New Commission Gathers Citizen Input on Gas Drilling

The creation of the commission is in response to another created earlier this year by Gov. Tom Corbett, the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.
August 30, 2011

A new commission launching this week will give the residents of Pennsylvania an opportunity to weigh in on Marcellus Shale drilling in a way that could influence lawmakers.
Former state legislators Carole Rubley and Dan Surra will co-chair the Citizens Marcellus Shale Commission, which will hold hearings across Pennsylvania to gather resident perspectives and produce a final report for policymakers.
The first of five hearings will be held Wednesday at South Fayette Middle School in South Fayette.
"Marcellus Shale development will have a huge impact on our commonwealth and it is critical that we get it right," Surra said in a prepared statement. "This commission will give citizens an opportunity to add their voice and bring some necessary balance to this critical debate....MORE

DCNR Secretary: Cameron County Artisan Center Boosts Economy

Artisan Trail Helps Make Pennsylvania Wilds a Tourism Destination
EMPORIUM, Pa., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard J. Allan today visited the Cameron County Artisan Center in Emporium, a popular stop on the Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Trail.
Allan said the center is making a difference to individual businesses and artisans while contributing to the overall momentum of the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative. DCNR has supported the artisan project with Growing Greener grant funding working with the Lumber Heritage Region and other partners.
"This effort seems to be clearly demonstrating the power of a brand that promotes authentic local products, many made with wood and other natural materials, as well as a positive conservation 'buy local' message," Allan said. "The artisan project is becoming increasingly important to the overall Pennsylvania Wilds initiative. The region's many skilled artisans help give the Pennsylvania Wilds its unique sense of place and make it a destination. Several of our state parks are now showcasing local artisan works and promoting the trail." ....MORE

Photo of the Day

We did not expect to see a human specimen in the PPG Aquarium!

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Photo of the Day

I think these deer can READ

Photo of the Day

The Bradford Flames Gymnastics Team Shows Their Stuff At Festa Italiana

Photo of the Day

Old and young; Gary Clark teaches a young lady the fine art of fly casting

44 Pa. counties get drought notices

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About the Author
Don
Hopey
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Call 412-263-1983
Don Hopey has been covering environment issues for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette since 1992.
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44 Pa. counties get drought notices
Saturday, August 06, 2011
By Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Four northern tier counties are under drought warnings, and Allegheny County is one of 40 counties under a drought watch, issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection Friday.
The drought warnings and watches are based on recent precipitation deficits, groundwater, stream flow and water supply storage measurements and soil moisture assessments. The notifications carry recommendations for voluntary water use reductions, and the DEP is also notifying water suppliers in the 44 affected counties to monitor water supplies and update drought contingency plans.
A drought watch is the least severe of the three DEP drought classifications. It calls for a voluntary 5 percent reduction in nonessential water use and notifies large water consumers to start planning for possible reductions in water supplies.
A drought warning -- issued to Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter counties -- asks residents to voluntarily reduce water use by 10 to 15 percent.
"With the hot, dry summer, our statewide monitoring network indicates a need to take some voluntary common sense steps to conserve," said DEP Secretary Mike Krancer in a news release. "We recommended this [action] to Pennsylvania's Drought Task Force, and the members agreed."
Despite plentiful rainfall earlier this year and some recent scattered thunderstorms, many counties have experienced precipitation deficits in recent months. Elk County precipitation is 4.1 inches below normal over the past 90 days and Chester County is 4.4 inches below normal.
Measurements taken at the Pittsburgh International Airport show rainfall for the first week of August is about a third of an inch below normal, but the year-to-date rainfall remains 3.67 inches above normal.
"Allegheny could be above normal for the year, but we also look at stream flow and soil moisture data when making the drought designations," said Jamie Legenos, a DEP spokeswoman.
Water conservation measures suggested by the DEP include running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, taking short showers instead of baths, installing low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets and checking for household leaks, like a running toilet. A toilet can leak about 200 gallons a day.
Don Hopey: 412-263-1983.Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11218/1165617-454.stm#ixzz1ULQnu4NC

CAMP CADET RIDE change of plan

from Brian Harmon; The Camp Cadet motorcycle ride scheduled for today has been turned into a Camp Cadet celebration and party at My Place in Emporium, Time 1:00 pm, the cost will be $10.00 a person for pulled pork, and deli sandwichs. A large amount of auction items will be avaialble for bid, 50/50's, and door prizes. All street legal sneakers, flip flops and rain coats are welcome.

Photo of the Day

Saw these five ducks lounging on a log in a reclaimed mining pond near Tyler, Pa.

Photo of the Day

Starting to see some real nice bucks on the plantation