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WHAT'S NEW
August 2008
SRBC
Issues Report on Nutrient Pollution Levels and Sources in the
Conestoga River Watershed
As
part of a 5-year project from 2005 to 2010, the Susquehanna River
Basin Commission (SRBC) released a report, Conestoga River Watershed
Total Maximum Daily Loads Development, An Interim Data Report,
on the sources and quantities of nutrient pollutants – nitrogen
and phosphorus – in the Conestoga River Watershed during
low flow periods. SRBC cited nutrient discharges from point sources,
including wastewater treatment plants, as the dominant influence
on water quality in the watershed during low flow periods, when
streams are often fed largely by groundwater – a condition
known as base flow. Read
More Download
Report
SRBC To Require All Natural
Gas Well Development Projects In Susquehanna Basin To Obtain Prior
Approval Regardless of Amount of Water Used
On
August 14, SRBC notified natural gas operators that as of October
15, 2008 any amount of water withdrawn or consumptively used to
develop wells in the Marcellus, Utica or other shale formations
in the Susquehanna watershed will require prior approval from
SRBC. SRBC regulations – 18 CFR, Section 806.5 – allow
its executive director to make a determination when water-use
activities, regardless of the amount of water, have the potential
to affect the water resources of the Susquehanna basin. Read
More. Download
Notice of Determination. Visit
SRBC’s Marcellus Shale Web Page.
July 2008
SRBC, Winner,
O'Mara, Elmira Water Board and NYSDEC Mark Final Set-Up Year for
Early Warning System to Protect Southern Tier Water Supplies
On
July 22, SRBC was joined by Senator George Winner (53rd District),
Assemblyman Tom O’Mara (137th District), Elmira Water Board
General Manager Mark LaDouce and Ray Yacuzzo, Special Assistant
to the Commissioner, N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC) to mark an important
milestone toward the full deployment of the Susquehanna Basin
Early Warning System (EWS) in 2009 for the Elmira and Binghamton
public water supply systems. The EWS will help the two public
water supply systems protect drinking water supplies for their
300,000 plus customers. Read
More
SRBC Issues
Water Availability Study for Deer Creek
SRBC
today released a study projecting water use demands on Deer Creek
Watershed through the year 2025 and detailing the limits of Deer
Creek to meet water supply demands during low flows. The population
of this rapidly developing bi-state watershed is projected to
undergo another 24 percent increase by the year 2025. The increase
is currently fueled by growth and development around Shrewsbury
in York County, Pennsylvania, and Bel Air in Harford County, Maryland,
and will be further intensified by the military base realignment
plan for Aberdeen Proving Ground. The Deer Creek Availability
Study is available on SRBC's web site at www.srbc.net/planning.
July 15 Free
Seminar -- Local Governments and Community Interest in Natural
Gas Exploration -- Set For Elected and Appointed Officials
The Cornell Cooperative
Extension and the Community and Rural Development Institute are
hosting a July 15 Local Governments and Community Interest
In Natural Gas Exploration seminar for officials who need
to know about Marcellus Shale gas leasing and drilling. SRBC is
among the many co-sponsors. Persons interested in participating
in the free evening seminar can join in person at the Town of
Chenango building or as a webinar. For additional information
on the seminar and how to register,
Read
More...
Climate Change Discussed at July 1 SRBC WQAC Meeting
On July 1, SRBC convened its
Water Quality Advisory Committee (WQAC) for a special-focus session
entitled Climate Change and Water Resource Management in the Susquehanna
River Basin. Several speakers representing non-profit, government,
and academia from New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, as well
as SRBC, gave very informative presentations. Click the following
Read More link for the agenda and to download their PowerPoint
presentations. For more information on SRBC's WQAC, contact David
Heicher, Chief, Watershed Assessment and Protection Division at
dheicher@srbc.net. Read
More...
June 2008
Projects
Approved at June 12 SRBC Meeting
At the June 12 business
meeting in Elmira, NY, SRBC approved 14 applications for water
withdrawals and/or consumptive water uses and two modifications
to existing approvals.
Read
More...
SRBC
To Hold Public Meeting on June 26 on U.S. Gypsum Company Washingtonville
Plant Application for Water Withdrawal and Consumptive
Use
SRBC will hold a public information meeting on June 26, 2008,
6:30 p.m., at the Jane E. DeLong Memorial Hall (Community Center),
7 Church St. (corner of 3rd and Church St), Washingtonville, PA.
The purpose of the meeting is to receive comments and answer questions
on the U. S. Gypsum Company's application to withdraw 350,000
gallons per day (gpd) from groundwater and consumptively use up
to 432,000 gpd, for processes related to the commercial production
of gypsum wallboard. Read
the Notice... or Read
the Information sheet...
SRBC’s
Marcellus Shale and Gas Well Drilling Presentation
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On June 12 at SRBC’s quarterly business
meeting, Mike Brownell, Chief, Water Resources Management
Division, presented information on gas well drilling and
development in the Marcellus Shale formation. Among the
main points, Brownell described: (1) the Marcellus Shale
formation and its occurrence in the Susquehanna River Basin,
(2) the technology being used to capture natural gas in
this shale formation, (3) SRBC’s water-use and withdrawal
regulations, and (4) SRBC’s next steps regarding site
inspections, Approval By Rule
provision and other regulatory actions. Download
SRBC’s PowerPoint in PDF format… |
SRBC Notifies
23 Companies that Water Used for Developing Natural Gas Wells
In Susquehanna Basin Needs Approval
On June 6, SRBC notified
23 natural gas operators currently using or planning to use water
to
develop wells in the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations in the
Susquehanna watershed that
they must have approval from SRBC. The process of developing natural
gas wells in the two shale formations includes using water for
drilling, for storage in on-site impoundments and subsurface rock
fracturing (known as hydrofracing). Companies operating without
prior water use approval for those and other water-related activities
will be considered in willful noncompliance if they continue
to operate after receiving SRBC’s notice. Read
More... Download
Notification...
SRBC Commission Meeting
to Take Place on June 12, 2008
The SRBC quarterly meeting
will take place in Elmira, New York at 8:30 a.m. on June 12, 2008.
The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Elmira-Riverview.
Read
More...
Presentation at Penn State Agriculture in
Balance Conference
On June 2, SRBC Executive
Director Paul Swartz spoke at the Penn State "Agriculture
in Balance" conference. His topic was on the current state
of nutrients in the water. It includes an assessment of progress
regarding nutrient discharge reductions within the Susquehanna
River Basin and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay.
Read Full Remarks... or
View
PowerPoint...
May 2008
| Opinion
from Paul Swartz, SRBC Executive Director: The Farm Bill Will
Help Sustain Agriculture and Environment |
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The passage of the
Farm Bill by Congress last week truly reflects the changing
face of agriculture and the ever-growing demands placed
on individual farmers. In addition to filling our nation’s
bread basket, we also count on our farmers to be good environmental
stewards, who care about land conservation and apply practices
that reduce the amount of nutrients and sediments reaching
our waterways. Read
More...
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Draft Comprehensive
Plan Released for Public Comment
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On May 19, SRBC released its draft
Comprehensive Plan for the Water Resources of the Susquehanna
River Basin for public comment through August 18. SRBC
is required to have a Comprehensive Plan to manage and develop
the Susquehanna basin's water resources and guide SRBC's programs
and activities. The 2008 draft Plan represents a substantial
revision of the 1987 Plan. Read
More... |
Executive Assistant Position Announcement
The Susquehanna River
Basin Commission (SRBC) is seeking a candidate for a high level
administrative position. SRBC is a small, specialized governmental
agency with professional, technical and support staff (www.srbc.net).
Applicants must have excellent organizational and communication
skills. Strong clerical qualifications, including proofreading and
attention to detail, are required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office
software and knowledge of document management are also required.
Candidates must be able to work independently and multi-task to
meet the demands of a busy and highly productive office. This position
involves occasional overnight travel. Qualifications include six
years of clerical and administrative support work. Prior governmental
work experience is preferred. E-mail cover letter and resume to
Mr. Duane Friends at dfriends@srbc.net
or send to Mr. Friends at Susquehanna River Basin Commission,
1721 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 by May 30, 2008. SRBC
is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Consumptive
Water Use Mitigation Plan Released
SRBC recently issued its Consumptive Use Mitigation Plan that
documents current and projected quantities of consumptive water
uses in the Susquehanna watershed and outlines a strategy for
addressing impacts from increased uses. Peak consumptive uses
in 2000 were 500 million gallons per day (gpd). SRBC projects
an increase to more than 1.2 billion gpd by 2025. Water for power
production and domestic uses will remain the top consumptive uses,
with the largest increases being from power production. Read
More...
April 2008
Aquatic Ecologist/Biologist
Position Announcement
Aquatic Ecologist/Biologist needed to perform watershed assessment
and protection work. Qualifications include a degree in aquatic
ecology/biology or related field, and at least 2 years work experience
(graduate work may serve as substitute for work experience). Experience
with characterizing water quality impacts on biological communities
required, within the context of both rural and urban settings.
Additionally, strong computer, communication, and organizational
skills required. GIS experience a plus. Field work and occasional
overnight travel required. Send cover letter and resume to Andrew
Gavin, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1721 North Front Street,
Harrisburg, PA 17102. Position open until filled. SRBC is an Equal
Opportunity Employer (www.srbc.net).
March 2008
Consumptive Water Use
Mitigation Fee Increase Proposed
A proposal to increase SRBC’s consumptive water use mitigation
fee from $0.14 per thousand gallons to $0.28 effective January
1, 2009 (and subject to annual inflationary adjustments) is open
for public comment until May 31, 2008. SRBC is conducting a public
hearing on April 23, 10:00 a.m., at PA Fish and Boat Commission,
Harrisburg, PA.
Read More...
2008 Water Resources Program Released
SRBC
adopted its 2008 Water Resources Program cataloging 12 identified
water resource needs for the Susquehanna basin and the programs
and projects intended to address those needs. SRBC is required
to produce an annual water resource program consisting of programs
and projects proposed in the upcoming years by SRBC, other governmental
agencies, private-sector interests and organizations to address
identified water resource needs.
Read More ...
Projects Approved at March 13 SRBC Meeting
At the March 13 business meeting in Bedford, Pa, SRBC approved
11 applications for water withdrawals and/or consumptive water
uses and 3 modifications to existing approvals.
Read More... |