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Any article listed below does not necessarily
reflect the opinion or endorsement of The PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs,
Inc. (PFSC) NOTICE: In compliance with Title 17 U.S.C.
section 107, this material is distributed free without profit or payment for
non-profit research and educational purposes only. Be
sure to check out our Legislative
Alerts pages to follow legislation PFSC is tracking. November 2007 HAPPY
THANKSGIVING! The Allegheny River Stewardship
Project is an effort by leading researchers, working together with concerned
citizens of the The goals
of the 1.
Engage river community members to become
involved in the stewardship of the 2.
Understand the concentrations of important
contaminants in river fish species, especially those that people eat. 3.
Associate contaminants in fish with potential
pollution sources. 4.
Identify human exposures to these
contaminants. 5.
Understand the risks to human health and the
environment from these contaminants and pollution sources. 6.
Obtain
and share data with policymakers so that there is action to solve identified
problems and 7.
Form
strategic partnerships with stakeholder groups along the What is the duration of the Allegheny
Stewardship Project? Actual river
fishing (sampling) will occur in May and early June of 2008. The Allegheny
Stewardship Project is expected to last until Spring 2009 when researchers
will hold a series of community meetings on outcomes of the sampling results.
At that time a strategy for community action to solve identified priority
problems will be determined Who are the project partners? The partners are the Dr. Volz’s email and webpage cdv5@pitt.edu : http://www.pitt.edu/~cdv5/ Who is the Principal Investigator? Conrad Daniel Volz,
DrPH, Who are the Academic Collaborators? Dr’s Patricia Eagon,
Talal El Hafnawy, Frank
Houghton, Jim Peterson, Ravi Sharma, Nancy Sussman, Devra Davis and
Maryann Donovan. Who are the funders of the Allegheny Stewardship Project? Alle-Kiski Health Foundation, the Heinz Endowments,
Highmark Foundation-Healthy People-Healthy Places
through the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute-Center for
Environmental Oncology, and the Graduate School of Public Health-Department
of Environmental and Occupational Health. What is the Background to the Allegheny River Stewardship Project? Results of the Pittsburgh Fish Consumption Study (fishes
sampled in the fall of 2005) indicate that extracts from the flesh and fat of
catfish and white bass from the contaminated Pittsburgh Pool surrounding the
City of Pittsburgh moderately proliferated the growth of MCF-7 Breast Cancer
Cell lines indicating the bioaccumulation of Estrogenic Active Substances ( Power plant
emissions are a major source of mercury, selenium and arsenic into aquatic
environments. The plants located on the Allegheny River may be the source of
higher mercury and selenium levels in Kittanning caught catfish; similarly
industrial plant and municipal (especially from sewer overflows) effluent
buildup in the Pittsburgh Pool could be the source of xenoestrogenic
chemicals in the fishes caught there. But these are hypothesis and to further
determine the sources of both the mercury and estrogenic substances more
research, directly involving river
communities, is needed. Additionally the fish caught at Kittanning
pose a measurable risk to the health of semi- subsistence anglers and others
who consume them and the boundaries of fish that are so highly contaminated
with mercury needs to be determined so that fish consumption advisories can
be accurately made. We also want to determine the estrogenicity
of fish at other location points in the What are the Expected Short and Long Term Outcomes of the
Project?
A. To
engage river community members through EOH efforts and those of other project
partners in the planning, execution and data analysis portions of the
project; specifically to teach both interested teenagers and community
members the procedures associated with the catch and measurement, geographic
positioning, gender identification, dissection, analysis and interpretation
of results of the study. Expedition members will be encouraged to be critical
members of the scientific team and will keep a log of observations of
environmental problems. B. To
understand the different spatial concentrations, along major sections of the
Allegheny River, of important contaminants (carcinogenic, EDC-estrogenicity and /or toxic) of environmental public
health significance in sentinel fish species including the organic and
inorganic forms of mercury and arsenic, metalloestrogens
such as cadmium, selenium from fly ash leeching, other heavy metals and the
ability of extracts to make MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines (proxy xenoestrogen measurement) grow by the analysis of new C. To
correlate these spatial concentrations with proximity to industrial facility
effluents, power plant fallout or fly ash pile leechate,
and municipal sewer overflows, former industrial or known waste sites and/or
areas of environmental degradation (deforestation, over development etc.). D. To
identify human exposures to the contaminants found in fish either through
drinking water and/or fish consumption. E. To
understand the risk posed to human or ecological health from these levels of
contaminants in fish. F. To
begin to understand the sources of emissions of contaminants into the G. To
obtain data, evidence and other information that can inform policymakers in
preparing for a regional approach to water management. H. To form
a strategic partnership with the RiverQuest,
Venture Outdoors, The Rachael Carson Homestead, the Alle-Kiski
Health Foundation and the Heinz Endowments to energize river communities,
groups, schools and individuals to become stewards of the river. To raise
awareness in this area of the centrality of the river to their health and
well-being, not only in the sense of drinking water or fish consumption but
for aesthetic, cultural, historical and recreational values. I. To set
a project in motion where the lessons learned from the project will be
transformed into very long-term community environmental and specific water
quality goals so that the footprint of the project widens and deepens with
the passage of time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Passing of Commissioner Frederick
Osifat It is with much regret that I find it necessary to inform you that I received a call from Commissioner Osifat’s son this morning informing us of the passing yesterday of Commissioner Frederick Osifat. This follows a very brief period of illness. As more information becomes available regarding funeral services, I will pass it along to you. In
the meantime, please keep Commissioner Osifat’s
wife, Carmella, and his family in your prayers. Sympathy cards and
condolences may be sent to: Teresa Erdman Executive Secretary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PFBC Final Rulemaking #195The
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has passed
final-form rulemaking designed to improve, enhance and update the
Commission’s regulations regarding scientific collectors’ permits. The
final-form rulemaking will go into effect on CLICK
HERE to read the final-form rulemaking ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STATE FOREST DISTRICTS OPENING ADDITIONAL ROADS FOR HUNTERS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA Fish
& Boat Commission Final Rulemaking
#195
– Scientific Collectors’ Permits
The
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has passed
final-form rulemaking designed to improve, enhance and update the
Commission’s regulations regarding scientific collectors’ permits. The
final-form rulemaking will go into effect on CLICK
HERE to read the final-form rulemaking ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Three Anti-Gun Bills to Be Voted On In House Judiciary Committee At
the request of Governor Rendell, the House Judiciary Committee will vote
on three anti-gun measures this Tuesday, Nov. 20 at ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CEASEFIRE
PA ANNOUNCES RELEASE POLL OF SHOWING SUPPORT FOR STRICTER HANDGUN By Nate
Collins, PLS Phil Goldsmith,
president of CeaseFire PA, hosted a conference call
Monday to announce the release of a poll
showing strong support for stricter handgun laws. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, York Mayor John Brenner,
Reading Mayor Tom McMahon,
Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and Goldsmith said support
exists across the state for changes in the state’s handgun laws. He explained
that the survey was of 600 registered Ben Tulchin of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner
Research, the firm that conducted the poll, stated 100
voters were surveyed in each of the following districts: District
5 - Rep. John Evans (R), District 41 - Rep. Katie True (R), District 61 - Rep. Kate Harper (R), District 127 - Rep. Thomas Caltagirone
(D), District 138 - Rep. Craig Dally (R), District 187 - Rep. Carl Mantz (R),
Berks and He commented that voters perceive that crime
and violence has increased significantly and this serves as an impetus for
strengthening and expanding handgun safety laws. He said 58% believe gun
violence has increased in the past year, which is 15 times greater than the
number of people who believe it has decreased (4%). Tulchin
added that 86% of
those polled believe elected officials in Voters support stricter handgun safety laws
by a 65% to 32%
margin, he said, adding that 48% strongly
favor stricter handgun laws. He explained that 74% of Democrats polled
support stricter handgun safety laws, along with 54% of Republicans. With regard to a bill that would require handgun owners to immediately
report lost or stolen firearms to the police, 96% support it and 89% strongly support it, he
noted. He offered that 92% of gun owners support the bill. He remarked that
100% of people polled in Rep. Harper’s district support this law, commenting
that he has “never seen this before in a poll”. Tulchin said voters were also asked if they support a bill limiting the purchase of handguns to one
per month, and 70% favor the measure. He
concluded by stating that voters prefer candidates who support handgun safety laws and
will punish those elected officials who oppose these measures. “Voters clearly want their
government to take the lead in providing a course of action against crime and
handgun violence and voters want tougher handgun safety laws as part of the
solution to protect police officers and the general public,” he stated. York Mayor John
Brenner commented that the results of a poll show that people are way ahead
of politicians on this issue. He added that none of these proposals would
have any impact on responsible gun owners. The mayor commented that in the
city of Reading Mayor Tom McMahon remarked that
crime is not being spotlighted in the smaller cities. He stated no mayor
believes that handgun control is the only answer but access to handguns is
contributing to high crime rates. This poll adds substance to this debate, he
said. Lancaster Mayor Rick
Gray commented that those who say merely enforcing the existing laws is what
is needed to address this issue don’t recognize the reality of the situation.
Mayors are the ones who attend funerals of those who die, he stated, and
telling that to families does not provide any solace to them. The goal should
not just be to punish people after the crimes committed but to get the guns
out of the hands of those who intend to use them illegally, he stated. The
reputation of our cities is damaged every time a gun is fired on our streets,
he concluded. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski stated illegal guns are causing
problems in cities all across Bethlehem Mayor John
Callahan stated getting guns off of the street is a statewide issue, and it
is a nonpartisan issue. Mayors have to make sure that city streets are safe
and they need the help of the state government to do that, he said. He
concluded by expressing support for the “common sense measures” expected to
be considered soon in the House Judiciary Committee. How can you get support for these measures outside of
urban areas? Mayor Pawlowski replied that what happens in the urban
areas affects everyone in the state. Guns don’t stop at the borders and they
are not confined to the urban core, he stated. Did you time the
release of this poll because the governor is speaking before the House
Judiciary Committee tomorrow? Goldsmith said yes, explaining that they sped up the release of the
poll because they knew the governor was going before the committee. Tulchin interjected that they
had been working on this poll for a long time and this was an opportune time
to release the results. What is the margin of error for each
legislative district? Tulchin responded that the margin of error for the poll in its
entirety is +/- 4% and +/-9% for each legislative district. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GOVERNOR
RENDELL, BUSINESS LEADERS DISCUSS NEED FOR ENERGY By Nate
Collins, PA Legislative Services Governor Ed Rendell joined with
representatives of more than 40 businesses from a wide range of industries to discuss the reasons developing
alternative and renewable energy is important to DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty opened the press conference by asking where the
sense of urgency is with passing an energy strategy. She commented that the
price of oil is skyrocketing and electricity rates are increasing by double
digits overnight. Numerous companies around the state are working to meet the
energy challenges and to enhance security, she offered, adding that the state
should help supply them with funding. Governor Rendell stated there are
five benefits of alternative and renewable energy: A cleaner environment A booming economy The ability to free us from
dependence on foreign oil The ability to balance out a
disaster or terrorist attack with diverse sources of energy People will pay less, particularly
at the pump The governor discussed an article
in the Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal
which stated that gasoline prices are cheaper in He stated there doesn’t seem to be
a sense of urgency to adopt any of the energy proposals. The legislature is
working on number of different ideas but the time to act is now, the governor
said. He discussed a variety of
alternative fuel businesses located in If passed, the PennSecurity
Fuels Initiative would help the state produce one billion gallons of
alternative fuels, the governor stated. He also debunked the rumor that
ethanol is driving up the cost of food, commenting that the problem is
actually high energy costs. Secretary McGinty
then introduced a number of business leaders in the alternative energy
sector. Stephen Gatto,
Chairman of BioEnergy International LLC, explained
that his company is building The governor’s vision will play a
vital role to allow people to obtain homegrown fuels, he suggested. He added
that the Earth’s ability to make biofuels is almost
endless. He opined that is critical for the Senate to pass HB 1202 this session to make the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative a reality. He explained that the plan is to
start with corn-based ethanol plants and then move to cellulosic.
“If we do this, investment will follow,” he said. Gatto offered that his company is ushering
in the next generation of energy refineries. Ethanol is the “low hanging
fruit” to get alternative fuels to people before moving on to the next level,
he remarked. He urged the Legislature to pass HB 1202 this month. The governor interjected that when
he took office the price of oil was about $24 a barrel and it is now $95 a
barrel. He commented that few states have as much timber and agricultural
waste as Doug Farnham,
president, PFBC Environmental Technology Inc., commented that the governor
understands how important coal is to Chris Alonzo, vice president, Pietro Industries, stated that he is a mushroom farmer.
He said the mushroom industry agrees with the governor’s initiative and
believes that farmers can produce energy. He noted that 11% of his costs come
from energy and this amount will increase as the rates increase. It will be
hard to pass the costs on to consumers, he added. Alonzo stated he is building a
structure to centralize his mushroom operations. He noted that they will use
green construction in an effort to reduce costs. “Farmers need to see
something tangible from this debate,” he said. The governor and business leaders
answered questions from the press Some scientists believe that corn ethanol will be replaced by cellulosic. Why should we invest state money into
corn-based ethanol? Governor Rendell replied that he
hopes cellulosic ethanol becomes a reality because
it will be good for The Senate said it would pass a bill funding the bond at a rate of
$.35 on the dollar. The governor said it can’t be
done, adding that the amount is less of an investment than the small state of
If there is such a sense of urgency why did you go on a seven day
health care tour after announcing special session? The governor replied that before
he went on the health care tour he did a seven day bus tour on energy. He
said he has been arguing for this proposal since May of 2006, adding that he
is making progress. He said he will make compromises and a good compromise
will be reached. Do you think this can be done before the end of the year? Yes, answered the governor. He
explained that he spoke with Senator Pileggi and he
thinks the makings of a good bill are in place. He also offered that the
House has done a good job pushing the different proposals forward. Will you compromise on the systems benefit charge? Governor Rendell said he is
willing to compromise but he believes it is the best way to fund the
proposal. He added that polls have shown that people are willing to pay for
it. He said something needs to be done and it doesn’t have to be this way,
adding that he isn’t doing this to get credit. He added that venture capital
needs to be available now. Would you support the extension of the electricity rate caps? The governor said he would have to
look at that issue. He said if he would approve them they would have to be
for a short time period and set to an inflation index. However, he opined
that there are better things to do than to extend the rate caps. He commented
that he wants to adopt the energy proposals in their entirety. The governor of Governor Rendell replied that
there is enough money to cover everyone through March of next year. He said
he would contemplate making such an action if there is no money available in
March. Will there be enough money by the end of the year for property tax
relief? The governor stated he doesn’t
know if the property tax relief fund will reach the $750 million required for
general property tax distribution. However, he noted that casinos are not up
and running in Have you considered a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Cappy? The governor said he wanted to
wait until after the election to see the total number of vacancies on the
courts. He said he will meet with Senate leaders to work on filling the spots
as soon as possible. He explained that he can’t legally appoint someone until
the vacancy exists in January. He added that there is a long list of
candidates, at least 20 for the Supreme Court seat. Will one of your replacements be a Republican? Two of them may be Republican, he
replied. He said the party does not matter to him as much as having fair judges.
He also noted that whoever he nominates will not be able to run for
reelection when the seats are open. In his opinion, politics on the court is
overrated. He reiterated that he supports merit selection of judges. Will you look for racial balance and diversity? The governor said he doesn’t feel
he has to be bound to those criteria. He opined that he hopes Darnell Jones
wins the nomination in 2009. He said he likely would not nominate him to fill
a seat because he does not want Jones to give up the chance to be elected in
2009. What will you do if the Senate won’t vote on the Jonas Salk Fund? Governor Rendell responded by
discussing a cancer center that needs $25 million for capital improvements.
He said they would be a perfect candidate for Jonas Salk funding. He added
that ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coldwater Heritage Partnership Grants Available Applications for grants up to
$5,000 will be accepted through The grants are designed to help
develop conservation plans that identify the values and threats to the health
of our coldwater ecosystems that have naturally reproducing trout. The
collected information can be used as a catalyst for more comprehensive
planning or for development of watershed improvements projects. Besides offering grants, For more information or for
copies of the grant application, please contact Deborah Nardone
at (814) 359-5233, or visit the Coldwater Heritage Partnership website at www.coldwaterherita Deborah Nardone PA Council of TU / Coldwater Heritage
Partnership (814) 359-5233 |
