WHAT'S NEW

August 2010

View From: Paul O. Swartz, Executive Director
Stream Protection is Being Realized Through Susquehanna Commission's Water Management Program
This summer began with one of the hottest Junes on record in the Susquehanna River Basin.  Successive weeks of extremely high temperatures, blazing sun-filled skies and much below normal rainfall amounts led to emerging drought conditions in late June and early July.  Of particular concern to the Commission and other water management agencies were the rapidly dropping streamflows, especially in northern Pennsylvania. Read More

July 2010

SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz Honored for Excellence in Leadership as Water Resources Manager
SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz was honored in late July with the Leadership Excellence Award from the State Conservation Commission (SCC), an office of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.  Swartz, a native and resident of Hummelstown, was recognized for his outstanding leadership in water resource management spanning back to 1974. Read More

SRBC Convenes Drought Committee, Recent Rains Provided Some Needed Relief as Monitoring Continues
On July 15, SRBC convened its interagency Drought Coordinating Committee to assess water resource conditions throughout the Susquehanna basin.  Recent heavy rain events did provide some needed relief for stressed streams and some groundwater resources in the Susquehanna basin.  The improved conditions, however, will be temporary and short-lived if precipitation amounts do not return to normal.  Read More

July 20 Public Workshop in Owego, NY, on SRBC’S Expanded Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network in Southern Tier New York
SRBC and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) are hosting a free, public workshop on July 20 to explain and get input on SRBC’s expansion of the Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network (RWQMN) in Southern Tier New York.   The workshop will be held July 20, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Treadway Inn & Conference Center, 1100 State Route 17 C, Owego, N.Y.  RSVPs appreciated by July 14 to Ava Stoops at srbc@srbc.net or 717-238-0423 ext. 302. Workshop Flyer  

NYSERDA is providing funding to SRBC to target and install additional monitoring stations in the New York portion of the Susquehanna watershed.  SRBC’s monitoring network provides for real-time monitoring of water quality conditions to protect smaller rivers and streams.  With the demand for water from smaller rivers and streams on the increase – most notably from the natural gas industry – it is important to routinely monitor conditions to verify whether or not water quality impacts are occurring. 

The monitoring data keeps management and conservation agencies informed and able to respond more rapidly if pollution events occur.  It also helps local public water suppliers, watershed groups, communities and the media to stay informed about water quality conditions in local streams. SRBC's Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network.

June 2010

Proposed Rulemaking Changes Initiated at June 11, 2010 Commission Meeting
At the June 11 quarterly business meeting, SRBC's commissioners acted to initiate a proposed rulemaking process that calls for publication of proposed amendments to its project review regulations (18 CFR Parts 806 and 808)  and the establishment of a public comment period on the proposed rulemaking that runs until August 10, 2010.  The commissioners also approved the convening of two public hearings on the proposed rulemaking, which will be held on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at 7:00 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Arena, 2-8 Hawley Street, Binghamton, New York 13901, and Thursday, July 29, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., at the Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.   To see the proposed rulemaking as published in the Federal Register Click Here. Summary.

SRBC Holds Quarterly Meeting, Approves Water Use and Withdrawal Projects, Hears Updates on Paxton Creek Stormwater Management Project, Approves Proposed Rulemaking and Adopts a FY-2012 Budget
On June 11, SRBC held its quarterly business meeting in Harrisburg, Pa.  Among its activities, SRBC voted on regulatory, compliance, administrative matters; presented updates on Paxton Creek Stormwater Management Project and SRBC’s Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network; and heard a presentation by the IMAX movie production staff at Harrisburg Whitaker Center. Read More

SRBC Commission Meeting to Take Place June 11, 2010
The SRBC quarterly meeting will take place in Harrisburg, PA at the Hilton Harrisburg, One North Second Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101. Read More

May 2010

SRBC Opens Field Office in Northern Pennsylvania to Increase Inspections in Marcellus Shale Regions
On May 11, SRBC announced the start-up of its first-ever field office aimed exclusively at enhancing compliance through increased on-site inspections, particularly of natural gas well development projects in the Marcellus and Utica shale regions.  The field office is located on 1760 Elmira Street, Sayre, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Read more.

April 2010

All SRBC Approved Projects and Pending Applications Now Available Online
Access to Information and Electronic Update Features to Enhance Efficiency 
In April, SRBC announced that all SRBC-approved projects and pending water withdrawal and consumptive use applications are now available on the commission’s web site at www.srbc.net/wrp/Default.aspx.   The user-friendly web site allows viewers to locate information using an interactive map or through other search functions, including typing in the names of project sponsors.  Viewers also can sign up to receive project updates through RSS Feed. 

Congressman Holden Receives Frederick L. Zimmermann Award from SRBC
On April 7, SRBC presented its 7th Frederick L. Zimmermann Award to Congressman Tim Holden (PA District 17).  SRBC presents the Zimmermann award (www.srbc.net/about/commawards/zimmerman/zimmerman.htm) periodically to honor elected officials who demonstrate excellence in water resources management by promoting and advancing watershed management and interstate cooperation. Read More

March 2010

SRBC Holds Quarterly Meeting, Approves Water Use and Withdrawal Projects, Hears Updates on Basin’s Hydrologic Conditions and SRBC’s Remote Water Quality Monitoring Program
On March 18, SRBC held its quarterly business meeting in State College, Pa.  Among its activities, SRBC voted on regulatory, compliance, administrative matters; authorized the use of funds to set up an SRBC satellite office in Sayre, Pa., to enhance SRBC’s compliance activities; presented updates on Susquehanna basin hydrologic conditions, National Flood Safety Awareness Week and SRBC’s Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network; and heard a presentation by Dr. James Grace, Deputy Secretary, Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, on natural gas exploration on state forest lands.  Read More

SRBC Commission Meeting to Take Place March 18, 2010
The SRBC quarterly meeting will take place in State College at Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center in the Ballroom, One Country Club Lane, State College, Pennsylvania 16803. Read More

Three Southern Tier NY and Two Northern Tier PA Counties to Receive “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” Signs for Flood-Prone Roads
Sign Project Is Part of National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 15-19
On March 16, as part of National Flood Safety Awareness Week, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) and NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) announced that five counties in southern tier New York and northern tier Pennsylvania will receive road signs alerting drivers to turn around when roads are flooded.  According to NWS, more than 50 percent of the fatalities during flood events result from people attempting to drive on flooded roadways. Read More

USFWS Announces Public Review of Draft SRAFRC Migratory Fish Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin
On March 10, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that the Draft Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin is now available for public review and comment. USFWS chairs the Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Cooperative (SRAFRC), which is an interagency organization dedicated to the management and restoration of American shad, river herring, hickory shad, gizzard shad, American eel, striped bass, and other migratory fish in the Susquehanna River Basin. Read More

SRBC's Real-Time Water Quality Data Available Online
Water Managers and Public Can Track if Streams are Impacted by Pollution
On March 4, SRBC announced that real-time data from six initial remote water quality monitoring stations are now available on SRBC’s web site at www.srbc.net/programs/remotenetwork.htm.  A user-friendly map, graphs and charts are key features for viewing and understanding the data. Read More

SRBC Appoints Rynearson Chief Administrative Officer
Broad Business Background a Good Fit as Agency Grows to Meet Regulatory Challenges

SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz recently appointed Marcia E. Rynearson, MBA, as Chief Administrative Officer to manage the agency’s fiscal, human resources and information technology functions.“Marcia’s extensive and varied background in business and administration will be invaluable as the Commission continues to evolve in response to regulatory challenges,” said Paul Swartz.  “The natural gas boom in the Marcellus shale is resulting in significant budgetary and staffing changes as we strive to balance environmental protection with economic development.” Read More

February 2010

Susquehanna Commission Reports Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sediment Amounts from Susquehanna River to Chesapeake Bay Continue to Decline
SRBC today announced that nutrient and suspended-sediment trends in the Susquehanna River Basin are improving. SRBC's findings are based on analyses of flow-adjusted trends data from 1985 to 2008. Comparison of 2008 data with baseline data, collected from 1985 to 1989, also indicates reductions in sediment and nutrient loads. Read More

January 2010

SRBC Orders Natural Gas Driller To Stop All Water-Related Work At Drilling Sites in Tioga County, PA
On January 12, SRBC ordered Texas-based Novus Operating, LLC, a natural gas drilling company, to immediately cease all water-related activities at two drilling pad sites in the Marcellus shale formation in Brookfield Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.  The company began drilling two wells without prior approval from SRBC.   Read More

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