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Saturday, February 8, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Feb. 10 PA Environment Digest Now Available
PEC: Premature To Lift Gas Leasing Moratorium Before A Thorough Public Discussion
The PA Environmental Council sent a letter to DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti Thursday saying it would be premature for DCNR and the Governor to proceed with the proposal to lease additional DCNR land for natural gas drilling until significant questions about the environmental impact of existing drilling on DCNR land is finished and the best management practices employed to limit those impacts in the leasing plan are discussed with the public and stakeholders.
PEC also said any revenue from additional leasing should remain in the Oil and Gas Fund for DCNR’s use and should not be used to balance the state budget as has been done since 2009.
The budget proposal Gov. Corbett announced Tuesday calls for lifting the moratorium on leasing additional DCNR land for natural gas development to generate $75 million more in revenue for DCNR’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund. The Governor’s Budget Secretary Charles Zogby said additional leasing would be near existing drilling sites and gas companies would not be allowed to construct new well pads.
Secretary Zogby said Gov. Corbett would be issuing a new Executive Order to replace the Executive Order Gov. Rendell issued in 2010 a few days before the gubernatorial election imposing a moratorium on leasing additional State Forest land. The Rendell Administration leased 137,000 acres of State Forest land for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling before the moratorium was put in place.
“We believe that it is premature for DCNR and the Governor to proceed with this proposal without substantive deliberation, and without allowing stakeholders to evaluate the impacts analysis being prepared by DCNR of current natural gas operations on state land,” said Davitt Woodwell, Executive Vice President of PEC. “We do not have a comprehensive understanding of impacts from current operations on state land, and have no assurance of which, if any, best management practices are being employed by operators on state land..”
Woodwell noted as a member of the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, PEC agreed with its recommendations that future leasing would be done with no additional surface impacts to state lands.
“However, while there may be limited instances where leasing of subsurface rights to extend existing well operations located outside of state lands can accomplish minimal impacts to public resources, the decision to proceed should be made only after open and informed consideration,” Woodwell explained.
He said DCNR formed the Natural Gas Advisory Committee to provide advice and expertise to the agency on natural gas management on their lands and the proposal should have been examined by the Committee.
“Given all this, we ask that you suspend pursuance of the Executive Order until this deliberation can take place,” said Woodwell.
Budget Hearings
Next week the General Assembly will begin public hearings on Gov. Corbett’s budget request. The hearing on DCNR’s budget will be held February 19 in the Senate and February 25 in the House.
Saturday Feb. 8 Air Quality Action Day In Susquehanna, Lehigh Valleys
The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnership have forecast an Air Quality Action Day for Saturday, February 8 in the 8 county Susquehanna and Lehigh Valleys. Click Here for details.
Healthy Schools-Healthy Children Conference March 6 Philadelphia
The School District of Philadelphia, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic will host a Healthy Schools-Healthy Children Conference March 6 at the Philadelphia Education Center, 440 N. Broad St., Philadelphia from 8:30 to 4:30.
Training will focus on how school district personnel can take simple, low-cost steps to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools while saving money, improving health, and decreasing student and staff absenteeism.
Click Here for more information.
CBF-PA Responds To Governor’s Budget Proposal
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Friday issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Harry Campbell in response to Gov. Corbett’s 2014-15 budget proposal:
“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is pleased that Gov. Corbett’s budget proposal emphasizes investments in clean water and a healthy environment by ensuring that important conservation programs continue to be fully funded. Currently there are roughly 19,000 miles of rivers and streams that fail to meet clean water standards. And while notable progress has been made, we can and must do better. Continued investment in the conservation programs that improve water quality is critical, and will create jobs and stimulate local economies.
“Funding for one such program, Growing Greener, remains intact. Growing Greener grants are needed for on-the-ground efforts to help achieve the Chesapeake Bay Blueprint and to reduce pollution in our local rivers and streams.
“The Growing Greener program has played a vital role in improving water quality in the Commonwealth for well over a decade now. The importance of this funding source cannot be over-stated, and the clean water successes that have resulted from the program are to be celebrated.
“Additionally, we are optimistic to see that the Governor proposes an increase of $31.8 million into funding for the Department of Environmental Protection management programs.
“CBF will, over the next few months be working with the Governor and legislature to ensure that the Commonwealth continues to make the needed investments in local rivers and streams, and in conservation programs. Reducing pollution and restoring water quality will provide benefits today, and is an important legacy to leave for future generations.”
PA Volunteers Receive Top Honors At Keep America Beautiful National Conference
Two Pennsylvania volunteers-- Boris Weinstein of Allegheny County and Nicole Chandler of Philadelphia were both honored for the efforts in litter reduction and beautification at the Keep America Beautiful Conference this week.
Boris Weinstein, founder of Citizens Against Litter, volunteer with Allegheny CleanWays, and member of the Clean Pittsburgh Commission, was honored with the 2013 Keep America Beautiful Iron Eyes Cody Award.
Boris, a Shadyside resident, received the award for “exceptional leadership in raising public awareness about litter prevention, roadside and community beautification, solid waste issues, and the need for citizens to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands,” according to KAB.
Since 1970, Boris has been an anti-litter crusader in Pittsburgh. He frequently speaks out against litter at public meetings and in editorials; orchestrates biannual regional cleanups; and has inspired residents near and far to pick up litter in their community.
Nicole Chandler, coordinator of Keep Royal Gardens Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and partner of Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, was honored with the Keep America Beautiful Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award for her lifetime work to lead thousands of volunteers in litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and beautification and greening activities.
Nicole has empowered citizens of Philadelphia to take pride in their community and clean and beautify Morris Park, part of the Fairmount Park System in Philadelphia. Nicole continues to secure significant in-kind donations and forge partnerships with local businesses and global corporations to ensure the work continues.
“We are grateful to Keep America Beautiful for the opportunity and congratulate both Boris and Nicole for receiving this national recognition. I commend Boris and Nicole for their local efforts, many achievements and countless contributions to clean and beautiful communities.” stated Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
The Iron Eyes Cody and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson awards were both chosen from a national pool of volunteers. Boris and Nicole were present at the Keep America Beautiful National Convention in Charlotte to accept their awards.
Keep PA Beautiful To Clean Up Illegal Dumpsites In Washington County
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Friday announced it has received $94,336 to continue the removal and abatement of illegal dumpsites in Washington County from the Department of Community and Economic Development, Washington County Commissioners – Local Share Account Fund.
The program, initiated in 2011, offers rehabilitation of Washington County Court System, Furlough Into Service participants and a signficiant cost savings to the community through the provision of community service hours. To date, 261,000 pounds of trash and 3,200 tires have been removed.
As part of the funded program, high-tech cameras are positioned at dumpsites throughout Washington County to capture license plate numbers and acts of illegal dumping and vehicle descriptions. All evidence gathered from these cameras is used to prosecute individuals to the fullest extent of the law.
The program has resulted in several fines and successful prosecutions. The cameras will be repositioned around the county as needed.
Illegal dumpsites have existed throughout Washington County for decades, plaguing roadways, hillsides, and streams. In 2005, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Illegal Dump Survey identified 126 sites, containing an estimated 317 tons of trash.
Negative environmental and economic impacts affect citizens, wildlife, and the natural landscape. Chemicals, asbestos, and drug-related waste could impose more elevated risks.
“We are grateful for the funding and support to continue this valuable program. Our collective goal is a clean and beautiful Washington County,” stated Shannon Reiter, Keep PA Beautiful President.
Questions regarding proper disposal of waste and recycling in Washington County can be answered by Jason Theakston, Recycling Coordinator, Washington County Planning Commission, at 724-228-6811, or send email to: theakstj@co.washington.pa.us.
DEP Reorganization Eliminates Field Operations Deputy
The Executive Board published notice of a reorganization of the Department of Environmental Protection on February 8 (PA Bulletin, page 785).
The reorganization eliminates the position of Deputy Secretary for Field Operations and places DEP major regional offices under the supervision of the Executive Deputy for Programs (Dana Aunkst).
The Office of Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance is placed under the supervision of the DEP Policy Office (Hayley Book). Certain personnel functions are also being combined with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The other major Deputates remain the same: Executive Deputy for Administration (Jeff Logan) and Management, Waste, Air, Radiation and Remediation (Vince Brisini), Water Management (Kelly Heffner), Active and Abandoned Mine Operations (John Stefanko), Oil and Gas Management (Scott Perry) and Chief Counsel (Dennis Whitaker).
PA Recycling Markets Development Summit Set For Feb. 20
The PA Recycling Markets Center will host the annual PA Recycling Markets Development Summit on February 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Philadelphia Center City from 9:30 to 3:00.
The spotlight at this year’s Summit will be on organics and features a welcome by U.S. EPA Region III Administrator Shawn Garvin.
The agenda and registration form are available online.
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