Secretary Jessica Shirley

DEP’s Wetlands Encroachment and Training team gave the green light to two awesome projects at Sinking Springs Farm and TNT Cattle Farm—and thanks to the waiver of permit requirements in Chapter 105.12(a)(16) - AKA the "restoration waiver," the approvals were quick! These projects highlight collaborative, multi-state efforts, combining funding from PENNVEST and PennDOT. From permitting to post-project inspections, staff from across numerous DEP water bureaus including Clean Water, Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management, and Waterways Engineering and Wetlands, worked together with local partners for watershed improvements that also benefit the Chesapeake Bay. What’s the big deal, you say? These projects aren’t just about moving dirt, they’re super supportive of our streams. Here's how: ✅ They remove legacy sediment degradations ✅ They involve PA Native Wild Trout restoration ✅ They have compatibility with agriculture operations/farming land uses ✅ They improved water quality, flood capacity, vegetative diversity, and wildlife habitat Healthy wetlands mean happy wildlife, cleaner water, and better managed flooding. Our team is proud to help make it happen! Read more 👉 chesapeakebay.net/news/blog/stat… #CleanWater #ChesapeakeBay #Restoration

Everyone deserves clean air, safe drinking water, and a healthy place to live, no matter where that is. Environmental Justice means making sure all communities are treated fairly, especially the most vulnerable, and have a voice when decisions affect their environment. Here are several ways you can stay informed and involved in your community: 📖 Learn about projects or permits being planned in your area ✏️ Add comments during public comment periods 📱 Report problems in your area so they can be addressed 💻 Check out PennEnviroScreen to see the EJ areas in your region: gis.dep.pa.gov/PennEnviroScre… 🎙️ Participate in the Environmental Justice Advisory Board public meetings: dep.pa.gov/ejab Thank you for helping your neighbors with any level of involvement! ... Todos merecen aire limpio, agua potable y un lugar saludable donde vivir, sin importar dónde se encuentren. Justicia Ambiental significa garantizar que todas las comunidades reciban un trato justo, especialmente las más vulnerables, y tengan una voz cuando las decisiones afectan su entorno. Estas son algunas formas en las que puedes mantenerte informado e involucrado en tu comunidad: 📖 Infórmate sobre los proyectos o permisos planificados en tu zona ✏️Proporciona comentarios durante los periodos de consulta pública 📱 Reporta problemas en tu zona para que se puedan resolver 💻Consulta el mapa digital PennEnviroScreen para ver las áreas de justicia ambiental en tu región: gis.dep.pa.gov/PennEnviroScre… 🎤 Participa en las reuniones públicas del Consejo Asesor de Justicia Ambiental: pa.gov/agencies/dep/p… ¡Gracias por ayudar a tus vecinos a que participen!

From bold lines to sleek seating, our new space isn’t just an office—it’s a statement. Rachel Carson State Office Building is part of the @PAGenServices Space Optimization and Utilization Project, and we can’t wait to see our full #OfficeGlowUp

For too long, abandoned wells have sat vacant and released toxic chemicals into the environment because Pennsylvania didn’t have the resources—or the speed—to get projects up and running. And PA has the most abandoned wells of any state in the nation! With cash reserves from the Well Plugging Account nearly depleted, and no longer receiving permit fee revenue, and the need to continue aggressively plugging abandoned or orphaned wells that are polluting our air and water, the Governor's budget includes a *General Fund transfer of $19 million to the Well Plugging Account so the we can continue to plug abandoned oil and gas wells that pose a potential threat to Pennsylvania’s health and the environment. ... @PAGovOffice

#DYK Pennsylvania has the most acres of abandoned and un-reclaimed mine lands in the nation. Now, the Shapiro Administration is working to fund shovel ready sites—turning dirt into jobs. Cleaning up abandoned mine land and hazardous waste sites so communities can put those areas to good use. How will we continue to clean up these abandoned hazardous waste sites? The Governor's budget proposes a *one-time transfer of $20 million from the General Fund to protect Pennsylvanians from the most dangerous toxic waste sites throughout the Commonwealth. This means reclaimed mine land can be put back to use for Pennsylvanians. ... ¿Sabías que Pennsylvania tiene la mayor cantidad de acres de terrenos mineros abandonados y sin rehabilitar de todo el país? Ahora, la administración del Gobernador Shapiro está trabajando para financiar proyectos listos para su ejecución, transformando terrenos baldíos en puestos de trabajo. Estamos limpiando terrenos mineros abandonados y tiraderos de residuos peligrosos para que las comunidades puedan darles un buen uso a esas zonas. ¿Cómo continuaremos limpiando estos tiraderos de residuos peligrosos abandonados? El presupuesto del gobernador propone una transferencia única de 20 millones de dólares del Fondo General para proteger a los habitantes de Pennsylvania de los tiraderos de residuos tóxicos más peligrosos en todo el estado. Esto significa que los terrenos mineros recuperados podrán volver a utilizarse para el beneficio de todos en Pennsylvania.

After 15 years of joint effort among Plain Sect farmers, more than a mile of waterway in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, has been restored. Thanks to planting trees, improving soil health, and reducing nutrient runoff at Hammertown Run, connected waters like the Little Conestoga Creek, Conestoga River and Chesapeake Bay will benefit too. Hammertown Run is a tributary of the Conestoga River, chosen by the public as Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year for its scenic views, recreation opportunities and more. This project was made possible with funds from DEP’s Growing Greener Plus program, which aims to restore and protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources by supporting counties, municipalities, conservation districts, watershed organizations, and other groups working toward watershed restoration. Grant funding supports outreach, education, conservation planning, design, permitting, and data management in three Conestoga River catchments—Hammertown, Indian Run, and a Tributary to Indian Run—within Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year. ... @DCNRnews

$3.7 million increase to CODE PA to support the creation of the permit tracker. Under the Shapiro Administration we reduced wait times for businesses and workers across the board. With programs like PAyback, the moneyback guarantee to Pennsylvanians if state agencies don’t meet those timelines, and the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program which advances your permit application to a fast track review with a qualified professional, we sped up permitting, licensing, and certification processes, and eliminated red tape and backlogs, including a 15-year long backlog of permits at Pennsylvania DEP, which previously totaled over 2,402 permit applications. Now, CODE PA will have the funds it needs to complete the permit tracker, increasing transparency for businesses and individuals with projects in process across the state. See how you can track your permit with DEP: pa.gov/agencies/dep/d… ... @GovernorShapiro

There’s power in coming together, especially when a team works so far apart, in offices across the state. Last week, our leadership team gathered at Shippensburg University (@shippensburgU) for an in-person collaboration and learning session led by Dr. Carrie Sipes, focused on PR and communication best practices. The day was more than sharing strategies. It was about creating space for honest dialogue and practicing clear communication. Through presentations, small-group discussions, and hands-on activities, we worked on strengthening how we listen, communicate, and collaborate—leaning into curiosity, asking better questions, and embracing the tough conversations. University President Charles Patterson also stopped by to welcome Secretary Shirley and the team. A reminder that leadership starts with showing up.

#DYK Back in 1996 and in 2006, DEP added the Upper Conestoga River and associated tributaries to its impaired waters list due to nonpoint source pollution—which is where water picks up dirt, oil, and other materials from the ground and carries it to a nearby body of water—from agriculture and other sources. At the time, it did not meet the required conditions to support aquatic life. The good news? Thanks to partners like Berks County Conservation District, best management practices (like 14,000 acres of cover crops and 8,200 linear feet of streambank livestock exclusion fencing) have resulted in much healthier waters. All that along with more rigorous sampling protocol by DEP today, approximately 15 miles of stream segments in the Upper Conestoga watershed have been restored. This project was funded by a variety of sources, including nearly $373,000 from DEP’s Water Quality Improvement Program along the Mariner East 2 Pipeline Corridor; it also received $20,000 from Stroud Water Research Center towards a buffer, Conservation Reserve and Enhancement Program cost shares and incentives, and just over $29,000 from DEP’s Chesapeake Bay County Action Plan Implementation Grant. And better news! Just recently the Conestoga River was named "River of the Year" by a public vote! Learn more about this Upper Conestoga River success story: bit.ly/3NZ13lu 📸Before and after images shown.

From launches to eliminations, we got a lot done in 2025. Check it all out here 👉 bit.ly/4qJANtJ #pennsylvaniadep #GSD

Delays. A shutdown. Lost equipment. This electrofishing program could have been canceled, but it became a story about teamwork instead. When Environmental Education Grant recipients Monroe County Conservation District and Northampton Community College needed special electrofishing gear for their program, “From Current to Classroom: Educating Through Electrofishing,” delays and shutdowns almost stopped everything. But partners from Canada to Idaho to right here in PA stepped in—including the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (@SRBCnews) who provided training and led the electrofishing shown in the video. Thanks to their teamwork and quick action, teachers, students, and neighbors explored local streams, studied fish, and learned what makes our waterways healthy. Go team! youtube.com/watch?v=Hmp2cs…

Pennsylvania communities are leading the nation in nature-based river restoration, creating local wins and cleaner water flowing downstream into water bodies like the Chesapeake Bay. A new report from @americanrivers, showcases 7 success stories around PA that show how local governments and community groups are tackling flooding, pollution, and habitat loss. From floodplain restoration to green infrastructure, each project proves that restoring rivers benefits both our people and our environment. See how PA is redefining what river restoration can look like. Read the full report below 👇americanrivers.org/report/restori…

We’re looking for Environmental Champions 👀 Have you helped protect Pennsylvania’s air, land, or water? Whether you’re part of a small business, a local farm, a school, nonprofit, or a government agency, your hard work deserves to be recognized! The 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence honors the people and projects making a real difference for our planet right here in PA. From restoring streams to creating sustainability programs, we’d love to hear about it! Projects must be completed between Nov. 1, 2024 and Nov. 19, 2025. Submit your application by Friday, Jan.16, 2026 👉 bit.ly/dep-gaee @DCNRnews | @PADeptofEd | @PAAgriculture

⏰ 2 weeks left to apply for grant funding to help PA students, neighbors, or coworkers learn about clean air, water, climate, or environmental justice. From school clubs to statewide efforts…if it teaches Pennsylvanians about the environment, it qualifies to apply! Learn more and apply before Nov. 14: dep.pa.gov/eegrants ... @PADeptofEd @PADCNR

.@PennsylvaniaDEP has officially eliminated its historic permit backlog — so now, when you request a permit to expand your business, it will get processed immediately. No backlog. No delays. Just the government working the way it should.