Centre County Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps

March 14, 2012 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building, Room 317

Due to the recruitment of new members, there may be another training meeting this spring.

Next month's meeting will be a Colorimeter Training Session at the Stackhouse Training Center at Fisherman's Paradise.  At least one member from each team is asked to attend.

A Quality Assurance Plan was presented by Ken Johnson.  He presented goals for our CCPaSEC for quality assurance (QA) as well as analyses of our data in regards to QA.

CCPaSEC received a Healthy Waters grant from the PA DEP to help with travel expenses for the Marcellus Shale teams (Teams 13 & 14) until September as well as funds for Lab Analyses and Lab Macroinvertebrate Identification.

Supplies have been procured from Nature Abounds. They will be brought to each meeting so that teams needing chemicals may pick them up at the general meetings.  Dan Delotto provided each team a calibration and maintenance kit for the Oakton 5 function meters. 

Genie Robine presented the schedule for spring Macroinvertebrate Surveys.

The scope of the History of CCPaSEC may be scaled back.  Members are asked to contribute their stories about monitoring and information on their sites.  Email contributions to Doug Macneal. 

It was suggested that CCPaSEC should consider creating a Publicity/Historian chairperson.

Ways to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CCPaSEC were discussed. 

Megan Bradburn from PaDEP will provide training for participation in the PaDEP Bacteria Monitoring Project at our meeting on May 9.

The next meeting will be on April 11, at the Stackhouse Training Center at Fisherman's Paradise.

April 11, 2012 - Colorimeter Training & General Meeting - at Stackhouse Training Center, Fisherman's Paradise

Due to the recruitment of new members, there may be another training meeting this summer.

Genie Robine reported that the Macroinvertebrate Surveys are proceeding on schedule.  She noted that Sinking Creek Water Quality Scores are much improved over previous survey results.

Several CCPaSEC members have signed up to participate as a team in ClearWater Conservancy's Annual Watershed Cleanup Day on April 21.  Our team will cover Fillmore Rd., Slaughterhouse Rd., and Upper Gyp Rd.

 Jim Wert from Nature Abounds provided training on the Colorimeter DR850.  Members grouped into 4 teams, each using a colorimeter to learn test procedures for Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrates, Orthophosphates, and Sulfates on stream samples from Spring Creek.  Nature abounds also provided us with a new colorimeter to be used in conjunction with our two current DR850 Colorimeters.  A schedule will be devised to share them among teams.  The Manual for the Colorimeter DR850 can be found on the Field and Test Kit Manual web page.  Members are encouraged to access the manual and read through it to become familiar with the colorimeter's test procedures.

Teams were encouraged to promptly enter their recorded field data for 2012 into the CCPaSEC's online database.

Supplies were distributed to teams needing them.

Next month's meeting will include Megan Bradburn from PaDEP discussing our participation in the PaDEP Bacteria Monitoring Project on May 9,  2012 at the Willowbank Building, Bellefonte, Room 317 at 9:30 a.m.

May 9, 2012 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building, Room 317, Bellefonte

Genie Robine reported that the Macroinvertebrate Surveys are proceeding on schedule.  Three teams still need to do their surveys for the spring/summer of 2012.

Several CCPaSEC members participated as a team in ClearWater Conservancy's Annual Watershed Cleanup Day on April 21.  All teams collected a total of over 43.56 tons of trash including 640 tires during the cleanup.

 Megan Bradburn from PA DEP discussed our participation in the PA DEP Bacteria Monitoring Project with streams for recreational use.  She discussed the procedures for sample collection and delivery to a PA DEP-approved accredited lab for testing.  Mileage reimbursement will be given to those participating if they request it.  Those interested should contact Mick McKay at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Megan will return for the June meeting to distribute the supplies for the project and give detailed instructions for their use.

How to remove ticks embedded in skin was discussed as was the need to be vigilant concerning their detection.

A rotation schedule was presented for transferring the colorimeters among teams for their use.  It was suggested to use the colorimeters as quality checks while continuing to test chemical parameters using the current Hach test kits.

Ken Johnson presented a Mini-Field Guide to be used in the field.  The guide would be small enough to fit into a pocket and would contain useful information for our monitoring events.  He will head a committee to determine the contents of the guide and arrange for its publication.  Those interested in helping to develop this guide are asked to contact Ken or Mick.

Duties for a Public Relations Committee Chairperson and a CCPaSEC Historian were presented by Ralph Locklin.  We will be searching for individuals to accept these positions.  Those interested should contact Ralph or Mick.

Data Entry by Teams Charts for 2011 and 2012, both Chemical/Physical and Macro, are now available on the CCPaSEC website.  These charts display which teams have entered data for which months.  This is a members only feature and requires a log in to access.  The charts are available using the Monitored Sites & Data/Data Entry by Teams link.  Using these charts, teams may track their data entry efforts.  Also available on the website for general viewing (no login in access required) are Oakton PCS Testr35 Instructions © Oakton Instruments, Colorimeter DR850 Instructions © Hach Equipment, and Ken Johnson's Stream Flow Guide on the Manuals webpage using the Field & Test Kit Manual link.

Next month's meeting will include Jennifer Shuey discussing ClearWater Conservancy's new 4-year plan on June  13,  2012 at the Willowbank Building, Bellefonte, Room 317 at 9:30 a.m.

June 13, 2012 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building, Room 317, Bellefonte

Jennifer Shuey Executive Director of ClearWater Conservancy gave a presentation overview of ClearWater's goals for the present and future.  Areas of emphasis are Land Conservation, Water Resource Protection and Riparian Conservation Projects.  A Trail Map of the Scotia Barrens has been produced, giving members a sneak peak, before its official introduction to the public.

2 new members have joined CCPaSEC and will be placed tentatively with Team 1.

Ken Johnson presented a revised Mini-Field Guide.  The guide has been reformatted slightly and will be small enough to fit into a pocket.  It will contain useful information for our monitoring events.  It might include invasive plant species information.  Those interested in helping to develop this guide are asked to contact Ken.

The Colorimeter Kit Rotation Schedule was discussed.  Timing in the use of the Dissolved Oxygen test was also discussed.

Marcellus Shale Grant- The grant project will end in September.  There will be two more evaluations, one in July and September.  Team 13 and Team 14 are still working with Dr. K. from Lock Haven U. on the project.  Ann Donovan submitted an article to the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition Newsletter concerning the effort.  Dan DeLotto’s report of road erosion resulted in an excellent response and road improvements.

Jen Shuey noted that CCPaSEC may submit articles to ClearWater Conservancy's e-newsletter which has a large distribution.

CCPaSEC is still searching for individual(s) to accept Publicity/Historian position(s).  Those interested should contact Ralph Locklin or Mick McKay.

Data Entry by Teams Charts for 2011 and 2012, both Chemical/Physical and Macro, are available on the CCPaSEC website.  These charts display which teams have entered data for which months.  This is a members only feature and requires a log in to access. Using these charts, teams may track their data entry efforts. Marcellus Teams 13 and 14 Data are now available on the website including field parameter measurements and Dr. K's lab results.

Mick McKay gave a brief overview of the Forest Summit sponsored by Nature Abounds recently held at S.B. Elliot State Park.  Climate change is affecting forests in Pennsylvania with introduction of non-native species from more southern states and increasing abundance of ticks.  Excess deer, acid rain, gypsy moths and Marcellus Shale drilling issues are threatening our forests' health.

Mick also gave a brief overview of the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition Symposium sponsored by Trout Unlimited.  Acid mine drainage in streams was the primary emphasis.  Improvement is slow but remediation measures are being implemented.

CCPaSEC will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with a dinner in October.  Genie Robine and Carolyn Hatley will handle the arrangements.

The annual picnic with Clearfield County SEC will be held August 8, 2012 at Bilger's Rocks starting at 10:00 a.m.  Matt Walker will speak about "How Marcellus Shale Drilling Operations Affect Public Health and the Environment".

Megan Bradburn from PA DEP passed out supplies for our participation in the PA DEP Bacteria Monitoring Project.  She discussed the procedures for sample collection and delivery to a PA DEP-approved accredited lab for testing.

Next month's meeting will be held on July 11, 2012 at the Willowbank Building, Bellefonte, Room 317 at 9:30 a.m.

July 11, 2012 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building, Room 144, Bellefonte

ClearWater Conservancy Update:  CWC has formed a Natural Gas Advisory Committee which will revisit ClearWater's Position Statement pertaining to drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale Region.

Ken Johnson presented the latest revision of the  Mini-Field Guide.  He is currently working on copyright and liability issues.  He also may have found a sponsor to cover printing costs.

The Colorimeter Kit Rotation Schedule was discussed.  Several teams have still not used the colorimeter for testing.  It was noted that teams should use both the Colorimeter and the Hach Kit methods for testing for several months for results comparisons.  The use of the Dissolved Oxygen test was also discussed, and a sheets were passed out to be included in the colorimeter instructions for handling the DO ampule.  It was noted that some teams need a low nitrates test but the instructions and chemical reagents given us are for the high nitrates test.  Dan Delotto will check into getting the low nitrates reagents for those teams requiring them.  It was also noted that the colorimeter reading is for nitrates-nitrogen while the Hach test produces a reading for nitrates.  These are not exactly comparable.

Members & spouses interested in car-pooling to the August 8 picnic at Bilger's Rocks should meet at the Sears parking lot on the north end in the Mall in Benner Township at 9:00 a.m.  Matt Walker will speak about "How Marcellus Shale Drilling Operations Affect Public Health and the Environment".

Macro-invertebrate surveys are completed for the Spring/Summer.  Fall surveys will begin in September and possibly run into October.

CCPaSEC's 10th Anniversary dinner will be held on October 16 or 17 with drinks at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Nittany Country Club.  The exact date will be announced when finalized.

Marcellus Shale Grant- The grant project will end in September.  Supplies and equipment have been ordered using grant funds.

Dan Delotto will send an order to Nature Abounds for supplies for the rest of the year and a wish list including colorimeters, flowmeters, and a DEP-approved Dissolved Oxygen meter.

CCPaSEC Website Demo - Data Entry by Teams Charts for 2011 and 2012, both Chemical/Physical and Macro, are available on the CCPaSEC website.  These charts display which teams have entered data for which months.  This is a members only feature and requires a log in to access. Using these charts, teams may track their data entry efforts. Marcellus Teams 13 and 14 Data are now available on the website including field parameter measurements and Dr. K's lab results.

Next month's meeting and picnic will be held on August 8 at 10:00 a.m.  at Bilger's Rocks in Clearfield County.

August 8, 2012 - Picnic & General Meeting - at Bilger's Rocks Park, Curwensville, PA

Members & spouses car-pooled to the picnic at Bilger's Rocks.  The general meeting was held.

CCPaSEC's 10th Anniversary dinner will be held on October 17 with drinks at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Nittany Country Club.  The cost will be $20 per person.

Genie Robine will make a schedule for the fall Macro-invertebrate surveys beginning in September.   They will possibly run into October.

Dan Delotto sent an order to Nature Abounds for supplies for the rest of the year and a wish list including colorimeters, flowmeters, and a DEP-approved Dissolved Oxygen meter.  Jim Wert brought the ordered supplies and provided us with another colorimeter and a 3 function Oakton meter.

Presentations on CCPaSEC will be given at the ClearWater Conservancy Board Meeting and the Centre County Commissioners' Meeting possibly in October.     

Team 13 & 14 will finish the Healthy Waters Marcellus sample collecting in August.

Margaret Hopkins from the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research (MCOR) presented a research opportunity for PaSEC members to participate in.  The center received a research grant to develop an intensive 8-week course on Marcellus Community Science Volunteer Monitoring to be held at Penn State Dubois.  An info session  will be held on Tuesday, August 28 from  7-8 pm; 209 DEF Building, Penn State DuBois.  Anyone intetersted should contact Margaret at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

At the conclusion of the meeting,  Matt Walker spoke about "How Marcellus Shale Drilling Operations Affect Public Health and the Environment".

After the picnic, a guided tour of the rocks was given.

Next month's  Quality Control meeting will be held on September 12 at Laurel Haven (Julian) at 9:30 a.m.  All teams must have at least one team member present and are to bring their kits and meters.  Those with colorimeters should also bring the colorimeters.  Dan will check to see if we have standard solutions for all the tests or if standards need to be ordered.  Scott Williams will be asked to bring his battery tester for meter battery checks. 

September 12, 2012 - Quality Control Workshop Meeting - at Laurel Haven Center, Julian, PA

Dan Delotto will purchase batteries in  bulk for our Oakton meters.  The cost/battery is considerably less than if purchased individually or in smaller quantities.

CCPaSEC will underwrite the cost of printing 20 copies of the Mini-Manual when it is ready.

CCPaSEC's 10th Anniversary dinner will be held on October 17 with drinks at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Nittany Country Club.(map)  The cost will be $20 per person.

A new colorimeter rotation schedule was distributed.  With the addition of the new colorimeter, each colorimeter will be shared by two teams.

During the Quality Control Workshop, team members used their testing equipment to measure standard solutions for pH, Conductivity, Sulfates, Dissolved Oxygen, and Nitrates (low & high).  Their results will be compared to the standard solution concentrations for accuracy.   Alkalinity testing was done on a stream sample from Laurel Run since no alkalinity standard was available for use.  Teams also had their Oakton meter batteries checked and replaced if needed. 

Teams obtained supplies needed for their next 5 monitoring sessions. 

Next month's meeting will be held on October 10 at Willowbank Building, Room 317, Bellefonte at 9:30 a.m.  

October 10, 2012 - General Meeting - Willowbank Building Room 317, Bellefonte, PA

Several members will give presentations to the ClearWater Board on Oct. 11, 2012 and to the TRIAD organization  on November 8, 2012.

CCPaSEC is still in need of a Publicity/ Historian volunteer.  Anyone interested in filling this position should contact Mick McKay at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ralph Locklin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A new team leader is needed for Team 12.  This team monitors on Wallace Run on the fourth Tuesday of each month.  Anyone interested in taking this position is asked to contact Ralph Locklin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Mick McKay at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Mini-manuals are almost ready for printing. CCPaSEC will underwrite the cost of printing 20 copies of the Mini-Manual when it is ready.  Ken Johnson hopes to have them ready for distribution at the 10th Anniversary Dinner on Oct. 17. 

Ann Donovan received an extension of the Healthy Waters Grant to complete required reports.

A new colorimeter rotation schedule was distributed.  With the addition of the new colorimeter, each colorimeter will be shared by two teams.

Genie Robine reported that all but two teams will complete their Macroinvertebrate Surveys before the end of October.  Kick nets for macroinvertebrate surveys will be shared by the same teams which share colorimeters.  Tweezers which do not rust will be needed for each pair of teams.

Laurie Jeffreys has been working on our Study Design document to be submitted to Nature Abounds.  She has made significant progress and it will be completed soon.

Dan Delotto has ordered batteries in  bulk for our Oakton meters.  The cost/battery is considerably less than if purchased individually or in smaller quantities.

Data for Nitrates should be recorded in the database as NO₃ using the Hach test kit and as NO₃-N (Nitrate-Nitrogen)  using the colorimeter.  These values should not be the same due to the difference in what is being measured.

Mick McKay and Doug Macneal made presentations to the Centre County Board of Commissioners at their meeting on September 18.  The Board made an official Proclamation recognizing CCPaSEC's volunteer efforts for the past ten years.

CCPaSEC's 10th Anniversary dinner will be held on October 17 with drinks at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Nittany Country Club.(map)  The cost will be $20 per person.

CCPaSEC will hold another colorimeter training in the spring of 2013.  A shortened colorimeter manual for the tests we do is available on the Field & Test Kit Manuals page of the CCPaSEC website for anyone who wishes to view it.

Next month's meeting will be held on November 14 at Willowbank Building, Room 317, Bellefonte at 9:30 a.m.  

October 17, 2012 -10th Anniversary Dinner, Nittany Country Club, Bellefonte, PA

CCPaSEC celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a dinner on October 17, 2012.  25 attendees enjoyed dinner, a history of Centre County PaSEC by Doug Macneal, and remarks by Ann Donovan (Centre County Conservation District), Melinda Hughes-Wert (Nature Abounds), Brian Querry (Centre County RSVP), and Jennifer Shuey (ClearWater Conservancy). Following the dinner and program, attendees had the opportunity to learn the Charleston dance from Joanne Kennedy-Kilpatrick.  Photo Story below © Centre Daily Times.

November 14, 2012 -General Meeting, Willowbank Building Room 317, Bellefonte, PA

There has been some discussion with members of ClearWater Conservancy concerning expanding or repositioning some teams/members to add monitoring sites on Logan Branch in a stretch from Pleasant Gap to a spring in Bellefonte.  This stream will potentially be impacted by some new industrial development (a possible Marcellus Shale wastewater treatment plant and expansion of the Graymont Quarry operations.  Baseline data would be gathered prior to the expanded development.

Dr. Tania Slawecki spoke to members concerning a research project she is involved in which will test water quality before and after treatment with a potential ecosystem remediation technology.  She is in need of testers and equipment.  It was agreed to provide testers and equipment to help with her research.

A revised Physical/Chemical Data Recording sheet was introduced which has columns for Healthy Waters parameter ranges, Test Ranges for Hach/Oakton meters, and Test Ranges for Colorimeter tests.  This information will increase team members' awareness of out of range readings while testing.  If out of range readings occur, tests should be repeated to verify results.  Special attention should be paid to colorimeter Sulfates readings of 80 mg/L (out of range).  Test should be repeated with the colorimeter as well as with the Hach kit procedure. 

The new hours reporting procedure had mixed sucess.  CCPaSEC members volunteered a total of 312.5 hours for CCPaSEC in October 2012.  It was noted that the Reporting Form emailed to members should be filled out in the original email, not after REPLY to sender has been selected.  If the form cannot be submitted in the original email, click on the link at the top of the email to fill out the form.  The form will be opened in a new browser window or tab and can be filled out there.  Upon successful submission, a confirmation screen will be shown.  To submit another form, click on the 'Submit another response' link on the confirmation screen. 

Several members made presentations to the ClearWater Conservancy Board of Directors in October and TRIAD in November.  CCPaSEC organization's mission and operation were highlighted.  The presentations were well-received.

Updated officer and committee head duty descriptions will be collected to update the CCPaSEC Constitution at our next annual meeting.  Send updated descriptions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Loretta Jeffreys has completed our Study Design.  After a final proofing, it will be sent to Nature Abounds.

Terri Davis has donated a large Streams of Pennsylvania Map to our group.  It will be kept with other presentation materials for use and reference.

The next meeting will will be December 12, 2012 at the Willowbank Building, Room 317 in Bellefonte.  Following the meeting, members and guests will have a Holiday Luncheon.

December 12, 2012 - General Meeting, Willowbank Building Room 317, Bellefonte, PA

Jim Hodgson will be Team 12's (Wallace Run) new co-team leader with Terry Agona.  He will still assist Team 14 also.  Kathy Ferrigno and Dick Shreve will also assist with Team 12. 

There is a need to increase our membership to allow us to expand our number of sites and projects.  Carolyn Hatley will look into the ramifications of opening our membership to those under age 55.

There will be a meeting in January with members of ClearWater Conservancy concerning expanding or repositioning some teams/members to add monitoring sites on Logan Branch in a stretch from Pleasant Gap to a spring in Bellefonte.  This stream will potentially be impacted by some new industrial development (a possible Marcellus Shale wastewater treatment plant and expansion of the Graymont Quarry operations.  Baseline data would be gathered prior to the expanded development.

Laurie Jeffreys has completed our Study Design.   It is a comprehensive document which details our purpose for monitoring, where and how we monitor, who monitors, and quality standards for monitoring our streams of Centre County.  The final document will be sent to Nature Abounds.

3 members of CCPaSEC accompanied Dr. Tania Slawecki on November 26 to assist with chemical testing for a research project she is involved in which will test water quality before and after treatment with a potential ecosystem remediation technology.  The tests were done near Lancaster, PA.

Monitoring for natural gas was discussed.  Raw natural gas from drilling wells has no odor.  Natural gas which leaks from pipelines has a detectable odor, since chemicals are added to produce the odor for detection of leaks.

Chemical Order sheets for Hach Kits/Oakton meters and Chemical Order sheets for the Colorimeter are now available on the website on the Forms web page.  They may be downloaded, filled out, and emailed (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or mailed to Dan Delotto prior to general meetings.  Dan will bring the needed chemicals to the meetings to fill the orders.

CCPaSEC members volunteered a total of 274.5 hours for CCPaSEC in November 2012. The Reporting Form emailed to members should be filled out in the original email, not after REPLY to sender has been selected.  If the form cannot be submitted in the original email, click on the link at the top of the email to fill out the form.  The form will be opened in a new browser window or tab and can be filled out there.  Upon successful submission, a confirmation screen will be shown.  To submit another form, click on the 'Submit another response' link on the confirmation screen. 

Several members made presentations to the TRIAD organization on November 8.  CCPaSEC organization's history and Marcellus shale monitoring were highlighted.  Demonstrations of some chemical tests were presented and all were well-received.  Our next presentation will be to the Spring Creek Watershed Association in January.

Updated officer and committee head duty descriptions have been collected to update the CCPaSEC Constitution at our next annual meeting.  Send suggested changes for the Constitution & By-laws to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Healthy Waters Grant report is being written by Ann Donovan, Ken Johnson, and Dan Delotto.  The grant ends Dec. 31, 2012. 

Mick McKay presented some information on Changes in Land Use and Watersheds over the Ages from the Third Maryland Streams Symposium and Mid-Atlantic Volunteer Monitoring Conference, August 2011. 

Following the meeting, 25 members and guests attended a Holiday Luncheon at Harrison's Restaurant in State College.

The next meeting will be for Executive Officers and Committee Chairs on January 9, 2012 at the Willowbank Building, Room 317 in Bellefonte.