Tuesday NewsClips

Gas Rush Prompts DEP Shuffle
DEP Plans Back To Basics Department Reordering
Major Changes Coming To PA Oil And Gas Oversight
Two Former DEP Secretaries Weigh In On Reported DEP Shakeup
Senators Introduce Flood Recovery Package
Senators Tout Bills In Response To Lee Flooding
Senators Tout Bills In Response To Lee Flooding
Senators Propose Additional Relief For Flood Damage
Disaster Center Opens In Susquehanna County
FEMA Center Is Open At Lebanon Valley Mall
Flooding Affects Some PPL Recreation Areas, Nature Programs
Battered Levee Gets Checkup
Lt. Governor Not Specific On Flat Gas Well Fee
Editorial: Gas Impact Fee Would Be Better Than Nothing
Gas Industry Group Sues Western PA Community
CEO Leadership Conference Zeros In On Marcellus Shale
Observer-Reporter Joins PG In Drilling Lawsuit
SRBC Calls On Congress To Restore Funds For River Forecasting
Allentown Looks To Create Revitalized Lehigh Riverfront
Chrin Landfill Drops Appeal, Pays DEP Fine
Coalition Gathering Support Of Increase Transportation Fees
Blog: Corman Puts Transportation At Top Of Fall To-Do List
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Senators Unveil Bipartisan $250 Million Flood Relief Package

In response to the heavy flooding caused by tropical storms Irene and Lee earlier this month, five senators Monday announced they will introduce a comprehensive, bipartisan legislative package aimed at bringing relief to those affected by the disaster.

Senators John Gordner (R-Columbia), Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), Gene Yaw (R-Bradford), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) and John Blake (D-Lackawanna) unveiled the seven-piece package at a news conference at the state capitol that combines financial assistance, infrastructure funding and tax breaks for affected areas.

"Our goal is to provide financial assistance to communities affected by flooding and provide the resources to ensure that the recovery effort will take place as quickly as possible" said Sen. Gordner. "We've all toured our flooded communities and we have seen how hard-hit they have been by these storms."

Sen. Baker, who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said she is also planning to conduct several committee hearings on issues ranging from creating a state disaster assistance fund to the utilities' response to prolonged power outages after Hurricane Irene.

"We have a bipartisan commitment to helping our residents and local officials get back on their feet," Sen. Baker said. "There is widespread damage so we need to have a good plan in place to jumpstart our recovery effort."

Among the bills announced today are measures to:

-- Establish a restricted account in the State Treasury to provide additional state grant monies to individuals and families based on income eligibility and damage losses.

-- Authorize $250 million for the state share of flood-related highway and bridge rehabilitation projects.

-- Allow local taxing bodies to abate real estate taxes for properties substantially affected by the flood.

-- Authorize a county-by-county list of highway, bridge, flood control and hazard mitigation projects that need rehabilitation.

-- Give the Secretary of Education the authority to waive certain requirements for public and non-public schools that were substantially affected by the flood.

The Senators said the cost of the individual assistance programs would be paid for with the state's current budget surplus and the cost of repairing infrastructure would be funded through the issuance of state bonds under existing authority.

"People in my district have lost their homes, their livelihoods and in one instance their life, as a result of this catastrophic flood," said Sen. Yaw. "This legislative package is a lifeline for those individuals, families, business owners and municipal governments who are in dire need of assistance."

"Regardless of political party or municipal boundaries, the flood victims in northeastern and central Pennsylvania desperately need our help," Sen. Yudichak said. "This package of bills begins the process for Pennsylvania to supplement the aid provided by the federal government and will provide valuable resources to those heavily impacted by the flooding."

"The amount of damage caused and the number of lives affected by this catastrophe is really disheartening," Sen. Blake said, who serves as the Democratic chair of the Senate Local Government Committee. "I knew, and my colleagues knew, that we needed to step up for those families and businesses that lost so much in this flooding event."

A fact sheet on the proposal is available online.

Anyone Working To Restore Flood Damaged Streams Should Contact DEP First

Citing experience with 1972’s Hurricane Agnes, the Fish and Boat Commission is urging municipalities and residents impacted by the flooding from Tropical Storm Lee to contact the Department of Environmental Protection before conducting any work to reconstruct damaged stream channels.

“Hurricane Agnes in 1972 arguably caused the greatest flood-related destruction in recent memory state-wide, and the widespread damage sparked massive cleanup efforts across the state,” said Dave Spotts, chief of the PFBC Division of Environmental Services. “In that era, government regulatory agencies attempted to issue emergency permits that allowed municipalities and residents to clear debris and reconstruct stream channels in and around some of Pennsylvania’s streams.”

“Unknowingly, well-intentioned restoration efforts often were unpermitted, ill-defined or excessive, which hindered the natural recovery of these waters,” he added. “However, it is important to remember that these sensitive aquatic ecosystems also have to recover from the wrath of Mother Nature, much like Pennsylvania’s residents.”

Prior to conducting any work within stream channels, individuals must first contact a DEP regional office. Depending upon the scope and size of the proposed stream restoration project, as well as what kind of equipment is needed to be used in the stream, DEP will direct the applicant to acquire one of several waterway encroachment permits. The permits are classified as emergency, general, or a PA/Federal Joint. DEP often seeks input from various resource agencies, such as the Fish and Boat Commission, to incorporate plans to help a stream recover.

DEP recently released a fact sheet called “Permitting Options for Flood-Damaged Bridges and Other Water Obstructions and Encroachments.” To find your nearest DEP regional office, choose “Regional Resources” on the DEP's home page.

“History has shown that large-scale flood events can dramatically change the landscape,” said Spotts. “During these events, it is difficult for a Pennsylvania resident to stand by and watch flood waters destroy property and possessions without taking action. When prioritizing a recovery plan for your property, we urge you to consult with DEP to obtain guidance in the recovery process.”

Monday NewsClips

Drilling Impact Fee, School Choice Top Fall Priorities
Op-Ed: We Can Agree On The Gas Drilling Fee, Rep. Quinn
DRBC Poised To Enact New Gas Drilling Rules
Flooding Poses Threat To Chesapeake Bay Area
Susquehanna Slammed Businesses Along Its Path
Editorial: Rising Tide
Sustainability Conference Begins Thursday In Pittsburgh
Editorial: Wind(less) Power
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Sunday NewsClips

Corbett: PA's Surplus Money May Be Needed For Flood Cleanup
Corbett Says Surplus May Be Needed For Damaged Infrastructure
Corbett Readies PA For Cleanup
Experts Praise Corbett's Calm During Flood
DEP Inspections Show More Shale Well Cement Problems
Health Survey In Marcellus Shale Areas To Be Conducted
Interfaith Group Says It Opposes Shale Wells As Too Risky
Utica Shale Could Be Another Energy Barn Burner
For Those Near Rivers, Fear Of Future Flooding
39 Years Later, Devastating Storms Share Similarities
Officials See Tropical Storm Lee Impact Equal To Irene's
FEMA Flood Prevention Cash Unused In Lehigh Valley
Feds Take Blame In River Gauge Flap
Funding For River Gauges Still In Jeopardy
Editorial: River Gauge Issues Show Lack Of Coordination
Levee Fee Critics Are Changing Their Minds
Stewart On The Green Provides Ohiopyle Focus
Volunteers Clean Up At 15 Erie County Sites
Seven Springs To Host Earth-Friendly Fair
Presque Isle Advisory Committee Marking 25 Years
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Saturday NewsClips

Biden Vows Help To Flooded PA
Officials Want Answers On River Gauge
USGS: New River Gauge Says River Up To 48.6 Feet
Flooded Towns Say Levees Made Matters Worse Elsewhere
Farmers Endure Astronomical Storm Losses
DEP Announces Emergency Mosquito Control In Flood Counties
PPL: Storm Repairs Costs $30 Million
PA Marcellus Shale Pipeline Gets Nod
Onorato: Marcellus Drilling Still A Prospect For Allegheny Airport
Demise Of Water Line Warranty Plan Hurts Many
Girl's Memory To Live On At Sam Lewis State Park
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Sept. 19 PA Environment Digest Now Available

Sept. 19 PA Environment Digest now available. Click Here to print this Digest.

Harrisburg: What They Didn't Do On Their Summer Vacation

With the Senate returning to voting session September 19 and the House September 26, it will be back to business on a whole range of issues that didn't get done before the summer break. Here's a sampling of what's in store for the Fall--

-- Marcellus Shale: With the July 22 report of the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission now on the books, complete with recommendations for 30 or more changes in state law and at least a dozen impact fee or severance tax proposals from both Republicans and Democrats still waiting, the General Assembly will have its work cut out for it.
Gov. Corbett has not yet said which recommendations he agrees with from the report, but has said that forced pooling to require landowners without natural gas leases to allow their resources to be taken with compensation but without a lease is a non-starter.
In a radio interview on Thursday, Corbett said he would have his own version of a drilling impact fee ready in a week or two, but the focus of the fee would be to compensate communities for damage to roads, bridges and other negative impacts from drilling. The funds may also be used by the PA Emergency Management Agency for environmental cleanup from drilling.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) have both said regulatory changes will be a priority in the Fall. They also said they hope to work with the Governor to pass a version of an impact fee proposal he will sign into law.
After drilling for Marcellus Shale natural gas for eight years, will the General Assembly now decide to update the 1984 Oil and Gas Act? Stay tuned. Click Here to read more…

Friday NewsClips

Agencies Start Compiling List Of Flood Damage
Flood Damage For Dauphin County Nears $150 Million
NE PA Senators To Address Disaster Issues
Senators Will Announce Flood Aid Package
Chesapeake Energy Pitches In With Flood Cleanup
Waterways Polluted With Debris, Raw Sewage
Recovery: Loans Available To Buy Energy Efficient Appliances
Corbett Outlines Possible Drilling Impact Fee
Corbett: Drilling Fee Should Aid Locals, Cleanups
Column: Rendell Angers Drillers At Marcellus Conference
Floods Didn't Affect Marcellus Shale Drilling DEP Says
Drillers Weren't Required To Tell DEP They Shut Down During Flooding
First EPA Hearing On Fracking In Pittsburgh
Dozens Of Volunteers Brighten West Reading Borough Block
Group: Industry Could Block Anti-Pollution Efforts Here
How Businesses Are Making Pittsburgh Greener (Video)
Land Preservation Or A Pig In A Poke?
UnCork York Wine Trail- Mason-Dixon Wine Trail
Point State Park's New Cafe Lunch On The Lawn
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DEP Announces Weekend Hours For Offices In Flooded Regions

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday that beginning Saturday, September 17, its regional offices in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County; Williamsport, Lycoming County; Harrisburg, Dauphin County; and Norristown, Montgomery County, will open for weekend shifts.

The offices will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. until demand for services has ceased. As of now, they are slated to be open through Sunday, October 9.

During the weekend hours, residents who need water test kits to ensure the safety of their private water supplies will be able to pick up the kits and drop off the samples for testing. Additionally, samples can be dropped off each Friday until 4 p.m.

In Williamsport, staff will also be on-hand to issue emergency permits for work in stream channels, such as debris removal.

The offices are located at 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre; 208 W. 3rd St., Suite 101, Williamsport; 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg; and 2 E. Main St., Norristown.

For directions, visit the DEP Regional Resources webpage.