Wednesday, October 31, 2012

DEP Offers Tips for Removing, Processing Storm Debris, Waives State Portion Of Landfill Fees

The Department of Environmental Protection is reminding homeowners how to properly dispose of and process debris left behind from Hurricane Sandy.
           “If homeowners encounter debris from the hurricane in or near creeks and streams, it can be removed without obtaining one of our Water Obstruction and Encroachment permits,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “The hurricane affected us all in some way, and DEP is helping homeowners and businesses assure a safe and effective cleanup by offering guidance.”
           Even though small debris can be removed without a permit, large woody debris that requires operating machinery in the stream to remove it, or removal of a gravel bar, will require written authorization from DEP.
           Property owners can remove trees and tree limbs wherever possible to protect their own property as well as public roads and bridges that could be damaged. Owners can cut up trees in place and remove them from the creek, or pull the tree trunks and branches out of the water before cutting them up.
          To dispose of limbs and woody debris, property owners are encouraged to utilize local composting services.
           To assist communities that have been affected by the recent storm events, DEP is temporarily waiving certain disposal fees and waste vehicle registration requirements and providing flexibility in other aspects of waste management to facilitate the collection and disposal of storm debris.
           The requirement for a waste hauler to display an authorized Act 90 sticker on the hauling vehicle has been temporarily waived statewide to allow facility operators to accept storm debris waste from vehicles without Act 90 authorizations.
           DEP is also waiving the state portion of the tipping fees for the disposal of storm debris; authorizing extended operational hours at landfills; allowing the use of temporary waste staging areas for collecting waste prior to transportation to disposal facilities; and authorizing increased daily volumes of waste that facilities can receive and dispose.
          These provisions will be effective until January 31, 2013, unless no longer necessary or extended by DEP.
          Items that may have been affected by flooding, such as propane tanks, refrigerators, heating oil tanks, electronic equipment, tires, gasoline or paints should be separated and stored in a safe, dry location for separate collection in the future. This will allow haulers to focus on removing the most problematic debris and waste.
          Homeowners, business owners and municipal officials who have questions about cleaning up storm debris should contact the DEP regional office that serves their area.
          For more information on flood recovery, visit DEP's Flood Recovery webpage.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Keep PA Beautiful Postpones Award, Affiliate Dinner To December 11

As everyone is bracing for the impacts of Sandy across the Northeast, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has decided that it is best to reschedule the KPB Annual Affiliate & Volunteer Recognition Dinner and Awards that was scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, October 30. 
           This Annual event has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 11 and will be at the same location and follow the same agenda. We realize that while some may not be able to join us on the new date, if may free up others to attend.
           We will be sending out a notice next week about the new date and will ask everyone to confirm their attendance and meal choice. For those of you that have paid, full refunds will be made if you cannot attend the event on Tuesday, December 11. 
           Thank you for all you do in support of our mission. Please be safe over the next few days and we will be in touch. Please give us a call if you have any questions or concerns.

Big Spring Creek Habitat Project Meeting Canceled

The Fish and Boat Commission just canceled the October 30 Big Spring Creek Habitat Project meeting in Cumberland County.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

DCNR/PEC Postpone Conservation Landscape Summit

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the PA Environmental Council just announced they are postponing the Conservation Landscape Summit scheduled for October 29-30 in Harrisburg in light of the anticipated severe effects of Hurricane Sandy and the significant difficulties it poses for safe travel.  Conference organizers will announce a new date as soon as possible.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Oct. 29 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The Oct. 29 PA Environment Digest is now available.  Click Here to print entire Digest.

New York City Reservoir Drawn Down To Prepare For Hurricane Sandy

The partner governments who cooperatively manage the Delaware River—Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and New York City—announced Friday more than 120 million gallons of water per day are being released from the Neversink Reservoir in Sullivan County, New York.
The water is being released from the reservoir, located in the Delaware River basin about 75 miles northwest of New York City, in order to make room for rainfall from Hurricane Sandy.
“While modeling forecasts show the storm may lose strength when it makes landfall, there are still large volumes of rain that are expected to come down,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “In order to create more capacity in the reservoir to capture stormwater and prevent spilling, everyone has agreed that a release at Neversink Reservoir is in all of our best interests.
“Residents along the Delaware River may see higher than normal river volumes in the coming days in advance of the storm,” he said. “But this release now will help prevent the possibility of much higher river flows and flooding later on in the course of the storm event.”
Earlier this year, Pennsylvania and its partners signed an extension of a water management agreement that allowed for such releases in advance of storms. The agreement also includes measures to protect the habitat in the waterways and to balance the drinking water needs of millions of residents in the four states.
The two other New York City-owned reservoirs in the Delaware River watershed, Pepacton and Cannonsville, are at about 70 percent capacity. Additional releases at these reservoirs will not be conducted at this time. The Cannonsville Reservoir is along the West Branch of the Delaware River, and the Pepacton is on the East Branch.
NewsClips:
Corbett Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Storm
PA Residents Told To Prep As Super Storm Looms
East Coast Readies For Frankenstorm Monster
Flash Flooding Likely From Hurricane Sandy
Preparing For Hurricane Sandy In PA
Philly Region Likely To Feel Storm’s Wrath
Eastern Utilities Brace For Expected Super Storm

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Thursday Air Quality Action Day For Western PA Area

The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast an Orange air quality action day for fine particulate matter for Thursday, October 25 in the Liberty-Clairton region of Western PA.  Click Here for details.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Oct. 22 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The Oct. 22 PA Environment Digest is now available.  Click Here to print entire Digest.

Good And Bad Environmental Bills Left On The Table As Legislative Session Ends

The Senate and House finished up voting on legislation for the year Wednesday leaving lots of unfinished business on environmental issues on the table.  All bills not on the Governor’s Desk will have to start over in January.
Three environment or energy-related bills did make it to the Governor before adjournment-- Senate Bill 1298 (Smucker-R-Lancaster) providing for composting facilities on Act 319 farmlands; House Bill 1813 (Tobash-R-Berks) authorizing a financial guarantee option covering mine reclamation; and House Bill 1991 (Cutler-R-Lancaster) further providing for proof of eligibility for energy conservation programs.
Two big issues-- transportation funding and paying for damage caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 were not considered. Click Here for full story.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Sen. Scarnati Introduces Marcellus Shale Health Panel Bill

Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) this week introduced Senate Bill 1616 establishing a Marcellus Shale Health Advisory Panel.
The nine member panel-- chaired by the Secretary of Health with the leaders of the Senate and House each appointing four members-- is given several broad responsibilities--
-- Consult with persons and entities involved with and affected by the extraction and use of unconventional natural gas reserves;
-- Consult with persons and entities conducting research and studies regarding the extraction and use of unconventional natural gas and the potential effects on public health and safety; and
-- Investigate and study advancements in science, technology and public health data in order to provide Pennsylvania elected officials, regulators and the general public with information, analysis and recommendations regarding the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible extraction and use of unconventional natural gas.
The bill directs the panel to meet at least twice a year and submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly.
“There has been much discussion regarding the potential effects of Marcellus Shale drilling on public health and safety,” said Sen. Scarnati.  “The creation of an advisory panel composed of experts from a wide range of fields including doctors, scientists, academics and industry leaders will provide Pennsylvania with a critical asset in addressing any current or future impacts arising from the development of Marcellus Shale.”
The creation of a permanent health advisory panel was a suggestion of the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission he explained.
In fact, the language used by Sen. Scarnati to describe his proposal advisory panel was very close to the recommendation in the Commission report--

“In recognition of the tremendous breadth and scope of issues affected by Marcellus Shale natural gas, as well as the significant pace of technology and best management practice advancements occurring within the industry, the Commission strongly encourages Gov. Corbett to consider creating a permanent advisory panel or committee to monitor the impacts of this industry, thoroughly investigate advancements in science, public health data and technology, and provide the Commonwealth’s elected officials, policymakers, regulators and members of the public with real-time information, analysis and recommendations regarding the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible extraction and use of unconventional natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania.”
The Commission also recommended the Commonwealth establish a health registry to track the any impacts drilling was having around well sites-- “The Department of Health should create, or oversee the creation of, a population-based health registry with the purpose of characterizing and following over time individuals who live in close proximity (i.e. one mile radius) to gas drilling and production sites.”
Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, proposed supporting the creation of a health registry as part of his drilling fee proposal in Senate Bill 1519.
Sen. Scarnati led the effort to establish a responsible drilling fee and additional environmental protection standards during both the Rendell and Corbett Administrations.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

DCNR Secretary Responds To Article/Editorial On Resignation Of State Parks Director

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan Tuesday responded to a recent article and editorial in the Harrisburg Patriot-News about the resignation of John Norbeck as Director of the Bureau of State Parks--

           As The Patriot-News knows well, good employment policy and practice – not to mention decorum – dictates that employers do not publicly discuss personnel matters.
           Not surprisingly, employees who are separated from their jobs may concoct stories as to the circumstances surrounding their separation. That is not entirely unexpected. However, what your readers do not deserve are baseless editorials such as The Patriot-News’ “Preserve our parks: Do recent DCNR ousters spell trouble?” which perpetuate and give credence to these false allegations. 
           Employers cannot be held hostage to the self-serving statements of a separated employee.  However, an employer is powerless to defend itself publicly lest they subject themselves to employment law infractions and liability.  The media knows this all too well, and yet some in the media, desperate for a story, create this catch-22 for the employer.
            Mr. Norbeck knows why he no longer works for the state, and he knows it has absolutely nothing to do with philosophical differences over mineral extraction. For the record, we have not and are not considering any drilling on state park land.  The moratorium on future leasing remains in effect.  
            Under Gov. Corbett’s leadership, DCNR has overseen the drilling activity authorized by Gov. Rendell on state forest lands to ensure that it does not harm the fabric and character of these natural resource treasures.  And we are not engaging in, nor will we engage in, commercial timbering and strip mining activities on our state parks. 
            Gov. Corbett has appointed and retained smart, dedicated, and professional employees to oversee the state’s parks and forests.  He recognizes the tremendous significance of the commonwealth’s natural resources, with a state park and state forest system that rivals that of any other state.  
            The natural gas impact fee signed by Gov. Corbett in February sets aside money for state park and forest infrastructure improvements – the first infusion of new money into our park and forest system since 2005.
            Under the Governor’s leadership, DCNR will continue to ensure that its stewardship of our public lands meets the high expectations of our citizens.  They deserve, and will receive, nothing less.