The Fish and Boat Commission is seeking individuals interested in a career as a fisheries biologist. The PFBC currently has one vacancy each for a Fisheries Biologist 1, Fisheries Biologist 2 and Fisheries Biologist 3 in Centre County.
Interested individuals have until Sept. 21 to submit a job application with the State Civil Service Commission, which opened the Fisheries Biologist exam on March 20. Applications must be received or postmarked by September 21. The announcement and exam will be suspended after that date. Click Here for details.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
DEP: Sampling, Quality Assurance Plans For Natural Gas Radiation Study Now Available
The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday released detailed sampling and quality assurance plans for its ongoing comprehensive radiation study of oil and gas development.
The agency will sample and analyze radioactivity levels of flowback waters, treatment solids, drill cuttings and drilling equipment, along with the transportation, storage and disposal of drilling wastes.
Based on current data, regulations and industry practices, there is no indication that the public or workers in the oil and gas industry face health risks from exposure to radiation from these materials. The study is aimed at ensuring that public health and the environment continue to be protected.
“Pennsylvania is setting the bar for responsible shale gas development, and the study of radiation issues in oil and gas development is yet another example of that,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “Not only do we in Pennsylvania operate with scientific rigor, we do so with unmatched transparency. These plans show exactly how we are conducting this study.”
On January 24, Gov. Corbett directed DEP to undertake a comprehensive study examining naturally occurring levels of radioactivity in byproducts associated with oil and gas development. Since then, the agency sought a peer review of its sampling and quality assurance plans and expects to begin sampling this month.
The sampling plan outlines the types of samples DEP will collect, their locations and the methods for analyzing them. The quality assurance plan provides specifics on how the agency will collect, transport and analyze the samples.
DEP will collect and analyze drill cuttings, flowback fluid and drilling mud for a variety of radioactive particles. Staff will also examine compressor stations, storage tanks, trucks, drill rigs and wastewater treatment facilities.
DEP routinely reviews radioactivity data in wastes that the drilling industry and other industries generate, and the information obtained to date indicates very low levels of natural radioactivity. The agency also maintains a statewide monitoring network to protect the public from exposure to unsafe levels of radiation.
For more information and to view the plans, visit DEP’s Oil and Gas Development Radiation Study webpage.
PUC Launches New Interactive Website For Drilling Impact Fee Information
The Public Utility Commission Wednesday introduced an interactive website that allows users to better examine information related to the collection and distribution of the state’s unconventional gas well Impact Fee.
“In administering the Impact Fee, the PUC has been unwavering in our efforts to be transparent with the implementation of the law,” said PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson. “This website takes that to the next level by providing an interactive, searchable resource where residents, local officials or anyone interested in the Impact Fee can view what money was collected and distributed as well as the calculations behind those numbers.”
The website includes graphical data analysis including the top paying producers, well count breakdowns and top collecting counties and local governments.
The Impact Fee producer payments for 2012 were due to the PUC April 1, 2013. Additional information on the amount of money expected for 2012 as well as the amount of money collected to date can be found on the website.
Payments for some wells are still being challenged by some producers. As per the law, disputed wells are not reflected in the current data available. Any additional payments will be reflected as they are received before calculations are made to disburse the funds.
Users also can search statistics such as money paid by producers or money dispersed to state, county or local government. The information also breaks down the distribution calculations outlined in the law in areas such as eligible wells per county/ municipality and distributions to municipalities and counties with qualifying wells and to municipalities that are located within a county with qualifying wells and are contiguous to a municipality with wells or within five miles of a municipality with wells (based on population and highway miles calculations).
Distributions of the Impact Fee by the PUC are due to county and municipal governments by July 1, 2013. County and municipal government information on how the 2011 Impact Fee monies were spent are due to the PUC by April 15, 2013.
On February 14, 2012, Gov. Corbett signed into law Act 13 of 2012, the Unconventional Gas Well Impact Fee Act, which amended Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
The PUC is responsible for implementing the provisions contained in Chapters 23 and 33 of the Act. Chapter 23 provides for the imposition, collection and distribution of an unconventional gas well fee (also called a drilling impact fee).
Chapter 33 governs local ordinances that impose conditions, requirements or limitations on oil or gas operations.
For more information, visit the PUC’s Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees webpage.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Wildlands Conservancy Invites Friend Of The Lehigh River Nominations
The Wildlands Conservancy is seeking nominations for its Friend of the Lehigh River Awards which annually recognizes individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, institutions, or government entities for their commitment to preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Lehigh River and its watershed.
Nominations are due May 17 and can be submitted by a one-page summary of the nominee’s accomplishments and justification for receiving the award. Contact information of the nominee and the group or individual making the nomination should be included.
This year’s award winners will be announced during Wildlands Conservancy’s Lehigh River Sojourn Closing Ceremony held at Wildlands Conservancy’s Pool Wildlife Sanctuary on June 24.
Last year’s Friend of the Lehigh River Award winners were: Mario Spangoletti, member of the Whitehall Township Environmental Advisory Council; Tom Shive, retired Central Catholic High School teacher and champion for the school’s EnviroMentor program; and the Hokendauqua Chapter #535 of Trout Unlimited.
Nominations should be sent to: Friend of the Lehigh River Award Nomination Committee, c/o Wildlands Conservancy, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049 or email nominations to: msciarrino@wildlandspa.org.
For more information, contact Megan Sciarrino, director of annual fund and communications, at 610-965-4397, ext. 116 or send email to: msciarrino@wildlandspa.org.
Project Learning Tree Grants Available For Classrooms
Project Learning Tree is now accepting applications from schools and nonprofit organizations for environmental service-learning projects. Deadline for applications is September 30.
Do you have an idea for a school/community native plant garden, a forest improvement project, a streamside restoration plan, a recycling program, or energy conservation project for your students? Need funds to implement it? Apply for a Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! grant!
Traditional GreenWorks grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded in support of environmental projects that demonstrate service-learning, exemplify student voice, involve at least one community partner, and can be completed within a year. To be eligible, projects must secure at least 50 percent in matching funds (in-kind acceptable).
GreenWork! grants for registered PLT GreenSchools of up to $3,000 support projects that meet all the parameters for traditional GreenWorks grant funding are also available. To be eligible, applicants must be a school (public or private), be registered on the PLT GreenSchoo! Web site, have an established Green Team, have completed one or more of the PLT GreenSchools Investigations, and propose a project based on the findings of one or more of the PLT GreenSchools Investigations.
For more information and applications, visit the Project Learning Tree website.
Tuesday NewsClips
High School Team Part Of Marcellus Water Monitoring Research
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
Monday, April 1, 2013
DEP Celebrates Earth Month With Full Calendar Of Environmental Activities
The Department of Environmental Protection kicked off Earth Month Monday with the launch of its Earth Day Central webpage and the announcement that the agency will display its interactive “DEP at Home” exhibit in the East Wing Rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, from April 22-26.
Earth Day on Monday, April 22, is an annual global observance that reminds people to do their part to care for the Earth’s air, land and water.
"This interactive exhibit has significant educational value, and I am delighted we have the opportunity to share it with fellow Commonwealth employees and visitors to the Capitol, especially students,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “I encourage anyone who can to stop by and see it during Earth Week.”
DEP at Home is an interactive, educational exhibit fashioned into a home structure that features practices and products promoting energy efficiency and environmentally beneficial products for the home. It was created through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Building is open to visitors weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. DEP’s energy experts will be at the exhibit daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to answer visitors’ questions and share details about the exhibit. All visitors must go through a visitor entrance to gain access to the Capitol.
In addition to visiting the DEP at Home exhibit, the agency encourages all Pennsylvanians to visit the Earth Month page of its website to post events around the state to the virtual calendar and learn about activities that DEP’s regional offices and other organizations are hosting, as well as Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania events.
The Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, an annual effort DEP sponsors, is happening now through May 31 to encourage communities and individuals to organize cleanup events throughout the state.
There will also be a free DEP at Home webinar, Watch Your Waste, on April 3, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Award Announcements
During Earth Month, DEP will announce the winners of its new Employee Recognition Awards, the Environmental Education grants and the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.
For more information, visit the Earth Day Central webpage.
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