcopahttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Citizens%20Advisory%20Council/CACPortalFiles/Meetings/2015_11/FINAL_for_OctoberMtgCACReport.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Citizens%20Advisory%20Council/CACPortalFiles/Meetings/2015_11/Montly_for_NovemberMtgCACReport.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Citizens%20Advisory%20Council/CACPortalFiles/Meetings/2015_11/November_17_2015_CAC__Agenda.pdfhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/PublicParticipation/CitizensAdvisoryCouncil/Meetings/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0el4Sa10chttp://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/03/us-transcanada-keystone-idUSKCN0SR2J320151103http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20151103_Pipeline_owner_TransCanada_asks_for_delay.htmlhttp://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-administration-to-reject-keystone-xl-pipeline-citing-climate-concerns-1446825732?alg=yhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/07/us/obama-expected-to-reject-construction-of-keystone-xl-oil-pipeline.html?_r=0http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/2015/11/06/Obama-Secetary-Kerry-to-make-statement-at-White-House-likely-to-address-Keystone-XL-pipeline/stories/201511060238http://citizensvoice.com/news/more-than-1-500-file-to-intervene-in-pipeline-project-1.1966316https://plus.google.com/+CogentpaOrg/posts/V45BKFuohDThttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/05/philadelphia-energy-hub-proponents-plan-to-counter-rural-pipeline-opposition/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/gas-pipeline-recommendations-soon-1.1967517http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0boK6rRBw


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The meeting will be held in Room 105 Rachel Carson Building start at 9:00.

For copies of the regulations and more information, visit the Environmental Quality

Board webpage.

Northeast PA Environmental Partners Held 25th Annual Awards Dinner In Wilkes-Barre

The Northeast Pennsylvania Environmental Partners last

week honored the winners of its environmental awards

at the 25th Annual Evening for Northeast

Pennsylvania’s Environment on October 29 at the

Woodlands Inn and Resort, Wilkes-Barre.

The winners were--

-- Bethlehem Authority & The Nature Conservancy,

Carbon & Monroe Counties , for the Working

Woodlands project, an innovative forest conservation

program that brings the PA Chapter The Nature

Conservancy’s land conservation and sustainable forestmanagement experience together with emerging markets

for sustainable wood products and “carbon credits.”

The Conservancy partnered with Blue Source,

LLC , a firm that specializes in developing carbon offset projects, and the Bethlehem Authority ,

who was considering its options for maximizing the use and protection of its watershed lands.

Bethlehem Authority and the Nature Conservancy’s Working Woodland project leverages land

conservation at a large scale for minimal cost by taking advantage of opportunities in the carbon

market.

The partners protected 22,000 acres of forested watershed land in Carbon and Monroe

counties, making it the largest private conservation project in Pennsylvania history.

-- Angela M. Colarusso, Wyoming County

: Ms. Colarusso, a wildlife rehabilitator in

Pennsylvania, is the founder of the Second Chance Wildlife Center . She has dedicated much of

her life to care for thousands of orphaned and injured wildlife.

For over 25 years, Ms. Colarusso has partnered with numerous organizations and

agencies to educate both young and old on how to live with and provide healthy environments

for our wildlife.

She spreads the message through educational classes, live animal demonstrations at local

events, writing educational articles, and television appearances. Ms. Colarusso is truly an

advocate and educator for our wildlife neighbors.

-- Friends of Starrucca Creek, Susquehanna County, for their efforts to clean up the trash and

debris along Starrucca Creek. Led by Dana Rockwell, this group of family, friends, andnumerous volunteers concentrated their initial efforts in and along the Starrucca Creek.

They have subsequently branched out to clean up along the D&H Trail, local roadsides,

and the banks of the Susquehanna River. The group has partnered with PEC, Keep Pennsylvania

Beautiful, and the Rail Trail Council of Northeast Pennsylvania to clean up the community.

To date, the group has removed and recycled 3,000 tires and two tons of scrap metal, and

removed 18 tons of trash and debris from the environment.

-- Sue Nasrani, Luzerne County: Ms. Nasrani is the Chair Person for the Greater Hazleton

http://www.civicpartnership.com/railstotrails.htmlhttp://www.nepa-rail-trails.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.scwc.org/https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/about/authorities/authority/index.htmlhttp://www.bluesource.com/http://www.bluesource.com/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/pennsylvania/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/pennsylvania/http://pecpa.org/event/evening-for-northeast-pennsylvanias-environment/http://pecpa.org/event/evening-for-northeast-pennsylvanias-environment/http://www.dep.pa.gov/PublicParticipation/EnvironmentalQuality/2015/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0exISa10chttp://www.dep.pa.gov/PublicParticipation/EnvironmentalQuality/2015/Pages/default.aspx#.Vj0exISa10c


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Rails to Trails (GHRT) volunteer committee.

For 16 years, Ms. Nasrani has worked tirelessly to improve the GHRT. She has partnered

with numerous organizations with the goal of improving the trail and making it an asset for the

community and the surrounding region.

She has worked with the GHRT to obtain six miles of right of way for the trail, partnered

with the North Branch Land Trust to conserve over 300 acres of land, and partnered with manyothers to install amenities for the trail including exercise stations, picnic facilities, and benches.

Under her leadership, the GHRT now has an Environmental Education Area and

interpretive signs along the trail. She continues to lead the GHRT forward by being a leader and

advocate for trail development.

-- Paupack Waves InvenTeam, Pike County, for a project that conceptualized and created a

generator to harnesses the movement of a boat dock to produce electricity for a light on a dock at

Lake Wallenpaupack.

The students noticed that the lake was very dark at night which created a safety and

navigational issue on the lake. The students, with the guidance of their teacher, partnered with

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and PPL mentors to refine and refocus their efforts to solve

this problem through the use of clean renewable wave power.The students were chosen to showcase their project at the Eurekafest at MIT and were

also honored at the fifth annual White House Science Fair.

-- Corey Richmond, Sullivan County: Mr. Richmond is the Watershed Specialist at the

Sullivan County Conservation District. During his tenure, he has partnered with numerous

organizations to improve the watersheds within Sullivan County.

He has worked on countless stream restoration projects including stream stabilization,

restoring riparian buffers, controlling invasive species, restoring fisheries, and monitoring water

quality.

His educational outreach efforts have brought him in contact with local farmers,

landowners, homeowners, and students regarding issues such as stormwater management, rain

barrels, and stream monitoring.

Mr. Richmond has been instrumental in encouraging better management practices of our

waterways and environment through educational outreach and on the ground actions and

projects.

-- The Emerging Environmental Leader Award will be presented this year to David Madl

III, Luzerne County , for demonstrating leadership, initiation, and dedication to protecting and

promoting a healthy environment.

Mr. Madl’s interest in understanding and improving the environment led him to explore

and participate in numerous opportunities that would allow him to make a positive impact on the

environment.

Mr. Madl obtained the rank of Eagle Scout for a project that completed a trail renovation,rerouting, blazing, mapmaking, and signage at the YMCA Camp Kresge. His other

accomplishments include his volunteer work with the Pennsylvania DCNR, obtaining his “Leave

no Trace” certification, participating in the Crestwood Key Club, Fly Fishing Club, and

Community Connections to our Watershed Forums.

Mr. Madl is currently an a.m.ERICORPS Volunteer in Service to America as a Summer

Associate with the Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership. Among his duties there are assisting

the Rails to Trails committee with improvements to the trail, grant writing, and working with the

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media.

Mr. Madl is currently a sophomore at Saint Francis University (PA) majoring in

Environmental Engineering. Mr. Madl is a dedicated and accomplished young environmental

leader.

-- The 21st annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award was presented

this year to: Charles J. Charlesworth III of Lackawanna County

.Mr. Charlesworth is being honored for his dedication and commitment to improving the

health and quality of the Lackawanna River and its watershed. Mr. Charlesworth has been a

member of Trout Unlimited for over 25 years, most recently as the President of Lackawanna

Valley Trout Unlimited , a chapter he was instrumental in forming.

Under Mr. Charlesworth’s tutelage, the Lackawanna chapter has received numerous

awards and accolades and now has a nationally recognized program that engages our youth in

watershed and environmental stewardship.

Mr. Charlesworth is a proven leader in the environmental arena who understands that

without partners, none of this work would happen.

With this understanding, he established guidelines for creating and maintaining

partnerships with like-minded organizations and has been asked to present these guidelines atseveral national T.U. meetings.

One example of his partnering efforts was the development of an outreach pilot program

targeting youth, entitled T.U. Teens. Mr. Charlesworth partnered with the Lackawanna Heritage

Valley Authority, Marywood University, Lackawanna County Conservation District, Fish and

Boat Commission, Dunmore YMCA, and Lackawanna Parks and Recreation to provide

financing, instructors, and training facility venues.

He then reached out to local scouting groups, churches, and the Hispanic Council of

Lackawanna County to assist in recruiting students for the program. The program was such a

success that it has become the accepted format for all other T.U. Teen clubs across the nation.

He has initiated several events centered on fly fishing that are designed to attract students

and women to the sport. Under his guidance, the Lackawanna River’s Section 7 and 8

designation was adjusted to Class A Wild Trout Exceptional Value Water.

He has worked over the years to instill a sense of stewardship for the Lackawanna

Watershed. His devotion to the river and its watershed has inspired and encouraged others to

action in order to bring about positive change.

His legacy is one of leadership and partnership, encouraging others to do much more than

one individual can ever hope to accomplish alone.

The Northeast Environmental Partners include Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance,

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Protection,

the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s

Northeast Office, PPL Corporation, Procter &

Gamble Paper Products Company, and Wilkes UniversityFor more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA

Environmental Council website. Click Here to sign up for monthly updates on PEC activities.

NewsClips:

Kingston Resident A Winner In PA American Water Photo Contest

Conneaut Lake Teams Winners In Watershed Challenge

PA Resources Council To Honor Environmental Leaders Nov. 12

http://www.meadvilletribune.com/community/conneaut-lake-teams-winners-at-pymatuning-shenango-watershed-challenge/article_e5b5513e-01fa-5cdb-8fad-ebae2f635ebe.htmlhttp://timesleader.com/news/local/492201/kingston-resident-wins-pennsylvania-american-water-photo-contesthttp://pecpa.org/email-signup/http://pecpa.org/http://pecpa.org/http://pecpa.org/http://lackawannavalleytu.com/http://lackawannavalleytu.com/http://francis.edu/


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The Pennsylvania Resources Council will present its 2015

Environmental Leadership awards to five worthy

organizations and individuals at its annual Awards

Celebration on Thursday evening, November 12 at the

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University inPhiladelphia.

The five awardees are:

-- Independence Blue Cross - Leadership in

Environmental Health (Philadelphia). IBX is being

honored for its sponsorship of the City of Philadelphia’s bike-sharing program, Indego, which

provides a new, affordable, and healthy form of public transportation to residents, commuters,

and visitors. In its first year of operation, Indego has 700 bikes available for short-term rental at

70 stations located throughout the city, with plans for expansion in 2016.

-- The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Leadership in Sustainability

(Pittsburgh). Phipps is being honored for its design and creation of the Center for Sustainable

Landscapes (CSL), a facility that houses groundbreaking sustainability research and has attainedthe world’s highest sustainable building classifications, including the Living Building

Challenge™ and LEED® Platinum. CSL produces all of its own renewable energy, treats and

reuses all water captured on site, and demonstrates the benefits of humanity living in harmony

with nature.

-- Stephen Mostardi of Mostardi Nursery - Leadership in Community Service (Delaware

County). Steve Mostardi of Mostardi Nursery is being honored for his work in making

Newtown Square a beautiful, green, sustainable community. He has worked with the

Environmental Advisory Board to bring huge hanging flowering planters to West Chester Pike,

and has encouraged American in Bloom for local businesses. Steve has been a true champion for

PRC by hosting, sponsoring and promoting the PRC Newtown Square Farmers’ Market for the

past 4 years.

-- KIPP Philadelphia Schools - Leadership in Recycling Education (Philadelphia). KIPP is

being honored for its Recycled & Repurposed Art exhibit which featured 50 pieces produced by

KIPP high school and elementary school students. KIPP students repurposed and recycled

materials, such as paper, cloth, bottle caps and magazine clippings, to create innovative and

expressive works of art that were displayed at the Community Art Gallery of The Philadelphia

Foundation in the spring and summer. KIPP Philadelphia Schools is a part of the KIPP, or the

Knowledge is Power Program, network open-enrollment, college-preparatory public charter

schools.

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA - Leadership in Conservation (Harrisburg). CBF is

being honored for its Buffer Bonus Program which incentivizes and accelerates the planting of buffers. Through the program, farmers enroll their streamside land in the federal and state

Conservation Reserve Easement Program (CREP) and install a forested buffer. For each acre of

forest buffer planted, CBF offers participating farmers a "best management practice voucher" to

fund additional on-farm conservation work.

”PRC’s mission is to lead and promote individual and collective actions to preserve

Pennsylvania’s environmental resources for each generation. Our 2015 awardees have advanced

PRC’s mission through their innovative and creative programs and leadership,” said PRC

http://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/programs-initiatives/pennsylvania/susquehanna-watershed-restoration/buffer-bonus-program-helps-farmers-improve-water-qualityhttp://www.kippphiladelphia.org/http://www.mostardi.com/https://phipps.conservatory.org/green-innovation/at-phipps/center-for-sustainable-landscapeshttps://phipps.conservatory.org/green-innovation/at-phipps/center-for-sustainable-landscapeshttp://www.rideindego.com/http://www.ansp.org/http://prc.org/2015-awards-celebration/http://prc.org/2015-awards-celebration/http://prc.org/


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Executive Director Bob Jondreau. “We applaud their efforts and look forward to honoring them

on November 12th.”

The awards celebration will feature keynote speaker Joseph Hughes, PhD, Dean of the

College of Engineering and founding director of the A.J. Drexel Institute for Energy and the

Environment at Drexel University.

The event kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with a networking reception, silent auction, and wine & beer tasting, followed by the dinner program with Dr. Hughes’ remarks and the presentation of

awards to PRC’s 2015 honorees.

Exquisite locally-sourced, farm fresh cuisine will be provided by 12th Street Catering.

Butterflies! – an indoor tropical garden exhibit – will also be open for guests to tour.

“We anticipate a great night of connecting with our supporters, congratulating our

honorees, and celebrating PRC’s accomplishments over the past year.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit PRC’s Awards Celebration Dinner

webpage. Click Here to sign up for regular updates on PRC activities (bottom of the page).

NewsClips:



Day 132 Without A Budget: House Republicans Hint At Votes On New Budget Bills

The voting schedule House Majority Leader David Reed (R-Indiana) published Thursday

contained some hints about what the House plans to do as a next step in resolving the state

budget stalemate.

On Monday, the House Finance Committee meets to consider House Bill 1378

(Milne-R-Chester), a Fiscal Code bill which is typically used as part of a package of bills to

implement the General Fund budget.

On Tuesday, the schedule shows the House voting on House Bill 1460 (Adolph-R-

Delaware), a General Fund budget vehicle House Republicans moved around in July, but Tabled

in September and temporarily resurrected and Tabled again on November 4.

Senate and House legislative leaders have been meeting with and without representatives

of the Governor’s Office in an attempt to craft a budget to put on Gov. Wolf’s desk in the next

two weeks.

Philly.com Friday reported Rep. Reed as saying he hopes to have a budget deal by

Thanksgiving. Gov. Wolf added he and legislative leaders are closer than they have ever been

in these long-running budget negotiations.

Otherwise, Tuesday’s election and the Democratic sweep of the PA Supreme Court was

the top news for the week.

As a result of the election, there will be two vacancies on the Superior Court, since DavidWecht (D) and Christine Donohue (D) move on to the Supreme Court.

But, Senate Republicans were also celebrating the addition of another new GOP

Senator-- Guy Reschenthaler in Allegheny County-- bringing their majority up to an historic

high of 31.

Of course Republicans also lost one Senator-- Dominic Pileggi-- who was elected to

Common Pleas Court in Delaware County.

House Democrats lost two members to other elected positions: Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151107_House_leader_predicts_Pa__budget_deal_this_month.htmlhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1460https://goo.gl/ZEgQXdhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1378http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?Code=16&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.meadvilletribune.com/community/conneaut-lake-teams-winners-at-pymatuning-shenango-watershed-challenge/article_e5b5513e-01fa-5cdb-8fad-ebae2f635ebe.htmlhttp://timesleader.com/news/local/492201/kingston-resident-wins-pennsylvania-american-water-photo-contesthttp://prc.org/http://prc.org/2015-awards-celebration/


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who was elected Mayor of Chester in Delaware County and Rep. Cherelle Parker who is now a

member of Philadelphia City Council.

House Republicans lost one member-- Rep. Tim Krieger who was elected to Common

Pleas Court in Westmoreland by 116 votes.

Special elections will have to be scheduled for these seats when they officially become

vacant.Interestingly, Republicans flipped four county courthouses to the GOP-- Beaver, Fayette,

Montour and Northumberland counties, but Democrats flipped four counties their way--

Armstrong, Cambria, Centre and Westmoreland counties.

Results are still outstanding in Bucks and Washington counties where voting results were

too close to call.

The House is scheduled to come back to voting session on November 9 and 10, 16, 17,

18, 23, 24 and December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16.

The Senate is now only scheduled to be in session for six voting days for the remainder

of the year-- November 16, 17, 18 and December 7, 8, 9.

Both the House and Senate can change their schedule at any time, assuming there is

something to vote on.NewsClips:

GOP Leader Predicts PA Budget Deal, Wolf Says Close

State Budget Deal In The Works?

PA Budget Stalemate Drags On, No Compromise In Sight

Woes Spreads In PA’s 4-Month Budget Standoff

Poll: Voters Still Want New Tax On Natural Gas Drillers

Op-Ed: Would Natural Gas Severance Tax Be Out Of Line?

Op-Ed: Get Creative On Taxing Natural Gas

Wolf On Budget: I Can’t Do This By Myself

New Poll Shows Voters Losing Faith In Harrisburg Politicians

PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA . 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.

You’ll 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

http://www.crisciassociates.com/category/environment-blog/http://www.twitter.com/http://www.crisciassociates.com/https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/11/new-poll-shows-voters-losing-faith-with-representatives-in-harrisburg.phphttp://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/976/Gov-Wolf-on-budget-%E2%80%9CThe-key-is-I-can%E2%80%99t-do-this-by-myself%E2%80%9D.aspxhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/11/04/Get-creative-in-taxing-gas/stories/201511040007http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2015/11/01/Would-Wolf-s-gas-tax-be-out-of-line/stories/201511010050https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/04/poll-finds-voters-still-want-new-tax-on-gas-drillers/http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=jTG7gou8http://www.npr.org/2015/11/06/454970619/pa-budget-stalemate-drags-on-no-compromise-in-sight?__utma=36319398.346029836.1419266283.1446799697.1446817073.981&__utmb=36319398.4.8.1446817082477&__utmc=36319398&__utmx=-&__utmz=36319398.1420645987.51.2.utmcsr=google%7Cutmccn=(organic)%7Cutmcmd=organic%7Cutmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=120729610http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-wolf-house-democratic-caucus-loan-20151106-story.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151107_House_leader_predicts_Pa__budget_deal_this_month.html


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once daily email alerting you to new items posted on this blog. NEW! Add your constructive

comment to any blog posting.

PA Capitol Digest Daily Blog to 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 dailyemail 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

Twitter feed to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State

Capitol.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule/ Bills Introduced

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

well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

Bill Calendars

House (November 9): House Bill 48 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) setting standards for drinking

water well construction; Senate Bill 385 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) updating and improving the

Transit Revitalization investment District; Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing for

an independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board. Click Here for full House Bill

Calendar.

Senate (November 16): Senate Bill 201 (Schwank-D-Berks) authorizing the leasing of property

in the Clean and Green Program to a rural enterprise ( sponsor summary

); Senate Bill 805 (Boscola-D-Lehigh) allowing an Act 129 opt-out for large electric users (sponsor

summary ). Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

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 Energy

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=8&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=12&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=4&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/SM/COSM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18088http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18088http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0805http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=15642http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=201http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0307http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0385http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0048http://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigesthttp://www.crisciassociates.com/category/capitol-blog/


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Consumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human Services

Judiciary

Liquor Control

TransportationLinks for all other Standing House Committees

Senate

Appropriations

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational Development

Education

Judiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and WelfareTransportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Session Schedule

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

Senate

November 16, 17, 18

December 7, 8, 9

House

November 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 (Non-Voting)

December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16

Governor’s Schedule

Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day

will be posted each morning. Click Here

to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public

Appearances.

News From The Capitol

November Environmental Synopsis From Joint Conservation Committee Available

The November issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint

Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring articles on--

-- Chairman’s Corner On Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters Program

http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/index.cfmhttp://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/index.cfmhttp://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/resources/ftp/documents/Newsletters/Environmental%20Synopsis%20-%20November%202015.pdfhttp://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBxhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=19&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=33&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=29&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=39&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=23&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=31&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=7&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=9&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=3&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=38&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=28&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=24&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=56&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=54&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=10&CteeBody=H


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-- Wild Turkeys Now Found In All 67 PA Counties

-- Top 10 Foreign Countries For LEED Sustainable Building Standards

-- Batteries In The Grid: Expanding Beyond Storage

-- Keystone State Emerges As Rising Clean Energy Leader

-- Solutions For Urban Runoffs Effects On Fish

Next Environmental Issues ForumThe next Joint Conservation Committee Environmental Issues Forum will be held on

November 16 and will feature a presentation by the PA Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The

Forum will be held in Room 8E-A East Wing of the Capitol at noon.

Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Committee.

News From Around The State

Growing Greener Coalition: State Should Enact A Natural Gas Severance Tax

The Growing Greener Coalition Monday issued the following statement from Executive Director

Andrew Heath in response to recent discussions concerning the enactment of a severance tax on

natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania:

“Now that the deadline of June 30 has passed and Gov. Wolf has opted to veto the state

budget, the Coalition calls on the General Assembly and Administration to enact a fair and

reasonable severance tax on natural gas extraction for generating additional state revenues to

support various Commonwealth programs and initiatives, as well as investing in the state’s

Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

“Using revenues from a severance tax to address Commonwealth needs, like education

and environmental initiatives makes sense. Given the impact of natural gas development on

local communities and the environment, a portion of this revenue should be earmarked to

conserve, protect, and restore land, water and wildlife, to preserve farms and historic places, andto provide well-managed parks and recreational areas throughout the state.

“The Governor’s proposed budget contains many elements our Coalition supports;

including increasing investments in renewable energy, increased funding for state agencies, such

as the Department of Environmental Protection, whose responsibility is to protect and enhance

the environment, and reducing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

dependence on revenue from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund.

“Increasing investments to the Growing Greener program will ensure that these positive

steps towards ensuring Pennsylvania’s air, water, land, wildlife, farmland, recreational

opportunities, historic preservation, and heritage continue to prosper and grow for generations to

come.”

Growing Greener is a bipartisan program established in 1999 under Gov. Tom Ridge andlater expanded by Governors Schweiker and Rendell.

Since its establishment, Growing Greener has created a legacy of success, preserving

more than 33,700 acres of Pennsylvania’s family farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of

threatened open space, adding 26,000 acres to state parks and forests, restoring over 16,000 acres

of abandoned mine lands, and thousands of community recreation areas, trails, and greenways.

Moreover, Growing Greener has contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the

Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

http://pagrowinggreener.org/http://www.sfiofpa.org/http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/environmental-issues-forums.cfm


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Pennsylvania’s state parks, which are supported in part by Growing Greener funds,

generate more than $928 million in local spending and support more than 12,000 local jobs.

In addition, Growing Greener has been a powerful funding source for Pennsylvania’s

Heritage Areas. Spending by visitors to these areas generates more than $400 million in sales and

contributes at least 6,000 jobs to the Pennsylvania economy.

Other examples of how Growing Greener benefits the economy include:-- Supporting Agriculture – By funding farmland preservation projects, Growing Greener helps

sustain Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. Agriculture produces more than $45 billion annually

and provides about one in seven jobs in the state, making it Pennsylvania’s leading industry.

-- Increasing Property Values – In Southeastern Pennsylvania alone, preserved open space,

which is often supported with Growing Greener funds, increases homeowners’ property values

by an average of $10,000 per household.

-- Reducing Costs – Growing Greener has funded the cleanup of more than 16,000 acres of

abandoned mines and in doing so has reduced water treatment costs locally and in downstream

communities. Studies show that open space saves local governments and utilities millions of

dollars in costs associated with drinking water filtration, air pollution removal and flood control.

-- Supporting Forest Products Industry – Growing Greener funds support forest conservation,which in turn helps sustain the resources on which the forest industry depends. This industry has

sales in excess of $16 billion annually, a total impact of $27 billion and employs more than

80,000 people.

-- Bolstering Tourism Industry – Growing Greener funds have preserved more than 42,300

acres of natural areas and open spaces, many of which provide outdoor recreational opportunities

for residents and visitors alike. Outdoor enthusiasts spend more than $5.4 billion in the

Commonwealth annually.

For more information, visit the Growing Greener Coalition website.

[Editor’s Note: As proposed, Gov. Wolf’s natural gas severance tax allocates almost all

of its new revenue to support basic education funding.]

NewsClips:

GOP Leader Predicts PA Budget Deal, Wolf Says Close

State Budget Deal In The Works?

PA Budget Stalemate Drags On, No Compromise In Sight

Woes Spreads In PA’s 4-Month Budget Standoff

Poll: Voters Still Want New Tax On Natural Gas Drillers

Op-Ed: Would Natural Gas Severance Tax Be Out Of Line?

Op-Ed: Get Creative On Taxing Natural Gas

Wolf On Budget: I Can’t Do This By Myself

New Poll Shows Voters Losing Faith In Harrisburg Politicians

Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Honors 7 With Environmental Awards

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy working in Berks, Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery

counties has honored seven members of the community with 2015 Environmental Awards for

their contributions to a healthier watershed.

According to the Conservancy, “Through their initiatives to investigate, plan, install,

educate and deliver projects that significantly improve or protect the Perkiomen Creek

http://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/environmental-awards-banquethttp://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/http://www.witf.org/news/2015/11/new-poll-shows-voters-losing-faith-with-representatives-in-harrisburg.phphttp://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/976/Gov-Wolf-on-budget-%E2%80%9CThe-key-is-I-can%E2%80%99t-do-this-by-myself%E2%80%9D.aspxhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/11/04/Get-creative-in-taxing-gas/stories/201511040007http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2015/11/01/Would-Wolf-s-gas-tax-be-out-of-line/stories/201511010050https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/04/poll-finds-voters-still-want-new-tax-on-gas-drillers/http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=jTG7gou8http://www.npr.org/2015/11/06/454970619/pa-budget-stalemate-drags-on-no-compromise-in-sight?__utma=36319398.346029836.1419266283.1446799697.1446817073.981&__utmb=36319398.4.8.1446817082477&__utmc=36319398&__utmx=-&__utmz=36319398.1420645987.51.2.utmcsr=google%7Cutmccn=(organic)%7Cutmcmd=organic%7Cutmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=120729610http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-wolf-house-democratic-caucus-loan-20151106-story.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151107_House_leader_predicts_Pa__budget_deal_this_month.htmlhttp://pagrowinggreener.org/


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Watershed, the 2015 Environmental Award recipients have demonstrated noteworthy

environmental stewardship and deserve our gratitude and public recognition.”

Each year, the Conservancy seeks Environmental Award nominations, with the

requirement that nominees or their work must be located within the 362 square-mile Perkiomen

Creek Watershed. Recipients are determined by selection committee.

The 2015 Environmental Award recipients are: — Advocate of the Watershed: Schuylkill Action Network

— Corporate: Tyco Fire Protection Products, Lansdale

— Kids Making a Difference: Aaron Guttenplan, Christopher Dock High School (graduated)

— Land Use: Emmaus/Upper Milford Joint Environmental Advisory Council

— Municipal: Perkiomen Township

— Preston Luitweiler Friend of the Watershed: Chaz MacDonald, Perkiomen Valley Trout

Unlimited

— Teaching Excellence: Jim Coffey, Upper Perkiomen High School & Sue Coffey , Hereford

Elementary School

“As a community, all our actions are connected to the health and well-being of our

watershed. These seven diverse environmental champions deserve to be awarded for theiroutstanding commitments of time, energy and resources dedicated to conserving or restoring our

natural resources. We value the 2015 Environmental Award recipient’s contributions, not only

for the positive impact they have the Perkiomen Creek Watershed , but also as inspiration. As

exemplified by their notable achievements in local environmental stewardship, no matter what

part we each play in the community – student, resident, municipal authority, company or perhaps

one who enjoys recreation in the area - we all have the ability to take action to keep our

watershed healthy,” said the Conservancy.

Environmental Awards were presented at the Conservancy’s annual Environmental

Awards Banquet on October 29 at RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve. Over 200 guests in

attendance enjoyed cocktails, dinner, a silent auction and awards presentations to publicly honor

the award recipients.

The event was sponsored by a number of Conservancy supporters including Premier

Sponsors Exelon Generation and First Niagara as well as Supporting Sponsors Manko Gold

Katcher & Fox and Superior Tube Company.

Click Here for more detailed information on award recipients and photos or contact

Susan in Outreach by sending email to: [email protected] .

PA American Water: Winners Of Imagine A Day Without Water Photo Contest

Pennsylvania American Water

Tuesday announced the winners of its

“Imagine a Day Without Water” social media-based photographcontest, which challenged customers to share how a day without water

might impact their daily routines.

The contest on Instagram and Twitter during October highlighted the

company’s involvement in the national “Imagine a Day Without

Water” promotion, an industry-wide education campaign by the Value

of Water Coalition to raise awareness and build support for investment

in drinking water systems.

http://www.amwater.com/paaw/mailto:[email protected]://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/environmental-awards-banquethttp://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/protectors-of-the-perkiomen/http://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/s/coffey.pdfhttp://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/s/coffey.pdfhttp://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/s/macdonald.pdfhttp://static1.squarespace.com/static/50f06ba5e4b0d1c3370fbd1f/t/563a41d4e4b04aa8ffd1d19e/1446658516487/perkiomen+township.pdfhttp://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/environmental-awards-banquet#http://static1.squarespace.com/static/50f06ba5e4b0d1c3370fbd1f/t/563a3d0ee4b0e1b53cbb4d6b/1446657294629/a+guttenplan.pdfhttp://static1.squarespace.com/static/50f06ba5e4b0d1c3370fbd1f/t/563a3c26e4b07ad7aa08965a/1446657062402/tyco+fpp.pdfhttp://static1.squarespace.com/static/50f06ba5e4b0d1c3370fbd1f/t/563a3b17e4b0435305d17f98/1446656791800/san.pdf


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The contest’s Grand Prize winner was Emma Marek of Luzerne County, whose photo

(posted here) depicting what washing clothing would look like without water earned her an iPad

Air 32GB.

First runner-up was Melanie Stevans from Washington County, who claimed an iPad

mini, and the second runner-up was Cindy Cox of Lackawanna County, who was awarded a

$100 Amazon gift card.“We appreciate how the contestants used their imaginations to show our Instagram and

Twitter followers how important water is to everyday life,” said Kathy L. Pape, president,

Pennsylvania American Water. “Their photos illustrated how the absence of a sound water

infrastructure would impact sanitation, fire protection, recreation and health – all important

reasons why we need to proactively invest in our water systems.”

Entries were judged by a panel of Pennsylvania American Water employees on

originality, composition, overall impact, artistic merit and subject matter relevance to the

“Imagine a Day Without Water" theme.

The winning entries will be featured on the PA American Water Facebook page and

social media sites. Information about the national campaign is available at the Imagine A Day

Without Water website.NewsClips:



Program Announced For 10th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium Nov. 13-14

The program has been announced for the 10th Annual

Susquehanna River Symposium: “The River, Its

Landscapes, and Our Lives” to be held on November

13 and 14 in the Elaine Langone Center at Bucknell

University

in Lewisburg, Union County

The symposium is organized and sponsored by

the Watershed Sciences and Engineering Program of

the Bucknell Center for Sustainability and the

Environment, with additional support from the

Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for

Environmental Studies and the Degenstein Foundation.

The goal of the symposium to increase the transfer of knowledge and information about

the Susquehanna watershed and to bring together academics, planners, regulators, conservancies,

watershed groups, and the public to discuss current and future issues related to the Susquehanna

River and the Chesapeake Bay.Students and faculty from 20 colleges and universities will present more than 80 research

posters on a wide range of topics.

Schools contributing to the symposium include: Binghamton University, Bloomsburg

University, Bucknell University, Cornell University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins

University, Juniata College, Kings College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven

University, Lycoming College, Mansfield University, University of Maryland, Millersville

University, The Pennsylvania State University, Saint Francis University, SUNY Binghamton,

http://www.deg-fdn.org/http://www.srhces.org/http://www.srhces.org/http://www.bucknell.edu/environmentalcenterhttp://www.bucknell.edu/environmentalcenterhttp://www.bucknell.edu/WSEProgramhttp://www.bucknell.edu/http://www.bucknell.edu/http://www.eg.bucknell.edu/wse/river_symposiums/2015/index.htmlhttp://www.eg.bucknell.edu/wse/river_symposiums/2015/index.htmlhttp://www.meadvilletribune.com/community/conneaut-lake-teams-winners-at-pymatuning-shenango-watershed-challenge/article_e5b5513e-01fa-5cdb-8fad-ebae2f635ebe.htmlhttp://timesleader.com/news/local/492201/kingston-resident-wins-pennsylvania-american-water-photo-contesthttp://www.imagineadaywithoutwater.org/http://www.imagineadaywithoutwater.org/https://www.facebook.com/pennsylvaniaamwater/


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SUNY - Syracuse, Susquehanna University, and Syracuse University.

Scientists and leaders from 11 watershed organizations will also be contributing:

American Rivers , Geisinger Center for Health Research, Department of Environmental

Protection, Fish and Boat Commission, Chesapeake Bay Commission , Chesapeake Conservancy ,

Lancaster County Conservancy, U.S. Geological Survey, Trout Unlimited , Alliance for the

Chesapeake Bay

, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Exhibit booths from 12 organizations will include: the Buffalo Creek Watershed

Alliance, Chesapeake Conservancy, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. ,

HydroSense Wireless Monitoring Instruments , Merrill Linn Land & Waterways Conservancy ,

Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association , Stories of the Susquehanna, Susquehanna Greenway

Partnership , Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Trout Unlimited, North Central Stream

Restoration Partnership.

Program - Nov. 13

-- 7:00 – 7:05 p.m. Peter Wilshusen, executive director of the Bucknell Center for Sustainability

and the Environment, will welcome participants.

-- 7:05 – 7:20 p.m.: John Bravman, president of Bucknell University, will give opening remarks

and recognize key partners.-- 7:20 – 7:30 p.m. H.W. “Skip” Wieder, director of the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition

for Environmental Studies, will speak on the importance of university research and collaborative

partnerships in the watershed.

-- 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. James N. Levitt, director of the Harvard Forest Program on Conservation

Innovation, will deliver the keynote address. Harvard Forest’s Program on Conservation

Innovation focuses on advances in the fields of conservation science, education, advocacy and

policy, resource protection, and stewardship. “Conservation Catalysts: The Academy as Nature's

Agent,” a new book edited by Levitt, describes the strategic role that colleges and universities

play in conserving land, water, and wildlife habitat around the world. The book was launched in

November 2014 during a special session at the IUCN World Parks Congress in Sydney,

Australia.

-- 8:00 – 10 p.m. Research posters, exhibits, and evening social.

Program - Nov. 14

-- 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Saturday's session begin at 8 a.m., with light refreshments and a continuation

of the poster session and exhibits in the ELC Terrace Room.

-- 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Plenary Presentations in the Forum (the large auditorium on the 2nd floor of

the Langone Center).

-- 9:00 - 9:10 a.m. Benjamin Hayes, symposium chairman, will welcome participants and review

the day’s events.

-- 9:10 - 9:30 a.m. Plenary Presentation #1. Andrew DeHoff, Executive Director of the

Susquehanna River Basin Commission will give a presentation on the theme of "SustainableWater Resources Management" at 9:10 a.m. in the Forum. The Susquehanna River Basin

Commission is a federal-interstate compact commission created in 1971 between the federal

government and Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. The SRBC manages the water

resources of the Susquehanna River.

-- 9:30 - 9:50 a.m. Plenary Presentation #2. Marel King, Pennsylvania Director of the

Chesapeake Bay Commission present on the theme of "River Corridor and Landscape

Conservation and Restoration." The Chesapeake Bay Commission is a tri-state legislative body

http://pacd.org/webfresh/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Stamm_Northcentral-Stream-Restoration-Partnership_Final.pdfhttp://pacd.org/webfresh/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Stamm_Northcentral-Stream-Restoration-Partnership_Final.pdfhttp://www.srbc.net/http://www.susquehannagreenway.org/http://www.susquehannagreenway.org/http://www.dairyspot.com/http://linnconservancy.org/https://www.campbellsci.com/soil-sciencehttp://www.eaest.com/http://linnconservancy.org/successes/buffalo-creek-watershed-alliance/http://linnconservancy.org/successes/buffalo-creek-watershed-alliance/https://allianceforthebay.org/https://allianceforthebay.org/http://www.patrout.org/http://www.lancasterconservancy.org/http://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/http://www.chesbay.us/http://www.geisinger.org/for-researchers/institutes-and-departments/pages/center-for-health-research.htmlhttp://www.americanrivers.org/


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representing Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The commission was created in 1980 as a

bi-state commission to help Maryland and Virginia collaborate and cooperate on Chesapeake

Bay management. Pennsylvania became a member in 1985.

-- 9:50 - 10:10 a.m. Plenary Presentation #3. Heather Galbraith, Research Biologist with the

US Geological Survey will give a presentation on the theme of "Stresses on Aquatic

Ecosystems." The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a bureau of the U.S. Department of theInterior. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural

resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The bureau’s Northern Appalachian Research

Branch (NARB) provides research support for management of fisheries and aquatic resources for

federal lands within the Department of the Interior (National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife

Service, Bureau of Land Management), migratory species, inter-jurisdictional species,

endangered species, invasive species, and species of cultural importance to Native Americans.

-- 10:10 - 10:30 a.m. Plenary Presentation #4. Joel Dunn, Executive Director of the

Chesapeake Conservancy will give a presentation on the theme of "Susquehanna River and

Chesapeake Bay Connections." The Chesapeake Conservancy is a non-profit organization based

in Annapolis, MD, dedicated to ensuring a healthier Chesapeake Bay watershed. The

Conservancy works in close partnership with the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office,the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other federal, state and local agencies, private

foundations, and corporations.

-- 10:30 - 10:45. Break

-- 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Breakout discussions in four separate rooms on the second floor of

the Langone Center. Participants will complete a watershed survey, have a chance to network

with one another, and discuss selected questions or important issues raised in the morning’s

plenary presentations.

-- 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch (Walls Lounge)

-- 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. Keynote Address. Laura Craig, director of science and economics for

American Rivers, will deliver a talk entitled “Rivers at risk: A review of existing and emerging

threats to running waters” . Craig’s areas of expertise are ecosystem ecology, nutrient dynamics,

and restoration theory. Within the Restoration Program, she facilitates and manages dam removal

projects in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and works to establish collaborative

partnerships to improve restoration monitoring, increase communication between researchers and

practitioners, and further the science of restoration ecology.

-- 1:30 - 2:30 - Wrap-Up Discussion. Review the results of the morning's watershed survey and

breakout discussions. We’ll close by discussing ideas and directions to pursue in the near

future.

All events are free and open to the public without registration.

For more information, visit the 10th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium webpage.

NewsClips:Supreme Court Asked To Hear Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Challenge

Allegheny Health Dept. Will Fly Air Pollution Flags


Trouble For Upper Delaware River Flow

Plans To Rebuild Wayne County Dams Raises Fears

EPA Clean Water Rule Survives U.S. Senate Repeal Effort

Frustrated Ice Lakes Residents Seek DEP Meeting

http://citizensvoice.com/news/frustrated-ice-lakes-residents-seek-dep-meeting-1.1967365http://www.wsj.com/articles/senators-block-bill-repealing-epa-water-rules-1446583630http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/plans-to-rebuild-wayne-county-dams-raises-fears-skepticism-1.1965474http://www.tu.org/blog-posts/trouble-for-upper-delaware-river-flowshttp://www.meadvilletribune.com/community/conneaut-lake-teams-winners-at-pymatuning-shenango-watershed-challenge/article_e5b5513e-01fa-5cdb-8fad-ebae2f635ebe.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/11/02/Allegheny-County-Health-Department-will-fly-air-pollution-flags/stories/201510310077http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bal-farmers-builders-ask-supreme-court-to-review-chesapeake-bay-pollution-diet-20151106-story.htmlhttp://www.eg.bucknell.edu/wse/river_symposiums/2015/index.html


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Nov. 6 Delaware Riverkeeper Riverwatch Video

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

Luzerne County Offers Funding For Recreation, Conservation Projects, Apply By Nov. 20

Luzerne County has set aside $65,000 from its Act 13 Marcellus Shale Legacy funds to support

recreation and conservation projects in the county. The deadline for applications is November

20 by 3:00 p.m.

Click Here for a copy of the application and instructions. Questions should be directed

to: Sharon Lawrence, Clerk of the Luzerne County Council, by calling 570-825-1634 or send

email to: [email protected].

Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA: Lower Susquehanna Needs To Be Listed As Impaired

From the Desk Of: Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Director

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The Lower Susquehanna River is sick and so are the fish within it—just

look at the sightings of intersex and lesion-covered smallmouth bass

found in the waters.

We all know this story. For far too long, agricultural runoff, acid

mine drainage, and polluted urban runoff have been fouling the

Susquehanna River. This toxic brew threatens a powerful economic

engine, a part of Pennsylvania’s heritage, and the critters that call the

river home.

In the coming weeks, Pennsylvania’s leaders have a chance to step in and start cleaning

up our river, but if we want them to act, we must speak out in these next few crucial days.

Stand with CBF-PA and its partners in urging Gov. Wolf and the Department of

Environmental Protection to save our river by listing the Lower Susquehanna River as impaired.

Listing the Susquehanna as “impaired” isn’t about recognition for a problem we already

know about. It’s the first step to getting the state to act.

DEP is preparing draft recommendations for the 2016 “Impaired Waters List”—a list that

identifies waterways that are polluted and starts the process of developing plans to make them

healthy again.

If DEP were to add the Lower Susquehanna to the list, it would be provided a new level

of restoration, resource investment, and pollution study for the river.

Click Here

now to urge DEP and Gov. Wolf to take action to restore the Susquehanna'shealth. They’re making their decision on which waterways need help any day now, and our river

can’t wait any longer.

It’s far past time that the Lower Susquehanna River see the resources and attention it

needs to be the healthy, swimmable, and fishable waterway that it once was and can be again.

Just Part Of The Problem

The Susquehanna’s problems are emblematic of the nearly 19,000 miles of Pennsylvania

streams that are impaired.

http://takeaction.cbf.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17699http://www.cbf.org/pamailto:[email protected]://files.ctctcdn.com/32610e6b301/7a6849ea-e58d-42e2-8d77-4b489f738047.pdfhttp://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/https://youtu.be/dnGnOBOB9xM


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The Commonwealth must accelerate efforts to restore these waterways through the

Pennsylvania Clean Water Blueprint , the science-based federal/state strategy to reduce pollution.

If the Wolf Administration doesn’t deliver its Commonwealth-wide action plan soon, we

will be asking your help in urging them to do so.

NewsClips:

Supreme Court Asked To Hear Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Challenge Allegheny Health Dept. Will Fly Air Pollution Flags









Related Stories:

DEP Secretary: PA Will Miss 2017 Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Commitments DEP: Chesapeake Bay Reboot Not Ready Yet

PA Farm Bureau Joins U.S. Supreme Court Challenge To Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

The PA Farm Bureau announced Friday it has joined the American Farm Bureau Federation and

a coalition of agricultural and builder groups in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal

of a federal court decision that upholds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s

implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

“We disagree with a lower court’s decision that provides EPA the authority to supersede

land use decisions typically made by states located in the watershed,” said PFB President Rick

Ebert. “EPA’s plan does much more than set a cap level of daily loads through its

one-size-fits-all approach; it displaces powers reserved to states by setting specific timelines and

actions to attain the plan’s goals.”

Farm Bureau notes that EPA’s plan will adversely affect farm families, local

communities and rural economies. Federal officials have also indicated that the agency’s effort

in the Chesapeake Bay to impose extreme land use control through a TMDL will also be

attempted in other major watersheds across the nation.

In addition, EPA has projected that roughly 20 percent of all cropland in the Chesapeake

Bay Watershed will have to be removed from food production and be converted to grassland or

forest in order to achieve its water quality goals.

“Placing more than 600,000 acres of the watershed’s fertile farmland into retirement willsignificantly weaken local communities and local food systems," added Ebert. "Meanwhile, a

recent study and analysis suggest that EPA’s approach is largely inefficient in attaining reduction

goals, and recommends a more localized effort to best use Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars in

reducing nutrient and sediment loss."

PFB has actively worked with state and federal officials to find a feasible way for

Pennsylvania to meet its water quality goals, while Farm Bureau continues to work with officials

to find a way for farmers to receive full credit for conservation practices that are effectively

https://www.pfb.com/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=33330http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=33568http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/https://youtu.be/dnGnOBOB9xMhttp://citizensvoice.com/news/frustrated-ice-lakes-residents-seek-dep-meeting-1.1967365http://www.wsj.com/articles/senators-block-bill-repealing-epa-water-rules-1446583630http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/plans-to-rebuild-wayne-county-dams-raises-fears-skepticism-1.1965474http://www.tu.org/blog-posts/trouble-for-upper-delaware-river-flowshttp://www.meadvilletribune.com/community/conneaut-lake-teams-winners-at-pymatuning-shenango-watershed-challenge/article_e5b5513e-01fa-5cdb-8fad-ebae2f635ebe.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/11/02/Allegheny-County-Health-Department-will-fly-air-pollution-flags/stories/201510310077http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bal-farmers-builders-ask-supreme-court-to-review-chesapeake-bay-pollution-diet-20151106-story.htmlhttp://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint/update-on-local-efforts/pennsylvania


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preventing runoff, but not recognized by EPA.

“EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model has been flawed since day one. It fails to

account for a vast amount of voluntary best management practices (BMPs) installed by farmers

to improve the environment and water quality. By failing to account for those on-farm BMPs,

EPA incorrectly concludes that Pennsylvania farms are responsible for more nutrient runoff than

what actually enters a water source,” concluded Ebert.Reaction-- CBF-PA

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker issued this statement after the

American Farm Bureau Federation, other agriculture lobbying organizations, and the National

Association of Homebuilders requested the Supreme Court to review their challenge to

Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts.

In December, 2010, the Bay jurisdictions and the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) announced pollution limits that would restore water quality in local rivers, streams, and

the Chesapeake Bay. The states developed individual plans to achieve those limits, with a goal of

60 percent implementation by 2017 and 100 percent by 2025. In addition, the states committed to

taking specific actions in two-year increments called milestones. Together, the limits, plans, and

milestones make up the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint and represent what many considerthe moment in time for clean water.

Within weeks of the announcement, the Farm Bureau and its allies filed suit in federal

court claiming EPA over-reach. After losing in federal District Court, they appealed to the

federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals. That court agreed with the lower court and rejected the

Farm Bureau’s claims.

“The Farm Bureau and Homebuilder’s decision to seek Supreme Court review of their

challenge to the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint was both predictable and sad. For years, the

agricultural and homebuilder lobbying groups have opposed efforts to restore the Bay.

“The agriculture and development industries need to accept that the Blueprint is the best

hope for restoring water quality in local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay. Their

continued reluctance in the face of overwhelming public support stands in stark contrast to the

efforts of thousands of farmers and homeowners who have taken action, many at their own

expense, to move the Bay cleanup efforts forward. Additionally, these industries should support

the Blueprint, if not for water quality, at least for the economic benefits of implementing the

Blueprint, conservatively estimated to be an additional $22 billion annually according to a study

commissioned by CBF.

“We believe that the Supreme Court will reaffirm the significant factual and legal support

for Bay restoration efforts and deny this petition.“

Click Here

for more background on this legal challenge from CBF.

NewsClips:

Supreme Court Asked To Hear Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Challenge Allegheny Health Dept. Will Fly Air Pollution Flags







https://youtu.be/dnGnOBOB9xMhttp://citizensvoice.com/news/frustrated-ice-lakes-residents-seek-dep-meeting-1.1967365http://www.wsj.com/articles/senators-block-bill-repealing-epa-water-rules-1446583630http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/plans-to-rebuild-wayne-county-dams-raises-fears-skepticism-1.1965474http://www.tu.org/blog-posts/trouble-for-upper-delaware-river-flowshttp://www.meadvilletribune.com/community/conneaut-lake-teams-winners-at-pymatuning-shenango-watershed-challenge/article_e5b5513e-01fa-5cdb-8fad-ebae2f635ebe.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/11/02/Allegheny-County-Health-Department-will-fly-air-pollution-flags/stories/201510310077http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bal-farmers-builders-ask-supreme-court-to-review-chesapeake-bay-pollution-diet-20151106-story.htmlhttp://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/in-the-courtroom/farm-bureau-infographichttp://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint/what-is-the-chesapeake-clean-water-blueprinthttp://www.cbf.org/pa


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Related Stories:

CBF-PA: It’s Time For PA To Reboot Its Commitments To Chesapeake Bay Agreement

DEP Secretary: PA Will Miss 2017 Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Commitments

CBF-PA: Lower Susquehanna Needs To Be Listed As Impaired PA Farm Groups: Initiative To Credit Farmers For Their Conservation Efforts Begins

Nov. 2 Chesapeake Bay Journal Now Available

The November 2 edition of the Chesapeake Bay Journal is now available featuring stories on--

-- Judge To Hear Arguments Over Fish Passage At Conowingo Dam

-- Sharp Cut In Bay-Specific Federal Farm Bill Funds Threatens Cleanup Efforts

-- Honking Signals The Traffic Of Chesapeake’s Migrating Waterfowl

-- Bay Journal Calendar Of Events

-- Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

Abandoned Mine Posts: More Federal Attention Given To Abandoned Mine Reclamation

By Anne Daymut, Watershed Coordinator, Western Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Over the past six months, members of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation (AMR) community

have seen an increased interest of the Federal government in issues relating to our important

work.

Spurred by events such as the Gold King Mine spill in Colorado, the public nationwide is

also getting a taste of what we here in Pennsylvania deal with on a day-to-day basis with

abandoned mine lands and abandoned mine drainage.

Due to the Gold King Mine spill, policy makers got a crash course in topics the

Pennsylvania AMR community has been discussing for some time including the need for Federal

Good Samaritan Legislation, the importance of Operations, Maintenance and Rehabilitation

funds for existing AMD treatment systems, the need of states and tribes for funding to address

emergency issues such as mine fires and subsidence, the impending need for another

reauthorization of the fee collections associated with the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation

Act of 1977, and so on.

It seems now that our voices are being heard as Congress is starting to

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