414 Acres Of Forestland Added To Elk State Forest In Cameron County By Western PA Conservancy

There is now more land in Cameron County for hikers to explore and wildlife to thrive, thanks to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s permanent protection of 414 acres of forestland in Gibson Township.

The property was immediately conveyed to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to become a new addition to Elk State Forest, one of several popular state forests in the PA Wilds that safeguards water quality, large forests and wildlife habitat for many species including deer, black bear and elk.

This newly conserved forested land protects more than 6,500 feet of frontage along Driftwood Branch Sinnemahoning Creek and contains mountain streams, small wetland areas, old agricultural fields and mature timber stands.

These natural features, along with the land’s low-elevation riparian zones, provide a high level of resiliency to climate change because of its varied topography and forest habitats. 

Grindstone Hollow Run, a wild brook trout stream, flows through the property. These tributary streams are within the West Branch Susquehanna River watershed, a priority area for the Conservancy’s land conservation and watershed protection programs.

This property is now a part of Elk State Forest’s Bucktail State Park Natural Area, a wild expanse of northern hardwood forest, steep mountains, beautiful hills and deep valleys that provide important habitat for many species. 

Nature lovers frequent this area, especially in the fall, via a 75-mile scenic stretch of PA 120 along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Sinnemahoning Creek. 

Located directly north of the Bucktail Overlook (also known as Top of the World), the property provides a panoramic view of the Sinnemahoning Creek watershed and is a popular place for elk viewing.

“Protecting this beautiful land helps water quality, saves and connects forestland, provides critical habitat for species at risk and offers public recreation opportunities, so it achieves many of our crucial land protection criteria,” says Tom Saunders, president and CEO of the Conservancy. “We’re pleased to continue our longstanding efforts to add lands to the state forest system for all to enjoy.”

Conservation of this forestland was made possible thanks to funding from DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry. 

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

The Conservancy has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 250,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, maintains 132 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 11,000 volunteers and the support of more than 9,000 members.

(Reprinted from Western PA Conservancy Water Land Life newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Articles:

-- House Committee Hears Benefits Of Forested Stream Buffers-- Increasing Property Values, Water Quality Improvements, Reduced Impacts From Flooding; Builders, Republican Chair Worried About A ‘Taking’ Of Property  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: 633 Acres Of Drake's Creek Watershed In Carbon County Preserved By Lehigh Valley's Wildlands Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- 414 Acres Of Forestland Added To Elk State Forest In Cameron County By Western PA Conservancy  [PaEN] 

-- Western PA Conservancy Begins Accepting Canoe Access Development Grants Oct. 16  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 2, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

Western PA Conservancy Begins Accepting Canoe Access Development Grants Oct. 16

The Western PA Conservancy will begin accepting applications for Canoe Access Development Grants for Western Pennsylvania on October 16.  Deadline for applications November 20.

Founded in 2008 by WPC donors and outdoor enthusiasts Roy Weil and Mary Shaw, WPC’s Canoe Access Development Fund provides grants designed to help make the region’s rivers and streams more accessible for outdoor recreation such as canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

Eligible organizations include watershed groups, conservation organizations, paddle clubs, agencies and other eligible parties to develop canoe and kayak access sites across Western Pennsylvania.

Projects in these counties would be eligible-- Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

For all the details, visit WPC’s Canoe Access Development Grants webpage.  Questions should be directed to Kelly Norrell, WPC Watershed Program Administrator, at khorrell@paconserve.org or 724-471-7202, ext. 5105.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

The Conservancy has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 250,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, maintains 132 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 11,000 volunteers and the support of more than 9,000 members.

(Reprinted from Western PA Conservancy Water Land Life newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Articles:

-- House Committee Hears Benefits Of Forested Stream Buffers-- Increasing Property Values, Water Quality Improvements, Reduced Impacts From Flooding; Builders, Republican Chair Worried About A ‘Taking’ Of Property  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: 633 Acres Of Drake's Creek Watershed In Carbon County Preserved By Lehigh Valley's Wildlands Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- 414 Acres Of Forestland Added To Elk State Forest In Cameron County By Western PA Conservancy  [PaEN] 

-- Western PA Conservancy Begins Accepting Canoe Access Development Grants Oct. 16  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 2, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

Pennsylvania Students Join Others At Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Summit To Take Action On Climate Change

In Virginia Beach over the weekend, 40 high school students, including three from Pennsylvania, and others from Virginia, and Maryland worked to develop climate change solutions that can be implemented in their communities at the biannual Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Student Leadership Summit.

“It helped build my confidence that climate advocacy can make a difference, and climate resiliency is possible,” said Morgan Stellfox of Enola, and a junior at East Pennsboro High School. “I found the oyster bagging educational because it covered an area I didn’t know too much about, being from PA, and it was really interesting to see a method of reusing to recover in action.”

Other Pennsylvania students attending were Balla Delgado of Harrisburg and Bishop-McDevitt High School, and Benjamin Dietrich of Kennett Square and Kennett High School.

Over the course of three days from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, high schoolers in CBF’s Student Leadership Program discussed pressing issues with environmental leaders and investigated the impacts of climate change on local forests, marshes, and the Chesapeake Bay by collecting water quality data and conducting biological surveys.

They spent the weekend at CBF’s Brock Environmental Center and camped at First Landing State Park, also working on maintenance of native plant gardens and oyster restoration. 

Each student developed a final action project identifying solutions and recommendations for climate resiliency in their communities and across the region.

Luna Mendoza of Virginia Beach is a junior at An Achievable Dream Academy. Mendoza joined students from across the region to make a difference in addressing climate change and resiliency.

“It affects us every single day, whether we want it to or not. If there’s flooding, I’m going to be affected by it. I can’t get to school sometimes even,” Mendoza said. “I’m still young and I want to make an impact prior to waiting too late and wishing I had.”

CBF's Student Leadership program equips the next generation of environmental stewards to take action through advocacy, restoration projects, and addressing issues in their communities. 

It is open to all high school students in the Bay watershed, which encompasses parts of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

“Student leaders are making a difference locally by finding solutions that create more resilient communities and healthier rivers and streams,” said CBF Vice President for Education Tom Ackerman. “These students are the next generation of environmental problem-solvers and they set an important example for their peers and all of us.”

This is the 50th year of CBF’s award-winning environmental education program, which has led more than 1.5 million people in hands-on environmental investigations.

Research shows that outdoor learning helps students improve resilience, problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork, and leads to higher test scores and stronger engagement in school.

CBF offers many different types of environmental education experiences. Schools can sign up to take students on a CBF field experience. 

To find out more, visit CBF’s Student Leadership Program webpage.

For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage.  Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column).  Click Here to support their work.

Also visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to learn how you can help clean water grow on trees.

CBF has over 275,000 members in Bay Watershed.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

Check DEP’s 2022 Water Quality Report to find out how clean streams are near you.

Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates on Pennsylvania’s progress.

(Photo:  right- Morgan Stellfox of Enola and a junior at East Pennsboro High School.)

Related Article This Week:

-- House Committee Hears Benefits Of Forested Stream Buffers-- Increasing Property Values, Water Quality Improvements, Reduced Impacts From Flooding; Builders, Republican Chair Worried About A ‘Taking’ Of Property  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 2, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

PUC: Focus Of Natural Gas Explosion In Port Richmond Section Of Philadelphia Now Inside The Buildings

On October 2, the Public Utility Commission reported there is no evidence public utility natural gas equipment was the cause of the home explosions in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia on New Years Day 2023.

To date, the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Safety Division has not found any evidence that public utility equipment caused the event, but that investigation remains active and ongoing. 

Additionally, the Safety Division continues to work closely with the Philadelphia Fire Marshal and is assisting with the ongoing review of events and equipment downstream of the utility’s natural gas meter inside the buildings, which remain the focus of this investigation but are outside the scope of the PUC’s jurisdiction.

Miller Street Incident Overview

In the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, on Jan. 1, 2023, pipeline safety engineers responded to the scene of a reported explosion in the 3500 block of Miller Street in Philadelphia that destroyed three homes, damaged numerous surrounding homes and buildings and injured several residents.   

While initial firefighting and recovery efforts were underway, investigators from the Safety Division began gathering preliminary information from residents, responders, and utilities around that location. 

After the initial fire and rescue activities concluded, safety engineers began a more detailed investigation at the site – working alongside other agencies who also responded to the incident.

The investigation by pipeline safety engineers included detailed interviews with Philadelphia Natural Gas Works employees, first responders and residents; the extensive examination of physical jurisdictional evidence after the incident scene and surrounding structures were made safe and debris removed; the detailed review of utility operational records; the monitoring of service restorations and repairs around the incident site; and other observations by expert engineers. 

Leak surveys of two PGW natural gas mains and services located in the street did not identify natural gas leaks in the vicinity of the explosion and no integrity concerns were discovered on the service lines in the area.  

Testing of other PGW facilities around the incident site, including meters, is continuing, as is the analysis of natural gas passing through the meter immediately prior to the incident.

The Safety Division continues to investigate all jurisdictional assets and data.

It is important to note that I&E investigations are limited – by regulation – to the involvement of, or impact from, utilities and utility systems under the jurisdiction of the PUC, along with natural gas transported by those assets. 

I&E does not have jurisdiction to investigate items, events, or piping beyond the outlet of a service meter within a structure.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

NewsClip:

-- TribLive: Car Rally Held To Raise Money For Rustic Ridge Families Impacted By Home Explosion, Fires In Allegheny County

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Sept. 23 to 29; More Abandoned Wells; Oil & Gas Doesn’t Typically Issue NOVs For ‘Routine’ Venting Of Natural Gas, Will Air Quality Under New Regs?  [PaEN] 

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - September 30   [PaEN] 

-- DEP Invites Comments On Title V Air Quality Permit For Eastern Gas Transmission Compressor Station In Westmoreland County At Oct. 31 Hearing  [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 54 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In September 30 PA Bulletin  [PaEN] 

Related Article This Week:

-- Repsol Gas USA Issued Violation For Denying DEP Right To Document Damaged Shale Gas Well Casing During Investigation Of Uncontrolled Gas Venting In Bradford County  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 2, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

Allegheny County Conservation District, Grow Pittsburgh Offer Gardeners Free Soil Lead Screening

The Allegheny County Conservation District is hosting its biannual free soil lead screening in partnership with Grow Pittsburgh from October 11 to 15. Soil samples will be accepted at five locations.  

Interest in backyard gardening is surging in Allegheny County, as well as initiatives to revitalize vacant lots into community greenspace and urban gardens. 

Contaminants are common in urban soils and can be hazardous to health when inhaled or ingested. Soil testing is the first step to reduce risk of exposure.   

All participants must pre-register online.

ACCD will contact you to confirm your registration with detailed instructions on how to collect, label and drop off your soil samples.  

Drop-Off Locations 

Once you collect and label your soil samples, drop off at any of the locations below during open hours between October 11 and 15-- 

-- EAST END: Garden Resource Center, 147 Putnam St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (Wednesday and Friday from 3 PM- 6 PM; Saturday from 9 AM- 3 PM)

-- SOUTH SIDE: Soil Sisters Plant Nursery, 123 Beltzhoover Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 (Wednesday -Friday from 5 PM- 8 PM, Saturday- Sunday from 11 AM- 5 PM)

-- WEST END: Farmer Girl Eb Shop, 1 Noblestown Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 (Wednesday - Friday from 11 AM- 7 PM; Saturday from 9 AM- 5 PM)

-- NORTHSIDE: Allegheny Commons Community Garden, 300 Stockton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (Wednesday - Sunday from 9 AM- 7 PM)

Results will be sent to you within approximately two weeks, along with information to help you understand and act on your results.  

Direct questions to Natural Resource Outreach Educator Hayly Hoch at hhoch@accdpa.org or call 412-241-7645 ext. 8009.

Visit the Allegheny County Conservation District website for more information on services and educational opportunities available through the District.

[Find out about your conservation district by visiting the PA Association of Conservation Districts website.]

Related Articles This Week:

-- House Committee Hears Benefits Of Forested Stream Buffers-- Increasing Property Values, Water Quality Improvements, Reduced Impacts From Flooding; Builders, Republican Chair Worried About A ‘Taking’ Of Property  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: 633 Acres Of Drake's Creek Watershed In Carbon County Preserved By Lehigh Valley's Wildlands Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- Allegheny County Conservation District, Grow Pittsburgh Offer Gardeners Free Soil Lead Screening  [PaEN]

-- Pike County Conservation District: What Is The Conservation Districts' Role?  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 2, 2023]  PA Environment Digest