Home Heating Oil
DYK? Home heating oil spills can pollute drinking water supplies, contaminate soils, and expose tank owners to liability if neighboring properties are affected. Heating oil spills can also be expensive to clean up! With proper tank management, spills and leaks can be avoided.
Learn more about home heating oil and find maintenance tips on our website:
➡️ dep.pa.gov/homeheatingoil
Do you need Mine Subsidence Insurance?
Millions of structures in PA are located over old abandoned underground mines, and they are all at risk from damage caused by mine subsidence. Mine Subsidence Insurance is a very affordable solution to the financial losses mine subsidence may cause.
➡️ dep.pa.gov/msi
Litter in PA
In Pennsylvania, litter is polluting our roads, neighborhoods, parks, streams and rivers. It's time to #PickUpPA!
Now through Nov. 30, register or join a fall litter cleanup and get free gloves, safety vests, and trash bags while supplies last!
🚮➡️ https://bit.ly/3AwTd6Z
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
DEP Celebrates 60 Years of Rachel Carson’s "Silent Spring"
DEP hosted a virtual roundtable with environmentalists honoring the late scientist, ecologist, editor, writer, and Pennsylvania native Rachel Carson for her classic environmental literary work, “Silent Spring.”
Carson’s “Silent Spring” was published in 1962, helping to usher in the modern environmental movement and making environmental concerns and issues known to the public. Carson, born in southwestern Pennsylvania, was a scientist who took to writing and was able to communicate the importance of environmental protection for all communities.
DEP hosted the roundtable to commemorate Carson’s significant contributions to the field of environmental protection and her groundbreaking book, “Silent Spring.”
“Rachel Carson’s contributions to science, through acute observations, are appreciated by all who serve each day to continue her legacy of protecting the environment,” said DEP Acting Secretary Ramez Ziadeh.
“I am excited to have participated in an event to celebrate such an important Pittsburgher and environmentalist,” said DEP Office of Environmental Justice Southwest Regional Coordinator Ngani Ndimbie, who participated in the event.
Dr. Linda Lear, who participated in the roundtable, is a Rachel Carson historian who has studied Carson’s work for years. Lear wrote the foreword that appears in updated editions of “Silent Spring” and authored “Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature.” “History has shown that Rachel was right,” said Lear.
Another participant, Dr. Patricia DeMarco, said she utilizes Carson’s “environmental ethic and principles of science-based policy” in her work and has been influenced to “living in harmony with nature.” DeMarco is the author of the forthcoming book, “In the Footsteps of Rachel Carson,” to be published next year, and has led the Rachel Carson Homestead Association, and then the Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University (where Carson studied), and co-produced “The Power
Don't Breed Mosquitoes
DYK? If you are being bitten by mosquitoes, it's most likely those mosquitoes are being produced on your property.
Don't breed your own mosquitoes. Check around your home for standing water and eliminate it, once a week!
#FightTheBite 🦟
➡️ dep.pa.gov/westnile
DEP's Black Fly Suppression Program involves aerial and backpack spraying on roughly 1,700 stream miles in 36 counties in the commonwealth.
48 rivers and streams are monitored and treated as needed. Spraying activities are performed both by helicopter and ground crews. Prior to any spraying activity, DEP notifies county and local emergency management officials.
Helicopters can be seen flying over waterways and ground crews using backpack sprayers off bridges and wading in streams conducting control operations on behalf of DEP’s Black Fly Suppression Program.
Anyone concerned at the sight of a helicopter or ground personnel is encouraged to call their county emergency management office to verify that a black fly treatment is taking place in their area on that day.
Learn more at dep.pa.gov/blackfly.
Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) produce toxins and other chemical compounds that can harm people and animals. Learn how to identify suspected HABs, what to do, and how to report them.
➡️ dep.pa.gov/habs
PA Fights Dirty: Every Litter Bit Counts Launch
The Wolf Administration announced a new anti-litter campaign aimed at changing behavior of Pennsylvanians and reducing the amount of trash on roads and in streams and rivers. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation, Environmental Protection, Community and Economic Development and the State Police joined Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to discuss the new campaign.
Be anti-litter
There are over 500 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania’s roads. Litter is also polluting our neighborhoods, parks, streams and rivers, and countryside and woodlands.
Be pro-Pennsylvania. Be anti-litter.
🚮➡️ dep.pa.gov/litter
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
#KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
DEP's Black Fly Suppression Program
DEP's Black Fly Suppression Program involves aerial and backpack spraying on roughly 1,700 stream miles in 36 counties in the commonwealth.
48 rivers and streams are monitored and treated as needed. Spraying activities are performed both by helicopter and ground crews. Prior to any spraying activity, DEP notifies county and local emergency management officials.
Helicopters can be seen flying over waterways and ground crews using backpack sprayers off bridges and wading in streams conducting control operations on behalf of DEP’s Black Fly Suppression Program.
Anyone concerned at the sight of a helicopter or ground personnel is encouraged to call their county emergency management office to verify that a black fly treatment is taking place in their area on that day.
Learn more at dep.pa.gov/blackfly.
Illegal dumping is not only an eyesore - it also creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Here are a few things you should know about the problem of illegal dumping and ways that you can help.
🦟➡️ bit.ly/2VMzmBs
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Many climate-related changes are projected if we don't reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more about climate change impacts in Pennsylvania:
➡️ bit.ly/PAClimateImpacts
Pennsylvania Department of Health Reports First Human Cases of West Nile Virus in Pennsylvania in 2022, Recommends All PA Residents Minimize Exposure to Mosquitoes: https://bit.ly/3cn3qvH
“Detecting the first human case serves as a reminder for Pennsylvanians to take the proper precautions when they are outside or near areas where mosquitoes are prevalent,” Acting Secretary of Health and Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito-related diseases.”
Although mosquitoes can bite at any time of the day or night, the mosquitoes that transmit WNV are most active at dawn and dusk. When outdoors, people can avoid mosquito bites by properly and consistently using DEET-containing insect repellents and covering exposed skin with lightweight clothing. To keep mosquitoes from entering a home, make sure window and door screens are in place and are in good condition.
DEP conducts regular surveillance and control to manage mosquito populations around the state. As of July 15, 2022, DEP and county vector programs have detected 68 WNV-infected mosquito pools in 19 counties.
“DEP monitors the mosquito population across Pennsylvania,” said Acting DEP Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. “Today’s announcement serves as a reminder that all Pennsylvanians should take precautions to protect against mosquitoes. Using a personal insect repellant or staying indoors during dawn and dusk will help prevent exposure to mosquitoes.”
Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan 2021
A call for statewide action now by partners in all sectors—government, industry, business, and community organizations—by the Departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation, Agriculture, and Conservation and Natural Resources.
New Mural Teaches About Pollinators
A new mural with an educational message has the Midtown neighborhood of Harrisburg buzzing. Sprocket Mural Works, an all-volunteer nonprofit, is making efforts to uplift Harrisburg with art.
“The Pollinators” is one of Sprocket’s newest featured murals, painted in the summer of 2021 by Harrisburg artist Gloria Jean Martin. With the help of a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Environmental Education grant, the mural teaches residents about the importance of pollinators like honeybees to a healthy environment.
Learn more 🐝🌼🦋
➡️ https://bit.ly/3zlfF1s
Tips for Proper Pool Drainage
DYK? Discharged pool water and waters containing chlorine or other chemicals can be detrimental to aquatic life if not handled responsibly. Learn how to properly close your swimming pool for the year:
➡️ http://bit.ly/2z1ZqtC
Be Anti-Litter
There are over 500 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania’s roads. Litter is also polluting our neighborhoods, parks, streams and rivers, and countryside and woodlands.
Be pro-Pennsylvania. Be anti-litter.
🚮➡️ dep.pa.gov/litter
#KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
Illegal Dumping Breeds Mosquitoes
DYK? Illegal dumping creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Here are a few things you should know about the problem of illegal dumping and ways that you can help.
🦟➡️ https://bit.ly/2VMzmBs
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Stream Guidelines
DEP strives to assist PA communities experiencing the damage and disruption that flooding can cause. Our stream guidelines booklet is an easy-to-use resource for understanding the DEP regulations that apply when working in Pennsylvania streams.
➡️ dep.pa.gov/streamguidelines
Wilkes-Barre Area High School
A brand-new, state-of-the-art high school now occupies former abandoned mine lands on 25 acres in Plains Township, Luzerne County. The old Prospect Colliery site once employed thousands of miners and produced much of the coal used in northeast Pennsylvania. Now Wilkes-Barre Area High School calls it home.
DEP gave first approval for construction of the high school on the site in April of 2017. The state also provided a $1 million Industrial Sites Reuse grant. Before construction could begin, DEP worked with the school district on a plan to relocate thousands of tons of coal ash from the site, and close off a former mine opening. A new type of technique known as “dynamic compaction” was used to stabilize the ground and cover the former mine land.
Nearly four years later, very little signs of coal mining exist. The school affords students modern classrooms, a place for STEM learning, a modern auditorium and gymnasium, plus plenty of outdoor open space for learning.
DEP is proud to have partnered with Wilkes-Barre Area School District on this land reclamation and educational investment.
Black Fly Lunchtime Live
Still emerging from many of our rivers and streams, gnats would swarm you were it not for DEP's control efforts around the state. Watch this talk by aquatic biologist Doug Orr on how the DEP Black Fly Control Program reduces gnat swarms naturally to enable Pennsylvanians to enjoy activities on the water.
Stream Maintenance
DEP strives to assist PA communities experiencing the damage and disruption that flooding can cause. Our stream guidelines booklet is an easy-to-use resource for understanding the DEP regulations that apply when working in Pennsylvania streams.
➡️ dep.pa.gov/streamguidelines
Tips for Proper Pool Drainage
DYK? Discharged pool water and waters containing chlorine or other chemicals can be detrimental to aquatic life if not handled responsibly. Learn how to properly close your swimming pool for the year:
➡️ http://bit.ly/2z1ZqtC
DEP Celebrates 1,000 EV Chargers
DYK? DEP recently celebrated 1,000 EV chargers installed in PA with #DrivingPAForward funding!
🔌⚡🚘➡️ http://bit.ly/3dc1Ry0
“Each one of these chargers adds another option for Pennsylvania’s electric vehicle drivers, and more electric vehicles on the road means less tailpipe pollution and healthier air quality in our communities,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “It also helps Pennsylvania address the pressing challenge of climate change.”
PA's Littering Problem
Wolf Administration Continues Combatting Litter, Urges Public to Stop Costly and Unsightly Practice
🚮➡️ https://bit.ly/2WpdfS7
“Through public education, enforcement, clean ups, and volunteering, the commonwealth is working tirelessly to beautify Pennsylvania,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “We cannot keep our communities clean without the public’s help, and I call on everyone to take personal responsibility for ending this ugly practice.”
“Most litter along the road isn’t going to decompose in our lifetime. If you saw it today, you’re likely to see it again the next time you pass by, still leaching, breaking into microplastics, creating hazards for people and wildlife, and diminishing our communities and landscape,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “On top of this, litter cleanup is a big cost to state government and local communities, and ultimately all Pennsylvanians. Ending the littering habit will benefit everyone and everything that lives in Pennsylvania.”
How to ID a HAB
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) produce toxins and other chemical compounds that can harm people and animals. Learn how to identify suspected HABs, what to do, and how to report them.
➡️ dep.pa.gov/habs
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Today is #WorldMosquitoDay! 🦟 Mosquitoes breed in areas with standing and stagnant water. You can help protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites by eliminating standing water from around your home. #FightTheBite
➡️ dep.pa.gov/westnile
Surveying Mussels in French Creek
#ThrowbackThursday for #WaterQualityMonth! DYK that French Creek contains one of the most diverse and abundant freshwater mussel populations in the northeastern United States?
Learn more:
➡️ http://bit.ly/33UbCdY
Many climate-related changes are projected if we don't reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more about climate change impacts in Pennsylvania:
⛈️➡️ https://bit.ly/32FFVHk
Don't Breed Your Own Mosquitoes
DYK? If you are being bitten by mosquitoes, it's most likely those mosquitoes are being produced on your property.
Don't breed your own mosquitoes. Check around your home for any standing water and eliminate it, once a week!
#FightTheBite 🦟
➡️ dep.pa.gov/westnile
