DEP Seeks Comments On Climate Impacts Report

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice today requesting comments on a draft Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment required by the PA Climate Change Act of last year. DEP will accept comments until May 18.
Some of the conclusions in the report include:
-- It is likely that annual precipitation will increase in Pennsylvania and very likely that winter precipitation will increase;
-- Warming will lead to a longer growing season of 3 to 5 weeks lengthening, respectively, by late century and corresponding frost day decreases are 4 and 6 weeks;
-- It is likely that Pennsylvania’s precipitation climate will become more extreme in the future, with longer dry periods and greater intensity of precipitation;
-- There is substantial uncertainty in projections of future tropical and extratropical cyclones for Pennsylvania. Current research suggests fewer storms but with increases in intensity.
-- Changes will cause certain species of northern hardwood trees to be reduced; and
-- Increases in stream water temperatures will stress aquatic ecosystems and fisheries as well as wetlands;
The 311-page Impacts Assessment was put together by group of nine professors at Penn State University.