PA Environment Digest Blog: July 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015

August 3 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The August 3 PA Environment Digest is now available. Here are just a few of the headlines--

CBF-PA Supports Severance Tax If It Funds PA Clean Water Efforts

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Wednesday issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Assistant Executive Director Lee Ann Murray, explaining its conditional support of a severance tax on natural gas extraction in the Commonwealth.

How Clean Are Streams In Your County?

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA has a new online tool available to help you find out which streams in your county do not meet water quality standards. About 19,000 miles of Pennsylvania waters are impaired. Agriculture is the largest source of pollution to the Commonwealth’s streams and rivers. The second leading cause of pollution in Pennsylvania is acid mine drainage from the legacy of coal mining in parts of the state.

Pitt Report: Fortifying Stormwater Systems With Green Infrastructure

By Coleen P. Engvall, Research Analyst, Joint Conservation Committee

Pennsylvania experiences a lot of rain. When one considers the droughts causing havoc on the West Coast, the amount of rainfall the commonwealth enjoys is certainly a blessing. But it can also have its drawbacks.

In a report released by the University of Pittsburgh, the unique difficulties associated with plentiful rainfall and water resources are explored, as well as a way to mitigate them.

The publication, Green Infrastructure: Status Report, describes technologies that simultaneously filter and slow storm waters, preventing flooding, erosion and the pollution of waterways.

EPA To Announce Final Clean Power Rule On Climate Monday, DEP To Develop Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will announce the final version of its Clean Power Rule under Section 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act on August 3, according to PennFuture.

This first-ever federal rule to curb carbon pollution from power plants seeks to cut carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030 by requiring states to come up with carbon reduction measures in the form of amendments to their Air Quality State Implementation Plans.

While there are no details at this time, Pennsylvania state law requires extensive public participation in the development of an amendment to the State Implementation Plan and a specific law was passed in 2014 requiring a special review procedures for state plans developed to implement Section 111(d).

Keep PA Beautiful Urges Participation In National School Recycle-Bowl Competition

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is encouraging educators in Pennsylvania to get their schools involved in the Recycle-Bowl Competition. The Recycle-Bowl competition begins October 19 and runs through November 15.

CFA Green Building, Renewable Energy Programs Accepting Applications

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for energy-related programs-- the High Performance Building Program and Renewable Energy Program. Applications are due September 9 for action by the Authority on November 10.

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.

Additional Tools--

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PA Environment Daily Blog: Update on PA environmental issues.

Green Works In PA Google+ Circle: Update on PA environmental issues.

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

Forest Service Workshop On Aquatic Organism Road-Stream Passage Nov. 16-20

The U.S. Forest Service and its partners will host a workshop November 16029 in State College providing training on a Stream Simulation Design Approach for Providing Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings.

This 4.5 day workshop will teach participants the necessary skills to design road-stream crossing structures that provide unimpeded fish and other aquatic organism passage through the structure, restore natural channel characteristics and fluvial processes through the structure, and maximize the long-term stability of the structure.

Other partners in presenting this workshop are: National AOP Design Cadre, Eastern Regional Office, Allegheny National Forest; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Trout Unlimited; and The Nature Conservancy.

Click Here for more background on the techniques involved. For more information, visit the Workshop webpage, or contact Dan McKinley, U.S. Forest Service, by sending email to: dmckinley@fs.fed.us.

Centre County Adds Misc. Plastics Recycling Container At Centre Hall Drop Off

The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority has placed a container for recycling miscellaneous plastics in the Centre Hall Snappy’s parking lot.

Plastics accepted at this location include: Yogurt Containers, Margarine/Butter Tubs, Cottage Cheese Containers, Sour Cream Containers, Whipped Topping Containers, Strawberry/Blueberry/Raspberry Containers, Cherry Tomato Containers, Lettuce/Salad Bar Containers, Olive Bar Containers and much more. A comprehensive list is available online.

DO NOT place these plastics in your curbside bin or blue commercial recycling toters - they will not be collected in our curbside/commercial trucks due to space and operational issues.

For more information, please call the Authority’s office at 814-238-7005, or send email to: ccrra@centrecountyrecycles.org.

PEC’s Lindsay Baxter Recipient Of 2015 McCloy Fellowship In Environmental Policy

The PA Environmental Council Friday announced Lindsay Baxter, PEC’s Program Manager for Energy & Climate, has been named one of two Americans to receive a 2015 McCloy Fellowship in Environmental Policy through the American Council on Germany.

The program allows Baxter to travel to Germany for three weeks this fall to study energy policy in that country.

Recipients of the fellowship design their own research project and itinerary and Baxter’s research will focus on the challenges and opportunities of integrating increasing amounts of renewable energy into the electricity grid. This is an issue with immediate applicability in Pennsylvania as our percentage of renewable electricity increases.
While in Germany, she will explore both technical solutions, such as advanced battery storage and smart grid technologies, as well as policy-based options.

“It really is an honor to be selected for such a prestigious fellowship,” Baxter said. “I am anxious to share what I learn through this experience with partners across Pennsylvania and use it to inform PEC’s work towards an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future.”

Baxter, who is certified as a Qualified Environmental Professional, manages PEC’s programs related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate protection, including low-impact hydroelectricity development and PEC’s participation in the ReEnergize Pgh Coalition and the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative.

She has also been instrumental in the implementation of PEC’s River Town Program.

“This is a great opportunity for Lindsay, and we are looking forward to seeing her apply new learnings from Germany to her work here in Pennsylvania,” PEC President Davitt Woodwell said.

The other fellowship recipients include one American and two Germans: Alan Cohn, Climate Program Director for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection; Frank Osterhage, Deputy Head of the Research Group on Development of City Regions at the ILS – Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development; and Alexandra Seibt, Project Coordinator for Research Group: Sustainable Protection and Consumption at Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, and Energy.

July Newsletter Now Available From Stroud Water Research Center

The July edition of UpStream, the newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, Chester County, is now available featuring articles on--

-- Court Ruling A Victory For Chesapeake Bay

-- Mapping The Recovery Of White Clay Creek In Chester County

-- Alexandra Cousteau To Receive Stroud Award For Freshwater Excellence

-- June Sustainable Splurges Event A Success

-- Staff Spotlight: Jessica Provinski

-- Upcoming Fall Events

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

Lake At Cowans Gap State Park Reopening To Swimming In Fulton County

The departments of Health and Conservation and Natural Resources Friday announced, effective August 1, swimming will again be permitted in the lake at Cowans Gap State Park, Fulton County. The lake had been closed to swimming since July 22.

The decision to close the beach came after multiple reports of gastrointestinal illness suspected of being norovirus.

The Department of Health investigation revealed at least 95 persons were sickened with symptoms consistent with norovirus. Three of those cases were confirmed as norovirus, demonstrating the outbreak was due to that virus.

"We have confidence that this was a short term incident," said Secretary of Health Karen Murphy. "In addition to the latest testing, we found that among those who became ill, the vast majority reported having visited the beach nearly two weeks ago."

The illness was associated with swimming, especially among younger children who may have accidentally swallowed contaminated lake water. As is common in norovirus outbreaks, a few of those sickened may have acquired their infection from contact with an ill family member who swam in the lake.

Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that is passed from the vomit or stool of an infected person, or through contaminated food or water. It can also be transmitted by touching a contaminated surface and then eating or drinking without washing your hands. Symptoms can include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The beach was closed for a 10-day period as a precautionary measure to protect the public's health and safety until a thorough investigation could be completed. The 1,085-acre park has remained open to fishing, boating, hiking and other park activities.

"Safety of our park visitors always is our top concern," said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. "We know lake swimming, especially during this hot weather, is a very popular activity at Cowans Gap, but the welfare of swimmers justified the closure."

The secretary noted the lake's water has been tested regularly twice a week since swimming began this summer. In addition, the Bureau of State Parks is ramping up efforts to promote safe, hygienic swimming practices by park visitors through social media, and increased signage and fact sheets aimed at preventing health issues in the future.

Health and park officials ask for the public's help to prevent the spread of norovirus and other diseases. Persons with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea should stay out of the water. It is preferable that small children in diapers, whether or not they have diarrhea, be kept out of the water. And, as general advice, swimmers and other lake users are advised not to swallow lake water.

The Department of Health recommends that anyone who has visited the park and experiences diarrhea or vomiting should contact their healthcare provider, their local or state health department or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

Surrounded by Buchanan State Forest, Cowans Gap State Park draws more than 440,000 visitors annually. The 42-acre lake is complemented by a large campground, rustic cabins and many hiking trails.

For more information, download a Department of Health Norovirus Fact Sheet or call 1-877-PA HEALTH (877-724-3258).

York County Mosquito Spraying August 3

The York County West Nile Program will be conducting an ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation to reduce high populations of mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus on August 3 in parts of Conewago Township.

Click Here for the complete announcement. For more information, visit the West Nile Virus website.

How Clean Are Streams In Your County?

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA has a new online tool available to help you find out which streams in your county do not meet water quality standards.

About 19,000 miles of Pennsylvania waters are impaired. Agriculture is the largest source of pollution to the Commonwealth’s streams and rivers. The second leading cause of pollution in Pennsylvania is acid mine drainage from the legacy of coal mining in parts of the state.

*These counties are already part of the Clean Water Counts! Campaign.

Franklin County Mosquito Spraying August 3

The Franklin County West Nile Program will be conducting an ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation to reduce high populations of mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus on August 3 in parts of Washington Township.

The treatments will be administered via truck-mounted equipment, spraying residential and recreational mosquito habitat. The equipment dispenses Permanone Ready-To-Use Insecticide at a rate of 0.75 ounces per acre.

Click Here for the complete announcement. For more information, visit the West Nile Virus website.