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Call For Presenters
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Abstracts will be accepted through January 31, 2014.
Symposium will be held May 7, 2014 in State College, PA
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Webinars
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DEP Webinar on Proposed Oil & Gas Regulations
January 3, 2014
9:30-10:30am
DEP will review changes to GP-8 that pertain to temporary road crossings and environmental testing or monitoring activities.
Jan. 7, 2014
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
U.S EPA's Green Infrastructure Program
March 4, 2014
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Green Winter Tip
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"Scraping the windshield" photo by MBK.
Avoid scraping frost from your car's windshield by misting its windows the evening before a freeze with a solution of three parts vinegar to one part water.
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Videos to Watch
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Harvard Law School Professor Richard Lazarus delivered this lecture
Part 2 will air January 13 at 7 p.m. Each part of "WaterWise" chronicles 6 to 8 stories of efforts by inspiring volunteer watershed groups throughout Pennsylvania.
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Grants
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Due: January 6, 2014
Due: January 10, 2014
Due: January 14, 2014
Letters of Interest
Due: January 24, 2014
Inland rivers and green infrastructure projects are eligible!
Due: January 31, 2014
Due: February 5, 2014
Starting February 5, 2014
2014 WREN Water Education Grants
Due: March 21, 2014
Details and Applications available January 2014
Up to $5,000
Due: February 14, 2014
(or when they receive 1,500 applications)
Due February 29, 2014
Due: April 30, 2014
Other Funding:
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Books
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 | | by John A. Conners |
 | | by George Annandale |
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Presentations from Recent Conferences
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Presentations from the 2013 Susquehanna Water Science Forum
Topics included:
Identifying Greatest Stressors to Aquatic Ecosystem Integrity; Evaluating Effects of Stressors; Balancing Competing Users for Long-term Sustainability; Using Science to Achieve Balanced Policy and Regulation
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| Save the Date |
Stroudsburg, PA
January 7, 2014
8:30am-3pm
North Wales, PA
January 16, 2014
10am-Noon
January 21-23, 2014
New Orleans, LA
February 5, 6, 19, 20, 25, 26, 2014
February 8, 2014
(rescheduled from 12/14)
8:30am-4pm
Storm Water Management
Exton, PA
February 11, 2014
8:30am-3pm
Blue Bell, PA
February 20, 2014
10am-Noon
Feb. 21 - 22, 2014
24th Annual PALMS Conference: Healthy Lakes, Healthy Communities
State College, PA
March 19, 2014
2014 PA Rural Water Association Annual Conference
March 25-28, 2014
State College, PA
7th West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium
Apr 10 - 11, 2014
State College, PA
9th National Water Quality Monitoring Conference
Aprril 28 - May 2, 2014
Cincinnati, OH
River Rally
Pittsburgh, PA
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Join Our List
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Subscribe to WREN's free E-Newsletter
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December Feature: It May Be Wintry Weather, but Look Forward to Spring - Begin Planning Your WREN Grant Project Now
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 What are the ingredients that blend together to form the perfect WREN grant project? Perhaps it's one part inspiration and one part determination that result in a winning formula.
In the first of two articles spotlighting current WREN projects, we take a look at a new drinking water protection program developed by a coalition called the Columbia-Montour Coalition for Source Water Protection that focuses on public education in two counties to encourage protecting community water supplies now and for the future. Read more...
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| Late Breaking News...PA Supreme Court Upholds Pennsylvania's Environmental Rights Amendment and Strikes Down Zoning Pre-Emption of Act 13 Oil and Gas Act | | | Read More: State Supreme Court Rules That Municipalities can Limit What Gas Drillers Can Do (TribLIVE article) |
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A Proposed General Permit Needs Your Input
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by Stephen P. Kunz, Schmid & Company, Inc. 
Public Comments are being accepted by PA DEP until January 10, 2014
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection PADEP is proposing to modify one of its Chapter 105 General Permits for regulated activities in streams and wetlands and plans to reissue Chapter 105 General Permit 8. Why is this important? Read More...
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The Science behind Water Management
Forum Shares the Latest in Understanding Threats to the Susquehanna River
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 | | "Susquehanna River" photo by Robert & Pat Rogers |
by Pat Devlin
Your local water supply could be subject to impacts from energy production, natural gas drilling, climate change, and other emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and invasive species. Looking at the science behind these issues can help water managers sort fact from fiction. So what are scientists saying about the Susquehanna River Basin's water resources? Read more...
Click here for presentations from the October 7-8, 2013 Forum.
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A Win for Water Quality in Rural Pennsylvania
$35 Million in Transportation Bill for Dirt and Gravel Roads Program
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On November 25, 2013, Governor Corbett signed a Transportation Bill into law which included $35 million for the Dirt and Gravel Road Program; a seven fold increase over previous years.
Rural roads are significant sources of pollution, and contribute sediment pollution to the waters of the Commonwealth. The Dirt and Gravel Road Program improves unpaved roads to help prevent runoff and sediment from entering streams and other waterways (see photo below) and can be a resource for source water protection efforts.
 | | This photo illustrates runoff from an unpaved road entering a high quality Pennsylvania stream. The Dirt and Gravel Roads Program works to prevent this pollution event from happening. Photo from Penn State's Dirt and Gravel Road Studies website. |
Under this transportation package, $35 million was allotted for the state's Dirt and Gravel Roads Program. Of this amount, $28 million was allocated to conservation districts and $7 million to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
The funds are distributed by the State Conservation Commission to the 65 county conservation districts which participate in the Dirt and Gravel Roads Program. Each year, townships and boroughs work with their local conservation district to address identified sites using environmentally-sound road maintenance practices. Currently, there are more than 14,000 identified sites in need of infrastructure improvements in Pennsylvania. Through partnerships with multiple stakeholders, conservation districts will be able to begin to implement on the ground efforts.
Since its inception, the Dirt & Gravel Roads Program has invested $75 million in the commonwealth's unpaved roads and improved water quality.
Click here for more information on Pennsylvania's Dirt and Gravel Roads and here to connect with your county conservation district.
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Update on Federal Farm Bill
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Farm Bill Update
Before leaving for the holiday recess, the House passed a short-term Farm Bill extension that authorizes programs through January 31st.
This means negotiations for final, comprehensive legislation will continue after the new year. The current Farm Bill expired on September 30th.
At this point, Senate leaders have stated they will not vote on a Farm Bill extension, and instead, plan to continue focus on passing new legislation.
The farm bill includes important measures to protect water quality including the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, and Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
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Policy Updates and Public Comments Requested
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Make your views known. PA DEP has requested Public Comment on the following:
- On Nov. 1, 2013, PA DEP released the results of the fourth, and final, quarterly report detailing progress under its new Permit Review Process and Permit Decision Guarantee Policy. According to DEP, since implementing the permit improvement policies, the agency now makes 95 percent of permit decisions within the guaranteed timeframes outlined in the Permit Decision Guarantee policy. Click here for more information. A public comment period is open through December 31, 2013, to allow feedback about the effectiveness of the new policy.
- Chapter 105 General Permit 8 Changes are now open for comment. Chapter 105 is for temporary crossings across regulated waters. The proposed GP-8 sets no special restrictions on its use or eligibility in Special Protection waters. It does require applicants to obtain a current PNDI (Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory) review receipt, and to implement an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. Comments are due by January 10, 2014. Click here for instructions on submitting comments.
- Oil and Gas Regulation Proposal - Comments due to EQB by February 12, 2014. View DEP Press Release. See article below.
Current Bills Under Consideration by PA Legislators
- "Endangered Species Coordination Act" - HB 1576 and SB 1047: Senator Alloway's Senate Game and Fisheries Committee has scheduled a hearing in Indiana, PA on January 10, 2014. It is expected that the Game Commission, Fish & Boat Commission, PA Chamber of Business and Industry, and the PA Builders Association will testify. House Bill 1576 and Senate Bill 1047 would fundamentally change endangered species protection and habitat protection in Pennsylvania. Bill advocates say they want more transparency, scrutiny and opportunities for the public, developers, drillers, coal mining companies and environmentalists to have a say and ability to appeal decisions when a project involves land listed as habitat for a threatened or endangered species.
- Click here to read the Pennsylvania Environmental Council's position on the bills. The proposed legislation could come up for vote when the legislature reconvenes in early January. Participate in your government and let your legislators hear from you.
PA Legislative Session Schedule
- Click here for calendars and committee meeting schedules. The legislature is currently on a holiday break. They will reconvene in January.
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Oil & Gas Regulations Now Open for Comment
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Environmental Quality Board Opens Public Comment Period on Proposed Oil and Gas Regulations, Will Hold Public Hearings; DEP to Host Informational Webinars
 The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Quality Board announced recently that the public comment period opened on Saturday, December 14, 2013, for a proposed regulation for environmental protection performance standards associated with oil and gas activities with comments due by 2/12/14. View DEP Press Release. View Notice in PA Bulletin.
The proposed regulation implements key provisions of Act 13 of 2012, including:
- further consideration of impacts to public resources, such as parks and wildlife areas;
- the prevention of spills;
- the management of waste;
- the restoration of well sites after drilling;
- standards affecting the construction of gathering lines and temporary pipelines, and
- provisions for identifying and monitoring abandoned wells close to proposed well sites.
The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) is a 20-member independent board chaired by the Secretary of DEP that adopts all of the department's regulations and considers petitions to change regulations. During the public comment period, the EQB will host seven (7) public hearings across Pennsylvania and offer multiple ways to submit comments.
For more information or to register for DEP's Informational webinars, visit www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: Webinars. After registration, an email will be sent containing a link to the webinar. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the Oil and Gas webinars webpage for future viewing.
To view materials for the proposed regulation, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click the "Proposed Oil and Gas Regulations" button.
Information Webinars
Along with the EQB hearings, DEP will hold a webinar on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., to present information and answer questions on the proposed regulation.
Click here for more information on the webinar. To register, visit DEP's Informational webinars page, visit www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: Webinars. After registration, an email will be sent containing a link to the webinar. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the Oil and Gas webinars webpage for future viewing. Public HearingsPeople wishing to present verbal testimony at a hearing are requested to contact the EQB at least one week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time. Those who wish to present testimony at the hearing may use the address below or call the EQB at 717-787-4526 to reserve time to testify. All relevant written and oral comments that are received at a public hearing will be considered when finalizing the regulation. Witnesses are limited to five minutes of testimony and are requested to submit three written copies of their testimony to the hearing chairperson at the hearing. Organizations are limited to designating one witness to present testimony on their behalf at each hearing.
Individuals in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the EQB to discuss their needs at 717-787-4526 or make accommodations through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 800-654-5984 (TDD) or 800-654-5988 (voice users).
Public Hearing Dates and Locations
The public hearings will be held at 6 p.m.
Wyoming County
Jan. 7, 2014, Tunkhannock High School Auditorium, 135 Tiger Drive, Tunkhannock, PA 18657
Chester County
Jan. 9, 2014, West Chester University of Pennsylvania's Sykes Student Union Theater, 110 West Rosedale Avenue, West Chester, PA 19383
Lycoming County
Jan. 13, 2014, Pennsylvania College of Technology's Klump Academic Center, One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701
Crawford County
Jan. 15, 2014, Meadville Area Senior High School Auditorium, 930 North Street, Meadville, PA 16335
Cumberland County
Jan. 16, 2014, Good Hope Middle School Auditorium, 451 Skyport Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Washington County
Jan. 22, 2014, Washington and Jefferson College's Rossin Campus Center / Allen Ballroom, 60 South Lincoln Street, Washington, PA 15301
Indiana County
Jan. 23, 2014, Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Convention and Athletic Complex, 711 Pratt Drive, Indiana, PA 15705
Online CommentsThe public is invited to submit comments to the EQB regarding the proposed rulemaking by Feb. 12, 2014. Along with their comments, people can submit a one-page summary of their comments to the EQB. Comments, including the one page summary, may be submitted to EQB by accessing the EQB's Online Public Comment System at http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/RegComments.
Written CommentsWritten comments and summaries should be mailed to Environmental Quality Board, P.O. Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477. The summaries and a formal comment and response document will be distributed to the EQB and available publicly prior to the meeting when the final rulemaking will be considered. Email CommentsPeople can also submit comments to RegComments@pa.gov. Online and email comments must also be received by the EQB on or before Feb. 12, 2014. If an acknowledgement of comments submitted online or by email is not received by the sender within two business days, the comments should be re-sent to the EQB to ensure receipt.
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Funds from Act 13 Unconventional Gas Well Impact Fee May be Used to Benefit Water Quality and Plug Old Wells
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Pennsylvania legislators passed Act 13 overhauling the state's natural gas drilling laws on February 8, 2012. The law places an impact fee on every well drilled for gas in the Marcellus Shale formation. The fee changes from year to year based on natural gas prices. For example, the impact fee brought in $204 million to Pennsylvania for 2011, and $202 million during 2012, reflecting the decrease in the price of natural gas.
Sixty percent of the revenue goes to counties and municipalities hosting unconventional Marcellus wells. The remaining 40 percent goes to various state agencies involved in regulating drilling and to the Marcellus Legacy Fund- which gets spread out around the state for environmental and infrastructure projects. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) administers the collection and disbursement of the Impact fee. (See article below for more information on the Fund).
Eligible Uses of Impact Fees
The funds can be used for a variety of water and sewer projects that protect public health. The counties and municipalities receiving money from the Unconventional Gas Well Fund are required to spend the money in one of 13 categories:
- Construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of roadways, bridges and public infrastructure
- Water, storm water and sewer systems, including construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair
- Emergency preparedness and public safety, including law enforcement and fire services, hazardous material response, 911, equipment acquisition and other services
- Environmental programs, including trails, parks and recreation, open space, flood plain management, conservation districts and agricultural preservation
- Preservation and reclamation of surface and subsurface waters and water supplies
- Tax reductions, including homestead exclusions
- Projects to increase the availability of safe and affordable housing to residents
- Records management, geographic information systems and information technology
- The delivery of social services
- Judicial services
- Deposit into the municipality's capital reserve fund if the funds are used solely for a purpose set forth in Act 13 of 2012
- Career and technical centers for training of workers in the oil and gas industry
- Local or regional planning initiatives under the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L. 805, No. 247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
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WREN encourages water systems and conservation groups to start the conversation with local and county officials about ways to address water issues using Impact fee funding. For example, educate county and local officials about how these funds can be used to properly plug old wells before aquifers become contaminated. Unsealed wells act as direct conduits to groundwater. Assemble your water action plan now.
Click here to read the annual report of fund revenue and disbursements from the unconventional gas well impact fee at the PUC website. Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about Act 13. |
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Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund Grants $28 Million
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 | | "Solomon's Creek" by John-Morgan, from Flickr's Creative Commons. |
Over $28 million in Marcellus Legacy Fund grants were recently announced to support land and water protection efforts throughout the state. Impact fees on natural gas drilling have generated more than $400 million so far. Forty percent of the fees collected are allocated to the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund. A portion of that fund is distributed in the form of grants from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support statewide conservation and recreation efforts. This initial round of grants distributed more than $28 million in grants. Here is a breakdown of the grants distributed by the CFA: - $5.6 million to restore streams impaired by polluted runoff in 18 counties.
- $16 million to support 116 greenway, trail and recreation projects throughout the state.
- $5.2 million to support 12 abandoned mine drainage abatement and treatment projects statewide.
- $700,000 to support flood mitigation projects in Blair, Bucks, Lackawanna and Northumberland counties.
- $225,000 to plug orphaned and abandoned wells in Allegheny and Washington counties.
- $500,000 for baseline water quality data.
Click here to view the list of projects funded. The list includes 12 abandoned mine drainage projects; 2 baseline water quality data projects; 4 flood mitigation projects; 116 greenway, trail and recreation projects; 2 orphan well projects; and 32 watershed restoration and protection projects.
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Educational Opportunities Not to Be Missed
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Make a resolution to learn more about environmental issues. Here are some upcoming opportunities. 
Stroudsburg, PA
January 7, 2014, 8:30am - 3:00pm
Cost: $80 PRWA Members / $115 Non-Members (Includes all supplies, materials, and lunch)
OR
February 11, 2014 in Exton, PA
Storm water management is becoming more important in community planning, source water protection and wet weather impacts on wastewater systems. This course is for operators of water/wastewater systems that desire to learn about stormwater management and its impact on water/wastewater systems. It will also be helpful for anyone wishing to gain more knowledge on what storm water is and how it can impact communities. Click here to register for the Stroudsburg session and here for Exton.
U.S EPA's Green Infrastructure Program Webinar
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New Finding: Only Half of Drugs in Sewage Removed at Treatment Plant
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A new report from the International Joint Commission, a consortium of officials from the United States and Canada who study the Great Lakes, found that only half of the drugs and other emerging contaminants in sewage are removed by treatment plants. 
The impact of most of these "chemicals of emerging concern" on the health of people and aquatic life remains unclear. Nevertheless, the commission report concludes that better water treatment is needed.
The scientists reviewed 10 years of data from wastewater treatment plants worldwide to see how well they removed 42 compounds that are increasingly showing up in the Great Lakes.
Six chemicals were detected frequently and had a low rate of removal in treated effluent: an herbicide, an anti-seizure drug, two antibiotic drugs, an antibacterial drug and an anti-inflammatory drug. Caffeine, acetaminophen and estriol (a natural estrogen) also were frequently detected in sewage but had high removal rates.
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Photo by Health Gauge from Flickr Creative Commons.
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The wastewater plants had a low removal rate (less than 25 percent chance of removing 75 percent or more) for 11 of the 42 chemicals.
Most sewage treatment plants were not designed to handle these types of emerging contaminants. It is important to keep in mind that thanks to advances in science, officials can now detect tiny amounts - parts per trillion, even - of all sorts of things. Newer technologies, such as ozonation, membrane or carbon filters, are effective at removing pharmaceuticals and other new chemicals, but are expensive.
Drugs and personal care products, industrial chemicals present at low concentrations, and chemicals may affect hormone status, referred to as "endocrine disruptors." Although we can't do a lot about drugs we excrete, we can remind people not to flush drugs and offer safe, convenient disposal alternatives to flushing.
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| Water Policy News is published monthly by the Water Resources Education Network, a project of the League of Women Voters of PA - Citizen Education Fund. Please send your water education related programs and activities to WREN Project Director. Visit www.sourcewaterpa.org to learn more about drinking water protection. Visit wren.palwv.org to learn more about WREN and local projects in PA. For more events, check the
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