MAY 2019

A Monthly Update from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee

The Chairman’s CornerSenator Scott E. Hutchinson

The JLCC Newsletter

@PA_JLCC PA Joint Legislative Conservation Committee pa_jlcc Joint Legislative Conservation Committee

Hunting, fishing and boating are just a couple of examples of outdoor activities that are enjoyed by millions of Americans

and their families. The United States is fortunate to have many different landscapes and natural resources which set the prime foundation for these recreational opportunities to take place.

In order to recognize the importance of these activities, the National Rifle Association hosts the Great American Outdoor Show. Held annually in Harrisburg, the GAOS brings together some of the nation’s most passionate outdoor enthusiasts – from campers and boaters to hunters and anglers – to celebrate and learn more about the many long-standing traditions of the outdoors.

Established by the NRA in 2014, the GAOS is deemed the largest outdoor show in the world. The NRA created the show following the cancellation of the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, which was hosted by Reed Exhibitions in 2013. The Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show was held for more than three decades prior to its closing.

The GAOS is held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center over the course of nine days. Attendees can

purchase products like firearms, boats and ATVs, as well as plan outdoor adventure trips via the expertise and knowledge of several fishing charter captains.

The show fills up the nine halls at the Farm Show Complex and features more than 1,000 exhibitors covering 650,000 square feet. Exhibitors hail from all over the country, including hunting outfitters, fishing boat manufacturers and shooting manufacturers. Outdoor enthusiasts can participate in several activities during the week, including: the 3D Bowhunter Challenge and the NRA Air Gun range; seminars on how to catch specific types of fish such as bass; cooking and angling demonstrations; and country music concerts. Appearances from celebrities

are also a common occurrence during the nine-day event.

The show draws in thousands of citizens from across more than 35 states. This year’s show attracted 179,000 people to the event. In addition to the significant number of outdoor aficionados who travel to the show, the GAOS is also a

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In ThIs IssueThe Chairman’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Notes from the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Research Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3• How are Views on Wildlife Changing in the U.S.?• Water Use Falling at National and Individual Levels• Traffic Pollutants Causing Asthma in Children• What is the Sanitation Crisis and How do we Fix it?

This Month in Conservation History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Recap of Committee Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

May 2019Volume 20, Number 5

2 T h e J l c c N e w s l e T T e r

Noxen, Pennsylvania, in Wyoming County, is a picturesque community with about 1,000 residents and one very big festival each year held at the borough’s fairgrounds. It features food, rides and games, but the centerpiece is the annual rattlesnake roundup. The practice has evolved through the years and is very different to the roundups of the past.

Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier is prime snake country. In fact, all five organized rattlesnake hunts sanctioned by the state takes place in the Northern Tier: Noxen Volunteer Fire Company, Morris Fire Company (Tioga County), Sinnemahoning Sportsman Club (Cameron County), Cross Fork Hose Company (Potter County) and Monroeton Rod & Gun Club (Bradford County).

The state has three native species of venomous snakes: the northern copperhead, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (which is rare and found in only a few western counties) and the timber rattlesnake. Probably no other species of Pennsylvania wildlife is regarded with as much fascination, interest and terror as the timber rattlesnake.

Unfortunately, for many years society had a “kill them all” mentality in regard to rattlesnakes. For example, in 1955

the Morris Volunteer Fire Company in Tioga County organized one of the first rattlesnake roundups in the state. Organized hunts were a good fundraising opportunity and helped reduce the number of dangerous snakes near towns and villages.

There were even bounties placed on them. According to a May 19, 1955, edition of the Wellsboro newspaper, “the rattlesnake hunt committee announced they will pay $1 for each dead rattler brought back from the hunt, and $2 for each live reptile over 30 inches long.” Years later, in 1964, Tioga County paid out $1,558 for rattlesnake bounties.

Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, hunting and indiscriminate killing decimated Pennsylvania’s rattlesnakes. As the populations diminished, snake hunting continued more as a source of entertainment than as a public safety service. When rattler numbers reached dangerously low levels in the 1970s, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stepped in to protect the species. In 1974, the PFBC was given official jurisdiction over all Commonwealth reptiles and within two years began regulating all snake hunts.

Pennsylvania has been recognized as having done a good job of protecting the

timber rattlesnake. A minimum size of 42 inches is required for rattlesnakes, and only males may be harvested. It is illegal to hunt or kill rattlers in many state forests and game lands, or to damage rattler dens or basking areas. The rattler population has stabilized in recent years thanks to legal protections, reduced

hunting, and greater understanding of the role venomous snakes play in a balanced forest ecosystem. Studies have shown a lower incidence of Lyme disease in areas that support rattlesnakes as the snakes prey on rodents that carry the disease

Though they are still threatened by habitat loss and land development, the PFBC took timber rattlers off of the state endangered species candidate list in 2016.

In Noxen’s roundups now, only two or three dozen snakes are captured, far less than the record of 105 rattlesnakes that were caught in 1979. They are no longer slaughtered as they were in the past either.

The snake wranglers collect the serpents for fun, prizes and to help out fire department and other local organizations. In Noxen, the four-day event is the local fire department’s biggest fundraiser and also aims to teach residents and visitors about rattlers. Handlers present information about the different attributes of the reptiles.

After the serpents are measured, fitted with tags which give each snake a unique number ID, and ogled by the public, prizes are awarded in multiple categories such as the longest snake, the heaviest, most rattles and most species collected. After the winners are announced, the snakes are collected to be taken back to the exact location where they were found. Snakes don’t stray far from the den where they were born and are often helpless if they’re released elsewhere.

For those not interested in getting close to the reptiles, there is plenty more to do than see the snakes at the Noxen festival. Vendors cover a good portion of the fairgrounds, selling hunting apparel, home goods, food and handmade crafts.

Notes from the Director Tony Guerrieri, Executive Director

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Research Briefs

American Attitudes on Wildlife Lean Away From UtilityColeen Engvall, Research AnalystThe planet is currently experiencing a period of mass species extinction according to many biologists and environmentalists. Until now, science has only documented five periods of mass extinction in the Earth’s history. Now, some studies estimate that we are losing several species every day. The plight of animals, insects and other living things has been appearing in the mainstream media more and more in the last few decades.

So how have these messages been received by the general population? Many environmental issues have shown to be polarizing across political and demographical spectrums.

To gauge any shifts in perception, a study conducted by Colorado State University collected data and categorized opinions across the country. The finalized study is entitled Americans’ Beliefs About Wildlife Management are Changing.

The study grouped Americans into four categories based upon their answers.

• Traditionalists: People who believe that wildlife should be used and managed solely for the benefit of people.

• Mutualists: Those who see wildlife as a part of an extended social network with humans.

• Pluralists: These respondents switched between the two previous categories depending on the context of the situation.

• Distanced: People who exhibit low levels of thought about or interest in wildlife.

Overall, the percentage of mutualists in the country rose from 30 percent to 35 percent, with a similar decrease seen in traditionalists. While these numbers seem small at first glance, the authors note that shifts in values like these are rare and often the result of a larger, overarching change.

According to a new study released by the

Colorado State University, Americans are starting to see wildlife as an essential part of a larger network,

and worthy of protections.This shift in values can be attributed to a few changes in recent decades. For instance, as more people move into more stable socio-economic situations, they show less concern for survival and are able to express other values, such as social reform or animal welfare. Additionally, better education and other indicators of modernization tend to increase levels of mutualism.

Perhaps counter-intuitively, the researchers suggest that less interaction with wildlife is a factor in the rise mutualism. Living in cities, as many

Americans do, means that a person’s only knowledge of wildlife comes from education and media – mediums that tend to highlight the beauty or vulnerability of ecosystems. On the other hand, states with higher numbers of hunters and anglers show more traditionalist tendencies as a result of more utilitarian interactions with nature.

These findings have many implications for both conservationists and managers. Governmental agencies charged with managing stocks of fisheries and game populations can continue to monitor the value shifts in order to allocate resources more effectively.

The report notes that there has been a sharp increase in nature observation, mirroring the decrease in hunting and angling. This shift in outdoor recreation patterns may call for more attention to infrastructure for trails and camping in the future.

The full report is available to read at: https://sites.warnercnr.colostate.edu/wildlifevalues/results/.

Each month, the Committee’s staff researches and prepares a number of “briefs” on several topics relevant to the Committee’s mission. Very often these briefs include references to reports and further research on the topics so that readers may pursue issues on their own. Please note that the information and opinions expressed in the Research Brief articles do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, nor those of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

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USGS Report Shows Water Use Lowest in 45 YearsTony Guerrieri, Executive DirectorRecently, the USGS released their latest report on water use which examined data from 2015. They include estimates of withdrawals of freshwater and saline water from groundwater, surface-water sources and water use by sector.

The report concludes that the nation has made considerable progress in managing its water, with total water decreasing since 1970, despite continued population and economic growth. Indeed, every sector, from agriculture to thermoelectric power generation, shows reductions in water use. National water use, however, remains high, and many freshwater systems are under stress from overuse.

According to the USGS report, national water use has declined over the last three decades and experienced a major drop between 2005 and 2010. Total water use, which includes both freshwater and saline water, peaked in 1980 at 440 billion gallons per day. Even with an increase in the country’s population, water for domestic use has dropped to a rate of about 82 gallons per person, per day – down from 88 gallons per capita.

One reason for the drop is the increase in efficiency of thermoelectric-power facilities. About 90 percent of the nation’s

water usage is seen at these facilities, between thermoelectric power (41.4 percent), irrigation (36.7 percent) and public supply (12.1 percent).

The majority of water withdrawals – 61.5 percent or 198 bgd – came from surface water such as lakes, rivers and streams. Approximately a quarter freshwater withdrawals, totaling 82 bgd, were from groundwater. The remaining 13 percent came from saline sources.

Water use across the nation declines to levels

not seen since 1979.The top five states overall for water withdrawals are California (9 percent), Texas (7 percent), Idaho (6 percent), Florida (5 percent) and Arkansas (4 percent). It’s interesting to note that New York – the fourth most populous state in the country with nearly 20 million people – isn’t on the list – showing that water use isn’t directly related to population.

Public supply refers to water that is used for domestic purposes – drinking, washing clothes and dishes, bathing and watering lawns – and public services such as pools, wastewater treatment and firefighting.

According to the USGS report, 283 million Americans – 87 percent – got their drinking water from public facilities in 2015. The remaining 13 percent relied primarily on private wells. Nevada

had the highest self-supplied domestic per capita use.

Irrigation is most dominant in the American West, home to nine of the top 10 states for irrigation withdrawals. The outlier, Arkansas, is third overall for irrigation withdrawals; there, irrigated water is used

to flood rice fields and support a variety of other crops.

Irrigation withdrawals are split pretty evenly between surface water (52 percent) and groundwater (48 percent). Reclaimed wastewater was used for irrigation in 10 states: California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas and Illinois.According to the report, 63.5 million acres of land were irrigated in 2015, a 2 percent increase over 2010.

Withdrawals for power generation are most dominant in the southern and eastern parts of the nation, with Texas, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New York leading the way. Surface water withdrawals account for nearly all of the water used in this category. Most water withdrawn by power plants is returned directly to the source after being used to cool the steam that drives thermoelectric generators.

Overall withdrawals for thermoelectric power declined between 2010 and 2015 – coinciding with a nationwide decrease in coal use and an increase in water-efficient power generation, among other factors.

Indiana and Louisiana are the two dominant states for industrial water withdrawals. Together they account for 30 percent of industrial use nationwide. In northwestern Indiana these withdrawals are largely for steel production, whereas Louisiana uses large quantities of water for the chemical and petroleum industries in the southeast portion of the state.

Since 1950, the USGS has collected and released data on national water use every five years. These data are collected from a variety of sources, including national data sets, state agencies, questionnaires and local contact.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s 76-page report, Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2015, is available to download at: https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1441/circ1441.pdf.

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Pollution from Traffic Leading to Asthma in ChildrenColeen Engvall, Research AnalystGasoline and diesel burning cars contribute particulate matter and nitrogen oxide, or NO2, to the surrounding atmosphere. In places with heavy traffic, such as cities and transportation centers, the concentrations of these chemicals can become hazardous to human health. Numerous policies have targeted traffic-related air pollution in the U.S., resulting in cleaner public vehicles and stricter emissions standards.

However, according to a new study released by the University of Washington, there are still significant impacts to health from traffic-related air pollution. They focused on the potential dangers to one group in particular: children.

The study, published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health, is entitled Global, National, and Urban Burdens of Paediatric Asthma Incidence Attributable to Ambient NO2 Pollution: Estimates from Global Datasets.

Using satellite technology to compile data for NO2 concentrations, the researchers then compared them to global databases on population proximity to high-traffic areas. They were then able to estimate the number of pediatric asthma cases that are attributable to traffic-produced NO2.

Their results estimated that 4 million children across the globe develop asthma as a result of exposure to NO2, meaning that 13 percent of all pediatric asthma cases per year are a result of exposure to traffic pollutants. For example, in the U.S., as many as 400 new cases of pediatric asthma reported for every 100,000 children were caused by NO2.

Previous research produced evidence that the inflammation of the airways caused by NO2 can lead to damage which can activate asthma in at-risk

individuals who would not have developed it without exposure.

In most instances where NO2 concentrations are high enough to cause such damage, traffic can be singled out as the leading contributor. In fact, traffic can produce as much as 80 percent of local ambient NO2 in addition to harmful particulate matter pollution.

In addition, they found that over 90 percent of the asthma cases in their study that were caused by NO2 were in areas that meet current World Health Organization guidelines. The authors suggest that the current thresholds may need to be reevaluated since they are not sufficient to protect children’s health.

The dangers of traffic pollution to human health

has been highlighted in the past and new research estimates that proximity

to busy roads may cause 4 million cases of pediatric

asthma every year.Past studies had also examined the relationship between these pollutants and asthma cases. This article expands on these studies, using additional data to include how proximity to busy roads alters the data. They were able to create gradients of risk within cities and communities.

Of course, reducing air pollution, particularly in cities, benefits more than just children and asthmatic people. Cities with robust public transportation and active commuting, such as walking or biking, have healthier citizens in general. Cleaner air and more physical activity can

lead to lower risks of heart disease and many other health problems.

Several entrepreneurial opportunities and technologies have arisen in recent years that coincide with the goal of reducing pollution. Electric bicycles, scooters and cars are a common sight in most cities now, and with proper infrastructure and safety regulations they can be an asset in combatting pediatric asthma.

The researchers advocate for further research into this area in the future. NO2 is used as a proxy for traffic-related air pollution, but studies looking closer at the causative nature of the various emissions from vehicles would allow regulators to better protect vulnerable populations. In addition, the relationship between reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality could help cities plan cost-effective strategies.

The full report is available to read at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542519619300464?via%3Dihub.

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Understanding Rural America’s Sanitation and Wastewater ChallengesTony Guerrieri, Executive DirectorAcross the United States, many rural communities and homes lack access to one of the most basic services: sanitation. Because residents often cannot afford sanitation facilities, they have no choice but to allow untreated sewage from their homes to flow freely into their backyards. Thousands may come into contact with raw sewage on their property because of illegal and unsanitary open sewers.

Most Americans live in areas where their bathroom pipes connect to a public sewage network. People who live outside these networks typically must install and maintain their own septic systems. Usually, it all works just fine – but sometimes things go wrong.

Although federal, state and local governments have worked for years to improve conditions, evidence of open sewers can be found all over. A report by researchers at Columbia University examines the causes and consequences of the sanitation crisis in the United States. The report, Flushed and Forgotten: Sanitation and Wastewater in Rural Communities in the U.S., documents the scope of the problem of lack of access to sanitation

in rural communities, frames the issue in human rights terms, and provides recommendations for federal, state and local governments to strengthen responses to the sanitation crisis.

In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the United States a D+ grade for wastewater infrastructure. The ASCE estimated $271 billion in additional funds would be needed to expand and modernize existing systems.

A recent study found that 540,000 homes

in the United States – comprising 1.5 million people – lack access to proper sewer systems.

The report highlights that in rural communities where poverty is prevalent, functioning and affordable sanitation systems can be out of reach. It zeroes in on the experience of rural communities in Alabama, Alaska, Appalachia, California, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, the Navajo Nation, North Carolina, Ohio, Puerto Rico and Texas.

For example, people exposed to raw sewage are at risk of illnesses from viruses, bacteria and intestinal parasites. Evidence of hookworm infections have been found in many of these areas. Known as a disease of poverty, hookworm causes anemia, weight loss, fatigue and impaired mental function in children.

According to the report, the policy framework in the U.S. is not designed to support equitable access to sanitation. There are two federal laws – the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act – that govern sanitation, but for the most part, enforcement and policy is left up to state and local governments. However, most funding comes from federal sources and is allocated to larger scale or municipal projects. Many rural communities, where sanitation is often left

up to individuals or clusters of residents, often cannot access those funds.

The current policy and funding structure further marginalizes and criminalizes the people who lack access to sanitation and cannot afford it, according to the report. Because methods like PVC pipes that carry waste from houses to open pits and trenches are technically illegal, homeowners run the risk of eviction, being arrested or being fined, which adds an additional cost burden that doesn’t remedy the core issue of lack of access.

The situation isn’t much better in towns connected to relatively functioning sewer systems, according to the report. Heavy rains and flooding overwhelm smaller sewer systems, forcing sewage to back up in people’s homes, and contaminating drinking water.

The report contains a number of recommendations including:

• Municipal sewage systems should be regularly upgraded.

• Local, state and federal governments should coordinate resources to create funding pools for people who do not have the financial means to buy and maintain septic systems.

• Instead of criminalizing people who cannot comply with sanitation requirements, governments and nonprofits should support them financially and structurally to come into compliance.

The 56-page report is co-authored by Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice, the Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic, and the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University. It is available for download at: http://www.humanrightscolumbia.org/sites/default/files/Flushed%20and%20Forgotten%20-%20FINAL%20%281%29.pdf.

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Recap of Committee Events See what we’ve been up to around the Commonwealth

In March, the Committee held an informational meeting in Harrisburg at the request of JLCC member Representative Parke Wentling (R-Crawford/Erie/Lawrence/Mercer). The focus of the meeting was on boosting local tourism and cycling opportunities along PA Route 6, which spans over 400 miles across the northern part of Pennsylvania.

During this informational meeting, members and interested parties were provided with updates from the Route 6 Alliance and PennDOT about the ongoing projects which aim to link communities along the Route 6 corridor. The goal of these initiatives is to increase bicycle tourism by providing cyclists with the opportunity to travel through scenic routes that offer several recreational activities and attractions along the way.

Terri Dennison, executive director of the Route 6 Alliance, discussed a number of topics including: the positive economic and recreational impacts of bicycle tourism along the corridor; the work of the Route 6 Alliance; the goals for state heritage areas; and the importance of community and business involvement with these projects.

Jim Foringer, district executive for PennDOT District 1, provided a summary overview of Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Bicycle Master Plan Design Guide, which highlights key elements for enhancing PA Route 6 for bicyclists. The guide also addresses topics such as the challenges facing the ease of bicycle travel and improvement strategies to enhance the safety and accessibility when cycling along the corridor.

109 Years AgoOn May 16, 1910, the U.S. Bureau of Mines was established. The bureau was created within the Department of the Interior as a result of the staggering number of mining fatalities that had occurred over a 10-year span. The death toll reached more than 2,000 every year, and in 1907, over 3,000 lives were lost due to mining disasters.

Upon its creation, the USBM was tasked with three main responsibilities: 1) conducting research designed to strengthen mining safety measures from health, environmental and economic perspectives; 2) disseminating information about the mining industry and minerals; and 3) providing analyses related to mineral resources.

Dr. Joseph Austin Holmes was the first director to lead the USBM. Dr. Holmes was a geologist and professor who took great interest in working to reduce the number of mining casualties.

The bureau was eliminated in 1996 and the U.S. Geological Survey took over many of the agency’s duties and functions.

@PA_JLCC PA Joint Legislative Conservation Committee pa_jlcc Joint Legislative Conservation Committee

This Month in Conservation History A look back at the evolution of environmental stewardship

8 T h e J l c c N e w s l e T T e r

significant economic driver for the state. The event generates more than $75 million in revenue each year. According to the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, it estimated that over the course of five years, the NRA’s show was anticipated to create over $370 million for the local economy. The HHRVB estimated this figure by examining factors such as hotel and lodging occupancy made over the course of 10 days during the GAOS. The bureau reported that in 2016, there were 55,842 rooms that were booked across the county, which was an increase of over 1,000 from the previous year.

According to the NRA, the event is also responsible for supporting over 6,000 jobs annually and helps to bolster several industries in Pennsylvania, including retail, lodging and transportation as a result of the show’s production.

Some quick highlights from this year’s GAOS include:

• Over 200 seminars were conducted by outdoor experts and guest celebrities;

• Approximately 30 cooking demonstrations were held;

• Approximately 50 angling demonstrations were presented;

• Over 800 children participated in the Kids Casting Contest;

• Almost 7,000 shooters participated in the NRA Air Gun range;

• 102 dogs entered the DockDogs competition; and

• Over 650 shooters competed against one another in the 3D Bowhunter Challenge and Spot Shoot.

This year, the NRA hosted its Friends of NRA Banquet on February 7, which included a raffle that raised almost $150,000 that is to be used towards enhancing firearms safety training and

educational programs in Pennsylvania and other states.

The City of Harrisburg should be proud to host the largest outdoor event in the country. Having the GAOS held in Pennsylvania serves not only an impactful economic and tourism driver for the region, but also as a testament to the millions of Pennsylvanians who are dedicated to enhancing the great outdoors and its many time-honored traditions.

The next GAOS show is scheduled to take place from February 1 through February 9, 2020.

For more information about the GAOS, visit: https://www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org/.

Joint Legislative Conservation

Committee

Contact Information

Phone : 717.787.7570

Website : jcc .legis .state .pa .us

Location:Room 408

Finance BuildingHarrisburg, PA 17120

Mailing Address:Joint Legislative

Conservation CommitteePA House of Representatives

P.O. Box 202254Harrisburg, PA 17120-2254

The Chairman’s Cornercontinued from page 1