You are reading GVP’s first e-newsletter! Going forward Governor Pinchot Group (GVP) will be communicating to its members more frequently by email and e-newsletters. The Sierra Club will start hosting activities again on July 5th with outdoor in-person day trips and training. So you don’t miss out, it is important for the Sierra Club to have your correct contact information.
The best way to manage/change all of your contact information is through “My Account”, where you can change your email address, mailing address and phone number as well as adjust your preferences for being contacted, including what types of emails you receive. If you don’t have an account, you can easily create one using your Member # found on your membership card.
How to update your contact information in the Sierra Club:
“Login to your account” or select “CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT” using your Member #.
Once logged in, choose "Contact information and password".
Also, most of our events for 2021 are listed on the GVP’s website, with a few more to be added. As Covid guidance evolves, the guidance will be added to the events. So, it is important to review the event just prior to its occurrence. We also ask that you click on the event and register electronically prior to the event.
If you have any questions, feel free to click the “Contact Tab” in the GVP website and I will get back to you.
Thank you, Bob Rebuck Chair Sierra Club Governor Pinchot Group
Why is it scary to have PFAS in our water, food, and cosmetics?
By Justina Wasicek
PFAS are unhealthy chemicals that have been found in our drinking water, pizza boxes, cosmetics, and firefighting foams. Gov. Wolf has just released final PFAS sampling results for public drinking water supplies here in PA, and two U.S. Senators are introducing a bill to get PFAS out of cosmetics. PFAS are the subject of movies and YouTube discussions. To find out more about your possible exposure and what is being done to address these “forever chemicals”, read more…
What are PFAS chemicals?
You may have heard about the contamination of our drinking water supplies, cosmetics, and household products from the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These substances include PFOA, PFOS, and GenX chemicals. These chemicals are harmful to our health. They do not break down and can accumulate over time. This is why they are called “forever chemicals”.
What are the health effects?
The EPA says that animal studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive, developmental, liver and kidney and immunological effects in laboratory animals, as well as tumors in animals. epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
There are limited epidemiological findings that PFOA and PFOS are associated with high cholesterol, decreased vaccination response, thyroid disorders, and cancer (PFOA). https://tdb.epa.gov/tdb/contaminant?id=11020
How do we get exposed to PFAS?
We are exposed through our water supplies and a wide range of products that people use every day. PFOS and PFOA have been used in stain and water repellents, cosmetics, pizza boxes, candy wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, cleaning products, and firefighting foams. Food can be contaminated by packaging, or the food itself may have bioaccumulated these chemicals. Read more here at health.pa.gov.
Where do PFAS come from?
PFAS have been in use since the 1950s. It was used in the manufacture of non-stick cookware. An excellent movie that talks about this dangerous exposure is the recent Mark Ruffalo film “Dark Waters”. Although manufacturing of certain PFAS chemicals (PFOA and PFOS) has been phased out in the U.S., they are still persistent in our environment and are found in products that we import from other countries.
PFAS have been used in fire fighting foams and may show up as localized contamination of water near military installations, airports, and fire training sites that utilized PFAS foam for firefighting.
Other PFAS including GenX chemicals and PFBS (a replacement chemical for PFOS) are still in use. epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained. Animal studies on PFBS have shown health effects on the thyroid, reproductive organs and tissues, developing fetus, and kidney following oral exposure. The RfD (reference dose) for PFBS suggests it is less toxic than PFOA and PFOS. epa.gov/pfas/learn-about-human-health-toxicity-assessment-pfbs
PFAS are undisclosed ingredients in makeup, particularly mascara, liquid foundation, and lipsticks
Researchers tested 231 cosmetic products in North America and found PFAS indicators in 56% of foundations and eye products, 48% of lip products, and 47% of mascaras. These chemicals are used to make cosmetics shiny, waterproof, and spreadable. The principal investigator said, “We were shocked to see how much is in some of these products.” www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/06/15/toxic-pfas-makeup/
According to The Washington Post, last year California became the first state in the US to prohibit toxic chemicals, including some PFAS, in cosmetics, and Maryland followed suit in June 2021—but the laws do not take effect until 2025.
What is being done? On June 15, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) introduced a bill called “The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act” in the U.S. Senate.
Are there PFAS in your local water supply?
Recently Gov. Wolf released the results of a PA government study that looked at PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania’s public drinking water supplies. Drinking water companies can treat for PFAS. Several water supply results show PFAS and PFOS contamination in our drinking water. DEP tested about 400 public water system sites. PFOS were detected at 103 sites; PFOAs were detected at 112 sites. Gov. Wolfs Action Team is implementing a cleanup plan to address PFAS contamination in PA. See DEP Press release June 3, 2021 “Wolf Administration Announces Final PFAS Statewide Sampling Results”. https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/DEP_details.aspx?newsid=1454 You can look at the individual results for your water supply here.
Easy viewing—learn about PFAS near military installations on YouTube
A very convenient and pleasant hiking trail which is also good for young children and dogs, can be found in Swatara Township just off of Derry Street. Living Water Community Church’s property includes frontage along Spring Creek and they have developed a walking trail along the north side of the creek. Although not paved, it’s an easy hike with no steps and minimal change of elevation. To the east of the entrance, the trail is about a half mile and is mostly wooded. You will see remnants of a dam and walking bridge that are no longer in use. To the west of the entrance, the trail is both wooded and non-wooded.
Directions: Take Oakleigh Avenue north off of Derry St. (a block to the west of St Catherine’s Church). In two blocks, you will cross a bridge and you will be on church grounds. The trail goes either direction after you cross the bridge. Continue along the road for parking. Read and follow the list of rules that are posted along the road. Please respect that Living Waters Community Church is allowing public use of the private land that they maintain. Much of the area is also a protected wetland so please keep to the designated areas.
Up by the church is also a very new playground that children are welcome to enjoy. Dogs are allowed on leashes as long as you clean up after them.
Bridge to Living Waters Church
Spring Creek at Living Waters
Former bridge over Spring Creek
Breeched dam on Spring Creek
Swatara Creek Water Trail: Hummelstown to Middletown
By Karl Streckewald
There are two options for a short kayaking trip that can be set up on the Swatara Creek, which can be combined if you have more time. The Swatara Creek Water Trail runs along the Swatara Creek for 42 miles from Jonestown in Lebanon County to the Fish and Boat Commission launch in Middletown, Dauphin County. A map of the whole trail can be found at Swatara Creek Water Trail - trail guide (pa.gov). Although the creek goes through a number of residential and industrial areas, the flora and fauna along the creek give the feeling of being much more remote. You will see great white egrets, blue herons, snapping turtles, and the occasional bald eagle. The last third of this trail goes from Hummelstown to Middletown, making it close to anyone in southern Dauphin County, and has a number of spots for easy in or out with a canoe or kayak.
If you are looking for a 2 or 4 hour float trip (less time if you enjoy paddling), an easy location to put in is Swatara Creek Park, on South Hanover Street just north of Hershey Park Drive and Swatara Creek. There is plentiful parking close to the creek and a fairly level walk to the access as shown in pictures 1 and 2.
The next access point is Schiavoni Park on Bridge Street on the other side of Hummelstown to the west of the Swatara Creek. Schiavoni Park also has some short walking or biking trails if you are interested in land as well as water excursions. There is an easy walk from the parking lot and a minimal drop down the bank to the creek as can be seen in pictures 3 and 4. You can bypass Schiavoni Park if you want a four hour trip or you can put in at Schiavoni Park and get out at the next stop if you want a different two hour trip.
The next stop is Fulling Mill Road in Middletown. Fulling Mill Road used to cross the Swatara Creek over a covered bridge, but all that remains of the bridge are some stone pilings. To get to the access point, drive east on Fulling Mill Road to the end. You will see a train track running along the creek. Just before the train track is a parking area on the right (picture #5). There is a little more drop down to the creek than the other two locations, but its manageable (picture #6). Be careful parking on the creek side of the train tracks since the railroad has some No Parking signs in the area.
Shuttling cars back and forth from these locations takes 15 -20 minutes round trip. Follow GPS if you are not familiar with the area. Swatara Creek Park (Hershey) and Schiavoni Park will probably show up in GPS. Use Fulling Mill Road and North Union Street for the Fulling Mill Road access and go east until the road ends. Also, don’t forget to check landmarks at the take out point so you won’t pass it by and have to paddle upstream to get back to it.
Be aware that although neither of these stretches on the trail have a dam that needs to be portaged around, other parts of the trail do. All PA Fish and Boat regulations need to be followed and if you are using a state launch site, a PA Fish and Boat certification is required. For the most part, the creek is only a few feet deep and you will go over a few minor rapids that are easily navigable. Keep in mind though, that in the spring and after heavy rains (anywhere in the watershed), the creek can flood very quickly and be dangerous for a kayak or canoe.
1) Path to creek at Swatara Creek Park
2) Creek access
3) Parking at Schiavoni Park
4) Creek access
5) Fulling Mill Road Parking
6) Creek access and bridge piling
Trivia Corner
By Bob Rebuck
What animal am I?
My ancestors appeared about 300 million years ago.
There are 5,000 species of me in the world and 450 in North America.
As a juvenile my favorite foods are insects, tadpoles and small fish.
As an adult, my favorite foods are mosquitoes and flies.
I have several long legs, but cannot walk with them.
My body shape resembles a helicopter and part of it is transparent.
Half of my name is the name of a feared mythical monster.
