Susquehanna Commission Seeks Real-Time Monitoring Partners In Marcellus Shale Areas

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is seeking partners to help start up a monitoring network that will constantly record water quality conditions of smaller rivers and streams in areas where Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling is taking place in Pennsylvania and New York.
SRBC, state and federal water management officials and others would receive the real-time data electronically. The network would also help local public water suppliers, local watershed groups and communities stay informed.
“As the demand for water from smaller rivers and streams increases, particularly from the natural gas industry, so does the amount of wastewater that is generated,” said Paul Swartz, SRBC Executive Director. “It is important to monitor these smaller, remote waterways to verify whether or not they are being impacted by certain pollutants.”
Swartz said, “The proposed network would essentially be an early warning mechanism to help environmental protection officials respond more rapidly if streams are polluted. The Commission is well qualified to lead this effort as we have operated and maintained a real-time monitoring network on the mainstem Susquehanna River for about six years. The Commission also has extensive experience conducting various types of monitoring throughout the Susquehanna watershed.”
SRBC’s objectives for this proposed network are:
1. To establish a real-time monitoring network at areas of concern in the Susquehanna River Basin in order to provide monitoring data to resource agencies, the regulated community and the public and monitoring to allow timely response in the case of pollution incidents;
2. To establish baseline water quality conditions in targeted areas of the basin;
3. To verify whether or not the natural gas well industry and/or other activities with the potential to cause pollution incidents are causing adverse impacts on local water quality;
4. To reduce the cost of data collection through the utilization of advanced technologies; to form collaborative partnerships to improve monitoring technology and provide educational opportunities;
5. To enhance protection for water supplies through source water monitoring; and
6. To be responsive to public concerns.
SRBC’s proposal calls for 30 monitoring stations in the targeted regions where drilling in the Marcellus shale for natural gas is most active. In these targeted, remote areas, the terrain is mostly forested and lacks easy access for routine monitoring. This network would provide constant monitoring through instruments sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in water quality.
Each of the 30 monitoring stations would be equipped with a datasonde and data platform powered by a solar panel. The equipment would continuously monitor water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductance (ability to conduct electricity) and turbidity (water clarity). The water depth also would be recorded to establish a relationship with stream flows.
“While the Commission has confidence in the value and benefits of this remote monitoring network, we can not do it alone; nor do we assume our proposal is final at this point. We welcome partners from all sectors, private and public, for their financial support and for their feedback and involvement.”
SRBC has been reaching out to and engaging governmental and non-governmental organizations in this effort through meetings and other forms of communication.
For more information on SRBC’s proposed water quality monitoring network, go to SRBC’s website. This webpage contains a project information sheet, power point presentations and other information.

Thursday NewsClips

PA's Projected Deficit Climbs
Gas Firm Cabot Agrees To Reforms, Will Restore Water Supplies
DEP Fines Texas Drilling Firm
In Northern Counties, Marcellus Shale Brings Wealth, Worry
Findlay Mine Drainage Treatment Facility Dedicated
Sewer Overflow Series Begins In McKees Rocks
Loyalhanna Group To Charge For E-Cycling
Mine Owner, Foreman, sentenced In Miner's Death
Plans Moving For $1.5 Million Biomass Boiler In Penns Valley
PPL Customers Can Have Old Appliances Picked Up For Free
Editorial: Energy, A Reason To Come Home
Marcellus Shale, Climate Change, Money, Politics And The Environment
Lycoming Water/Sewer Customers: No Rate Increase In 2010
Resolutions Found For Damaged Creeks

DEP/Cabot Agreement To Prevent Natural Gas Migration, Restore Water Over 9 Square Miles

The Department of Environmental Protection and Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. have executed a consent order and agreement that will provide a long-term solution for migrating gas that has affected 13 water supplies in Dimock Township, Susquehanna County.
The affected area covers nine square miles around Carter Road.
The consent order and agreement outlines a process that will give DEP more oversight of Cabot’s new well construction work in the affected area. Prior to drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or hydro fracking, the company will submit well casing and cementing plans to DEP. Once DEP provides written approval, Cabot may proceed.
“The goal of the consent order and agreement is to ensure a long-term resolution to issues that have emerged in Dimock,” said DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch. “The company will focus on the integrity of the wells in the affected area in an attempt to determine the source of the migrating gas.”
This past week, Cabot has provided an interim solution for all of the homes where water supplies have been affected. Cabot must develop a plan by March 31 to restore or replace the affected water supplies permanently.
Under the consent order and agreement, Cabot must additionally submit to DEP:
-- Information on all parties who have contacted the company about water quantity or quality issues; and
-- A plan that specifically identifies how the company intends to prove the integrity of the casing and cementing on existing wells and fix defective casing and cementing by March 31.
If Cabot fails to fix the defective casing and cementing by the March deadline, the company must plug defective wells or implement another alternative as approved by DEP.
In addition, Cabot paid a $120,000 civil penalty for violations of the Oil and Gas Act, the Solid Waste Management Act and the Clean Streams Law.
The consent order and agreement caps a DEP investigation that began early this year when numerous Dimock area residents reported evidence of natural gas in their water supplies. DEP inspectors discovered that the well casings on some of Cabot’s natural gas wells were cemented improperly or insufficiently, allowing natural gas to migrate to groundwater.
On September 25, following a series of wastewater spills, DEP ordered Cabot to cease hydro fracking natural gas wells throughout Susquehanna County. The prohibition was removed after the company completed a number of important engineering and safety tasks.

Wednesday NewsClips

Few Regulators In Place For Natural Gas Drilling
ALCOSAN Sewage Rates To Jump By 7 Percent
Committed To Schuylkill River Watershed Program
Go Green, Lehigh Valley Business Leaders Told
America Recycles Day Brings Call For Action
Lackawanna County Pushing Tire Recycling To Cut Back Illegal Dumping
Editorial: Debating Climate Change
Increase In Funding to Help Protect Highlands
Editorial: Climate Control Claims Confusing
Editorial: Make Smart, Comfy Home Energy Changes
PPL $440 Million Holtwood Plant Expansion Approved

George Jugovic Named New Southwest Regional Office Director

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger this week named George Jugovic Jr. director of the DEP’s southwest regional office in Pittsburgh.
“The southwest region faces environmental challenges on a daily basis and I am confident that George can effectively direct our efforts to protect the health of our citizens in the region and its resources,” said Secretary Hanger. “George has spent more than two decades defending the environment, making him an excellent choice for the post of regional director.”
The regional director serves as the top administrator in the DEP regional office, responsible for overseeing the Air Quality, Waste Management, Water Management, Water Supply Management, Environmental Cleanup, Emergency Response, Energy and Technology Deployment and Watershed Management programs.
Jugovic most recently served as senior counsel for the southwest office managing enforcement litigation for the department. His experience in environmental protection spans two decades.
Jugovic is a graduate of the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College and The Pennsylvania State University.

Western PA Watershed Mini-Grants Now Being Accepted

Proposals for the 2010 Watershed Mini-Grant program are now being accepted by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Dominion.
Proposals are due December 18.
The program offers funding to watershed organizations in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Cumberland, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Perry, Potter, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Watershed Mini Grants may be used for expenses in three categories: operating costs, organizational promotion and outreach, and/or restoration projects. A cash or non-cash match is preferred but not required. Grants of up to $1,000 may be awarded for operating expenses. Up to $2,500 is available for promotion and outreach or restoration projects.
The grant application and proposal guidelines are available online.
Contact Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to have an application mailed to your organization or to ask questions regarding the application and its required information. Grant applications must be mailed to: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, c/o Teddi Renee Stark, 246 South Walnut Street, Blairsville, PA 15717 or call 724-459-0953 ext. 112 or send email to: tstark@paconserve.org.

Tuesday NewsClips - Election Day!

The Harrisburg Patriot News reported October's state General Fund revenues were not as rosy as the Department of Revenue press release indicated because it includes $1.8 billion in transfers from other state funds (like the Oil and Gas Fund) that were part of the 2009-10 budget agreement. October revenues were just $1.7 billion, $600 million less than last year and $800 million less than 2007.
Fees Keep Marcellus Drilling Inspectors On The Job
Teacher Honored By Trout Unlimited
LIHEAP Sets $1,000 Cap On Cash Aid
Somerset County Plant Converts Waste Material Into Ethanol
George Jugovic Named SW DEP Office Director

Sen. White Responds To DEP, DCNR Budget Cut Stories

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, responded to stories about the significant cuts in the budgets for DEP and DCNR in the Harrisburg Patriot and other newspapers over the weekend. Here's her letter--
While the recent state budget contains difficult spending reductions for all agencies, necessitated by a $3.2 billion deficit, your recent article (Oct. 16) leaves an inaccurate impression on how much money the state's environmental and conservation agencies have available to do their job.
An important component lacking from your report is the fact that the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources receive money outside of the state budget bill. For example, DEP is slated to receive nearly $20 million in new revenue from higher permitting fees - money that will go directly to paying for personnel costs. Additionally, many of the cuts to DEP's budget were for discretionary grant programs, including the elimination of one program The Patriot-News has criticized as "WAMs."
Likewise, DCNR suffered cuts to its budget, but your article overlooks that the agency has $25 million available to it from the 2008 Marcellus Shale lease offering. Recall that in Gov. Rendell's first year, he cut state park funding by 20 percent and not a single park closed.
The budget package also sets aside $50 million in future royalty money for DCNR to use virtually anywhere in its budget. And DEP and DCNR continue to benefit from other off-budget programs, such as Growing Greener and the Keystone Fund.
The budget cuts are real and will require difficult management decisions. But your readers deserve an accurate picture of the total resources agencies have available to do their job.

Trail Work Continues Along Wissahickon

The Friends of the Wissahickon have been working on trails leading to Devil’s Pool, a project that includes the lower trail between Valley Green Road and Livezey Lane, crossing at Devil's Pool, along with a section of the upper trail from Livezey Lane to the switchback near Cresheim Creek.
This project is part of FOW’s Sustainable Trails Initiative, which will comprehensively rebuild the entire 50 mile natural surface trail system in Wissahickon Valley Park, making it a physically and socially sustainable system that works for all park users.
The current project at Devil’s Pool is being completed in partnership with the Fairmount Park Commission and with support from the International Mountain Biking Association in the form of a Trail Specialist who is managing work at the site.
In this photo, workers from Paul Steinbeiser Landscape Design and Construction are using mortar to set stones from the Wissahickon into a cement foundation, creating a natural looking staircase down to Cresheim Creek from the upper trail near Livezey Lane.