Pa Environment Digest June 29, 2015

8/21/2019 Pa Environment Digest June 29, 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

Harrisburg, Pa June 29, 2015

House Moving $30.1 Billion Republican General Fund Budget Bill

Harrisburg (June 26) -- The House Appropriations Committee late Friday evening amended

House Bill 1192 (Adolph-R-Delaware) with the Senate/House Republican version of the General

Fund budget and reported it to the full House. It is a $30.1 billion no tax increase state budget,

just over $1 billion more than last year.The intent of Republicans is to move it through the House and Senate and put it on the

Governor's desk by the end of June 30.

Gov. Wolf has already put out a statement that said he will veto the GOP’s “gimmick

budget.”

There is no severance tax, but it does restore some General Fund monies to DCNR- $21.6

million, a little more for DEP- $4.3 million and level funds the Heritage Parks Program at $2.25

million.

Here are some of the highlights of the GOP plan--

-- Dept. of Agriculture: adds $23 million from last year (mostly for lab, county fairs, etc.)

-- Conservation Districts remain the same at $869,000

-- DCNR: adds $21.6 million, most to line items for personnel and operations-- Heritage and Other Parks- $2.25 million (same as last year)

-- DCED: Commonwealth Financing Authority adds $12.4 million (don't know what for yet)

-- DEP: $4.3 million more, most in personnel and operations

-- Conservation Districts: $2.5 million (same as last year)

-- Sewage Facilities Grants: $900,000 (zero last year)

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission: $473,000 ($100,000 less)

-- Delaware River Basin Commission: $434,000 (same)

-- Environmental Hearing Board: $2.3 million (same)

A spreadsheet with General Fund line items is available online .

Of course this is just part of the budget. There are lots of details not yet available. We

are also waiting for what Fiscal Code, Education Code or other legislation will be needed toimplement the GOP budget.

The Senate and House also have the primary pension reform and liquor privatization bills

on committee agendas on Saturday and Sunday.

The House will be in session Saturday and Sunday. The Senate Sunday. Both will be in

Monday and Tuesday.

Stay tuned…..

NewsClips:

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1192http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953https://goo.gl/4wGdVHhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1192http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953


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GOP To Send Wolf Their $30.1 Billion Budget By Tuesday

Corman: GOP Budget Reflects Voters’ Desire For No Tax Hikes

GOP Leaders Draft Budget, Governor Will Veto

Wolf Vows To Veto Republican Budget

Scarnati: We Are Not Sending The Governor A Severance Tax

Negotiations Over Taxing Gas Drillers Break Down Pro-Severance Tax Protestors Interrupt Pro-Industry Rally

Industry, Education Advocates Face Off Over Gas Tax

Sen. Yaw Opposes Severance Tax On Drillers

Chamber: Severance Tax Will Cost PA Jobs

Scaled-Down Shale Tax Could Spur Deal On Pensions, Liquor

GOP Budget Said To Ignore Wolf

Wolf Plans Veto Of GOP Budget Democrats Say

Budget: GOP Leaders, Wolf Accuse Each Other Of Bad Faith

GOP Preps No-Tax Budget, Daring Wolf To Veto

Turzai: Senate, House Republicans Have A Budget Deal

Parties Find Little Common Ground As Budget Deadline Looms Budget Negotiators Spin Status Of Talks

Crunch Time On Budget, 2 Political Philosophies

PA Court AdultBasic Decision Questions Fiscal Code Amendment Process

Deadline Looming, No Budget In Sight

3 PA Environmental Groups Issue Statement On State Budget Deliberations

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA , Pennsylvania Chapter of The Nature Conservancy , and

Pennsylvania Environmental Council Thursday issued the following statement concerning state

budget deliberations now going on in Harrisburg--

As the official deadline of June 30 looms for completion of a State budget,

overshadowing all is the stubborn and substantial deficit facing Pennsylvania, which will not be

resolved by maintaining the status quo. It is clear that bold steps and difficult choices are

necessary to protect important services while positioning the Commonwealth for new growth.

Pennsylvania can clearly signal its commitment to a healthier and more prosperous tomorrow by

strengthening programs that protect public health and the environment and promoting initiatives

that expand opportunities for clean energy.

Governor Wolf’s proposed budget makes important strides toward that goal by: (1)

stepping up investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, helping Pennsylvania grow

a more diverse and robust energy economy; (2) boosting funding for monitoring and

enforcement staff in the Department of Environmental Protection, improving the State’s abilityto protect the natural resources on which we all depend; and (3) reducing the reliance of our

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on revenue from the Oil and Gas Lease

Fund, making more of this Fund available for the purposes originally intended—to support

projects that benefit our State Parks and State Forests.

We strongly support these environmental funding priorities and urge that they be

included in the Commonwealth’s FY15-16 budget package.

Governor Wolf has proposed using a portion of the revenue from a natural gas severance

http://pecpa.org/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/pennsylvania/http://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150621_Deadline_looming__no_budget_in_sight.htmlhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/776/Supreme-Court-bars-attempt-to-resurrect-adultBasic-calls-into-question-Fiscal-Code-amendment-process.aspxhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/pennsylvanias_new_budget_wont.html#incart_m-rpt-2http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/779/Impasse-or-progress-Budget-negotiators-spin-status-of-talks.aspxhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/as_pa_budget_deadline_looms_pa.html#incart_riverhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/artmid/472/articleid/786/Turzai-Senate-and-House-Republicans-have-a-budget-deal-.aspxhttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/24/gop-preps-a-no-tax-budget-daring-wolf-to-veto/http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8611730-74/wolf-state-senatehttp://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/873994/Wolf-plans-veto-of-GOP-budget--Democrats-say.html?isap=1&nav=5020http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150626_GOP_Pa__budget_said_to_ignore_Gov__Wolf.htmlhttp://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8617501-74/tax-wolf-severance#axzz3dvhWeVPohttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/severance_tax_will_impact_marc.html#incart_riverhttp://pennbusinessdaily.com/stories/510550505-gene-yaw-opposes-proposed-severance-tax-on-marcellus-shale-drillershttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/23/industry-education-advocates-face-off-over-gas-tax/http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8617501-74/tax-wolf-state#axzz3dvhWeVPohttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/no_compromise_negotiations_on.html#incart_riverhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/784/Scarnati-%E2%80%9CWe-are-not-sending-the-governor-a-severance-tax%E2%80%9D.aspxhttp://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pa-legislature-budget-pension-0626-20150626-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/26/State-GOP-leaders-draft-budget-without-governor-s-input/stories/201506260297http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/corman_gop_budget_reflects_vot.html#incart_riverhttp://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8634086-74/budget-wolf-million#axzz3e3ZypHKl


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tax to support the new investments in clean energy and environmental enforcement—an

appropriate use of such revenue, in our opinion. The proposed allocations represent a welcome

down payment toward a more substantial future commitment to the protection and restoration of

Pennsylvania’s air, water, land and wildlife.

The environmental challenges facing Pennsylvania are many in number and daunting in

scale—e.g., avoiding or minimizing environmental impacts from new energy infrastructure,accelerating efforts to meet the Commonwealth’s obligations to the Chesapeake Bay, and

charting Pennsylvania’s path to cleaner and more efficient energy production and use, to name

just a few.

We look forward to working with Governor Wolf and the General Assembly to realize

both the promise of the Governor’s proposed budget for FY15-16, and the potential for more

comprehensive environmental investments in the years to come.

Independent Fiscal Office Report: Drilling Fees Could Decline To $189.6 Million In 2015

The Independent Fiscal Office Wednesday released an update report on Act 13 drilling fee

revenues estimates the drilling impact fee will result decline from $208.6 million to $189.6million in revenue from a total of $223.5 million in 2014.

The IFO says reductions in revenue will be caused by--

-- Declines in the price of natural gas resulting in a reduction of about $5,000 per well in 2015;

-- Decline in the number of wells brought into production in 2015 when they pay the highest

fees. They noted so far in 2015 no wells have been brought into production.

-- Existing wells pay lower fees over time.

A copy of the report is available online.

Conventional Well Drillers File Court Action To Avoid Protecting The Environment

The PA Independent Oil and Gas Association announced Monday it filed a petition

with the PA

Supreme Court last week asking the Court to eliminate DEP’s enforcement of setbacks from

streams, wetlands and other natural features as well as protection of public resources like parks,

game land or wildlife area, protect endangered species, historic sites and wellhead protection

areas.

PIOGA said DEP’s continued enforcement of these requirements is inconsistent with the

Court’s decision in Robinson Township to declare portions of the Act 13 drilling law as

unconstitutional.

DEP maintains, correctly, it has authority in other statutes to protect these public and

natural resources.

“The Supreme Court made clear in its Act 13 ruling that specific well permittingrequirements in Section 3215 of the Act were unconstitutional, and denied the department’s

request for reconsideration of that decision in February 2014,” said PIOGA General Counsel

Kevin J. Moody. “It is unfortunate that PIOGA has had to take this action, but court decisions

apply to government agencies in the same way they apply to others, and DEP has ignored the

fact that the Supreme Court invalidated and enjoined nearly all provisions of Section 3215 in its

decision on Act 13. Requiring a government agency to obey the law, just as the agency requires

others to obey laws it administers, is a win for all citizens and the rule of law.

http://www.pioga.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Supreme-Court-Application-filed-version.pdfhttp://www.pioga.org/http://www.ifo.state.pa.us/resources/PDF/RB-2015-03.pdfhttp://www.ifo.state.pa.us/resources/PDF/RB-2015-03.pdfhttp://www.ifo.state.pa.us/#&panel1-3


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“DEP cannot continue to require our industry to comply with these invalidated and

enjoined provisions without obtaining authorization from the General Assembly,” added Moody.

“In the meantime, however, DEP has simply ignored the court’s determination and is using the

Section 3215 decisional process as if the court’s ruling does not exist. This has forced PIOGA to

take action on behalf of its members and the industry to ask the court to enforce its injunction.”

Moody emphasized that existing laws and permitting requirements are more thanadequate to fully protect the statutorily designated public resources outside the well permitting

decisional process, and the industry will continue to comply with those laws.

“Natural gas developers protect public resources through voluntary measures as well as

by complying with provisions of federal laws that protect threatened and endangered species, and

state laws administered by the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Fish and Boat

Commission and Game Commission,” Moody said.

Copies of the Supreme Court application , Petition for Review and Exhibits are available

online.

The attorneys filing the petition for PIOGA are from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and

Babst Calland, Clements & Zomnir.

NewsClips:Conventional Drillers Takes DEP To Court

Conventional Oil Drillers Say DEP Overstepping Its Authority

Related Story:

Analysis: Myth- Conventional Oil And Gas Drilling Is Benign

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Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule[Updated]/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 (June 27): Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (June 28):. Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill

398

(Killion-R-Delaware) providing for truck transportation of landfill leachate (House Fiscal

Note and summary). 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

Consumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human ServicesJudiciary

Liquor Control

Transportation

Links for all other Standing House Committees

Senate

Appropriations

http://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=Hhttp://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/BI/FN/2015/0/HB0398P1691.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/HB0398P1691.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0398http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0398http://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/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigest


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Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational Development

Education

Judiciary

Law and JusticePublic Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Bills Introduced

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

AEPS Natural Gas: House Bill 1354 (Moul-R-Adams) adding natural gas to Tier II of

Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act ( sponsor summary ).

Stormwater Fees: House Bill 1394 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) amending to Borough Code to

authorize reasonable stormwater fees (sponsor summary).

Session Schedule [ Updated]

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

Senate

June 28 , 29, 30

House

June 27, 28 , 29, 30

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.

Bills On Governor's Desk

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the

Governor's desk for action--

Moon Lake Transfer: Senate Bill 699 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) transfers of Moon Lake Park

from Luzerne County to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A House

Fiscal Note and summary are available.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0699P0683.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0699P0683.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0699http://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBxhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18599http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1394http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=16934http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1354http://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=S


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Senate/House Bills Moving

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

House

Water Well Standards: House Bill 48 (Godshall-R- Montgomery) authorizing the

Environmental Quality Board to set construction standards for private water wells was amended

and reported out of the House Consumer Affairs Committee and referred to the House Rules

Committee.

Regulatory Review: House Bill 965 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) requiring additional oversight

of agency regulations under the Regulatory Review Act was amended and reported out of the

House Consumer Affairs Committee and referred to the House Rules Committee.

Senate

Reuse Of Mine Water : Senate Bill 875 (Bartolotta-R-Fayette) encouraging the reuse of treated

mine water for fracking gas wells ( sponsor summary) was reported from the Senate

Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and passed by the Senate 34 to 15. The bill

now goes to the House for action.

“Utilizing treated mine water in natural gas operations holds the potential to significantly

reduce the withdrawal demands on Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams,” said Sen. Bartolotta.

“Questions regarding liability are the biggest barrier preventing more companies from taking

advantage of this environmentally friendly process.”

EQB Independent Counsel: Senate Bill 307

(Yudichak-D-Luzerne) establishing anindependent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board was passed by the Senate and now

goes to the House for consideration. A Senate Fiscal Note and summary are available.

Wind Farms: House Bill 188 (Sonney-R-Erie) authorizing wind farms in Agricultural Security

Areas was referred to the Senate Rules Committee on concurrence with House amendments.

News From The Capitol

Senate Approves Measure Promoting Beneficial Use of Treated Mine Water

The Senate passed Senate Bill 875 (Bartolotta-R-Fayette) Thursday to help reduce the use offresh water in oil and gas drilling operations by promoting the use of treated mine water,

according to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Camera Bartolotta.

Senate Bill 875 clarifies legal liabilities associated with the use of treated mine water in

oil and gas operations.

Sen. Bartolotta, who serves as Majority Vice Chair of the Senate Environmental

Resources and Energy Committee, said the expanded use of treated mine water will further

reduce the withdrawal of fresh water from Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams by oil and gas

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=875http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0188http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/SB0307P0197.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=307http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18364http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=875http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0965http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0048


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companies. She also emphasized that her legislation would not weaken any existing

environmental safeguards designed to protect public health.

“The beneficial use of treated mine water holds the potential to reduce the use of millions

of gallons of fresh water in oil and gas operations. Clarifying liability issues will remove the

biggest barrier to the use of this resource,” Sen. Bartolotta said. “One of my priorities is

supporting the development of our natural resources and industry in a way that is safe andresponsible. This approach to preserving fresh water supplies is exactly the kind of innovation

that we should promote.”

Senate Bill 875 now goes to the House for consideration.

NewsClips:

Senate Bill Would Encourage Use Of Mine Drainage To Frack

DEP Planning Culm Bank Relocation In Carbondale

2 Men. 1 Coal Ash Dump. No Answers

House Legislation Revived To Protect Natural Gas Royalty Owners

In another effort to protect owners of natural gas royalty leases, Reps. Garth Everett(R-Lycoming), Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna), Matt Baker (R-Tioga), Tina Pickett

(R-Susquehanna) and Karen Boback (R-Luzerne) Tuesday said legislation-- House Bill 1391 -- is

being reintroduced to guard natural gas royalty owners from unjustified post-production cost

deductions.

At a Harrisburg press conference, legislators were joined by Trevor Walczak, vice

president, National Association of Royalty Owners Pennsylvania Chapter, and Betsy Huber,

government relations director, Pennsylvania State Grange.

“We fought for this legislation in the previous session in the form of House Bill 1684 and

did not get a full floor vote,” said Rep. Everett. “We were able to get bipartisan support from the

House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee last session and hope to get that again,

but we will also press very hard for the full House to consider it. I believe it is imperative that we

gain fairness for conventional and Marcellus natural gas land owners and operators.”

Rep. Everett said the Guaranteed Minimum Royalty Act (Act 60 of 1979) simply states

that a lease for oil or natural gas shall guarantee a minimum one-eighth (12.5 percent) royalty.

The development of unconventional shale gas wells (i.e. Marcellus) in the

Commonwealth has been accompanied by an effort of some companies to reduce royalties below

this statutory minimum by deducting what are known as post-production costs from the royalty

payments to landowners.

These post-production costs can include compression, dehydration, transmission and

other costs incurred between the wellhead and a final market point of sale. When these expenses

are deducted, final royalty payments often are below the statutory one-eighth.In 2010, the PA Supreme Court considered this issue in Kilmer v. Elexco Land Services

Inc., it determined that the current statute did not address the deduction of post-production costs

and stated that the “General Assembly is the branch of government best suited to weigh the

public policies underlying the determination of the proper point of royalty valuation.”

“This is an important issue to landowners across the northeast region of the state and it

continues to be a top priority for me and my Northern Tier colleagues as we work to ensure

landowners receive fair and equitable payments for natural gas reserves under their land,” said

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1391http://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/two-men-one-coal-ash-dump-no-answers.phphttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dep-planning-culm-relocation-in-carbondale-1.1902698http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/22/senate-bill-would-encourage-use-of-acid-mine-drainage-to-frack/


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Major. “It is our hope that we can get this bill through the General Assembly in a timely manner

and onto the desk of the governor.”

Rep. Boback said there are many ramifications beyond just the property owners.

“This shortchanging of property owners in Pennsylvania adds up to the loss of millions of

dollars each year,” Rep. Boback said. “Beyond property owners, it affects school districts,

townships and other municipalities. It is time for action to make sure property owners are being paid fair royalties.”

When Pennsylvania landowners signed leases for a percentage of the value of the gas

produced from their property, they were assured by the gas companies that they would receive no

less than the statutory one-eighth – not something significantly less than that because of

deductions.

“This is the second session in which we have joined together to urge passage of

legislation to uphold the good-faith contracts signed by landowners with respect to royalties

owed them by natural gas companies,” said Rep. Baker. “Landowners need to have a guaranteed

minimum royalty law to ensure that they receive fair payment under the law.”

Rep. Pickett said this is the job of the Legislature, not the courts.

“The 1979 law guaranteeing a minimum royalty payment has led to varyinginterpretations, with some landowners getting far less than specified in their leases and others

receiving royalty statements with figures in the red,” Pickett said. “The state court has ruled that

the Legislature should be the branch of government clarifying existing state law in an effort to

achieve royalty fairness and equity, and our legislation seeks to do just that.”

The legislation awaits a committee assignment. A sponsor summary is available.

NewsClips:

Lawmakers Revive Controversial Gas Royalties Bill

NE PA Lawmakers Revive Royalty Bill

News From Around The State

PA Environmental Council Recognizes Anthony Bartolomeo With Achievement Award

On June 17 the PA Environmental Council

hosted the 2015 Environmental Partnership

Dinner, celebrating PEC’s work to protect

and restore Pennsylvania’s natural and built

environment and to enhance and preserve

natural resources.

Held at Philadelphia’s Crystal Tea

Room atop the Wanamaker Building, theevent honored Anthony Bartolomeo, PE,

President and CEO of Pennoni Associates,

Inc. with the PEC Achievement Award for

outstanding vision and commitment to

environmental conservation in Pennsylvania.

(Photo: Carol McCabe, PEC Board Chair, Davitt Woodwell, PEC President/CEO,

Nicholas DeBenedictis, AQUA CEO, John Quigley, DEP Secretary, Cindy Dunn, DCNR

http://www.pecpa.org/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/nepa-lawmakers-revive-royalty-bill-1.1902670http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/23/house-lawmakers-revive-controversial-gas-royalties-bill/http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17583


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Secretary, Anthony Bartolomeo, Awardee, and Patrick Starr, PEC Executive Vice President.)

The Honorable John Quigley, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection,

was the evening’s keynote speaker. The event marked one of Quigley’s first public speaking

engagements since being confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate last week.

AQUA served as the evening’s title sponsor and honorary dinner chair and AQUA

Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis introduced both of the evening’s featured guests.DeBenedictis lauded Bartolomeo’s work in environmental conservation.

He applauded the University of Pennsylvania graduate for dedicating more than 30 years

of his career to environmental engineering, including developing a comprehensive knowledge of

industrial facilities reuse issues. Additionally, Bartolomeo served as PEC Board Chair for a

decade.

“The Pennsylvania Environmental Council recognizes, and always has, that the

environment, community, and economy are inextricably linked,” DeBenedictis said. “So it’s an

honor to be here tonight to recognize someone who shares those attributes.”

PEC chose Bartolomeo as the PEC Achievement Awardee for exemplifying PEC’s motto

– conservation through cooperation – in all his work to protect the environment on the local,

state, and national levels. In his comments, Bartolomeo was quick to praise PEC’s statewide policy work.

“PEC is very involved in forming and shaping public policy and I like the way they do

it,” Bartolomeo stated. “It’s by educating, informing, and motivating the citizens … I think that’s

a terrific attribute of this organization.

“I’m very proud to have been associated with PEC for all the years that I have been,” he

added.

In his keynote speech, Quigley outlined DEP’s mission to focus on collaboration along

with the Department’s commitment to science and showing the work, its version of integrity and

transparency, two aspects of importance to himself and Gov. Tom Wolf.

“In managing the Commonwealth’s natural resources, it demands all of us as

stakeholders, the ability to listen, to communicate, to negotiate, and to collaborate,” Quigley

said.

The 45th annual event was made possible through a group of generous sponsors, premier

benefactors, benefactors, and contributors. Along with AQUA, the evening’s lead sponsors were

FMC (Welcome Reception), RT Environmental Services, AKRF, Brandywine Realty Trust, and

Greenberg Traurig.

PEC serves the entire state with programs and staff spanning the Commonwealth.

For more information, visit the PA Environmental Council website.

NewsClip: DEP Plans New Fracking Chemical Disclosure Website

NorthcentralPA.com: Lycoming County Passes $250K In Nutrient Credits Sales In 2014

As reported by NorthcentralPA.com earlier in June , The County of Lycoming paid a total of

$51,363.70 to local farmers whose nitrogen and phosphorus credits were sold in 2014 through

the Lycoming County Nutrient Trading Program.

Combined with previous credit sales since 2011, the program has sold a cumulative

$253,764 in nutrient credits.

Each nutrient credit represents one pound of pollution (nitrogen or phosphorus) that will

http://www.northcentralpa.com/article/lycoming-county-surpasses-quarter-million-dollars-nutrient-credit-sales-2014-resultshttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/18/dep-plans-new-fracking-chemical-disclosure-site-promises-more-transparency/http://www.pecpa.org/


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not reach the Chesapeake Bay. These pollution reductions were created by farmers who have

voluntarily implemented conservation practices on their farm operations, improving the quality

of local waters and the Bay.

Exactly 33,413 nitrogen and 406 phosphorus credits were generated in 2014 by 22

Lycoming County farmers.

“Successful trades over the past four years have proven to our local producers that thereis a benefit to participating in this effort,” said Mark Davidson, manager of the Lycoming

County Conservation District. “We’ve enjoyed a high level of interest from our cooperating

farmers within Lycoming County and even beyond the county lines.”

Multiple agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been implemented on the

participating farms, including riparian buffers, no-till and cover cropping, off-stream watering,

rotational grazing and manure hauling.

The practices generating the credits were certified by Pennsylvania Department of

Environmental Protection (PA DEP). Nutrient reductions were verified by Lycoming County

Conservation District staff members who performed required checks during and at the end of the

growing season.

To be eligible to participate in the program, farms are required to go above and beyondthe minimum legal requirements (in program terms, “baseline” and “threshold”) to do more than

what is considered the farm’s fair share of pollution reduction.

The participating farmers are essentially local leaders in environmental stewardship,

creating local environmental benefits such as aquatic and riparian habitat improvements and

erosion reduction.

In the fourth year of active trading for the Lycoming County Nutrient Trading program,

the county completed two local trades. In the first local trade, 9,000 nitrogen credits were

supplied to the West Branch Regional Authority (WBRA). In the second local trade, 5,000

nitrogen credits were sold to the Tiadaghton Valley Municipal Authority.

Lycoming County has also helped to facilitate additional local trades between point

sources within the County to help match local supply and demand and keep as many dollars local

as possible.

“Nutrient trading has been a vital part of our process; it gave us the time necessary to

consolidate four existing municipal sewer systems and plan for a new regional treatment plant

and still remain in compliance with the Chesapeake Bay requirements,” said Eric Moore,

Executive Director of WBRA. “WBRA has worked with the County and our municipal partners

in the County to keep as much of the cost of credits in our local area as possible.”

In addition to the local trades, the County regularly seeks external buyers to purchase

agriculturally-generated credits that were not sold locally.

In 2014, Lycoming County sold 895 nitrogen credits and 55 phosphorus credits through a

statewide nutrient credit auction facilitated by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure InvestmentAuthority (PENNVEST), and 9,500 nitrogen credits through a private sale to a municipal

authority in a neighboring county.

“We can’t necessarily predict at the beginning of the year how many credits will be

verified by the end of the year, because the number of credits generated on each farm operation

varies based on farm management decisions that may change from one year to the next,” said

Megan Lehman, Lead Planner for Lycoming County Planning Department, who is responsible

for marketing the County’s nutrient credits.


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“We often have credits left near the end of the year that we could have sold locally, but

by the time we know they are available, our local buyers have already locked into other contracts

to fulfill their remaining needs,” said Lehman. “Therefore, building relationships outside our

County will become even more important as most of our local facilities complete their upgrades

and go from credit generators to credit buyers.”

Seventy-five percent of the revenue received by the County in the nutrient trading program is paid out to the participating farm operations. There are no restrictions on the income,

allowing farmers to use it however they choose. The remaining twenty-five percent of the

revenue is retained by Lycoming County to recoup the costs of operating the program.

Participation in the nutrient trading program and the PENNVEST auction requires

County staff to engage in a lengthy process of credit certification, verification, determination of

auction eligibility, and auction enrollment.

The statewide nutrient trading program was designed by the Pennsylvania Department of

Environmental Protection (PA DEP) as an optional tool to decrease the cost of compliance with

Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction mandates.

Credit trading allows regulated point sources, such as sewer plants, to purchase credits in

lieu of making costly upgrades to their on-site wastewater treatment facilities. In many cases, purchasing credits can dramatically reduce the cost of complying with nutrient reduction

mandates, saving ratepayer dollars and increasing economic competitiveness.

In addition to agricultural projects, nutrient credits can also be generated by wastewater

treatment facilities that go beyond their required pollution reductions.

Both TVMA [Tiadaghton Valley Municipal Authority] and WBRA [West Branch

Regional Authority ] have recently completed construction of state-of-the-art regional treatment

plants. In future years, they anticipate having credits to sell. Additional practices in stormwater

management and stream restoration may be incorporated into the program as credit generating

BMPs.

The Lycoming County Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy (CBTS), originated in 2008,

has brought together stakeholders from across the County to craft an innovative program that

provides flexible options to wastewater treatment plants, preserves economic opportunities, and

improves the environment here at home.

Development of the Lycoming County CBTS initiative has been supported by grant

funding from PA DEP, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic

Development, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania

Watersheds.

For more information, visit the Lycoming County CBTS home page, which can be

accessed online. Features include information about the County program, a news archive, photo

slideshows, and links to external resources.

NewsClips: Lycoming County Passes $250K In Nutrient Credits Sales In 2014

PA Lags Far Behind Other States In Reducing Water Pollution

John Arway Straight Talk: Save Our Susquehanna Campaign

Dead Zone In Chesapeake Bay Lower, But Still Significant

RiverFest Celebrates Susquehanna In Wilkes-Barre

DEP Prevents Runoff After Storm At Chemical Plant

Capital Region Water Considers Reservoir Easement Sale

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/capital_region_water_board_to.html#incart_riverhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/miller-chemical-dep-prevents-additional-runoff-after-storm.phphttp://www.timesleader.com/news/home_top-local-news/154193306/RiverFest-celebrates-Susquehannahttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/dead-zone-in-chesapeake-bay-to-be-lower-but-still/article_a3dc5d48-19c0-11e5-ba54-136d87b8067d.htmlhttp://fishandboat.com/images/people/exec_dir/straight_talk/2015_07_08_sos.pdfhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/pennsylvania-lags-far-behind-other-states-in-reducing-water-pollution.phphttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/lycoming-county-surpasses-a-quarter-million-dollars-in-nutrient-credit-sales-with-2014-resultshttp://www.lyco.org/Departments/PlanningandCommunityDevelopment/%20ChesapeakeBayTributaryStrategy.aspxhttp://www.lyco.org/Departments/PlanningandCommunityDevelopment/%20ChesapeakeBayTributaryStrategy.aspxhttp://www.westbranch-ra.org/http://www.westbranch-ra.org/


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Rainy Days Have Diminished Drought Threat In Midstate

Pittsburgh River-Focused Nonprofits’ Merger Official

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

CBF-PA Names Clair Ryan PA Watershed Restoration Manager

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Wednesday named Clair

Ryan as its Pennsylvania Watershed Restoration Program Manager.

“We’re excited to have Clair leading our efforts to develop diverse

and pioneering approaches for accelerating our efforts to restore

Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams,” said CBF’s Pennsylvania

Executive Director Harry Campbell.

As Watershed Restoration Program Manager, Ryan will manage

CBF’s restoration field staff in Pennsylvania, collaborate with

stakeholders, and develop and provide overall management of

restoration projects that reduce pollution to Commonwealth

waterways and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.Ryan will work closely with field staff to oversee the implementation of streamside

buffers and other key restoration practices, seek new and cost-effective approaches, and monitor

grants for maximum return.

“Clair’s experience at the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission,

where she led restoration efforts for the Lake Champlain Basin Program, will be an immense

asset to CBF and our partners,” Campbell added.

Pennsylvania is considerably off-track in its commitments to reduce nitrogen and

sediment pollution from agriculture and urban runoff that enters Commonwealth waterways and

the Bay. Pennsylvania appears to be on track to meet its phosphorus reduction goal.

The Commonwealth must accelerate progress if it is to have 60 percent of pollution

reduction practices in place by 2017 and 100 percent by 2025, as it committed to do in its Clean

Water Blueprint.

The Blueprint includes science-based limits on the pollution fouling the Chesapeake Bay

and its rivers and streams as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Also for

the Blueprint, states developed individual plans to achieve those limits and committed to

two-year milestones that outline the actions they will take to achieve success.

The EPA’s recent assessment showed that the Commonwealth would have to reduce

nitrogen pollution by an additional 14.6 million pounds, or 22 percent, by the end of this year.

The report also found that Pennsylvania will need to add 22,000 acres of forest and grass

buffers to meet its commitments by 2017. That compares to only 3,000 acres achieved in 2014.

Prior to joining CBF, Ryan was manager of the Lake Champlain Basin Program for the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. There she oversaw various grants

and contracts, supervised program staff, and represented the Commission on the Basin Program’s

Steering Committee.

During her time with the Commission, she also coordinated the development of a set of

regional guidelines for the environmentally-responsible use of lawn fertilizer.

Ryan received master’s degrees in Environmental Science and in Public Affairs, both in

Water Resource Management, from Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in

http://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint/what-is-the-chesapeake-clean-water-blueprinthttp://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint/what-is-the-chesapeake-clean-water-blueprinthttp://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8598769-74/riverquest-rivers-merger#axzz3dpnTDjEDhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/recent_rainy_days_have_diminis.html#incart_river


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Natural Resources from Cornell University.

For more information on activities and programs, visit the Chesapeake Bay

Foundation-PA webpage.

NewsClips:


John Arway Straight Talk: Save Our Susquehanna Campaign Dead Zone In Chesapeake Bay Lower, But Still Significant







K-12 Environmental Education Mini Grant Program From Chesapeake Bay Trust

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is now accepting applications for its K-12 Environmental EducationGrant Program . Applications are due August 7.

The grant program provides funding to schools and other agencies for pre-K-12

environmental education to educate students about local watersheds and how they can become

environmental stewards and make a difference in watershed health.

The program supports meaningful outdoor learning experiences around a watershed issue

investigation including field trips, fieldwork, student-led action projects and schoolyard habitat

projects as well as building teacher capacity to implement environmental education including

professional development trainings and programs to advance environmental literacy in the

Chesapeake Bay region.

Schools, non-profit organizations, community organizations and faith-based

organizations are among those who can apply. Grants are awarded up to $5,000 each.

For more information, visit the CBT K-12 Environmental Education Grant Program

webpage.

NewsClips: Pittsburgh River-Focused Nonprofits’ Merger Official

Brenda Shambaugh Named New Executive Director Of PA Conservation Districts Assn.

The PA Association of County Conservation Districts

Executive Board

announced Monday Brenda J. Shambaugh as PACD’s new Executive

Director.

Brenda is a familiar face to PACD members and partners since she servedas Government Relations/Policy Manager at PACD from 2005-2011.

Most recently, Brenda served as Legislative Director at the Department of

Agriculture – Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs. In this position

she was responsible for all legislative activity, serving as departmental

liaison to the General Assembly, planning and implementing the agency’s

legislative program, and managing staff for legislative research and

relations.

http://pacd.org/http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8598769-74/riverquest-rivers-merger#axzz3dpnTDjEDhttp://www.cbtrust.org/site/c.miJPKXPCJnH/b.5457547/k.D6AC/K12_Environmental_Education_Mini_Grant.htmhttp://www.cbtrust.org/site/c.miJPKXPCJnH/b.5457547/k.D6AC/K12_Environmental_Education_Mini_Grant.htmhttp://www.cbtrust.org/site/c.miJPKXPCJnH/b.5457547/k.D6AC/K12_Environmental_Education_Mini_Grant.htmhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8598769-74/riverquest-rivers-merger#axzz3dpnTDjEDhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/recent_rainy_days_have_diminis.html#incart_riverhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/capital_region_water_board_to.html#incart_riverhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/miller-chemical-dep-prevents-additional-runoff-after-storm.phphttp://www.timesleader.com/news/home_top-local-news/154193306/RiverFest-celebrates-Susquehannahttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/dead-zone-in-chesapeake-bay-to-be-lower-but-still/article_a3dc5d48-19c0-11e5-ba54-136d87b8067d.htmlhttp://fishandboat.com/images/people/exec_dir/straight_talk/2015_07_08_sos.pdfhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/pennsylvania-lags-far-behind-other-states-in-reducing-water-pollution.phphttp://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.cbf.org/pa


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Brenda has bachelor’s degree in political science from Dickinson College. She lives in

Harrisburg with her family.

USDA Seeks Partner Proposals To Protect, Restore Critical Wetlands In PA

Natural Resources Conservation Service PA State Conservationist Denise Coleman

Mondayannounced the availability of $17.5 million in financial and technical assistance nationwide to

help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on

private and tribal agricultural lands.

Proposals must be submitted to NRCS state offices by July 31. Projects can range from

individual to watershed-wide to ecosystem-wide.

“USDA has leveraged partnerships to accomplish a great deal on America’s wetlands

over the past two decades, Coleman said. “This year’s funding will help strengthen these

partnerships and achieve greater wetland acreage in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation.”

Funding will be provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership

(WREP), a special enrollment option under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s

Wetland Reserve Easement component. It is administered by USDA's NRCS.Under WREP, states, local units of governments, non-governmental organizations and

American Indian tribes collaborate with USDA through cooperative and partnership agreements.

These partners work with willing tribal and private landowners who voluntarily enroll eligible

land into easements to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their properties.

WREP was created through the 2014 Farm Bill and was formerly known as the Wetlands

Reserve Enhancement Program.

Wetland reserve easements allow landowners to successfully enhance and protect habitat

for wildlife on their lands, reduce impacts from flooding, recharge groundwater and provide

outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.

The voluntary nature of NRCS' easement programs allows effective integration of

wetland restoration on working landscapes, providing benefits to farmers and ranchers who

enroll in the program, as well as benefits to the local and rural communities where the wetlands

exist.

Under a similar program in the 2008 Farm Bill, NRCS and its partners entered into 272

easements that enrolled more than 44,020 acres of wetlands from 2009 through 2013. Most of

these agreements occurred through the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative

(MRBI).

Through partnerships, MRBI identifies high-priority watersheds where focused

conservation on agricultural land can make the most gains in improving local, state and regional

water quality.

The new collaborative WREP will build on those successes by providing the financialand technical assistance necessary for states, non-governmental organizations and tribes to

leverage resources to restore and protect wetlands and wildlife habitat.

Through WREP, NRCS will sign multi-year agreements with partners to leverage

resources, including funding, to achieve maximum wetland restoration, protection and

enhancement and to create optimum wildlife habitat on enrolled acres.

WREP partners are required to contribute a funding match for financial or technical

assistance. These partners work directly with eligible landowners interested in enrolling their

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agricultural land into conservation wetland easements.

The announcement builds on the roughly $332 million USDA has announced this year to

protect and restore agricultural working lands, grasslands and wetlands. Collectively, NRCS’s

easement programs help productive farm, ranch and tribal lands remain in agriculture and protect

the nation's critical wetlands and grasslands, home to diverse wildlife and plant species.

Under the former Wetlands Reserve Program, private landowners, tribes and entities suchas land trusts and conservation organizations enrolled 2.7 million acres through 14,500

agreements for a total NRCS and partner investment of $4.3 billion in financial and technical

assistance.

Visit NRCS’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program webpage and the online

home of the PA NRCS office .

June Water Policy News Now Available From Water Resources Education Network

The June issue of Water Policy News now available from the PA League of Women Voters

Water Resources Education Network featuring articles on--

-- WREN Awards $19K To 4 Partnership For Drinking Water Protection-- Southwest PA Homeowner’s Guide To Stormwater

-- Safe Drinking Water Message For Manufactured Housing Community

-- Indiana, Tioga Create Video On Clean Water

-- Test Your Water Smarts-Take This Water Quiz

-- Stroud Water Research Center Develops Innovative Tools - Boots In The Water

-- A Poem: Embracing My Septic Tank

-- Regulations, Policies Open For Public Comment

-- Funding & Grants

-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

PEC Blog: Clean Water Efforts Benefit Pennsylvania And Chesapeake Bay

PA Environmental Council welcomes Harry Campbell, PA Executive

Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA , as the first author in its guest

blog series.

A significant challenge to restoring the Chesapeake Bay is the

disconnect that Commonwealth residents perceive with the nation’s

largest and most important estuary. That the Bay is not geographically

located within our borders leaves it out of sight, out of mind for most

Pennsylvanians.

The pollution damaging the Bay is also damaging local riversand streams, and the fish and other critters that live there. Pollution

reduction efforts can restore water quality and the life it sustains.

A grassroots effort in Lancaster County has restored seven miles of Lititz Run from its

sad state of degradation.

In 1990, the once-sparkling Warwick Township waterway was impaired by development,

and agricultural and urban runoff. Since then, a cooperative effort has led to the planting of trees

along the streambank to cool the water, farmers fencing cattle out of streams, and porous

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pavement being installed to absorb rainwater. A local bank even placed buffers in its parking lot

to prevent warm summer rain from flowing into the stream and spiking its temperature.

As a result, the state has redesignated all of Lititz Run as a cold-water fishery, which

means the spring-fed stream can support trout and an underwater ecosystem of aquatic insects

that survive only in good-quality water. Indeed, young wild trout are being found in sections of

Lititz Run. Some over 24-inches are being caught and released.So, we focus on the sources, causes, and remedies for roughly 19,000 miles of impaired

rivers and streams in the Pennsylvania. Agricultural runoff is the largest source of stream

pollution in Pennsylvania and the Bay, and the least expensive overall to reduce. Acid mine

drainage is the second leading source of stream impairment here. Urban/suburban runoff is the

third leading source.

As part of its Clean Water Blueprint, Pennsylvania developed two-year incremental

pollution-reduction milestones. The commitment is to implement 60 percent of the programs and

practices necessary to restore local water quality by 2017, and finish the job by 2025.

In reviewing Pennsylvania’s progress in its 2014-15 milestones, EPA found the

Commonwealth to be on track for phosphorus reduction goals, but significantly behind in

meeting nitrogen and sediment pollution goals. How significant is the challenge?To get back on track, the Commonwealth must reduce nitrogen pollution by an additional

14.6 million pounds, or 22 percent, by the end of this year. At this point, an impossible task.

Consider the significant loss of economic opportunity. Achieving pollution reduction

goals in the Blueprint would result in an additional $6 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy.

Planting trees and creating buffers is one of the most effective and affordable practices to

reducing water pollution due to runoff.

The federal government has outlined a number of “consequences” if Pennsylvania

continues to fall behind. EPA could require additional upgrades to sewage treatment plants, at

great expense to ratepayers. They could also require even more pollution reduction from

urban/suburban areas, again at great expense to taxpayers.

In more basic terms, consider the effects of Pennsylvania pollution on the blue crabs that

we love so much north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Total numbers of Chesapeake blue crabs are up slightly this year. But the nitrogen and

phosphorus pollution feed algae blooms that create huge dead zones, reducing food supply that

crabs need, and driving them into shallower water where they are more likely to be caught.

Both the algae blooms and sediment pollution reduce sunlight penetration necessary for

Bay grasses to grow. Those grasses provide shelter for juvenile crabs to escape from predators.

Clean water counts in Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay. Reducing pollution here

will provide human health and economic benefits for Pennsylvanians, as well as helping restore

the Chesapeake Bay.

NewsClips:PA Lags Far Behind Other States In Reducing Water Pollution







http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/recent_rainy_days_have_diminis.html#incart_riverhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/capital_region_water_board_to.html#incart_riverhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/miller-chemical-dep-prevents-additional-runoff-after-storm.phphttp://www.timesleader.com/news/home_top-local-news/154193306/RiverFest-celebrates-Susquehannahttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/dead-zone-in-chesapeake-bay-to-be-lower-but-still/article_a3dc5d48-19c0-11e5-ba54-136d87b8067d.htmlhttp://fishandboat.com/images/people/exec_dir/straight_talk/2015_07_08_sos.pdfhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/pennsylvania-lags-far-behind-other-states-in-reducing-water-pollution.php


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(Reprinted from the PA Environmental Council Blog .)

New Mine Treatment Project To Restore 5 Miles Of Waterways In Tioga County

Department of Environmental Protection officials joined

members of the Tioga County Conservation District,

Blossburg Municipal Authority and the Tioga County

Concerned Citizens Committee at a groundbreaking

ceremony Monday for a passive treatment system that will

restore five miles of the Tioga River.

The project is funded by Southwestern Energy's

"ECH2O" program, an initiative to protect and restore

water resources. A series of limestone and settling ponds

will be installed and online by fall.The Tioga County Conservation District will oversee the system's long term operations

and maintenance trust fund, and the Blossburg Municipal Authority will be contracted to perform

the routine maintenance.

(Photo: DEP Deputy Secretary John Stefanko, left, is joined by Chris Gastrock, Tioga

State Forester; Mark Boling, Southwestern Energy; Charlie Andrews and Erica Tomlinson,

Tioga Co. Conservation District; Andrew Dehoff, Susquehanna River Basin Commission; and

Bob Hedin, Hedin Environmental .)

(Reprinted from the June 25 DEP News . Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

DEP Conducts Overnight Monitoring of Air Quality Near Jeansville Mine Fire

Air Quality staff from DEP's Northeast Regional Office

recently spent the night monitoring air quality around the

Jeansville Mine Fire in Carbon County.

Environmental Air Quality Specialist Brian Paulukonis

(photo) demonstrated for the media how a hand-held

monitoring device checks for gases such as carbon

monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide.

Paulukonis, along with DEP Compliance Specialist

Christian Ostrowski and Community Relations CoordinatorColleen Connolly, guided the media to three locations near

the fire where air quality testing took place.

DEP is in the process of acquiring a new hand-held air monitoring device that is able to

detect gases at a much lower level than the devices used in previous monitoring. The device will

give readings at lower background levels so department staff can advise residents on the quality

of air in their neighborhoods near the fire.

Residents requested the air monitoring when DEP staff met with them on May 20. They

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specifically requested that monitoring be done during overnight hours when they say a

sulfur-like smell is most noticeable.

Air monitoring in the area is expected to continue for the next few weeks.

NewsClips:

Letterkenny Pays DEP $14K In Air Emission Fees

Clean Air Council Wants New State Building Code


Riverfest 2015 Celebrates the Susquehanna In Wilkes-Barre

Staff from DEP's Northeast Regional Office recently took part

in RiverFest 2015 held along the banks of the Susquehanna

River in Wilkes-Barre.

DEP's interactive exhibit, titled: “Protecting the

Susquehanna: Our River,” was geared to kids and gave

youngsters an up-close look at the insects that live in/on theriver and how important they are to the health of the water.

(Photo: DEP Waterways and Wetlands Biologist

Shane Kleiner shows visitors some of the insects that are

important to water quality.)

The kids also took part in a discovery exercise to see how DEP protects the river from

illegal dumping and accidental spills.

Staff also explained the importance of keeping the river clean and what people can do to

maintain the river’s health.

NewsClips:











Brodhead Assn Hosts Wet Foot Walk, July 19, River Ramble Aug. 9 In Monroe County

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host two events in the near future: the Devil’s Hole

Wet Foot Walk 1 to 5:00 p.m. on July 19 and the The River Ramble , this year featuring the

Upper Brodhead, will be held 1 to 4 p.m. August 9.

Dip your toes into a natural adventure as you explore state Gamelands 221 on the July 19

Wet foot Walk. Naturalists Don Miller and Bill Sweeney will lead this hike, part of the Where in

http://brodheadwatershed.org/riverramble.htmlhttps://www.google.com/calendar/render?eid=NG1yOXVhM2FwZ2g0NnViOWphaTk4ZGNmYWsgYnJvZGhlYWR3YXRlcnNoZWRAYnJvZGhlYWR3YXRlcnNoZWQub3Jn&ctz=America/New_York&sf=true&output=xml#eventpage_6https://www.google.com/calendar/render?eid=NG1yOXVhM2FwZ2g0NnViOWphaTk4ZGNmYWsgYnJvZGhlYWR3YXRlcnNoZWRAYnJvZGhlYWR3YXRlcnNoZWQub3Jn&ctz=America/New_York&sf=true&output=xml#eventpage_6http://www.brodheadwatershed.org/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=21504&PageID=1714475&mode=2http://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Newsletters/DEP%20News%20for%20June%2025%202015.pdfhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8598769-74/riverquest-rivers-merger#axzz3dpnTDjEDhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/recent_rainy_days_have_diminis.html#incart_riverhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/capital_region_water_board_to.html#incart_riverhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/miller-chemical-dep-prevents-additional-runoff-after-storm.phphttp://www.timesleader.com/news/home_top-local-news/154193306/RiverFest-celebrates-Susquehannahttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/dead-zone-in-chesapeake-bay-to-be-lower-but-still/article_a3dc5d48-19c0-11e5-ba54-136d87b8067d.htmlhttp://fishandboat.com/images/people/exec_dir/straight_talk/2015_07_08_sos.pdfhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/pennsylvania-lags-far-behind-other-states-in-reducing-water-pollution.phphttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=21504&PageID=1714475&mode=2http://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Newsletters/DEP%20News%20for%20June%2025%202015.pdfhttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/26/clean-air-council-challenges-state-panel-to-adopt-new-building-codes/http://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/letterkenny-pays-dep-14000-in-back-fees-for-voc-emissions.php


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the Watershed walks sponsored by Pocono Heritage Land Trust and Brodhead Watershed

Association.

These walks are $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers, and children 12 and under walk

for free. To register, contact PHLT at 570-424-1514 or send email to: [email protected] .

Visit the scenic and historic Brodhead Hunting and Fishing Club at 3775 Creek Road,

Canadensis, Monroe County and other land not always open to the public.There will be a variety of activities for families to enjoy at this celebration of the

Brodhead Creek and the watershed in which we live and play.

Stations throughout the expansive property of the club will be staffed by some of the

area’s finest naturalists.

While the event begins and ends at Brodhead Hunting and Fishing Club, several locations

nearby will also be staffed by presenters eager to share their knowledge and love of the Brodhead

watershed.

These “Ramble Stops” include Targa Falls on Paradise-Price Preserve, with a spectacular

view of the only natural waterfall on Brodhead Creek; Stony Run, an “exceptional value”

tributary of Brodhead Creek; beautiful Zimmer Wildlife Sanctuary; and many other naturally

gorgeous sites.Afterward, enjoy good food and conversation at the traditional after-Ramble party, from

4 to 5 p.m. at Brodhead Hunting and Fishing Club’s new clubhouse overlooking Brodhead

Creek.

Suggested donation is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers, with a $2 discount for

pre-registration. Children under 12 participate for free.

Online registration and more information is available online or by calling 570-839-1120.

June 22 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension

The June 22 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State

Extension featuring articles on--

-- Extension Helps With Electronic Recycling Event In McKean

-- Montgomery County Residents Learn About Water Well Management

-- Frogs Face Virus Risk In Garden Ponds

-- Lycoming County Passes $250K In Nutrient Credits Sales In 2014

-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

DEP Publishes First Non-Regulatory Agenda For Technical Guidance

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of availability of its first

Technical Guidance Agenda outlining the changes to technical guidance and other policieswithin the agency in development in the June 27 PA Bulletin.

This Non-Regulatory Agenda is similar to the Regulatory Agenda published by DEP

twice a year in January and July. The last Regulatory Agenda was published in July 2014.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council recommended publishing a Non-Regulatory Agenda as

part of an effort to improve public participation in the development of technical guidance.

DEP will be accepting public comments on other changes it proposed to improve the

technical guidance development process until July 14.

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32350http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30907http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-29/1552.htmlhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-26/1207.htmlhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/subscribehttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/lycoming-county-surpasses-a-quarter-million-dollars-in-nutrient-credit-sales-with-2014-resultshttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/frogs-face-virus-risk-in-garden-pondshttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/montgomery-county-residents-learn-about-water-well-managementhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/penn-state-extension-helps-with-electronic-recycling-event-in-mckeanhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news?utm_campaign=Watershed+Winds+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_view_onlinehttp://brodheadwatershed.org/riverramble.htmlmailto:[email protected]


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DEP said it will post the Non-Regulatory Agenda on its Learn About Technical Guidance

webpage when available.

June 25 DEP News Now Available

The June 25 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of EnvironmentalProtection featuring articles on--

-- State Agencies Issue Advisory for Bottled Spring Water

-- DEP Continues To Monitor Cleanup Efforts Following Chemical Fire

-- DEP Conducts Overnight Air Monitoring Near Jeansville Mine Fire

-- DEP Assesses $8.9M Penalty Against Range Resources For Leaking Gas Well

-- DEP Hosts July 7 Meeting On Luzerne Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant

-- Cabinet Secretaries Honor Green Ribbon Schools

-- DEP Expands Drought Watch From 27 to 37 Counties

-- New Mine Treatment Project To Restore 5 Miles Of Waterways In Tioga County

-- Riverfest 2015 Celebrates The Susquehanna

-- Click Here

to sign up for your own copy.

Keep PA Beautiful Celebrates 25 Years With 25 Grants For Community Improvements

In recognition of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s 25 year anniversary, the organization awarded

25 grants in 25 days to local affiliates and other tax-exempt groups across the state. The grants

provided up to $1,000 for community improvement projects in their three focus areas of Prevent

It, Clean It, or Keep It.

The winning projects are representative of all the different ways we can individually and

collectively improve our communities including planting natives, restoring habitats, park

restoration, river and community cleanups, special event recycling and so many more.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our 25 year anniversary. The Keep

Pennsylvania Beautiful 25 in 25 Grant Program allows us to give back to the volunteers,

communities and organizations that have contributed so much over the years to our shared

mission of building clean and beautiful communities.” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep

PA Beautiful. “We are pleased to support the efforts of such a diverse group of environmental

and community stewards as they work to make their communities clean and beautiful.”

Recipients share how the 25 in 25 Grant is helping their local community:

“The 25 in 25 Grant enabled Keep Blair County Beautiful and the IRC to complete

smaller projects that will have big impact on our community. We built compost demonstration

gardens to show homeowners natural and healthy way to build their soil and purchased Freon

removal equipment. The equipment will enable us to provide convenient and affordable disposaloptions for residents for many years to come. Thank you Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful for

helping us to make a positive impact in our communities,” stated Katrina Pope, Education and

Enforcement Coordinator for the Intermunicipal Relations Committee and Keep Blair County

Beautiful.

"The 25 in 25 mini-grant will provide a portion of the crucial funding needed for the

success of the 4th Annual Connoquenessing Creek Cleanup. The goal of this cleanup project is to

restore this important waterway back to its beautiful natural state. This funding will allow

https://goo.gl/uYtSb9https://goo.gl/uYtSb9http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=21504&PageID=1714475&mode=2http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/06/riverfest-2015-celebrates-susquehanna.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/06/new-mine-treatment-project-to-restore-5.htmlhttp://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/news_releases/14288http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32034http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/news_releases/14288http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/news_releases/14288http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/06/dep-conducts-overnight-monitoring-of.htmlhttp://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/news_releases/14288http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/news_releases/14288http://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Newsletters/DEP%20News%20for%20June%2025%202015.pdfhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/technical_guidance/21828


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Allegheny Aquatic Alliance to continue the success of this vital project by removing the physical

garbage in this 50 mile creek. We have already removed almost 150,000 pounds of garbage,

including over 1,400 tires. Thank you for your support!," Christina Handley, President of the

Allegheny Aquatic Alliance.

“This mini-grant helps leverage funds from other sources to create one of eighteen murals

and mosaics we’re installing in a three-block area on a half street that separates our Main Street business district and our Elm Street residential neighborhood. To compete in the market place,

West Reading needs to be a unique and distinctive place to attract and retain young, creative

people. Our Cherry Street Mural Corridor helps make us just such a place. Thank you,” said

Dean L. Rohrbach, Elm Street Manager, West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation.

“This grant will help us to beautify Downtown Hazleton, specifically by funding

additional flowers, lights, and signage for the vacant lot that is used for community events. We

have already made some improvements and people are taking notice. So far the lot has been used

for a Bikes, Blues, and BBQ event, and an outdoor movie. Other events, especially those

associated with the seasonal farmers market, are in the planning stages. We are thrilled to be

chosen for this program, and very much appreciate the support,” said Krista Schneider,

Executive Director for Downtown Hazelton.This project was funded by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s 25 in 25 Grant Program with

partial support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

A list of grants awarded is available online.

For more information on activities and programs, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful

website.

NewsClips:

Dunmore Running Out Of Time To Weigh In On Keystone Landfill

Mayor: No Merit To Lawsuit Over HBG Trash Rates

Effort To Recycle Cigarette Butts Comes To Lancaster

American Recycling Is Stalling

Allentown Man Turns Weeds, Litter Into Urban Garden

Mosquito Spraying: Centre, Crawford, Cumberland, Schuylkill Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection said Friday spraying operations to control

mosquitoes have been scheduled for Centre and Cumberland counties for June 29, Crawford

County for June 30 and for Schuylkill County on July 1.

The treatments will be administered via truck-mounted equipment, spraying residential

and recreational mosquito habitat. The equipment dispenses Biomist 3+15 ULV at a rate of 0.75

ounces per acre

These products are designed to provide quick, effective control of adult mosquito populations. The application materials have a very low toxicity profile to mammals and are safe

for the environment.

Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which can cause humans to contract

West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to

the Department of Health, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at

risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.

So far in 2015, West Nile virus has been detected in Allegheny, Cambria, Centre,

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-garden-story-20150620-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://wapo.st/1I6Ol9Xhttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/effort-to-recycle-cigarette-butts-and-get-them-off-the/article_1bb3bd8a-1907-11e5-b8f6-03ad395dc34c.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/harrisburg_mayor_trash_lawsuit.html#incart_riverhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-borough-council-running-out-of-time-to-weigh-in-on-landfill-expansion-1.1901694http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/https://goo.gl/uYtSb9


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Chester, Lycoming, and York counties.

Weather conditions and other unexpected events could delay or cancel this spray

operation. If conditions do not allow application on July 1 the following evening will serve as the

back-up spray date.

Individuals can take a number of precautionary measures around their homes to help

eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including: — Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar containers that hold

water.

— Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most

mosquitoes breed.

— Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.

— Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a

tendency to plug drains.

— Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.

— Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths.

— Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.

— Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers.

If a resident has stagnant pools of water on their property, they can buy Bti products at

lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring

bacterium kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

Additionally, these simple precautions can prevent mosquito bites, particularly for people

who are most at risk:

— Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

— Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when

mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of

mosquitoes.

— When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods,

usually April through October.

— Use insect repellents according to the manufacturer's instructions. An effective repellent will

contain DEET, picardin, or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician

for questions about the use of repellent on children, as repellent is not recommended for children

under the age of two months.

For more information, visit the West Nile Virus website.

Delaware Highlands Conservancy Scholarship Winners Announced

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has awardedits annual “ Delaware Highlands Conservancy,

Yeaman Scholarship ” in the amount of $1,000 to

Alex Hess, a 2015 graduate of Deposit Central

School, and the “Vanessa Van Gorder Memorial

Scholarship” in the amount of $1,000 to Claire

Harvey, a 2015 graduate of Honesdale High School.

The Yeaman scholarship has been awarded

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annually since 2004 to a student planning to pursue a field in environmental studies in college.

Given in honor of the Conservancy’s founder, Barbara Yeaman, the scholarship is open to

students in school districts bordering the Upper Delaware River in New York and Pennsylvania.

The scholarship embodies Barbara’s vision and the dedication of our members to protect

our special Upper Delaware River region now and for future generations.

Recipient Alex Hess graduated as the valedictorian from Deposit Central School in June20

Pa Environment Digest June 29, 2015

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Transcript of Pa Environment Digest June 29, 2015