FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: DEP Newsroom, RA-EPNEWS@pa.gov

DEP Declares Drought Conditions in 25 Counties

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Drought Task Force has announced that Beaver, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Schuylkill, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington counties are under a Drought Watch.  

“Pennsylvania received very little rain over the summer. We want residents to be aware of these dry conditions and be mindful of their water use,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “DEP makes drought declarations based on long-term trends. A severe thunderstorm or a rainy week may not lift the drought status for a particular area.” 

There are different stages of drought declaration that can be declared by the Commonwealth:  

• Drought Watch – a Drought Watch is typically declared for a county with three of the four factors in a “watch” status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to voluntarily reduce their water use by five to ten percent.  

• Drought Warning – a Drought Warning is typically declared for a county with 3 of the four indicators in “warning” status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to reduce their water use by 10-15 percent.  

• Drought Emergency – if conditions become more severe a Drought Emergency can be declared by the Governor and emergency water restrictions can be implemented. In the unlikely event of a drought emergency, water suppliers and/or municipal governments will guide residents about water use and conservation.  

Drought declarations are based on four factors – precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels, and soil moisture. The DEP Drought Coordinator monitors these indicators in close partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which maintains gauges in streams and wells in many locations across Pennsylvania. DEP makes its drought declarations after assessing the departures from normal ranges for periods of 3-12 months. For a map that’s updated daily to show the status of all four indicators for each county, see the USGS Pennsylvania drought condition monitoring website.  

DEP also factors in information it receives from public water suppliers. DEP will not implement mandatory water use restrictions outside of a Drought Emergency. Individual public water systems may implement their own conservation measures. While not required, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing nonessential water use.  

 Run the dishwasher and washing machine less often and only with full loads. 

• Shorten the time you let the water run to warm up before showering and take shorter showers. The shower and toilet are the two biggest indoor water guzzlers. 

• Check for and repair household leaks. For example, a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily. 

• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets. 

• Replace older appliances with high efficiency, front-loading models that use about 30 percent less water and 40 to 50 percent less energy. 

You can find more tips on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website. 

More information about drought can be found on the DEP website: Drought Information  

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s website, or follow DEP on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram,  or LinkedIn. 

August 18, 2025

Warren County Commissioners

204 Fourth Ave.

Warren, Pa., 16365

(814) 728-3434

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Warren County Commissioners.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about Sept. 6, 2025 the Warren County Commissioners will submit a request to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Act 179 of 1984, as amended, to undertake a project known as the Sheridan St. Stormwater Improvement for the purpose of installing a stormwater system on Sheridan St. in Tidioute Borough, Warren County, Pennsylvania. Work will include installation of the system as well as street restoration. This project is funded through portions of Warren County’s FY22, FY23 and FY24 entitlement allocations.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Warren County Commissioners have determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.  Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.  Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Warren County Courthouse and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to CDBG Program Administrator Josh Cotton, 204 Fourth Ave., Warren, Pa., 16365 or by email to jcotton@warrencountypa.gov. All comments received by Sept. 5 will be considered by the Warren County Commissioners prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Warren County Commissioners certify to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that Kenneth L. Klakamp in his capacity as county commissioner consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Warren County Commissioners to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will accept objections to its release of fund and the Warren County Commissioners certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Warren County Commissioners; (b) the Warren County Commissioners have omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.  Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 4th Floor, 400 North St., Harrisburg, Pa., 17120-0225. Potential objectors should contact the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Kenneth L. Klakamp

Chair, Warren County Commissioners

*This notice was posted at the Warren County Courthouse, Tidioute Borough Building and online at warrencountypa.gov and tidioute.org.

Southwest Warren County Municipal Authority offers for sale standing timber on approximately 80 acres in Deerfield Township, Warren County.

Marking:  Trees to be sold are marked with a blue band of paint near breast height and a spot below stump height. 107 trees marked with a blue X and stump mark are to be cut or girdled and may be utilized by the buyer.

Volume:  The net saw log content of 477 trees is estimated to be 156,972 board feet according to the Scribner Log Rule, form class 78. The volume estimate is not guaranteed but is final for this sale. Bidders are urged to make their own estimates. (An additional 30 red oak, 18 cherry, 1 hickory, and one white oak blowdown may be purchased by the buyer).

Showing:  A showing of the timber will be held April 25, 2025. Meet at the access road to the property at 9:00 am.

Bid Opening:  Sealed bids will be received by Tidioute Borough up to 7:00 pm, May 8, 2025 at which time they will be opened. No bids will be accepted after the first bid is opened. 

Bidders are invited to attend the bid opening.

The owners reserve the right to reject any and all bids.

No bid deposit is required.

Contract:  The successful bidder will be required to sign a timber sale contract within 30 days.

Payment:  Payment is to be 50% in thirty days at the contract signing, and 50% in 90 days or before a tree is cut.

Period of Contract:  Timber must be removed by May 31, 2026.

Performance Bond:  A $1,000.00 cash bond payable to McKain Forestry Services Escrow Account will be required at time of signing the contract.

Insurance:  The purchaser will be required to maintain Workman's Compensation and a minumum $1,000,000.00 liability.