June 22 PA Environment Digest Is Now Available

The June 22 PA Environment Digest is now available.  Here are just a few of the headlines--

DEP Citizens Advisory Council Discusses Comments On Deep Mining Impact Report

At its Tuesday meeting, DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council began the discussion of its draft comments on DEP’s Act 54 report on the impact of underground coal mining with the intent of finalizing its comments at its July 21 meeting. Among the draft recommendations are--

-- Independent Review Committee: Asks Gov. Wolf to convene by Executive Order an independent, technical committee to review how streams impact by underground coal mining can be restored to pre-mining conditions in both water quality chemistry and biological characteristics.  The CAC notes that 8 of the 55 streams determined to be affected in the previous report (2003-2008) have yet to recover to pre-mining conditions.

DEP: Pipeline Task Force Members By Mid-July, Little Impact From EPA Water Rule In PA

DEP Secretary John Quigley reported to the DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday he expects the 34 members of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force to be announced by mid-July saying so far the agency has receive 150 applications for membership.

DEP’s Quigley On PA Chesapeake Bay Cleanup: Clearly Not Enough

Lancaster Online reporter Ad Crable Monday reported DEP Secretary John Quigley’s reaction to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report Thursday saying Pennsylvania’s efforts to meet its Chesapeake Bay commitments are “substantially off track”--

“There is an urgent need for renewed focus on the Chesapeake Bay,” said Quigley. “Pennsylvania recognizes the volume of work that still needs to be done, and the size of the problem that the Wolf Administration has inherited. However, it is important to recognize the progress Pennsylvania has realized up to this point.

“Since 1985, Pennsylvania has directed more than $4 billion by way of grants, loans and program investments toward Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. That investment has resulted in a 25 percent phosphorous reduction, 6 percent nitrogen reductions and nearly 15 percent sediment reduction since 1985.

“But it is clearly not enough,” Quigley said.

CBF-PA:Philadelphia County, Groups Join Clean Water Counts! Campaign

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA’s Clean Water Counts Campaign has gained significant momentum with Philadelphia County joining 14 other counties in adopting the clean water resolution, and more than 75 organizations, groups and businesses signing clean water statements of support.

Keep PA Beautiful: Winners Of Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest

The winning entry of the annual Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania video contest, sponsored by the PA Waste Industry Association and the Department of Environmental Protection, was submitted by Tri County Community Action for the Great Harrisburg Cleanup. They received a $200 cash prize.

To read the Digest, visit: www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com.  Click Here to print the entire Digest.

PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and is published as a service of Crisci Associates.

PA Environment Digest was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators'  2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.

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Questions?: Send email to David Hess at: DHess@CrisciAssociates.com