Welcome
Learn about this web site.
Learn about this Extension Education program.
In the News
View current issues and topics.
 
Nutrient Management in Pennsylvania
View developments, timelines, and selected public comments, and archives on regulation development.
 
Calendar
 
 
In the News

Public Comment Period Now Open on Proposed Changes to PA TDS Standards

Changes are proposed to Pennsylvania’s water quality effluent standards for total dissolved solids (TDS) and related constituents to protect Pennsylvania’s waterways and public drinking water. The changes would set daily maximum effluent standards for TDS, sulfate, and chloride. They would also set standards for barium and strontium in wastewaters from the oil and gas industry.

A new Penn State Cooperative Extension publication helps stakeholders better understand the proposed rule changes and make informed input about the proposal.  The 90-day public comment period ends on February 5, 2010.  Four public hearings on the proposed changes will be held around the state.  

 

 

Bipartisan Senate, House Bills Introduced To Strengthen PA Nutrient Credit Trading Program (April 2009) 

 

PA Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force's final report (Nov. 1, 2008) 

 

Final Revised CAFO Rule Signed. EPA has finalized a rule helping to protect the nation's water quality by requiring concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to safely manage manure. Rule, factsheet, and press release available.

 

Powerpoint presentations from the National Farm Bill Training, online at National Agricultural Risk Library
Bay stakeholders taking first steps to offset 'nutrient footprints,' Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Bay Journal, July/August 2008
Congress Overrides Presidential Veto to Pass Farm Bill. Summaries of conservation provisions.

Maryland Implements Policy for Nutrient Cap Management and Trading. The Maryland Department of the Environment recently released details about the state’s new Policy for Nutrient Cap Management and Trading for point source nutrients.  Unlike other states, Maryland does not allow trading in lieu of major wastewater treatment plant upgrades. “The policy addresses the need to achieve early nutrient load reductions from point sources through enhanced nutrient removal upgrades” and allows for increased point source loading due to future population growth. The policy took effect on April 17, 2008. This is Phase I of the policy. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is currently developing Phase II of the policy, which will address point to nonpoint trading/offsets.

-

Penn State Extension's publication, Access and Allocation of Water in Pennsylvania, will help Pennsylvanians to understand the system of water rights in the Commonwealth.  The publication includes an introduction to the Water Resources Planning Act of 2002 (Act 220), which mandated the 2008 update of Pennsylvania’s water plan that answers questions such as how much water we have, how much we use, and how much we need.
   
 
 
Publications
Download fact sheets, reports, and articles.
View PowerPoint presentations on-line.
Workshops
Learn about upcoming workshops and presentations.
 
Educator Resources
Find companion publications, press releases, articles, and presentations
 
Contact Us
Find Penn State Cooperative Extension contact information and more.

Resources with the symbol require Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Download it FREE at Adobe.

Horizontal Line