PA Environment Digest Dec. 10, 2012

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May 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28House

January 1, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23

February 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13March 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24May 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

News From Around The State

Western PA Conservancy Plants Trees In Riparian Zones

The Western PA ConservancysWatershed Conservation

Program has initiated an effort to plant thousands of trees andwoody plants along streams in an effort to improve and protectwater quality and wildlife habitat.Landowners in priority watersheds have an opportunity toassist WPC with the tree plantings by allowing a buffer to beplanted on their property. The Conservancy aims to improvepriority watersheds in Western Pennsylvania by amelioratingriparian zones, or land adjacent to streams that improves waterquality and fish habitat.

This project attempts to tackle that goal by planting native trees and plants on at least 125acres, improving up to 35,000 linear feet of stream.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation provided financial support for the project.Based on biodiversity data collected by WPC scientists and others, the Conservancy will focusits work on the following priority watersheds:-- The upper Allegheny region, including French Creek, Brokenstraw Creek and the upperAllegheny tributaries;-- The lower Allegheny and Ohio region, including Buffalo Creek in Washington County; LittleMahoning Creek, Loyalhanna Creek and Tubmill Creek;-- The Juniata and Potomac region, including Aughwick Creek, the Raystown Branch of theJuniata River and Kishacoquillas Creek; and-- The West Branch Susquehanna region, including Portage Creek, Sinnemahoning Creek andWest Branch Susquehanna tributaries.

Stream banks that lack vegetative cover can erode excessively and will contribute toincreased sedimentation on the stream. Many streams in these priority watersheds are impairedby excess sediment loads caused by erosion that is associated with a lack of woody vegetation.

The Conservancys Watershed Conservation Program staff will identify riparian areasneeding vegetative cover in each of the priority watershed areas and will approach landownersabout participating in the project. The objective is to locate streams lacking a riparian buffer andthen plant one.

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(Written By James A. Clark, Extension Educator, Cameron/Elk/Jefferson/McKean/Potter District

and reprinted from the Penn State Extension Watershed Winds newsletter. He can be contactedby sending email to:[email protected].)

Water Test Result Interpretation Workshop Dec. 11 In TowandaThe Penn State Extension is hosting a December 11 workshop in Towanda, Bradford County onWater Test Result Interpretation.

Participants will learn how to understand water test reports, as well as drinking waterstandards, chain-of-custody, various water test parameters, and comparing test results withstandards.

Bryan Swistock, Penn State Extension Associate, and Mark Madden, Penn StateExtension Educator, will discuss the management of private water supplies and interpretation oftest reports.

Click Here for more information and to register. Pre-registration is required.

PAs 97th Farm Show Offers New Attractions, Time-Honored FavoritesAgriculture Secretary George Greig invites Pennsylvanians to celebrate agriculture during the97th Pennsylvania Farm Show, set for January 5-12 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complexand Expo Center in Harrisburg.

The eight-day show is themed, Made in PA. It makes a difference. and features 6,000animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors.

Pennsylvanias more than 62,000 farm families and thousands of agribusinessesprovide an affordable food supply, keep money in local communities and create jobs, Greigsaid. The Farm Show is a celebration of their contributions, from the competitive exhibits anddemonstrations to the famous food court.

The unveiling of the butter sculpture and PA Preferred Reception unofficially opens theshow on January 3. The reception features Pennsylvania-produced foods and beverages. Ticketsfor the reception are $35, and reservations are due December 14.DEP/EPA Dec. 12 Meeting On Proposed Underground Injection Wells In Warren County

The Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency willhost a public meeting on December 12, to discuss proposals for two Underground InjectionControl Class II disposal wells in Columbus Township near Bear Lake in Warren County.

The 6 p.m. meeting will be at the Columbus Township Fire Department at 44 North St.After brief presentations explaining their roles in permitting Underground Injection

Control (UIC) wells, representatives from DEP and EPA will be available to answer questions.This is an opportunity for area residents to talk to both our staff and EPA about the roles

we each play in the process, DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said. The peopleof Bear Lake asked for an opportunity to meet with us to get answers to their questions, and wewant to ensure the process is transparent.

To operate an injection well, a UIC permit from the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency and a Change of Use permit from DEP are necessary. The UIC permits are issued under

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the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Underground Injection Control Program.The wells are classified as Class II D for the disposal of oil- and gas-related fluids.

The primary objective of the UIC program is to protect underground sources of drinkingwater, meaning aquifers used for drinking water now or that may be used in the future, frompotential endangerment from injection operations. The regulations have numerous technical

requirements built in to ensure the wells are properly constructed and continuously monitored sothat groundwater is protected.The two proposed wells in Columbus Township would be authorized to inject fluids

produced in association with oil- and gas-production activities. These fluids may be made upmostly of fresh water or could contain elevated levels of chlorides called brine.

The fluids would be pumped back into geologic formations that are able to handlesuch fluids. There is no discharge from a UIC well onto the land surface or into nearby surfacewaterways.

For more information, call 814-332-6899.Delaware River Basin Commission Rejects Petition To Regulate Pipelines

In response to a request for a hearing submitted on August 9 and a petition submitted onSeptember 12 by the Delaware Riverkeeper Networkand signed on to by 52 environmental,civic, community and faith organizations, the Delaware River Basin Commission Wednesdayofficially rejected the request that it exercise its existing authority over pipelines.

There are 13 new pipeline projects (including expansions) proposed for portions of theDelaware River watershed. There is no state or federal agency that is considering the cumulativeimpact of all of these new projects. The DRBC is the one agency that has the jurisdiction andmission that would support a cumulative impacts assessment and ensure compliance with specialprotection water regulations of the agency.

DRBCs decision not to review pipeline projects is pure cowardice; the agency is moreinterested in protecting contributions to its budget from the states than carrying forth the missionfor which it was created, which is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basinfor us all, not the gas drillers and pipeline companies, said Maya van Rossum, the DelawareRiverkeeper.

Pipelines are a known and growing source of air pollution that is contributing to climatechange, to water pollution from polluted runoff, and to the devastation of wetlands, streams,and healthy forests critical for flood and species protection, said van Rossum. They are alsoresponsible for the increased taking of private and public lands through the exercise and/or threatof their eminent domain authority. They are the big bully partners of the gas drillers and it is sadto see the DRBC duck their responsibilities.

According to a map created to be handed out by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network atthe meeting, new pipelines and expansions are proposed to cut through the counties of:-- Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lebanon, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne,Counties in Pennsylvania;-- Gloucester, Hunterdon and Sussex Counties in New Jersey;-- New Castle and Kent Counties in Delaware; and-- Broome, Delaware, Orange and Sullivan Counties in New York.DEP Publishes Proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline Permits For Comment

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The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice inviting comments on aTennessee Gas Pipeline project in Pike County which will involve 58 wetland and 31 streamcrossings (PA Bulletin page 7476).

DEP also published notice of a second Tennessee Gas Pipeline project upgrading an

existing pipeline in Wayne County involving 27 wetland and 16 stream crossings (PA Bulletinpage 7483).Marcellus Industry Releases Recommended Motor Vehicle Safety Practices

The Marcellus Shale Coalition Tuesday released a Recommended Practices focused on MotorVehicle Safety.

The fifth in a series of such guidance documents, this Recommended Practice buildsupon the ongoing MSC-sponsored Transportation Safety Day and Flagger Training seminars,which provide hands-on training for motor carriers, drivers, and others working in the natural gasindustry.

Shale gas development requires a great deal of logistical and transportation planningand training. Our industry is absolutely aware of how critical transportation-related safety isfor our employees and contractors, and especially for the communities where we operate,said MSC president Kathryn Z. Klaber. This Recommended Practice, developed by industrytransportation experts, is a clearinghouse for regional companies and contractors to make certaintheir transportation programs are maximizing safety across the board.

This Recommended Practice covers a broad range of transportation-related issues,including:-- Evaluating driver qualifications and carrier performance;-- Driver safety training programs;-- Vehicle compliance and maintenance; and-- Vehicle safety equipment.

Among other recommendations, the guidance document encourages MSC membercompanies to utilize the U.S. Department of Transportations Safety and Fitness ElectronicRecords (SAFER) system in evaluating motor carriers.

Our industrys firm commitment to safe operations is paramount, Klaberexplained. Working with state agencies, such as the State Police, Public Utility Commission,Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal MotorCarrier Safety Administration, our member companies continue to work to meet this importantobligation. This Recommended Practice amplifies and further reinforces our commitment toresponsible natural gas development across the region.

Click Here to view the MSCs Recommended Practices for Motor Carrier Safety.

DEP, Waste Management Come To Terms On Butler County Landfill Issues

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday signed a consent order and agreementwith Waste Management Disposal Services of Pennsylvania Inc. that requires the company topay a $290,000 civil penalty and correct numerous violations at its Northwest Sanitary Landfillin Clay Township, Butler County.

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Our inspectors found multiple recurring violations at the landfill, DEP NorthwestRegional Director Kelly Burch said. The owners repeatedly failed to address and correctproblems and deficiencies that staff discovered. As a result, we have entered into a ConsentOrder and Agreement that imposes fines for the violations and sets forth plans and monitoringrequirements to ensure future compliance.

DEP inspections identified repeated violations of Northwest Landfills operating permitand odor control plan, as well as issues with daily and intermediate cover on disturbed areas,landfill gases, equipment maintenance and personnel training.

On several occasions, staff observed significant violations involving handling andstorage of liquid wastewater, or leachate. The company failed to adequately collect and containleachate in approved disposal areas, as is required by the Solid Waste Management Act and otherregulations.

DEP worked with Waste Management to develop a consent order and agreement thatrequires the company to take major corrective actions, including air monitoring for hydrogensulfide gas; implementing a revised Landfill Odor Control Plan; and covering exposed areas ofthe landfill that inspectors have identified as needing cover.

Additionally, the company must submit to DEP monthly progress reports that listcorrective actions completed in the preceding month; conduct training for all landfill employeesin waste handling activities; and repair or replace leachate tanks.New Regulations Requiring Defibrillators In Mines Will Save Lives

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday underground coal mines willsoon be required to install automated external defibrillators on the surface near the mine entryand underground in each working mine section.

The requirement comes as part of a regulatory rulemaking that will take effect March 8.(formal notice)

"This requirement, which was overwhelmingly supported by mine operators and workers,is the first of its kind in the nation and is just another example of how Pennsylvania leads theworld in deep mine safety," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "These defibrillators will helpsave lives in our underground mines.

"Thanks to cooperation among regulators, labor and management, Pennsylvania has gonean unprecedented 42 months without a fatality in an underground mine," he said.

The portable automated external defibrillator units, which use short, electric shocks torestore a stable heart rhythm in the event of a heart attack, must be placed both on the surfacenear the mine entry and within every working section of the mine where active, undergroundmining is taking place.

The Board of Coal Mine Safety, which includes representation from DEP, the UnitedMine Workers of America and coal mine operators, crafted the regulations, which also requireemergency medical technicians to be trained how to use the safety equipment.

DEP accepted public comments on the rulemaking for a 30-day period in November2011. Pennsylvania currently has 36 underground bituminous coal mines in operation,employing more than 5,000 workers.NewsClips:

State To Require Heart Defibrillators In MinesGreene County Mine Tragedy Recalled After 50 Years

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The Richard King Mellon Foundation also has been one of the top supporters of thiseffort to enhance the tree canopy in the Pittsburgh region. In addition to helping TreeVitalize,the foundation recently gave a grant to WPC, which will enable the organization to plant 20,000trees in riparian areas along streams in priority watersheds throughout Western Pennsylvania.

The Colcom Foundation has made several significant grants to the Conservancys urban

forestry work, including the introduction of 250 large caliper trees in the Golden Triangle. TheFoundations quality of life mission supports green infrastructure and beautification projects inthe city.

Tree planting in Millvale was made possible by a grant from the PennsylvaniaInfrastructure Investment Authority, also known as PennVEST. Other TreeVitalize projectsreceived substantial support from PennVEST.

Other financial support was provided by the Pittsburgh Foundation, the AlcoaFoundation, Direct Energy and the Home Depot Foundation.

For more information tree planting initiatives in other parts of Pennsylvania, visit theTreeVitalize website.

(Reprinted from theDecember issue of Water, Land, Life newsletter from the Western PAConservancy)

County Natural Heritage Inventories Focus On Lehigh and Northampton Counties

The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program launchedCounty Natural Heritage Inventories in 1989 withLancaster County as the first county to be inventoried.The intent was to provide important ecologicalinformation to county and local planners and to the PNHPPennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI)database.CNHIs have become an important resource not only toplanners but also to conservation organizations,watershed groups, businesses and residents who want andneed to understand more about the resources present intheir communities.

As of the end of 2012, all 67 counties in the state will have had their first inventorycompleted and a number of counties have been or are currently being updated. The completedCNHI inventories have recently been combined into a web-based statewide map of biologicinformation.

Staff began updates on the inventories of Northampton and Lehigh Counties in 2010.Working with the Lehigh Valley Regional Planning Commission (LVRPC), PNHP is updatingthe original inventories from the late 1990s, including reevaluating previous Natural HeritageAreas, providing more detailed analysis to assist with LVRPCs greenway implementation andfurnishing site-specific information to the Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

The inventory updates were funded by the Department of Conservation and NaturalResources and PennDOT.

The Lehigh Valley is rich with limestone bedrock bordered to the north by the KittatinnyRidge, also known as Blue Mountain. Thick deposits of Wisconsinan glacial till define the

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landscape of the northeastern corner of Northampton County resulting in a diversity of unusualhabitats. The Lehigh Valley floor has long been prized for cultivation and had been an industrialhub of the country with steel production and other manufacturing in Allentown and Bethlehem.

The valley has seen dramatic development pressure in the past few decades, withsuburban and rural development replacing farmland. In addition, changes in farming practices,

natural succession and the spread of exotic invasive species of plants have dramatically alteredhabitats throughout the region.Attempts to relocate formerly documented populations of species of concern were often

difficult.Springtime surveys for the plant spreading globe flower (Trollius laxus, PA Endangered)

where it had formerly been observed proved unsuccessful despite return visits. We tentativelyattributed the loss of the species from these locations to natural succession, which over timereplaced open habitats with closed canopy habitats that are unfavorable to this plant species.

While attempts to relocate species of concern were occasionally met withdisappointment, the opposite was also true. Populations of the wetland shrub swamp dog hobble(Leucothoe racemosa, proposed PA Threatened) are thriving at several previously documented

locations for the species and several new populations were identified during the surveys.Similarly, populations of nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum, proposed PA Threatened)were documented at a number of new locations in the region. The region has many vernal pooland seep natural communities, especially along the toe slope of Blue Mountain.

The project identified, on both public and private lands, areas of high priority for survey.We conducted approximately 175 field surveys in the Lehigh Valley over a two-season period,and 73 of these resulted in the documentation of species of concern and/or high quality naturalcommunities.

The results of the surveys are currently being processed and will be compiled intoa report for the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and will be incorporated in the PNDIdatabase. This information will also be available online through the PNHP County Inventoryinteractive map.

The PNHP is a partnership between the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, thePennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania GameCommission and the Fish and Boat Commission.

The PNHP manages the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) database,which is used as part of the Department of Environmental Protection environmental reviewprocess for evaluating permit applications.

It is accessible to the public through the online PNDI tool that screens projects forpotential impacts to species of conservation concern. The PNDI tool can be found at the PNHPwebsite.

The Conservancy works under contract with the Department of Conservation andNatural Resources to provide PNHP services, including the management of the PNDI databaseand collection of information on Pennsylvanias natural communities and rare, threatened andendangered species.

(Contributed by:Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.)

DEP Extends Deadline For Comments On PNDI Policy Revision To Dec. 31

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While this study only covered a short period of time and a small number of trails, its agood indication that water trails do have an important economic impact in nearby communities,and are a great source of recreation that is close to home for many visitors, Department ofConservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan said.

Water trails include access points, boat launches, day use sites and some overnight

camping sites on or along waterways.The Pennsylvania Water Trails Program is a partnership of DCNR, the Fish and BoatCommission, Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the National Park Service to expand andconnect the system of water trails and better market and promote them.

Water trails make it easier for both powered and non-powered boaters to participatein the sport, John Arway, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissionsaid. They provide safe access to, and information about, waterways while also providingconnections to the diverse history, ecology, geology, heritage and wildlife of Pennsylvania.

The studys overall findings include:-- Nearly half of all visitors said they knew about the trail because they lived nearby;-- Almost 40 percent cited fishing as their principal reason for visiting;

-- The length of the trip for 85 percent of those surveyed was one day; and-- Of those who stayed longer than a day, 50 percent planned a three-day trip.A copy of the report is available online.For water trail guides and maps, visit the PA Water Trails webpage.

Kinzua Sky Walk Recognized With National Best Project Award

DCNR and Herbert, Rowland & Grubic recently announcedthe Kinzua Sky Walk project, a tourist attraction and civilengineering landmark located in McKean County, is beingrecognized with Engineering News-Records prestigiousMid-Atlantics Best Project award in the small projectsunder $10 million category.This annual award program honors the regions bestachievements in design and construction.The 2,000-foot-long and 301-foot high Kinzua Viaduct wasthe longest and tallest railroad viaduct in the world when built in 1882, and eventually becameregistered as a national civil engineering historic landmark.

The viaduct was struck by a tornado in July 2003 and portions of the structure collapsed.Overcoming accessibility and constructability challenges due to the projects unique

location, officials, contractors and a team of HRGs engineers championed the restoration of thedamaged structure to safely support pedestrian access.

A new and innovative element was introduced to the structure that involved a steelframed, octagon observation deck with a glass floor at its center to permit viewing andobservation of the support structure.

The six towers of the original viaduct have been restored, with the addition of apedestrian walkway with a partial glass floor that extends out into the Kinzua Gorge, DCNRSecretary Richard J. Allan said. The idea to stabilize the structure came in to play soonafter the tornado struck. Understanding that this is an important tourist attraction in McKeanCounty, DCNR felt it was important to continue to tell the story of its history, construction and

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destruction and to invest in this signature destination within the Pennsylvania Wilds region.The circumstances and various challenges that arose throughout the duration of the

project may have been unpredictable at times, said Brian D. Emberg, P.E., Senior VicePresident and Chief Technical Officer at HRG. But the Kinzua Sky Walk rehabilitation andrestoration project is representative of a true engineering landmark and piece of history for

visitors and residents of this region, and we are particularly proud to have played a role in itssuccessful completion.The judging criteria for the award focused on overcoming significant challenges;

adopting innovative approaches; executing exceptional design and craftsmanship, andmaintaining safe sites.

This one-of-a-kind project will be recognized in a special Mid-Atlantic edition of ENR inDecember 2012 and at a ceremony on December 11 in Baltimore. The project now advances to anational ENRs Best Project Competition.

For more information and photographs on the project and award, go to HRGs website.(Reprinted from DCNRsDec. 5 Resource online newsletter.)

Feature: DCNR Making A Pronounced Mark In GIS TechnologyTheres a clear-cut reason why DCNR played such a prominent role in last months CentralPennsylvania GIS Day event at Harrisburg Area Community College. Its the same reason thedepartments GIS director was picked to keynote the 7th Annual Northwest Pa. GIS Conferenceone month earlier.

Through continuing enhancements in the delivery of information, expanding services,and cutting-edge technology, DCNR continues to be a leader in the world of geospatialinformation systems.

What is GIS? Defined loosely, its a geographic information system that lets us visualize,question, analyze, interpret and understand data to reveal relationships, patterns and trends ... andso on. To the hiker or hunter, camper, merchant or borough official, and so many others who turnto DCNR for critical information, GIS means helpful facts delivered quickly and clearly.

In the simplest sense, its a database that integrates location. A marriage, if you will,of maps and data, said DCNRs GIS Director Michael Bialousz. Virtually everything wedo here at DCNR is tied to a location. Thats why GIS is so important. Not only by providinginformation, but it is a core tool integrated in our daily business processes and decision making.

Visit DCNRs interactive geographic information map and you cant help but graspthe scope of Bialousz assessment. Visitors to DCNRs 120 state parks were among the firstbeneficiaries. Where to go; what to see; how to get there. Its all there with a click or two on themap.

A mid-September expansion saw the map broadened to include details on all 20 stateforests districts across the state, as well as information on 2.2 million acres of state forestland.

Major hiking trails and their access points? Wild and natural areas? Who to contact?Its all offered, available visually as map layers, by geographic region or text searches. Sitevisitors can get driving directions and weather forecasts; create and print maps; view state forestresources with a wide variety of maps types; obtain and share data; and much more.

Next came the addition of state geologic information, announced by DCNR SecretaryRick Allan in mid-November: Visitors to our website can now see layers of information on the

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map such as bedrock geology, earthquake locations and magnitude, and outstanding geologicfeatures, Allan said. With themes chosen and plotted on the map, you can scroll over andpick specific locations to get more information about geology, our state parks and forests, andrecreational opportunities available throughout Pennsylvania.

Almost immediately, the importance of the geology release was recognized within DCNR

and also by other state agencies, partners and the public. As noted by DCNR Natural ResourcesGIS Specialist, Carrie Tropasso, who has been critical to the project: This is the first time thata collection of Geology GIS data is in one place as an interactive web mapping application andit is generating positive interest and increased media attention across the state. In addition, it isan invaluable resource and educational tool to show how the geology crosses the bounds of stateparks and forests with the park guides and outstanding geologic resources.

And mobile site users in search of info when theyre parked in a state park parking lot?Or hiking a state forest trail? They are directed to a condensed, mobile-friendly version of theinteractive map, which features State Parks and will feature forests and geologic informationvery soon.

In addition to the main DCNR interactive map mentioned above, there are more

interactive maps available through the DCNR web site. Deer hunters can get concise informationand locations on Deer Management Assistance Program sites. Municipal and elected officialscan get data and locations on DCNR grants awarded across the state. Theres information onCounty Natural Heritage Inventories, aquatic communities classification, quarries, and more.

"As a state agency we offer an incredible amount of information to the public but wedid not always have the best way of providing it, Bialousz said. We are well on our way tocentralizing that process now, offering the user one-stop shopping, so to speak.

So far, the GIS efforts have been really good production tools for us, helping get theword out on what we are doing within our state parks and state forests. How we are conservingland. You name it.

And the future?Look for new site endeavors addressing local public parks across the statethat is, more

than 8,000, locally managed recreational facilities throughout the 67 Pa. counties. And to come:further development of the already acclaimed ExplorePA Trails site offering, detailing trails andgreenways across the state.

No small undertaking, Bialousz admits, but not overwhelming either.We now are much better equipped to share data, not only with the public but, just

as importantly, within our department bureaus, said the overseer of a master, 3-year GISdevelopment plan.

Future goals, past achievements, both have helped DCNR receive recognition amongGIS professional organizations. Thats why its GIS director was asked to highlight departmentaccomplishments at the two aforementioned conferences and other venues, but Bialousz spreadscredit broadly:

I would be remiss if I did not credit the commitment of our GIS team, Bialousz said. Itstarts, of course, with DCNRs chief information officer, Stephen Aux, and carries through tomy two co-workers, Steve Kantes and Carrie Tropasso who are the primary developers on theproject.

But the credit does not stop there:

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In my two years here, I have been most fortunate to have the solid support of SecretaryAllan and our executive staff who have demonstrated a clear vision for modernization of ouronline services, Bialousz said. Both DCNR and the public it serves are benefiting as a result.

As a state agency, we are ahead of the curve and that is so critical to the department andits users, the GIS director said. And nationwide, we are right therewith both technology and

expertise in terms of GIS development, analysis and data delivery.(Reprinted from DCNRsDec. 5 Resource online newsletter.)

Heritage Conservancy: Story Of Aldie Mansion Now Available

The Story of Aldie is now available for purchase on Heritage Conservancys website. The bookis also available for purchase at Aldie Mansion, 85 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.Proceeds from book sales go towards the upkeep and ongoing renovation of the mansion.

The stately 1927 Aldie Mansion began its history as the private residence of Williamand Martha Mercer. An ode to the English Tudor manor, it evokes a time in America when

craftsmanship reached an art form. After Martha Mercers death in 1960, the mansion changedhands several times, and by the mid 1970s it was undergoing rapid deterioration.In 1987, Heritage Conservancy was given the opportunity to purchase the building for

only $1, provided they could raise the funds necessary to restore it to its original splendor. 25years later, the mansion is a beautiful and historic Bucks County landmark, community gatheringspace, and home to Heritage Conservancy.

Click Here for more information and to order.DCNR Offers Holiday Gift Ideas To Show Your Support For State Parks, Forests

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources hasseveral holiday gift-giving ideas that are perfect for those who wantto protect Pennsylvanias natural resources and enjoy state parksand forests.Holiday gift-givers can support Pennsylvanias 120 state parks bypurchasing the 2013 special edition state park calendarthatcommemorates the 80th anniversary of the Civilian ConservationCorps.

It features historic images and information that highlights the important role the corpsplayed in creating the parks we love and enjoy today. The 10 x 13 calendar costs $8.49, plussales tax and shipping, and can be ordered by calling 1-888-PAPARKS.

A state park gift card can be purchased in any dollar amount and may be used forcampsites, cabins and pavilions anywhere they are available. Parks are a great, inexpensive get-away and offer the opportunity to watch wildlife and connect with nature.

State park gift cards are available online.Recipients can use a gift card for a stay at theNature Inn at Bald Eagle in Centre County,

online. With its green features; huge stone fireplace; large windows for watching the outsideworld; and connection to miles of trails at Bald Eagle State Park, the Nature Inn is a year-roundgetaway.

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