![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/slj-article-box-img-1.webp\"\/)
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Absent from Pennsylvania for more than 60 years, the federal and state endangered Piping Plover \u2014 a small shorebird \u2014 has made a comeback at Presque Isle State Park in Erie.<\/p>\n
Federal, state and local officials came together at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie this past weekend for \u201cPennsylvania Piping Plover Fest\u201d \u2014 a celebration of the shorebird\u2019s 10 consecutive years of nesting in the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough our small population is extremely fragile, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and our team of partners are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring these remarkable birds endure for generations to come,\u201d said Cathy Haffner, PGC Wildlife Biologist and Piping Plover Recovery Coordinator.<\/p>\n
The Presque Isle shoreline is the only breeding habitat for the Piping Plover in Pennsylvania. However, increased recreational activity throughout the years endangered camouflaged eggs in shallow depressions in the sand. Piping Plovers eventually abandoned Presque Isle by the mid-1950s, like many other nesting sites throughout the Great Lakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are celebrating the restoration of a native species to Pennsylvania\u2019s beach ecosystem, the team who worked tirelessly for decades to encourage their return, and the army of Great Lakes Piping Plover stewards beyond Pennsylvania whose vigilance has enabled us to, once again, experience the joy of piping plovers on Lake Erie,\u201d Haffner said.<\/p>\n
In 2003, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published a recovery plan for the Piping Plover, and shortly after, three Piping Plover were observed at Presque Isle State Park in 2005.<\/p>\n
Eventually, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) formed the Piping Plover and Common Tern Recovery Partnership which included the USFWS, Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Erie Bird Observatory, and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.<\/p>\n
USFWS\u2019s Pennsylvania Field Office remains focused on key recovery strategies to ensure Pennsylvania\u2019s Piping Plovers contribute to the wider Great Lakes population. Those efforts center on boosting adult survival and nest success so birds can help fill important genetic and geographic gaps in the species\u2019 recovery.<\/p>\n
From a habitat standpoint, DCNR and staff at Presque Isle State Park have worked to protect and restore the dynamic shoreline and fragile habitat at Gull Point. Soon after Presque Isle became a state park, the Commonwealth recognized the ecological importance of the area by designating Gull Point as a bird sanctuary in 1927 and reaffirming that protection in 1957. These efforts support species like the Piping Plover and the Common Tern and are strengthened by the presence of native plant communities that form the backbone of healthy coastal ecosystems.<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania Piping Plover Fest featured a public premiere of Our Threatened & \u201cEndangered Species: Piping Plovers\u201d \u2014 a documentary film, followed by an expert panel discussion.<\/p>\n
PA DEP announces new methane rules to reduce pollution from oil\/gas operations<\/p>\n
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection this week announced it will develop new regulations to reduce methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas operations across Pennsylvania \u2014 including requirements to detect and repair leaks and phase out routine venting and flaring \u2014 two major sources of methane pollution.<\/p>\n
DEP will develop rules requiring equipment and practices that reduce leaks from well sites, pipelines, and other oil and gas infrastructure, while reducing emissions from venting and flaring activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a greenhouse gas, methane is more potent than carbon dioxide and is a key driver in climate change,\u201d said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. \u201cThese commonsense regulations will prevent it from leaking into the atmosphere and improve air quality. This is the first step in the regulatory process, and we will hear from stakeholders and the public before these regulations are finalized.\u201d<\/p>\n
The proposal builds on efforts to reduce harmful air pollution, protect public health, and ensure Pennsylvania\u2019s energy industry remains competitive by reducing waste and improving operational efficiency.<\/p>\n
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the principal component of natural gas. The new regulations will reduce leaks and emissions from wells, pipelines, and other infrastructure, and require regular monitoring to identify and plug any new leaks.<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania is also investing in environmental protection, while supporting Pennsylvania\u2019s energy and manufacturing future.<\/p>\n
Through the RISE PA program, the Commonwealth is investing $396 million in projects that will create thousands of good-paying construction and manufacturing jobs while reducing carbon emissions and air pollution from industrial facilities.<\/p>\n
The state has also secured more than $210 million in federal funding to plug 400 orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells \u2014 more than were plugged in the previous ten years combined \u2014 and secured more than $29 million in state funding to continue this critical work and reduce methane emissions that contribute to climate change.<\/p>\n
DEP announced the rule-making in its updated Regulatory Agenda, which outlines the regulatory actions the Department expects to undertake over the coming year. The proposal will move through Pennsylvania\u2019s public regulatory review process, including opportunities for stakeholder and public comment before any final regulations are adopted.<\/p>\n
BACK WOODS BASS RESULTS<\/p>\n
Week of July 12<\/p>\n
Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday Night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River Tournament.<\/p>\n
Monday Night<\/p>\n
River Tournament<\/p>\n
1st Place: John Centak\/Ron Dopko 5.11 lbs<\/p>\n
Also won Lunker Award 1.50 lbs<\/p>\n
2nd Place: R.J. Kresge\/Jon Wychock 4.70 lbs<\/p>\n
3rd Place: Jerry & Jerry Vitale 4.50 lbs<\/p>\n
4th Place: Ryan Borton\/Jake Seymour\/Jared Adamski 4.48 lbs<\/p>\n
5th Place: Bread Keen\/Austin Swartwood 3.82 lbs<\/p>\n
Wednesday Night<\/p>\n
Harveys Lake Lunker Tournament<\/p>\n
1st Place: Jake Seymour 4.12 lbs<\/p>\n
2nd Place: Kevin Seymour 3.96 lbs<\/p>\n
3rd Place: Jake Rolands 3.60 lbs<\/p>\n
4th Place: Chris Kalna 3.36 lbs<\/p>\n
5th Place: Joe McGraw Jr. 3.20 lbs<\/p>\n
6th Place: Harlow Rolands 3.13 lbs<\/p>\n
7th Place: Jimmy Roberts 3.10 lbs<\/p>\n
8th Place: Dave Brill 3.01 lbs<\/p>\n
9th Place: Justin Kubilus 2.99 lbs<\/p>\n
10th Place: Jarrett Wolfe 2.95 lbs<\/p>\n
Friday Night<\/p>\n
Harveys Lake Tournament<\/p>\n
1st Place: Jake & Kevin Seymour 13.25 lbs<\/p>\n
Also won Lunker Award 3.90 lbs<\/p>\n
2nd Place: Johnny Niezgota 10.70 lbs<\/p>\n
3rd Place: Matt Fredmonski\/Bruce Rhin 10.42 lbs<\/p>\n
4th Place: Josh Colarusso\/John Wargo 9.00 lbs<\/p>\n
5th Place: Shawn Sekelsky\/Gary Cnudde 5.18 lbs<\/p>\n
6th Place: Chuck Peterman\/Duke 3.46 lbs<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.<\/p>\n
Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism. \n<\/p>\n