The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Projects designed to reduce pollution in watersheds impaired by nonpoint source pollution.  Applications are due September 17.

With the Growing Greener II bond funding now spent, the competition for funding can be expected to be intense.  $6 million will be available for Growing Greener Watershed Projects, $3 million in federal 319 watershed funding and $500,000 for flood control projects.  A special priority area is the Chesapeake Bay Watershed where reduction in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution is being targeted.

Examples of eligible projects could include reducing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired; integrating stormwater management and flood protection into watershed management; encouraging the beneficial use of abandoned mine pool water; and water conservation strategies, and projects that will help reduce Total Maximum Daily Load pollutants.

Through the same application process, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department’s Flood Protection Grant Program and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant.  Flood protection grants are intended for communities that operate and maintain State and Federal flood protection projects.  Section 319 grants focus on funding projects similar to Growing Greener but with special emphasis within targeted watersheds.

PA Environment Digest has posted a copy of the application online.

DEP indicated that more information on the 2010 application process would be posted on its Growing Greener webpage.

admin Announcements, Funding Add new tag, Chesapeake Bay, clean water, flood control, Nonpoint source pollution, stormwater runoff, TMDL, watershed protection

The  Little Missouri River in Southwest Arkansas experienced a flash flood last week, with waters that rose over 20 feet in just 5 hours, killing 20 people.  In response to this severe and unusual flooding, the USGS deployed a team of scientists to document and study the flow and height of the floodwater as it coursed down the Little Missouri River and its tributaries.

Flash flooding is one of the biggest causes of natural hazard-related deaths in the United States and we are here collecting data to understand what happened from a hydrologic standpoint, in order to help the emergency management community and National Weather Service better protect and educate the public. For those camping in one of these beautiful spots near flowing water, it is important to know how high and how fast the water can rise in the case of flash floods.

–Dr. Robert Holmes, USGS National Flood Specialist

More details about the USGS WATER ALERT Program are available here>>

admin Announcements flash flood, flood, flooding, stormwater, stormwater runoff, volume control, wet weather

Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier recently announced that she has supplemented her May 19, 2009 determination to include natural gas exploratory wells.

My 2009 determination that sponsors of natural gas extraction projects in shale formations must obtain commission approval before commencing such projects expressly did not cover wells intended solely for exploratory purposes…I am extending the provisions of my 2009 determination to include exploratory wells, subject to reservations for exploratory well projects already approved by the states on or before June 14, 2010.

By this supplemental determination, all natural gas well project sponsors, including the sponsors of natural gas well projects intended solely for exploratory purposes, must first apply for and obtain commission approval before commencing any natural gas well project for the production from or exploration of shale formations within the drainage area of Special Protection Waters in the Delaware River Basin.

Complete details are available here>>

admin Announcements clean water, Delaware River Basin, gas drilling, Marcellus Shale, natural gas, special protection waters, watershed protection

“ART FOR WATER” - BENEFIT ART AUCTION ONLINE THROUGH JUNE 23

Damascus Citizens, along with sponsor Richard Dreyfuss, invite you to an art auction, ART FOR WATER, to benefit a legal fund to protect the Upper Delaware River watershed from the catastrophic threats posed by gas drilling

Master prints and contemporary artworks have been donated by artists, individual collectors and galleries. Included are drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture and mixed-media collages.

Art lovers and interested buyers can view the artwork and bid on Ebay beginning Sunday, June 13, 8:00 p.m. and ending on June 23, 8:00 p.m.

The art can also be viewed in person at ArtSource International Gallery hosted by Joyce Chasan.

A preview will take place on Tuesday, June 22, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and a silent auction and reception will be held on Wednesday, June 23, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

ArtSource International Gallery is located at 333 Park Avenue South (at 25th Street), Suite 2A, NYC.

More information, including images of the artwork for sale can be found here>>

admin Announcements Delaware River Basin, economic development, gas drilling, gas extraction, gas well, human health, Marcellus Shale, water quality

EOG Resources Well Released Fracking Fluid, Natural Gas for 16 Hours

June 4, 2010–Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger has said that his agency intends to investigate aggressively the circumstances surrounding a blowout at a Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, and take the appropriate enforcement action.

At approximately 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, the operators of the well, which is owned by EOG Resources, Inc., lost control of it while preparing to extract gas after hydrofracturing the shale. As a result, the well released natural gas and flowback frack fluid onto the ground and 75 feet into the air. The well was eventually capped around noon on June 4.

Read More>>

C.C. Forbes Ordered to Produce Records, Witness Names

June 9, 2010–The Department of Environmental Protection today ordered C.C. Forbes, of Washington, PA, to suspend all post-hydraulic fracturing activities on Marcellus Shale wells in the state immediately as it continues its investigation into a June 3 well blowout in Clearfield County.

DEP Secretary John Hanger said EOG Resources-the company that owned the well in Lawrence Township-hired C.C. Forbes as a contractor to provide post-hydrofracturing services at the site.

Hanger said DEP’s order also requires C.C. Forbes to provide site and equipment records specific to the well, including any written, photographic and video documentation.

The company must also furnish the names of its employees who were working at the site or have knowledge of the equipment used there. The secretary said those employees must be made available to the department for questioning.

“We need to fully investigate the equipment used by this company to ensure that other sites in Pennsylvania are not in danger of experiencing similar blowouts that could place the public or our environment at risk,” said Hanger. “This was a serious incident that could have resulted in the loss of life or significant damage to our natural resources and the department is prepared to use all means necessary to find the cause of the blowout.

“It is imperative that C.C. Forbes provide all records related to the equipment it used, as well as access to its employees that were present when the incident occurred.”

The order requires C.C. Forbes to cease its operations until receiving DEP’s written consent to resume.

Read More>>

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