Latest news with #PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
A jellyfish at Presque Isle? What you should know about this freshwater species
First it was an alligator in Lake Erie, now a jellyfish-like creature has been spotted in Presque Isle. On July 29, according to a Facebook post from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, DEP intern Ray Walter spotted what was described as an incredibly rare organism off the dock at Marina Lake within Presque Isle Bay. The organism was identified as a "Craspedacusta Sowerbii," or in laymen's terms a freshwater jellyfish. The DEP stated on its Facebook page that the freshwater jellyfish is hard to find and most of the time doesn't make a surface appearance as it is often found stuck to the bottom of a polyp. Occasionally this organism will form into the shape of a jellyfish. Here's more on what you need to know about the Craspedacusta Sowerbii. More: Alligator sighting in Lake Erie? Officials investigate claim, share safety tips What is a Craspedacusta Sowerbii? The Craspedacusta Sowerbii is a freshwater hydrozoan jellyfish, according to the United States Geological Survey website. It's the only known species of freshwater jellyfish found in North America. What does a Craspedacusta Sowerbii look like? Often the size of a penny, the Craspedacusta Sowerbii can measure from 5 to 22 millimeters. According to the Craspedacusta Sowerbii shares many similar traits and characteristics of a jellyfish. It can be a white or green colored creature with 99% of its body made of water. The organism lacks a skeleton and contains no organs for breathing. It can have anywhere between three and seven string-like tentacles which helps it capture food and remain safe against predators. At the end of the tentacles, freshwater jellyfish have eyespots which are used to detect light and dark to also assist in escaping predators and finding food. For movement, the Craspedacusta Sowerbii can move in any direction by pulsating contractions. Where are Craspedacusta Sowerbii typically found? The Craspedacusta Sowerbii can be found in a variety of freshwater environments including lakes, reservoirs, man-made impoundments, rock quarries, algae-filled ponds and even rivers. They often live in shallow water to conserve energy. The organism is often spotted in the summer and fall months when water temperatures warm up. Can I get stung by a freshwater jellyfish? Although the Craspedacusta Sowerbii possess stinging cells, they are unable to penetrate human skin. Therefore, the freshwater jellyfish cannot give you a painful sting unlike other jellyfish. What does a freshwater jellyfish eat? states that a freshwater jellyfish eats zooplankton. They use their tentacles to sting the prey to immobilize said prey before eating it Animal spotting: Flocking to Presque Isle this summer for bird watching? What to know if you go What do I do if I spot a freshwater jellyfish? If you are around the Presque Isle area and you happen to spot a freshwater jellyfish, it is not cause for alarm. You can call the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to report them so they can track and keep record of the organism. Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@ (This story has been updated to add new information and to correct an inaccuracy.) This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What to know about freshwater jellyfish spotted at Presque Isle Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Will air quality at Philly, Bucks County No Kings protests be affected by NJ forest fire?
The wildfire in the Wharton State Forest in Shamong, Burlington County, NJ, has created unhealthy breathing conditions in parts of Bucks, Delaware and Chester counties and Philadelphia. authorities said Saturday morning, June 14. On Saturday at 10:18 a.m., an air quality alert was reported by the National Weather Service in effect until Sunday at midnight for Bucks County. 'The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates, until midnight EDT tonight,' says the weather service. Earlier Saturday morning and Friday night, the air quality in Bucks County was reported to be hazardous for sensitive groups as Bucks and Philadelphia were put under the Code Orange, according to overnight readings from a federal website tracking air quality conditions. The region was reported to have "hazardous" air, the most serious rating on the air quality index for ozone pollution and particles are capable of traveling into the deepest parts of the lungs. Late Saturday morning, the most hazardous air conditions were reported to be moving south of Bucks County and Philadelphia, which is hosting the nation's 'flagship' No Kings protest. No Kings event in Bucks: Where are No Kings protests in Bucks County, Philadelphia? What's No Kings anti-Trump rally? The forecasted Saturday rain will also help dissipate the bad air conditions, according to CBS Philadelphia. The wildfire, reported by a private pilot on Friday morning, had burned approximately 4,200 acres, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. It said firefighters were "making progress" in containing the blaze. The Mines Spung Wildfire was burning near the Carranza Memorial. The stone monument honors Emilio Carranza Rodriguez, a Mexican aviator who died in a crash at the Pinelands site in 1928. The blaze forced the evacuation of the Costello Preparatory Academy, a state-run community home for males ages 15 to 20 with a history of substance abuse. The facility has about 30 residents, according to the state Attorney General's Office. The fire's cause was under investigation. Jim Walsh of contributed to this story. . This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey forest fire affects air quality in Bucks County, Philly
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local projects recognized with Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Two Lancaster County projects have been awarded the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. The Amos Herr Wetland Restoration project in East Hempfield Township and the Wetland at Long's Park received honors from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'The Environmental Excellence honorees embody the innovative thinking needed to protect our environment and shape a more sustainable future here in Pennsylvania,' said Jessica Shirley, the acting secretary of the department. 'Together, we will spur the next generation of environmental stewards. These projects showcase our ability to work collaboratively to preserve and protect Pennsylvania's natural resources.' The Amos Herr Wetland Restoration project converted over six acres of unused land into wetlands and meadows, providing trails and natural water filtration. The project led to the reduction of 98,015 pounds of sediment and 2,369 pounds of nitrogen, according to the award. The Wetland at Long's Park is a natural water treatment system designed to meet the city's Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Reduction Plan. The goal of the project is to capture and treat over 16 million gallons of stormwater runoff and recirculated pond water each year, according to the award. The project exceeded that goal by almost double, the award noted. Better views come to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Each year, the Department of Environmental Protection invites businesses, farms, government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to apply for the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. The award highlights projects that 'promote innovative technological advances, partnerships, public service and environmental outreach as well as encourage pollution prevention, demonstrate economic impact or employ innovative technology.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania residents say jet fuel leak poisoned their drinking water
When Kristine Wojnovich and her husband bought their home 20 years ago in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, it was everything they wanted — until one day in 2023, when she turned on her kitchen faucet. "It tasted weird and smelled like oil," Wojnovich said. "It was very disconcerting." Wojnovich called Sunoco Pipeline, operator of the Twin Oaks pipeline that runs just across their street. It carries jet fuel underground from a fuel terminal outside Philadelphia to Newark Terminal near the airport. Sunoco tested her water, but she says they didn't find anything. "[They said], 'We're so happy to tell you, there's no oil, no gas, no propane, nothing in your water,'" Wojnovich said. When she pressed further about the cause, Wojnovich said Sunoco Pipeline told her they didn't know, but it could be "some kind of bacteria" unrelated to the pipeline. But other neighbors made similar complaints. Finally, 16 months after Wojnovich made her first call — and only after the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection investigated — Sunoco found a leak in the pipeline. "I feel like we're being poisoned every day," Wojnovich said. People in the community don't use water piped in from a reservoir far away. Instead, they use wells that draw from underground aquifers for their cooking and drinking water. When their well was finally opened earlier this year, Wojnovich was shocked at the amount of jet fuel on top of it. "It was 15 it's been gathering there since September 2023," Wojnovich said. Sunoco removed that fuel, but Wojnovich says Sunoco still sends workers each day to skim off new fuel seeping into her well. She's not alone. The number of wells impacted has risen to at least 38, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In 2024, Sunoco Pipeline spilled more fuel than any other pipeline in the United States, according to data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. "A pipeline company that's more aggressive in follow-up, would have identified it sooner," said Robert Hall, who spent decades regulating pipeline safety for the federal government. "They are not one of the best pipeline companies with regard to their management of their pipeline." In a statement, Sunoco's partner company Energy Transfer said it has installed "advanced water filtration systems at no cost" and is "committed to the cleanup and restoration of but did not address why it took so long to find the leak. As for Wojnovich, she is suing Sunoco Pipeline. With the pipeline back in operation, she doesn't plan to stick around the neighborhood. "Would you stay if there was 12 feet of jet fuel found on your well?" Wojnovich said. "We feel unsafe." Sneak peek: Fatal First Date Trump teases "good news" on Russia-Ukraine war Arrests by masked federal agents are "slippery slope," former DHS attorney warns
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fracking wastewater spills from tanker truck after crash in Sullivan Twp
SULLIVAN TWP., Pa. (WETM) — A tanker truck carrying fracking wastewater rolled 100 feet down an embankment in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, on Monday, spilling about 2,000 gallons of flowback water into a nearby stream, according to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The crash happened in the early morning on Monday, May 12, near 332 Connelly Mountain Road in the Sullivan Township area, Josh Clark from the Mansfield Hose Company explained in the release. According to Clark, the truck left the road and flipped onto its side into a small stream. 'Operation Yellow Jacket' targets work zone speeders in North Central PA About half of its load leaked out from the top hatch of the tank, but no fuel was observed after absorbents and pads were placed in and around the stream as a precaution, the release further stated. Clark said the truck was assumed to be coming from a well pad site on Mountain Ridge Road in Mainesburg, PA. The release stated Moore's trucking company went to the scene with a pump truck to remove the remaining liquid from the overturned tanker, and B&W Towing Company also helped with cleanup. DEP officials remained on-site on Monday to make sure everything was being properly taken care of. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
