By Christopher Abruzzo, Acting Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection
Recently, The Patriot-News’ editorial board wrongly asserted the Department of Environmental Protection is taking a “go-slow” approach that is impeding progress with the Susquehanna River.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, there is a plan to protect the Susquehanna River. This plan put DEP biologists on the river and its many tributaries for 187 days last year, taking composite data readings and hundreds upon hundreds of samples to further hone in on the river’s water quality.
The state’s execution of the Susquehanna River Study Plan for 2013 is underway right now, with staff taking even more samples and readings at no less than 32 sites in the Susquehanna River basin for dozens of different water quality indicators.
The Patriot News inaccurately, and without citation to any credible source, opined that DEP’s biologists and scientists, highly trained and educated public servants committed to protecting the environment, are “looking for the wrong things in wrong places.”
That is simply not true.
Our team is taking samples of algae, screening for phosphorus and nitrogen, examining fish and mussels, taking readings on pesticide levels, and deploying innovative technology to take readings of androgenic and estrogenic compounds.
These are exactly the types of “things” any reasonable scientist would do to assess water quality. Our biologists and scientists are working in the tributaries of the three main sections of the river: the Juniata, the West Branch and the main stem.
One of my first actions at DEP was to extend an invitation to Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway to offer to work together to identify the problem, including sharing our data and teaming up in the field, and drafting a joint plan of action. We agreed to do so.
While various issues have impacted the state’s smallmouth population, no other species are showing such signs of stress. Nor have these issues been credibly linked to any water quality issues. As a recent article in your paper has pointed out, rivers are very complex.
There are real life consequences affecting those citizens living and working along the Susquehanna River which requires a responsible scientific approach to this issue. Current data do not support impairment, which the federal EPA has agreed with, and – this cannot be repeated enough – an impairment listing does not come with any funding or support from the federal government.
An impairment designation without an understanding of the causes of the issues facing the bass brings us no closer to a solution and attaches an unfortunate stigma to the Susquehanna River.
Nonetheless, DEP is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to this issue and is more than willing to partner with our colleagues at the Fish and Boat Commission to identify this problem.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Saturday NewsClips
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 24 PA Environment Digest Now Available
EPA Will Not OK Nutrient Reductions From Manure Treatment Tech Under SB 994
On June 19 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that practices and technologies that are not approved by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program will not be allowed to be counted toward meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.
The manure treatment technologies at the heart of Senate Bill 994 (Vogel-R-Beaver) now pending in the Senate are not approved by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.
Harry Campbell, Executive Director of the PA Office of Chesapeake Bay Foundation, wrote to all members of the Senate Thursday saying it would be imprudent to move ahead with any consideration of Senate Bill 944 in light of this new information.
The text of the letter follows--
Dear Senator,
Yesterday (June 19) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that practices and technologies that are not approved by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program will not be allowed to be counted toward meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.
In a presentation by EPA to the Chesapeake Bay Program Trading and Offset Workgroup, EPA staff stated that only pollution reduction practices that are approved by the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program will be acceptable in counting towards the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint (i.e., TMDL).
Manure treatment technologies, like the expensive, capital-intensive technologies behind the introduction of Senate Bill 994, are not currently accepted by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program and will not be able to be counted toward meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.
Given limited resources and thousands of Pennsylvania impaired streams, we believe that emphasis on established clean water programs and pollution reduction practices that are currently accepted by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, are fundamental to Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs), and help meet local water quality impairment while providing a large number of additional benefits—like reduced flooding, drinking water protection and improvement, improved herd health, and community revitalization—must be the Commonwealth’s core focus.
We have offered proposed amendments to Senate Bill 994 to Sen. Vogel’s office that we believe will significantly and positively increase the demand for real and marketable pollution reduction credits in the current trading marketplace and deal with other flaws in the bill.
Given this new information, we believe it would be imprudent to move ahead with any consideration of Senate Bill 994 before the complex issues raised in the bill are thoroughly explored with the bill sponsors and other stakeholders. There are many ways we can innovate and advance our common goals if we choose to work on them.
CBF continues to urge members to oppose Senate Bill 994 as currently written and we continue to stand by all the earlier comments we made on the bill in our June 17 letter to you.
Sincerely,
H.L. Campbell III, Pennsylvania Executive Director
Let Senators Know How Your Feel!
Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Pay More, Get Less, Senate Bill 994, Act Now!
DEP Now Accepting Applications For Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its latest round of Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration and Protection Grants. Applications are due August 16. (formal notice)
The Department anticipates there will be approximately $18 million available for Growing Greener grants, $3 million available for 319 NPS grants and $2 million available for acid mine drainage set-aside grants in this round.
For the upcoming grant round, the Department will invest in projects that will ultimately protect or restore, or both, this Commonwealth's watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution.
Examples of special priority areas include: projects located in ''priority'' watersheds that reduce the source of impairment; ''priority'' type activities that lead to water quality restoration or protection; and projects that support the installation of agricultural Best Management Practices to achieve compliance with existing agricultural water quality requirements.
Examples of eligible projects include those that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired, projects that will help reduce Total Maximum Daily Load pollutants and integrating stormwater management into watershed management and water conservation strategies.
Through the same application process, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department's Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Grant Programs and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program.
SMCRA grants are available to various entities including municipalities, municipal authorities and nonprofit organizations for projects meeting SMCRA Set Aside or Bond Forfeiture grant requirements. Section 319 grants focus on funding similar projects to Growing Greener but with special emphasis within targeted watersheds.
Eligible applicants include: counties, authorities and other municipalities; county conservation districts; watershed organizations recognized by the Department who promote local watershed conservation efforts, council of governments and other authorized organizations involved in the restoration and protection of the environment in this Commonwealth.
Click Here to download the application package in Word format or Click Here to download the application package as a PDF file. visit DEP’s Growing Greener webpage or send email to: GrowingGreener@pa.gov.
Friday NewsClips
Thursday, June 20, 2013
DEP Issues Air Quality Action Alert For 5 PA Regions
The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast an orange air quality action day for ozone for Friday, June 21 in the Lehigh Valley, Liberty-Clairton, Pittsburgh and Susquehanna areas and Mercer County.
On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.
The air quality forecast predicts Friday to be code orange for ozone.
The Lehigh Valley region is Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties. The Liberty-Clairton region is the municipalities of Clairton, Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln and Port Vue, all in southeastern Allegheny County. The Pittsburgh region is Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The Susquehanna Valley region is Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties. Click Here for more details.
On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.
The air quality forecast predicts Friday to be code orange for ozone.
The Lehigh Valley region is Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties. The Liberty-Clairton region is the municipalities of Clairton, Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln and Port Vue, all in southeastern Allegheny County. The Pittsburgh region is Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The Susquehanna Valley region is Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties. Click Here for more details.
EPA Will Not OK Nutrient Reductions From Manure Treatment Tech Under SB 944
On June 19 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that practices and technologies that are not approved by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program will not be allowed to be counted toward meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.
The manure treatment technologies at the heart of Senate Bill 994 (Vogel-R-Beaver) now pending in the Senate are not approved by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.
Harry Campbell, Executive Director of the PA Office of Chesapeake Bay Foundation, wrote to all members of the Senate saying it would be imprudent to move ahead with any consideration of Senate Bill 944 in light of this new information.
The text of the letter follows--
Dear Senator,
Yesterday (June 19) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that practices and technologies that are not approved by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program will not be allowed to be counted toward meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.
In a presentation by EPA to the Chesapeake Bay Program Trading and Offset Workgroup, EPA staff stated that only pollution reduction practices that are approved by the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program will be acceptable in counting towards the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint (i.e., TMDL).
Manure treatment technologies, like the expensive, capital-intensive technologies behind the introduction of Senate Bill 994, are not currently accepted by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program and will not be able to be counted toward meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.
Given limited resources and thousands of Pennsylvania impaired streams, we believe that emphasis on established clean water programs and pollution reduction practices that are currently accepted by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, are fundamental to Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs), and help meet local water quality impairment while providing a large number of additional benefits—like reduced flooding, drinking water protection and improvement, improved herd health, and community revitalization—must be the Commonwealth’s core focus.
We have offered proposed amendments to Senate Bill 994 to Sen. Vogel’s office that we believe will significantly and positively increase the demand for real and marketable pollution reduction credits in the current trading marketplace and deal with other flaws in the bill.
Given this new information, we believe it would be imprudent to move ahead with any consideration of Senate Bill 994 before the complex issues raised in the bill are thoroughly explored with the bill sponsors and other stakeholders. There are many ways we can innovate and advance our common goals if we choose to work on them.
CBF continues to urge members to oppose Senate Bill 994 as currently written and we continue to stand by all the earlier comments we made on the bill in our June 17 letter to you.
Sincerely,
H.L. Campbell III, Pennsylvania Executive Director
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