APRIL 2009 WHAT'S NEW

April 2009

SRBC Takes Enforcement Action Against Natural Gas Driller
On April 15, SRBC initiated enforcement action against Ohio-based Belden & Blake Corporation, a natural gas drilling company, for using water without approval from SRBC to hydraulically facture the Marcellus shale formation in Smithfield Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. SRBC also ordered the company to immediately stop consumptively using water in any projects targeting the Marcellus or Utica shale formations. Read More.

SRBC Drought Coordination Committee Convenes, Water Challenges Expected in Lower Susquehanna Region if Rainfall Deficits Continue
On April 1, SRBC convened its interagency Drought Coordination Committee to assess growing impacts to water resources in the Susquehanna basin due to ongoing precipitation shortfalls. Three consecutive months of shortfalls have caused streams and groundwater levels to drop well below normal for this time of the year, particularly in the Lower Susquehanna region in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Read more.

Robert Hughes of EPCAMR Receives SRBC's William Jeanes Environmental Excellence Award
SRBC recently presented the Commission's sixth William W. Jeanes, Sr. Award for Environmental Excellence to Robert E. Hughes for his commitment and dedication to abandoned mine reclamation and abandoned mine drainage (AMD) remediation. Robert Hughes is the executive director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR)--a nonprofit organization covering 16 counties in eastern Pennsylvania. The Jeanes Award honors organizations and individualswho contribute to the protection of water quality.Read more.

Robert Hughes (left) receives award from
SRBC Chair Dr. Robert Summers of Maryland


SRBC Adopts 2009 Water Resources Program
SRBC is required by the Susquehanna River Basin Compact (Article 14, Section 14.2) to annually produce and adopt a Water Resources Program (WRP) that lists projects and facilities to be undertaken by SRBC and other governmental and non-governmental interests to meet the water resource needs of the Susquehanna basin. The 2009 Water Resources Program was adopted by the commissioners on March 12, 2009, and it includes input from SRBC, 15 federal agencies, 9 state agencies, 12 regional, county and local agencies, and 14 non-governmental entities. The 80-page WRP is now available on SRBC's web site at www.srbc.net/planning/water-resources2009.htm. For hard copies, email srbc@srbc.net or call (717) 238-0423, ext. 302.

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