pa environment digest april 27, 2015

8/9/2019 Pa Environment Digest April 27, 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 April 27, 2015

Senate Committee Sets Confirmation Hearings For DEP, DCNR Secretaries

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy

Committee is scheduled to hold confirmation hearings

for Acting DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn May 13 and

for Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley on June 2.The May 13 hearing will be held in Room 461

at 9:00 a.m. The June 2 hearing in Hearing Room 1

North Office Building starting at 9:30 a.m.

June 9 is the deadline for the Senate to vote on

both nominations, however, Gov. Wolf can always

recall and resubmit the nominations if the Senate needs

more time. The Senate has 25 legislative (not calendar) days to consider nominations.

The hearings should be carried live online through the Senate webpage.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair and Sen. John Yudichak

(D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA: SB 724 Could Derail Clean Water Efforts In PA

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA says Senate Bill 724 (Vogel-R-Beaver) threatens to derail

current clean water restoration efforts and divert critical funding from proven science-based

practices, while favoring proprietary, corporate-backed and costly manure technologies.

CBF is disappointed that Senate Bill 724 was introduced April 14, as a reconstituted

version of the flawed and failed Senate Bill 994 from the legislature’s last session. Sen. Elder

Vogel (R-Beaver) was the prime sponsor of both bills.

“Although some phrases are different in the latest Senate Bill 724, it is still a

fundamentally flawed bill,” said CBF’s Pennsylvania Executive Director Harry Campbell.

Pennsylvania must accelerate progress if it is to have 60 percent of the pollutionreduction practices in place by 2017, the first formal deadline.

The Commonwealth’s nitrogen and sediment pollution reduction commitments from

agriculture and urban polluted runoff are considerably off-track. Pennsylvania appears to be on

track to meet its phosphorus reduction goal.

A recent report by the PA Auditor General on the Commonwealth’s efforts to meet its

pollution reduction goals for the Chesapeake Bay, urged greater support for the use of low-cost

solutions and technologies as alternatives to higher-cost public and infrastructure projects.

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CBF agrees with Auditor General Eugene DePasquale that there is no “silver bullet” for

achieving the required nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions, and CBF does not view

Senate Bill 724 as the panacea some are portraying it to be.

“There is a well-defined, scientifically supported, approved, and achievable blueprint for

clean water in Pennsylvania,” Campbell added. “Pollution reduction practices like forested

buffers, cover crops, and no-till farming are low-cost but highly effective. They address nutrientand sediment pollution, and many reduce flooding, improve trout habitat, and beautify

communities.”

Manure treatment technologies do not offer a comprehensive solution for pollution

reduction, particularly for nitrogen.

Manure is only a portion of the total nutrient pollution entering Pennsylvania streams,

rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. The systems also do not reduce sediment pollution, the leading

cause of impairment of 19,000 miles of Commonwealth streams.

Senate Bill 724 does little to help the more than 59,000 farms across Pennsylvania, who

must develop and follow plans to manage manure and chemical fertilizers and prevent erosion

from farm fields. These practices help farms keep soil and nutrients on the land, and out of

waterways.“Many farmers need support to put best management practices in place and Senate Bill

724 threatens to syphon resources away from farmers,” Campbell added.

The bill would establish an undefined nutrient credit trading program. Such a program

allows those meeting a set of baseline requirements to sell pollution reduction “credits” to those

needing them, like sewage treatment plants.

The Department of Environmental Protection and the PA Infrastructure Investment

Authority already offer certified nutrient credits through a market-based online exchange and

auction.

If the cost structure of Senate Bill 724 parallels that of its predecessor bill, CBF sees its

alternative system as neither cost-effective nor affordable. The most recent auction in June 2014,

nitrogen credits were sold for $2.27 per credit.

A December 2012 report by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee estimated the

sustainable cost per credit for technology included in the earlier bill was $11 per credit.

CBF is calling on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to conduct

a hearing on Senate Bill 724, so the complexity of the issue and bill’s fiscal and regulatory

implications can be considered before it is brought to a vote.

Pennsylvania must continue to move forward in its commitment to clean water. To

backtrack on saving the Chesapeake Bay means the Commonwealth will continue to have

polluted water, human health risks, and lost jobs. Clean water is a legacy worth leaving future

generations.

NewsClips:More Pollution Flowing Into Chesapeake Bay Than Expected

Analysis: Company Promoting SB 724 Creating Reality Distortion Field

Congressman: It’s All About Delaware River Conservation

Conococheague Creek Rehab To Get Award

Conococheague Creek Cleanup Wins Governor’s Award

Armstrong’s Roads Get Funding For Drainage Improvements

Pittsburgh Seeks Proposals For Water, Sewer Line Insurance

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8216502-74/program-insurance-residentshttp://triblive.com/news/armstrong/8192712-74/road-roads-funding#axzz3Xjyk3eSvhttp://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_27968138/effort-conococheague-creek-wins-awardhttp://cumberlink.com/sports/outdoors/bj_small/outdoors-efforts-to-rehab-creek-a-success-for-man-and/article_5a102f78-4dbf-538d-aaf5-de871818c897.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-delaware-river-basin-conservation-bill-20150419-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/04/analysis-company-promoting-sb-724-as.htmlhttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/04/21/more-pollution-flowing-into-chesapeake-bay-than-expected/http://www.pennvest.pa.gov/Services/nutrient-credit-trading/Pages/default.aspx#.VTkeTM6M6-Ihttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31877


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technology.

A stakeholder group convened in 2013 in response to last year’s version of Senate Bill

724 representing the agriculture community, Lycoming and York counties (who have their own

innovative nutrient reduction plans), conservation districts, municipalities, Bion and Rep. Ron

Miller (R-York), at the time Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy

Committee, discussed the issue of meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones, the legislationand the role of manure treatment technology.

The consensus of the group was Senate Bill 724 added complexity to the already very

complex Chesapeake Bay cleanup program, MS4 stormwater management program and TMDL

watershed cleanup requirements.

They did not see it as a useful tool and at worst it diverted resources away from practices

we know work at less cost.

The consensus was that manure technology only dealt with part of the nitrogen problem

Pennsylvania faces and that other, more cost-effective methods existed to deal with the pollution

issues in the timeframe Pennsylvania is required to act.

Manure treatment technology and Bion’s technology is also not a practice that is now

approved by the U.S. EPA as part of the Chesapeake Bay Program and there is no timeline forapproval.

As a result, any nitrogen reductions achieved by this technology would not count toward

meeting Pennsylvania’s cleanup commitments for 2017 and beyond.

That could change in the future, of course, if one or more manure treatment systems is

approved or even Bion’s, but Pennsylvania needs certainty given our deadlines, not a fuzzy

future.

Pennsylvania has 607 days (as of April 27) to put practices on the ground to meet EPA’s

2017 Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.

If these milestones are not met, the U.S. EPA is prepared to step in and implement

backstop measures that would impose a variety of direct measures like requiring more farm

permits, reducing discharge limits on wastewater plants and others to meet the milestones.

The other glaring omission from Senate Bill 724 is funding. There is no funding for DEP

to set up the complex program and no funding to buy any of the “credits” created by the bill.

>> Do Taxpayers Need To Fund More White Elephants That Can’t Pay For Themselves?

Bion Environmental Technologies was notified on September 25, 2014 that it would be “an

Event of Default” if it did not pay off its 2010 $7.7 million loan from PennVEST for its

Lancaster manure treatment facility by October 24, 2014.

Bion made no payments on the taxpayer-funded loan since January 1, 2013, PennVEST

said, and added, “...Bion abandoned the project in the Commonwealth.”In Bion’s response to PennVEST on October 23, 2014 , officials told PennVEST, “The

problem remains that the source of repayment is and has always been nutrient credit sales and a

credit market for verified credits in Pennsylvania is not adequately developed to produce the

needed credit sales (based on both volume and price) to support such loan repayment.”

In other words, Bion had no income from the facility to pay its publicly-funded

PennVEST loan. Bion also said in the letter it had to borrow money from its parent company to

pay maintenance costs on the facility.

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“The total cost of maintenance is between $175K and $200K annually, and that does not

include any allocation for G&A (General and Administrative Expense), including senior

management time, administrative and SEC accounting and reporting costs associates with the

project, etc.”

The letter complained, “The default notice from PennVEST and related loan acceleration

is an impediment to Bion’s continuing to provide financial support to PA1 (the Lancasterfacility) for asset preservation and enhancements.”

Bion blamed state government for a second time for not making the right policy decisions

to support its repayment of its loan of taxpayer money.

“It serves neither of our interests to be required to defend why this loan is in default. The

reason resides with state government’s failure to act in implementing the policy changes and

initiatives that would have supported the use of these low cost reductions.”

The “policy changes” Bion is referring to, of course, is Senate Bill 724 and Senate Bill

994 before it. The bill sets up an RFP process that favors capital-intensive, high-cost nutrient

reduction technologies, like the manure treatment facility Bion now cannot pay for because it has

no income.

The close relationship between Bion’s survival and Senate Bill 724 is clear. Senate Bill994, last session’s Senate Bill 724, was introduced on June 5, 2013, six months after Bion

stopped paying back PennVEST.

As of this writing, Bion is still trying to identify a source of revenue to pay back

taxpayers for the PennVEST loan.

In its 10-K report to the federal Securities and Exchange Administration (page 37), Bion

said, “The Company is not currently generating any significant revenues. Further, the

Company’s anticipated revenues from existing projects and proposed projects will not be

sufficient to meet the Company’s anticipated operational and capital expenditure needs for many

years. …(T)here is no guarantee that we will be able to raise sufficient funds or further capital

for the operations planned in the near future.”

So what went “wrong”?

The simple answer is Bion guessed wrong about the market for nutrient credits and now

wants to change the rules in its favor and let taxpayers pay the bill.

Bion and a December 2012 report by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

estimated the sustainable price per credit needed to support its technology is in the neighborhood

of $11 per credit.

In most the recent market auction for nutrient credits by PennVEST in June 2014,

nitrogen credits were sold for $2.27 per credit.

As anyone can see, $2.27 is less than $11 per credit. The math just doesn’t work.

In addition, the “TMDL parameter credit” process outlined in Senate Bill 724 does not

stipulate that credits must come from U.S. EPA-approved practices or meet existing regulatorystandards under 25 Pa. Code § 96.8 for a marketable nutrient credit and be consistent with U.S.

EPA nutrient trading guidance.

So not only would Senate Bill 724 credits not count in meeting Pennsylvania’s

Chesapeake Bay milestones, the “credits” have no market value in Pennsylvania because they

cannot be traded or sold to meet water quality requirements by other facilities, like wastewater

treatment plants, one justification Bion uses for the bill.

The only thing Senate Bill 724 credits are good for are paying the winners of the RFP

http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Pennvest-Details.aspx?newsid=24http://lbfc.legis.state.pa.us/Resources/Documents/Reports/453.pdfhttp://finance.latimes.com/doc/10-k/0000948830-14-000087/1/cik-875729/


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process, like Bion hopes to be. It’s a clever funding mechanism, which would benefit neither

taxpayers (who have to pay), nor other facilities that could not actually use the credits for

anything.

The only benefit of Senate Bill 274 would be to Bion or similar companies in an RFP

process that favors them. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 274 would leave taxpayers, who would

have to pay for the credits, with worthless paper credits they cannot sell or trade.

>> Bion Makes The Link Between Passing SB 724 And Repaying Its PennVEST Loan

If it wasn’t clear before it is now. Bion Environmental Technologies , the company who wrote

and is heavily promoting Senate Bill 724 (Vogel-R-Beaver) as a solution to reducing pollution to

meet Pennsylvania’s commitments to the Chesapeake Bay cleanup, is really pushing the bill to

help it pay back its PennVEST loans.

The link between passage of Senate Bill 724 and repayment of the 2010 $7.7 million

PennVEST loan by Bion was made clear in an email exchange between PennVEST and a

representative of Bion in February of this year.

Still pressing PennVEST to avoid a formal declaration of default on the PennVEST loan,Bion was pushing for a modification of its loan agreement to stretch out the repayment schedule

to allow time for the bill to pass.

The Bion representative said in a February 17, 2015 email, “Our client has been willing

to enter into a (loan) modification since 2013 to allow it time to pass legislation and find a way

to repay you. Our client has also offered to continue (to) push legislation and to maintain the

asset.”

Paul Marchetti, Executive Director of PennVEST, said in an email of the same date, “I do

have a responsibility to do whatever I think is necessary and reasonable to effect repayment of

our loans. While legislation may offer one way to accomplish that, I have to look to Bion for

repayment. In that context, I feel that it is my responsibility to take any action that could

encourage repayment on their part, and this is simply one such action (placing Bion on the state’s

debarment list).”

The debarment list Marchetti was referring to is a list the state maintains of companies

that fail to pay the state money they owe. Listing Bion would limit the ability of the company to

enter into contracts with the Commonwealth, and coincidentally responding to the RFP process

under Senate Bill 724.

The potential of the debarment list action was included in the PennVEST letter to Bion

on September 25, 2014 as one step PennVEST could take to bring pressure on the company to

repay the loan.

Interestingly, there is nothing in Senate Bill 724 that would prohibit Bion from paying

back its 2010 $7.7 million PennVEST loan with new money it received for winning an RFPunder the bill administered by PennVEST. So Bion could be in the position of paying

PennVEST back with PennVEST’s own money.

PennVEST is sticking to its guns and wants the taxpayer’s money back.

A copy of the email exchange is available online.

>> Senate Bill 724 So Critical To Bion’s Survival It Notified The SEC April 22

http://goo.gl/5uqYOrhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/875729/000094883014000087/f7ex1092.htmhttp://goo.gl/5uqYOrhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0724http://www.biontech.com/


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The passage of Senate Bill 724 (Vogel-R-Beaver) is so important to the financial survival of

Bion Environmental Technologies the company filed an 8-K with the Securities and Exchange

Commission on April 22 noting the bill had been introduced.

>> So Are There Alternatives? Sure, And Much Cheaper Than Bion Technology

Interestingly, changing the way livestock are fed can have significant impacts on the nitrogen

and phosphorus in the resulting manure.

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences estimates a 40 to 60 percent reduction in

nitrogen and a 30 to 50 percent reduction in phosphorus are achievable by precision feeding

programs for poultry, dairy cattle and swine.

Perhaps treating the nitrogen pollution problem from the front-end rather than the

back-end is the most cost-effective option, rather than building a costly manure treatment

operation to treat the manure after it’s produced.

Stroud Water Research Center and the U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program estimated that

forested stream buffers remove 19-65 percent of nitrogen, 30-45 percent of phosphorus and

40-60 percent of sediment that would otherwise enter a stream.Pennsylvania, the federal government and a variety of non-profit organizations, like the

Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA , now provide landowners with financial assistance in installing

buffers and even annual payments for taking farmland out of production through the

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.

Since 2000, Pennsylvania has required certain farms with livestock operations to have

manure management and nutrient management plans . These plans require farmers to develop a

plan for managing on-farm manure to avoid over-application and provide for safe storage,

barnyard improves and use. The plan also has to account for applications of chemical fertilizers.

Good farm management practices like controlling livestock access to streams and using

stabilized stream crossing are also good tools to limit nutrient and sediment pollution. There are

many more.

Oh, and all these practices count toward our commitments-- now.

None of these options are now being implemented like they should be to meet

Chesapeake Bay milestones, but they could be if given the right attention.

>> Summary-- Senate Bill 724 Creates Distorted Market, Bion Can’t Pay Back Its Loan

So let’s summarize. Senate Bill 724 would--

1. Squeeze Out Small Farmers With Much Cheaper Solutions: Designs an RFP process

favoring capital-intensive, high-cost technology to deliver pollution reductions, while squeezing

out small farmers who want to install conservation practices.2. Not Address A Huge Part Of The Problem: Manure treatment technology leaves 86 percent

of the nitrogen problem and none of the 328 million pounds of sediment reduction problem

needs solved to meet the 2017 milestone.

3. Manure Technology Doesn’t Count: Manure treatment technology is not a U.S. EPA

approved practice and there is no timeline for approval, as a result it does not count toward

Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.

4. Stakeholders Found The Bill Was Not A Useful Tool: The consensus of a broadly

http://extension.psu.edu/plants/nutrient-managementhttp://www.creppa.org/http://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/programs-initiatives/pennsylvania/susquehanna-watershed-restoration/crep-conservation-reserve-enhancement-programhttp://www.thefishingwire.com/features/229335http://www.stroudcenter.org/http://feedstuffs.com/story-precision-feeding-livestock-lessens-environmental-impact-54-85490http://feedstuffs.com/story-precision-feeding-livestock-lessens-environmental-impact-54-85490http://www.streetinsider.com/SEC+Filings/Form+8-K+BION+ENVIRONMENTAL+TECHN+For%3A+Apr+20/10480154.htmlhttp://www.biontech.com/http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0724


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representative stakeholders group found the legislation added complexity to all already complex

Chesapeake Bay cleanup program and manure technology only dealt with a portion of the

problem Pennsylvania faces and not in the timeframe we need to face it.

5. Much Cheaper Alternatives Count Now: Other, much cheaper, accepted practices are

available and are being implement at some level that deal effectively with the manure issue.

6. Unfunded Mandate: There is no funding provided. Does Pennsylvania really need anotherunfunded mandate?

7. Bion Didn’t Pay Its PennVEST Loan: Bion Environmental Technologies was notified by

PennVEST in September 2014 it would be an event of default of its $7.7 million loan if it did not

pay the entire amount by October 24, 2014. It didn’t pay.

8. Bion Told The SEC It Has No Income: Bion told the SEC in 2014 the company was not

generating any significant revenues, in fact, “(T)here is no guarantee that we will be able to raise

sufficient funds or further capital for the operations planned in the near future.”

9. Bion Blames State Government For Its Failures: Bion blamed state government for it

predicament by saying state government failed to make the policy changes— Senate Bill 724—

needed to so it could generate revenue.

10. Bion Guessed Wrong About Nutrient Credit Market:

Bion guessed wrong about thenutrient credit market in Pennsylvania and now wants taxpayers to pay the bill. It needed $11

per credit to operate the plant. PennVEST’s market auction sold credits for $2.27. The math

does not work.

11. SB 274 Is A Funding Mechanism For Bion, Not A Cleanup Tool: Senate Bill 274 is

simply a funding mechanism so Bion. and similar companies, can pay off its debts because the

credits created in the bill do not meet state or federal requirements, nor can they be traded or

sold. The only thing they are good for is making Pennsylvania taxpayers pay companies like

Bion.

Yes, meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones are difficult, and manure treatment

technology may have a limited, niche role in that effort, but does it justify creating more white

elephants that can’t pay for themselves?

There isn’t a silver bullet as Auditor General Eugene DePasquale reported April 10.

Let’s see, low-tech, low-cost solutions that work and count now toward our Chesapeake

Bay cleanup milestones, or building a complex manure treatment system that requires trucking

manure to a central facility, people to operate, maintenance and upkeep and has a limited

lifespan?

An old Pennsylvania Dutch saying has it you can milk a neighbor’s cow through a fence,

but would you really want to?

Passing Senate Bill 724 to bail out one company-- Bion? It’s been known to happen in

the General Assembly.

But would you want to?NewsClips:

More Pollution Flowing Into Chesapeake Bay Than Expected




Conococheague Creek Cleanup Wins Governor’s Award

Armstrong’s Roads Get Funding For Drainage Improvements

http://triblive.com/news/armstrong/8192712-74/road-roads-funding#axzz3Xjyk3eSvhttp://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_27968138/effort-conococheague-creek-wins-awardhttp://cumberlink.com/sports/outdoors/bj_small/outdoors-efforts-to-rehab-creek-a-success-for-man-and/article_5a102f78-4dbf-538d-aaf5-de871818c897.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-delaware-river-basin-conservation-bill-20150419-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/04/analysis-company-promoting-sb-724-as.htmlhttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/04/21/more-pollution-flowing-into-chesapeake-bay-than-expected/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31877


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Op-Ed: Budget Debate: Accelerate, Don’t Negotiate PA’s Clean Water Commitment

Op-Ed: Budget Debate: Accelerate, Don’t Negotiate PA’s Clean Water Commitment

By Harry Campbell

Pennsylvania Office Director

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Amid budget discussions about a natural gas severance tax, increasing

personal income and sales taxes, escalating education spending, and

infusing distressed pensions, Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) wanted

to know how the new Wolf Administration plans to meet Pennsylvania’s

obligation for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.At the House Appropriations Committee later last month, Acting

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Quigley agreed

that the Commonwealth is off-target for achieving its cleanup milestones and acknowledged the

need to “reboot” efforts on behalf of the Bay.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget includes funding increases for the departments of

Environmental Protection, Conservation and Natural Resources, and Agriculture. The

Chesapeake Bay Foundation is anxious to learn how those investments will be prioritized and

progress accelerated toward meeting the Commonwealth’s water quality commitments.

Now part of the appropriations dialog, the critical nature of meeting milestones set forth

in the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint must be more than an afterthought. The Chesapeake

Bay Foundation urges the Governor and legislators to honor the Commonwealth’s commitment

when imminent, tough decisions are to be made.

The Clean Water Blueprint for roughly half of the rivers and streams in Pennsylvania that

make up the Chesapeake Bay watershed, is a combination of science-based pollution limits for

waterways and state-devised cleanup plans, and two-year milestones.

By the end of 2017, the Commonwealth must have 60 percent of the pollution practices

outlined in the Blueprint in place. Unfortunately, a number of recent assessments by the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CBF, and the Choose Clean Water Coalition have all

concluded that Pennsylvania’s efforts to meet commitments are falling short in key areas —

agricultural and urban/suburban polluted runoff.

But Pennsylvania’s deficiencies on reducing pollution from agriculture are particularlyworrisome.

Let’s be clear: Pennsylvania’s farmers have made substantial progress in reducing

pollution in the last 30 years. We commend them for that. But the science indicates that more

needs to be done to clean up our rivers and streams.

In fact, agricultural activities are the largest source of pollution to the Commonwealth’s

rivers, streams, and the Bay. But on average, it’s also the least expensive source of pollution to

reduce.

http://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint/what-is-the-chesapeake-clean-water-blueprinthttp://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32017http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32015http://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8216502-74/program-insurance-residents


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Still, there are estimates that no more than 30 percent of farmers are currently meeting

Pennsylvania’s existing clean water laws. Some of these rules have been in place for 20 or more

years.

A recent EPA report concluded that ensuring farms are meeting existing clean water laws

would substantially increase pollution reduction. But the agency also found that Pennsylvania

does not have a consistent approach, a comprehensive strategy, or sufficient resources to ensurefarms are meeting existing requirements.

Ensuring farms meet or exceed Pennsylvania’s clean water laws requires more than just

resources for inspectors, however. It requires investing resources in outreach and education to

farmers about their obligations and, critically, the technical assistance to design and implement

pollution reducing practices like streamside forest buffers or barnyard runoff controls.

In his inquiry, Rep. Everett asked why Gov. Wolf’s proposed $675 million bond issue

was not dedicated to water quality cleanup, instead of for alternative energy and other uses. At a

Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), asked the same

question.

While Pennsylvania’s leaders conduct budget negotiations, it is distressing that elected

officials in Congress are proposing deep cuts to the very investments the Commonwealth and ourfarmers are counting on. This is simply unacceptable.

We call on the Governor, legislature, and Pennsylvania’s farmers and conservation

community to urge our representatives in Washington not to go down that path.

Saving the Bay and restoring local water quality will not just benefit us; clean water

means a healthier Susquehanna, less flooding, purer drinking water, better health for us and our

children, and a legacy for future generations.

Economically, a peer-reviewed report produced for CBF documents a $6.2 billion return

on investment if the Commonwealth achieves the Blueprint.

Pennsylvania cannot afford to backtrack on the right of its people to have clean water.

Clean water counts. There are ramifications should the federal government decide to intervene in

order to achieve the cleanup goals.

Ratepayers and taxpayers could bear the consequences.

CBF urges our leaders to provide the resources and the will to meet Pennsylvania’s commitment

to clean water.

For more information, visit Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage.

NewsClips:

More Pollution Flowing Into Chesapeake Bay Than Expected




Conococheague Creek Cleanup Wins Governor’s Award Armstrong’s Roads Get Funding For Drainage Improvements


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Analysis: Why Bion Is The Force Behind SB 724- It Can’t Pay Back A $7.7M PennVEST Loan

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32016http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32015http://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8216502-74/program-insurance-residentshttp://triblive.com/news/armstrong/8192712-74/road-roads-funding#axzz3Xjyk3eSvhttp://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_27968138/effort-conococheague-creek-wins-awardhttp://cumberlink.com/sports/outdoors/bj_small/outdoors-efforts-to-rehab-creek-a-success-for-man-and/article_5a102f78-4dbf-538d-aaf5-de871818c897.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-delaware-river-basin-conservation-bill-20150419-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/04/analysis-company-promoting-sb-724-as.htmlhttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/04/21/more-pollution-flowing-into-chesapeake-bay-than-expected/http://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30153http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31674


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DEP May Explore Other Funding Options For Oil & Gas Program With Declining Permits

Scott Perry, DEP Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, told the DEP Citizens

Advisory Council on Tuesday the agency may explore other funding options to support DEP’s

oil and gas regulatory program since applications for new oil and gas permits have declined by

about 30 percent so far this year.Perry said last year DEP processed some 4,278 applications for new wells. So far in

2015, the agency received just 491.

DEP relies on permit fees to fund the bulk of its regulatory program for oil and gas well

drilling, both conventional and unconventional (Marcellus Shale).

The agency last increased permit fees in 2014 hoping to generate an additional $4.7

million in revenue, but with the significant decline in new well permits, it will not generate

nearly that kind of revenue.

In his FY 2015-16 proposed budget, Gov. Wolf has proposed using a portion of a

proposed new natural gas severance tax to fund 50 additional oil and gas and related program

inspectors, if funds are available.

Perry also provided a status report on the drilling program, including the Chapter 78(conventional) and Chapter 78A (unconventional) drilling regulations, number of well

inspections and an overview of the number of violations being found by DEP during inspections.

Perry noted the number of violations found on conventional oil and gas well sites were

more than double those found on unconventional (Marcellus Shale) sites. 17 percent of

inspections found violations at conventional well sites, while the rate of violations on

unconventional well sites was 8 percent.

[See Also: Analysis: Myth- Conventional Oil And Gas Drilling Is Benign ]

A copy of Perry’s presentation will be posted on the DEP Citizens Advisory Council

webpage.

The PowerPoint presentation does contain a disclaimer: “These materials do not

necessarily reflect views of the Commonwealth, the (Governor’s) Office of General Counsel or

the Department of Environmental Protection.”

NewsClips:

Ahead Of Budget Talks, Wolf Says PA Faces Stark Fiscal Realities

Momentum Building To Expand Marcellus Funded Housing Program

DEP Photos Show Problems At Conventional Well Sites

Analysis: Myth- Conventional Oil And Gas Drilling Is Benign

Editorial: Conventional Drillers Must Obey Standards Too

DEP Rejects Drilling Industry Pressure To Remove Board Members

Public Interest Members To Remain On Oil & Gas Board

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

https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/04/23/Members-representing-public-interest-to-remain-on-Pennsylvania-oil-and-gas-board/stories/201504240152http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/04/23/dep-rejects-industry-pressure-to-remove-some-members-from-oil-gas-board/http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/04/24/No-free-pass-Conventional-drillers-must-obey-standards-too/stories/201504300018http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31809&SubjectID=http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/04/19/Drillers-are-getting-photo-evidence-from-Pennsylvania-DEP-of-well-violations-But-industry-says-they-don-t-tell-whole-story/stories/201504190092http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/bipartisan-push-for-housing-fund-1.1866721http://www.witf.org/news/2015/04/ahead-of-budget-talks-wolf-says-pa-faces-stark-fiscal-realities.phphttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/meetings/21513http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31809http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31526http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2014/06/dep-new-oil-and-gas-permit-fees-go-into.htmlhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/meetings/21513http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/meetings/21513


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NewsClips and links to the weekly Digest and videos.

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

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comment to any blog posting.

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

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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 (May 4): Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (May 4): . 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

http://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/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigesthttp://www.crisciassociates.com/category/capitol-blog/http://www.crisciassociates.com/category/environment-blog/http://www.twitter.com/http://www.crisciassociates.com/


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Appropriations

Education

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human ServicesJudiciary

Liquor Control

Transportation

Links for all other Standing House Committees

Senate

Appropriations

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational Development

EducationJudiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Bills Introduced

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

Waste Fee For Autism: House Bill 991 (Murt-R-Adams) establishing a fee on waste disposal to

fund an autism program (sponsor summary).

Flood Insurance Assistance: House Bill 1029 (Murt-R-Adams) establishing the Flood

Insurance Premium Assistance Program (sponsor summary ).

Permit Extension: House Bill 1071 (Warner-R-Fayette) amends provisions extending existing

approved environmental permits approved by July 2, 2013 to be extended without the need to

reapply (sponsor summary

).

Greenhouse Gas Regulation Study:

House Resolution 259

(Neuman-D-Washington)establishing the Joint Select Committee on the Implementation of the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas

Regulation ( sponsor summary ).

Earth Day: House Resolution 267 (Murt-R-Adams) encouraging all residents to observe Earth

Day on April 22 (sponsor summary) was passed by the House.

Funding Energy Savings Contracts: Senate Bill 758 (Wozniak-D-Cambria) providing

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0758http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18080http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=R&bn=267http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17860http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=R&bn=259http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18071http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1071http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=16462http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1029http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=991http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=991http://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=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=H


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assistance under the Alternative Energy Development Program for energy savings contracts

(sponsor summary ).

Lyme Disease Awareness: Senate Resolution 82 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) designating May

Lyme Disease Awareness Month (sponsor summary).

Session Schedule

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

Senate

May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30

House

May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 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.

Senate/House Bills Moving

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

House

Earth Day: House Resolution 267 (Murt-R-Adams) encouraging all residents to observe Earth

Day on April 22 (sponsor summary) was adopted by the House.

Arbor Day: House Resolution 226 (Marsico-R-Dauphin) recognizing April 24 as Arbor Day

(sponsor summary ) was adopted by the House.

Honoring Franklin Kury: House Resolution 223 (McCarter-D-Montgomery) honoring former

legislator Franklin Kury for his role in drafting the Environmental Rights Amendment toPennsylvania’s constitution (sponsor summary ) was adopted by the House.

Landfill Leachate: House Bill 398 (Killion-R-Delaware) to allow for vehicular transportation of

landfill leachate (sponsor summary ) was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and

Energy Committee and Tabled.

Senate

http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=16232http://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/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17836http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=R&bn=0223http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17755http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=R&bn=0226http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18080http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=R&bn=267http://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBxhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18086http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=R&bn=0082http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=16916


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Transit Districts: Senate Bill 385 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) updating and encouraging transit

districts was passed by the Senate. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

Flood Insurance Report: Senate Bill 494 (Ward-R-Westmoreland) eliminating the annual

report of the Flood Insurance Program was passed by the Senate. A summary and Senate Fiscal Note are available. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

Earth Day: Senate Resolution 97 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) recognizing April 22 as Earth Day

(sponsor summary ) was adopted by the Senate.

Drinking Water Week: Senate Resolution 91 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) designating the week of May

3 Drinking Water Week was adopted by the Senate.

News From The Capitol

House Committee May 12 Hearing Set On Water Well Standards Bill

The House Consumer Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on House Bill 48

(Godshall-R-Montgomery) setting drinking water well construction standards (sponsor

summary ) on May 12.

The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules and

regulations recommended by the National Groundwater Association to ensure drinking water is

protected from contamination resulting from poorly constructed water wells.

Rep. Godshall noted the legislation clearly prohibits the metering or otherwise taxing the

use of private water wells.

The hearing will be held in Room B-31 in the Main Capitol in Harrisburg starting at 9:15a.m.

Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery) serves as Majority Chair and Rep. Peter Daley

(D-Washington) serves as Minority Chair of the Committee.

Senate Committees Hold June 1 Joint Hearing On Severance Tax Proposals

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Finance Committees are scheduled to hold

a joint hearing on natural gas severance tax proposals on June 1.

There are 5 severance tax bills pending in the Senate, two Republican and three

Democrat--

-- Senate Bill 395

(Brewster-D-Allegheny) adopting a 5 percent severance tax all devoted toeducation funding, while keeping the impact fee, but crediting what producers pay to the

severance tax (sponsor summary ).

-- Senate Bill 415 (Haywood-D-Montgomery) providing for an 8 percent natural gas severance

tax with the proceeds dedicated to these uses: $100 million dollars off the top would go to the

Growing Greener Program; 60 percent of the money would go to fund Public Schools; and 40

percent would go towards reducing the unfunded pension liability (sponsor summary ).

-- Senate Bill 519 (McGarrigle-R-Delaware) which would impose a 4 percent tax on the value of

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0519http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=17200http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0415http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=15950http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0395http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=25&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=9&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=15963http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=15963http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0048http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=10&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=R&bn=0091http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18090http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=R&bn=0097http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/SB0494P0442.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/SB0494P0442.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0494http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0385


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natural gas at the wellhead. All the revenue from the tax would be devoted to fund basic

education and nothing for any environmental restoration program (sponsor summary ).

-- Senate Bill 719 (Tomlinson-R-Bucks) providing for a 5 percent natural gas severance tax with

proceeds dedicated to state employee and school employee pension funds ( sponsor summary ).

-- Senate Bill 741 (Leach-D-Montgomery) imposing a 5 percent natural gas severance tax to

create the Pay It Forward, Pay It Back Pennsylvania college scholarship fund (

sponsorsummary ).

The severance tax proposed by Gov. Wolf has not yet been introduced in the Senate or

House.

The hearing will be held in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building starting at

10:30 a.m.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Environmental Committee

and Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair of the Committee.

Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair) serves as Majority Chair of the Finance Committee and

Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna) serves as Minority Chair.

NewsClips:

Wolf Finds More Opposition To Severance Tax Local Officials United In Opposition To Higher Energy Taxes

Ahead Of Budget Talks, Wolf Says PA Faces Stark Fiscal Realities

Momentum Building To Expand Marcellus Funded Housing Program

News From Around The State

PA Environmental Professionals Honor Bernard McGurl, John Arway

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals Thursday announced the selection of

Bernard McGurl, Lackawanna River Corridor Association, for the Walter Lyon Award and JohnArway, Fish & Boat Commission, for the Karl Mason Award.

Bernard McGurl

He has championed the rebirth of the Lackawanna River and its watershed for over 25

years. He has partnered with a wide range of individuals, non-profit organizations, businesses,

local municipalities and state/federal agencies, resulting in improved water quality and aquatic

diversity in the river, a network of rail-trails, acres of reclaimed abandoned mine lands, and an

engaged public.

Bernie McGurl was one of the over 200 citizens who founded the Lackawanna River

Corridor Association in 1987.

The LRCA is a not-for-profit, community based, river and watershed conservation

organization established in 1987 “to promote the conservation, protection and appropriatemanagement of the Lackawanna River and its Watershed resources.”

He served in a volunteer capacity as its President from 1989 to 1991. During his term as

President he led the watershed planning effort that resulted in the Lackawanna River Citizens

Master Plan.

Over the past 25 years through Bernie’s efforts:

-- The water quality, in many miles of the Lackawanna River and its tributaries, has improved to

the point that the River is now recognized as a destination for trout fishermen.

http://www.lrca.org/http://www.lrca.org/http://www.paep.org/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/bipartisan-push-for-housing-fund-1.1866721http://www.witf.org/news/2015/04/ahead-of-budget-talks-wolf-says-pa-faces-stark-fiscal-realities.phphttp://www.northcentralpa.com/feeditem/2015-04-24_local-pa-officials-united-opposition-higher-energy-taxeshttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/latest-utilities/2015/04/23/Wolf-garners-more-opposition-to-plan-replace-drilling-fee/stories/201504230174http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31281http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=17971http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=17971http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0741http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=17648http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0719http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=16612


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-- A cyclist can now pedal along the river for over 15 miles, from Taylor through Scranton to

Peckville and Jermyn, on a network of rail trails and the river levees.

-- The importance of watershed lands and open spaces was documented in the Lackawanna

County-Luzerne County Open Space Plan and critical areas are now protected by national and

local land trusts.

-- The community now sees the river as a natural resource to be protected and enjoyed, as seen by the hundreds participating yearly in the LRCA’s annual Canoe-A-Thon and RiverFest.

Bernie has forged partnerships with local, state and national government bodies, with

businesses, with civic organizations and with individuals to implement the Master Plan.

Through his efforts, parents no longer tell their children to stay away from that dirty

river; instead they all take a bike ride along the river on the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail,

watching the mallard swim by.

John Arway

Throughout his 35-year water resource-focused career, John has tirelessly demonstrated

exemplary leadership in protecting and enhancing the surface water resources of the

Commonwealth and the nation. He is widely respected by his peers.

In his role as Chief of Environmental Services for over 30 years he led the developmentand implementation for the PFBC of many innovative water resource management measures

including:

-- The annual review of 2500 waterway permit applications to protect aquatic habitat from

physical encroachments of streams and wetlands by proposed highways, pipelines, peat

extraction sites, sand and gravel dredging, housing projects and other development activities.

-- PFBC pioneered the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to spatially organize

natural resource information in order to promote information transfer among agency staff, other

agencies and the public.

-- Functioned as contact for Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 USC 661 et seq.

consultations for water resource development projects with the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Natural

Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Food and Drug Administration and the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

-- John functioned as agency contact and agency senior expert witness for Natural Resource

Damage Assessment claims for damages to aquatic trust species as regulated by the Department

of Environmental Protection and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency under state and federal

Superfund laws. Establish resource damage penalties and assist in settlement negotiations.

-- Successfully negotiated claims for the Ashland Oil Spill ($1.75 million), PCB contamination

from Texas Eastern Pipeline sites ($1.25 million), and brine discharges from Pennzoil’s oil wells

($150,000) among many others. These funds were specifically restricted to be spent on

remediating damages to affected waterways.-- The PFBC manages the Adopt-a-stream and Adopt-a-lake habitat improvement programs that

involve the planning, design, construction and monitoring of over 200 stream and 1100 lake

structures.

-- The PFBC reviewed and coordinated comments on management plans for DCNR State Park

and State Forest lands.

The PFBC with John as current Executive Director, is an outstanding environmental

professional organization with a commitment to stewardship of the Commonwealth's surface


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water resources. The PFBC focuses on protecting and enhancing our fisheries for current and

future generations.

PAEP would like to thank all the nominations that were received, as this was a very

difficult choice.

The awards will be presented at the 30th Annual PAEP Conference at Toftrees Resort,

May 6 - 8, with the Awards luncheon scheduled for May 7.For more information and past recipients of these awards, visit the PAEP Karl Mason and

Walter Lyon Awards webpage.

Wolf Announces $130.7 Million In Water Infrastructure Projects In 8 Counties

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the investment of $130.7 million for twelve non-point

source, drinking water and wastewater projects across eight counties through the PA

Infrastructure Investment Authority .

"These projects are vital to improving Pennsylvania's clean water infrastructure, leading

to a healthier and more sustainable environment for all Pennsylvanians," said Gov. Wolf. "These

will lead to expanded job growth, which is critical to the future of the commonwealth."Of the $130.7 million, $107.5 million is allocated for low-interest loans and $23.1 million is

awarded through grants.

The funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, federal grants

to PennVEST from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and recycled loan repayments

from previous PennVEST funding awards. Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for

work are paid and receipts are submitted to PennVEST.

The projects include:

-- Armstrong County: Ford City Borough received a $3,196,800 loan to construct a new 720

thousand gallons per day drinking water treatment plant, install water meters and rehabilitate a

finished water storage tank to provide a safe and reliable drinking water supply to system users.

-- Armstrong and Clarion Counties:

Hawthorn Redbank Redbank Municipal Authority

received a $1,184,254 loan and a $2,835,596 grant to replace more than eight miles of water

distribution lines, water service connections, water meters, fire hydrants and other facilities in

order to improve fire safety as well as water service to customers.

-- Clinton County: Renovo Borough received a $386,071 loan and a $3,679,687 grant to replace

two miles of water distribution mains as well as various service lines, fire hydrants and other

facilities, as well as rehabilitate an existing finished water storage tank, all of which will improve

service to the borough's customers.

-- Luzerne County: Hazelton City Authority received a $2,210,181 grant to install a two mile

water distribution line connecting the authority's system to an existing unfiltered system in the

Village of Stockton. This will allow for the abandonment of the existing system and will providea reliable and safe source of drinking water for the village residents.

-- Berks County:

— Geigertown Area Joint Authority received a $1,997,810 loan and a $3,335,428 grant to

construct more than six miles of new sewage collection lines and install other facilities in order

to eliminate the use of malfunctioning on-lot septic systems that are contaminating local drinking

water wells.

— Reading City received an $84,586,034 loan to upgrade its sewage treatment plant and related

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facilities in order to eliminate the threat of wet weather discharges of untreated sewage into the

Schuylkill River.

-- Cambria County:

— Johnstown City received a $1,860,500 loan to construct sanitary sewers and lateral lines to

individual homes and make other improvements in order to eliminate wet weather discharges of

untreated sewage into the Little Conemaugh and Conemaugh Riverse. — Johnstown Redevelopment Authority received a $6,717,000 loan to install almost two miles

of sewage collection lines and other facilities that will eliminate wet weather discharges of

untreated sewage into the Little Conemaugh and Conemaugh Rivers.

— Westmont Borough received a $6,380,000 loan to rehabilitate its existing sewage collection

system by lining almost nine miles of collection lines as well as upgrading related manholes and

lateral inspection ports. The project will eliminate wet weather sewage discharges into Stony

Creek.

-- Clarion County: Knox Borough received a $7,891,800 grant to replace the borough's eighty

five year-old wastewater treatment plant with a new, larger treatment plant that will eliminate

wet weather discharges of raw sewage into Canoe Creek and allow the borough to comply with

other regulatory requirements.-- Greene County: Dry Tavern Sewer Authority received a $741,500 loan and a $2,710,000

grant to construct more than four miles of sanitary sewer collection lines in order to eliminate the

use of wildcat sewers and malfunctioning on-lot septic systems that are discharging raw sewage

into Pumpkin Run.

-- Mercer County: Greenville Borough received a $497,500 loan and a $497,500 grant to

upgrade the borough's deteriorated storm water collection system that gets overloaded during

heavy rains, resulting in sinkholes and discharges of sediment into Shenango River.

For more information, visit the PennVEST website.

PA American Water Marks Earth Day By Awarding Environmental Grants

Pennsylvania American Water announced Wednesday seven watershed initiatives across the

state have earned financial support through the company’s 2015 Environmental Grant Program.

The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling nearly $35,000 for their

community-based projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds.

The winning Environmental Grant projects are as follows:

— Habitat for Humanity, Washington County: The grant will be used to reduce stormwater

runoff at a Habitat for Humanity construction site. The project includes installing rain gardens

and native plants in the landscaping to absorb and reduce stormwater runoff into a tributary of

Chartiers Creek.

— Keystone College, Lackawanna County:

The project aims to identify the impact of adeclining population of Eastern Hemlock trees on the watershed, as well as implement best

practices in landscaping and stream restoration to protect the South Branch of Tunkhannock

Creek.

— Montgomery County Conservation District: The organization will use the funding to

develop permanent displays on watershed stewardship and water quality at Norristown Farm

Park. The displays will be integrated into the county’s educational programs at the park.

— Economic Development South, Allegheny County: With the funding, the organization will

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develop a Saw Mill Run Watershed Stewards Program, a volunteer program to connect citizens

to issues affecting the watershed. The group will also launch a mobile application allowing users

to report water quality issues in the watershed.

— Columbia County Conservation District: The grant will fund a water education program

for eighth-grade students across the county. Students will learn about the history of Briar Creek

Lake, as well as learn about groundwater, watersheds and wetlands. — Brandywine Valley Association, Chester County: The organization will use the funding to

develop environmental educational programs for students in the Coatesville Area School District.

Children will gain a better understanding of the watershed and learn stewardship practices to

sustain the quality of the community’s water resources.

— Dunmore Historical Society, Lackawanna County: With the grant, the organization will

renew and enhance three existing butterfly gardens and provide soil erosion protection through

plantings at the Dunmore #1 Reservoir.

“As we observe Earth Day, we are pleased and inspired by the organizations’

commitment to environmental stewardship and how the winning projects will generate

enthusiasm and volunteerism in our communities,” said Kathy L. Pape, president, Pennsylvania

American Water. She noted that the Environmental Grant Program is in its 11th year supportinglocal watershed improvement projects across the Commonwealth.

A panel of judges selected the grant recipients from nearly 40 applications, which were

evaluated on such criteria as environmental need, innovation, community engagement and

sustainability.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania American Water webpage.

NewsClips:

Erie Advocates Say Earth Day Still Needed After 45 Years

Earth Day 2015: History, Facts, Date For Green Holiday

Celebrate Earth Day 2015 With Theses Cleanups, Hikes, More

Volunteer Groups Across Western PA Mark Earth Day

Philadelphia Eagles Celebrate Earth Day

Op-Ed: Celebrate Earth Day By Support EPA Clean Power Rule

Op-Ed: This Earth Day Remember Threat Of E-Waste

Editorial: Planet Gets Its Say On Earth Day

SRBC Holds Hearing On Water Project Applications, Proposed Fee Changes April 30

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will receive public comment at an April 30 hearing

on project applications for several water withdrawal and consumptive water use applications; a

request by Augusta Water, Inc. for waiver of application and transfer; and proposed fee changes.

The hearing will be held at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey, Grande 1 Room, 604Station Road (Exit 80 off I-81), Grantville, Pa. The hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m. and end at

9:00 p.m. or when public testimony concludes, whichever comes first.

The list of 25 project applications, request for application waiver and transfer, proposed

fee changes and options for submitting comments electronically are all available on SRBC’s

Public Participation Center .

Persons planning to present oral testimony at the public hearing are encouraged to notify

SRBC prior to the hearing of their intent to testify and to indicate the subject of their comment.

http://www.srbc.net/pubinfo/publicparticipation.htmhttp://www.srbc.net/http://www.timesleader.com/news/editorial/153041801/OUR-VIEW-Earth-Day-every-day-is-no-clichehttp://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/04/this_earth_day_-_remember_the.html#incart_riverhttp://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/04/celebrate_earth_day_by_support.html#incart_riverhttp://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/celebrities_gossip/Eagles-celebrate-Earth-Day-at-Spruance-School.htmlhttp://triblive.com/news/allegheny/8030926-74/litter-weinstein-pittsburghhttp://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/04/celebrate_earth_day_2015_with.html#incart_riverhttp://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/04/earth_day_2015_history_facts_a.html#incart_riverhttp://www.goerie.com/erie-eco-advocates-say-earth-day-still-needed-45-years-laterhttp://www.amwater.com/paaw/


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The notices are to be directed to Mr. Jason Oyler, Regulatory Counsel, Susquehanna River Basin

Commission, 4423 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110, Telephone: 717-238-0423, ext.

1312, Fax: 717-238-2436.

SRBC will also accept written comments until May 11, 2015. Comments may be

submitted electronically or mailed or faxed to Mr. Oyler.

The SRBC Commissioners are scheduled to vote on these and other action items at itsnext business meeting on June 4, 2015, in Baltimore, Maryland.

SRBC’s rules of conduct for public hearings include (see full set of rules on the website):

— All persons must sign-in and show photo identification.

— Signage, posters, banners or other display media will be permitted only in designated areas.

— The press is permitted to set up and use video and recording devices in a designated area. The

public is permitted to use small, hand-held devices that remain in their possession and are used in

a non-disruptive manner.

For more information, visit the SRBC’s Public Participation Center webpage.

Capital Region Water Announces City Beautiful H2O Campaign, Contest

For Earth Day, Capital Region Water announced “City Beautiful H2O ,” a historic campaign to

improve the health of Harrisburg’s local waterways by reducing combined sewer overflows and

reducing stormwater pollutants.

A major focus of the campaign will be community engagement and education.

“Just over a century ago, the City of Harrisburg was suffering terrible conditions

including raw sewage along the river bank, dirty drinking water, and sanitation issues,” said

Capital Region Water CEO Shannon Williams. “These conditions prompted civic leaders to rally

the community together to develop a plan to improve conditions throughout the city through

what is known as the City Beautiful movement. We want to again unite our community to get the

most out of our work for the City and our local waterways.”

Shannon was joined by Tina Sell, Education Manager at the Susquehanna Art Museum,

Cheryl Capozzoli STEM Coordinator at the Harrisburg School District, and students from

Marshall Math Science Academy at the launch event.

The initiative includes--

-- City Beautiful H2O: Capital Region Water’s City Beautiful H2O campaign will actively

engage the Harrisburg community while making plans to reduce combined sewer overflows and

stormwater pollution in Harrisburg.

-- Art Contest: To help spread the word and increase interest in water issues, Capital Region

Water announced a City Beautiful H2O Art Contest in partnership with the Susquehanna Art

Museum. Click Here

to learn more or call 888-510-0606.

-- Community Ambassador Committee: Capital Region Water also announced the formationof a Community Ambassador Committee to gain insight from community stakeholders. This

committee will meet with staff monthly to discuss issues in more detail and will be asked to

provide feedback to Capital Region Water. Interested participants are asked to submit a resume

and cover letter by email to: [email protected] or to call 888-510-0606 for more

information.

-- Green Infrastructure: Capital Region Water also announced that their Green Stormwater

Infrastructure Master Plan would begin later this summer. Public meetings will be scheduled

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soon for community education and feedback.

For more information, visit Capital Region Water’s City Beautiful H2O webpage.

Vote Now Pennsylvania In Save The Chesapeake Bay Photo Contest!

Vote now through May 1 for the winning photo in the 2015Save the Chesapeake Bay Photo Contest. Pennsylvania is the

biggest part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, lets make our

voices heard! Click Here to vote (PA photos at the bottom of

the page). Photo: Ricketts Glen State Park .

Registration Now Open For 2015 Delaware River Sojourn June 20-27

The Delaware River Sojourn

, this year to be held June 20-27, is one of the oldest river sojournsin the nation, combines the experiences of guided paddling excursions with interpretive

programs, camping, and camaraderie.

"The Delaware River is one of our nation's most important waterways, and this year's

theme, Birthplace of America, will celebrate the river and region's rich history," said Ian Kindle,

Environmental Educator with Delaware Canal State Park , Dept. of Conservation and Natural

Resources, and co-chair of the 2015 Sojourn steering committee.

Close to 75 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled in 2015, split into

daily trips ranging from eight to 13 miles. This year's sojourn will also visit Crosswicks Creek, a

N.J. tributary to the Delaware River.

In brief, the sojourn will include the following stretches:

— June 20: Balls Eddy, Pa. to Buckingham, Pa.

— June 21: Lordville, N.Y. to Hankins, N.Y.

— June 22: Narrowsburg, N.Y. to Lackawaxen, Pa.

— June 23: Dingmans Ferry, Pa. to Bushkill, Pa.

— June 24: Bushkill, Pa. to Worthington State Forest, N.J.

— June 25: Easton, Pa. to Riegelsville, N.J.

— June 26: Bordentown, N.J. to Crosswicks Creek, and back to Bordentown

— June 27: Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, Pa. to Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia.

Participants may sign up for the entire eight-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice.

"The Delaware Sojourn is a wonderful way to see the Delaware River from the river and

to experience first-hand its beauty and the inherent diversity of its different sections," said SteveTambini, Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission . "DRBC has been

working for more than 50 years to manage this shared water resource. We encourage the public

to consider enjoying this family-friendly paddling and learning adventure."

The cost for sojourners who register by June 13 is $80 per day for adults and $60 per day

for children (ages 15 and under). There is an additional one-time insurance fee of $5 per person

for this American Canoe Association-sanctioned event, except for current ACA members.

Further discount opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis for adult

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paddlers new to the Delaware River Sojourn. Add $10 to the daily rates for registrations made

after June 13.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle

and life jacket), shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and

optional overnight camping sites. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please

note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.Several exciting programs are being offered this year, including a tour of the Fort

Delaware Museum in Narrowsburg, N.Y., a visit to the new Tulpehaking Nature Center , part of

the Abbott Marshlands, in Hamilton Township, N.J., and an overnight stay at the Independence

Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, Pa.

Sojourners may have the option to participate in Tall Ships Philadelphia-Camden , the

largest sailing event of its kind in the U.S. in 2015, while in Philadelphia June 27.

"This year, the Delaware Sojourn received donations from many individuals and several

corporations, including ShopRite, S.J. Shrubsole, and PPL, as well as grants from the PA

Organization for Watersheds and Rivers and the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic

Rivers Program," said John Mauser, Director of the Martins Jacoby Watershed Association and

co-chair of the steering committee. "These funds help subsidize sojourn expenses, keeping costsas low as possible for participants, and the steering committee is very appreciative of this

support," he continued.

This non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of

representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual

volunteers.

The Delaware River Basin Commission has proudly served on the steering committee

since the sojourn's early years; Communications Assistant Kate Schmidt has served as DRBC's

representative on the steering committee since 2006.

Space is limited, so please register early! Registration details, itinerary overview, and

sojourn guidelines are available at the Delaware River Sojourn website.

Sojourners are again offered the option to register online using Paypal.

Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay

Branch at 646-205-2724 or send email to: [email protected].

Check the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers website in the near future for a

statewide 2015 sojourn schedule.

Register Now For Lehigh River Sojourn June 26-29

The Wildlands Conservancy will hold its 2015 Lehigh River Sojourn

June 26-29 offering

participants a 28-mile guided paddling trip on the Lehigh River.

The event begins in the Pocono Mountains and ends in Northampton. Sojourners travelthrough our region’s metro-wilderness – treasuring scenic views, visits from resident wildlife

and a shared appreciation for preserving the Lehigh River.

For more information, visit the Wildlands Conservancy Lehigh River Sojourn webpage.

Check the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers website in the near future for a

statewide 2015 sojourn schedule.

Brodhead Watershed Assn. Native Plant Sale May 8-9 In Monroe County

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This mother’s day, give a gift that Mother Nature can appreciate: purchase native plants at the

Brodhead Creek Watershed Association’s Native Plant Sale . While there, shoppers can get

expert clean-water gardening advice from BWA members as well as designs and plants for rain

gardens, buffer strips and streambanks.

Native plants are important because they benefit the soil, water, native insects andwildlife in our landscape, and because they replace aggressive, non-native invasive plants.

Replacing invasives with native plants returns the environment to a more natural state, where

plants and wildlife evolved successfully together.

Receive 10 percent off plant sale purchases at the Members-only Presale on May 8 from

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Becoming a BWA member is easy: sign up online or pay at the Presale. To

become a member online.

The May 9 Native Plant Sale is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Some of the native plants for sale include: Fringe tree, Flowering Dogwood, Flame

Azalea, Elderberry, Black-eyed Susan, American Wisteria, American Hazelnut, Smooth

Hydrangea, Pussy Willow, Purple Coneflower, Paw Paw, Northern Bush Honeysuckle, Lowbush

Blueberry, Kalm’s St. John’s Wort, Jacob’s Ladder, Goldenseal, Witch Hazel, Wild Petunia,Winterberry Holly, Wild Ginger, Wild Bleeding Heart, Wild Bergamot, Sweetbay Magnolia, and

Sugar Maple

Come join us and go native with native plants! For more information, visit the BWA’s

Native Plant Sale webpage or send email to: [email protected] or call the BWA

office at 570-839-1120.

Visit the BWA’s website for a “ sunny rain garden ” plan. Rain gardens use native plants

to intercept and filter runoff before it enters the waterways, ensuring cleaner drinking water.

DEP Awards 110 Grants For Environmental Education, Stewardship

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday awarded $304,137 in environmental

education grants to 110 schools, universities, non-profit organizations, and conservation districts

across Pennsylvania.

“Funding environmental education projects, like these, is an important function of

government that works,” Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley said. “I am pleased that we can

support these initiatives that not only educate our young people about today’s environmental

issues, but also realize tangible environmental benefits.”

Grant recipients will use the funding for various initiatives, including farm field days,

summer ca