Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan told the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday federal budget sequestration will cost the agency about $1 million in federal grants it normally passes through to local governments and other applicants in the state.

The four legislative Transportation Committee chairmen have been meeting and all want a new funding bill that will raise substantially more than the $1.8 billion proposed by Gov. Corbett, said Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery), Majority Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, according to Capitolwire reporting.

Here are links to the videos, testimony and summaries of the budget hearings for the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron), Majority Chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, has introduced a House Resolution 129 calling for a study to assess the pros and cons of merging the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission.

Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre) has introduced three bills designed to better regulate oil and gas drilling and production in Pennsylvania.

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Friday announced the introduction of House Bill 950 which would permanently ban the leasing of additional state forest land for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.

The Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to meet on March 13 to consider Senate Bill 351 (Erickson-R-Delaware) authorizing the formation of stormwater management municipal authorities.

House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee holds an information meeting on Nutrient Trading Program on March 11 in Room 205 Ryan Building starting at 11:00 a.m.

The Agenda for the March 19 DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting includes: Adoption of 2012 Annual Report; DEP 2013-14 Budget, Performance Report; Chapter 78 Marcellus Shale Regulation Changes; Air Quality Regulation of Compressor Station Emissions; Comments on DEP Public Participation Permit Review Policy; and Department Report. 

The 12th annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration will be held on September 19 and its theme will be “Working Together for Clean Water.”

LandStudies, Inc. and its partners recently conducted a tour of Lititz Run Watershed Restoration Projects in Lancaster County to illustrate the value of natural restoration project designs at different stages of installation and development.

The Stroud Water Research Center is kicking off its Stroud Seminar Series in 2013 with a free lecture by William H. Eldridge, Ph.D., on March 13: “Stream Fish Research and Conservation in the 21st Century:  New Tools for New Challenges.”

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker Thursday made this statement in response to the release of a letter to House Agriculture Committee leaders calling for protection of conservation funding in the upcoming debate over the federal Farm Bill.

The March issue of the Chesapeake Bay Journal is again chock full of articles about the progress being made to cleanup the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  Click Here to read your copy.  Click Here to signup to receive your own copy.

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice inviting groups and individuals to submit water quality and other data associated with its evaluation of whether to reclassify Little Sewickley Creek in Allegheny County.

Watershed Decisions is a hands-on, inquiry based activity that helps older youth and adults learn about water quality issues surrounding small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues.

All of our natural resources are vitally important in our lives, but this year iConservePA.org will turn its attention to water.  H2O: Home 2 Outdoors will seek to draw attention to how water is with us everywhere in life, and how simple actions we take can protect and conserve this precious, limited resource.

On April 20 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in sites throughout Central Pennsylvania, ClearWater Conservancy will host its annual Watershed Cleanup Day as part of its 2013 Earth Day celebration.

Penn State Extension Educator, Jim Clark, and the Cameron County Conservation District, recently obtained a $6,000 grant from the Headwaters RC&D Sinnemahoning Stakeholders Group.

A new online video from StormwaterPA talks about creating a rain garden that offers therapeutic exercise, attracts wildlife, and helps keep stormwater runoff from overburdening sewer systems--or entering local streams.

The Friends of the Wissachickon, Montgomery County, will host a special program-- Preserving Our Gateway to the Wissahickon-- on March 27 at 6 p.m. at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Light refreshments will be served before and after the talk.

Watch this new GreenLife Pennsylvania video and learn how the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association in Allegheny County uses rain barrels to reduce stormwater runoff in the watershed and acts as a scientific study demonstrating the effectiveness of rain barrels at keeping associated pollutants out of our waterways.  Click Here to watch the video.

The National Association of Water Companies-PA Chapter will hold its annual meeting and awards luncheon on May 7 in Hearing Room 1, Keystone Building in Harrisburg starting at 8:30. 

The Public Utility Commission published a notice in the March 9 PA Bulletin notifying pipeline operators of the annual registration requirements under the Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act.  For more information, visit the PUC’s Act 127 webpage.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has launched a new ”Marcellus Shale’s Greatest Treasures” interactive website featuring first-hand accounts of the impact of natural gas development by people who rely on the public lands and waters in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale region for outdoor recreation.

A new informational video – Methane: An Element of Nature – released Monday by the Marcellus Shale Coalition underscores the science and geology associated with methane migration, and more importantly, demonstrates the host of regulations and operational practices that natural gas producers take to address this issue.

Bringing together one of the largest contingents of natural gas experts in the United States, Penn State has established an Institute for Natural Gas Research (INGaR), which is expected to provide much-needed study into this important form of energy.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting nominations for its annual Karl Mason Award which is presented to Pennsylvanians who made a unique and creative contribution to the field of environmental management in Pennsylvania with preference given to the fields of administration, law, regulation and community organization.

The Central PA Conservancy, in partnership with Pine Grove Furnace State Park, is launching a new summer leadership program for youth, ages 13-15, July 14-19, 2013 at the Ironmaster's Mansion in the park located in Cumberland County.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is now accepting applications for the Sue Wiseman Scholarship, an annual $1,000 scholarship that recognizes youth who have demonstrated leadership and shown exceptional commitment and dedication to improving their community.   Applications are due May 1.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for recycling performance grants for calendar 2012.  Applications are due September 30. (PA Bulletin page 1370)

As part of Chestnuthill Township’s Earth Day Activities In Monroe County, Close the Loop Company will be coordinating a give and take day on April 6 at the Chestnuthill Township Park on Route 715 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. GIVE,  1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. TAKE.

Celebrate the connection between supporting our local economies and sustaining the clean waters, healthy lands, and scenic beauty of the unique Upper Delaware River region by joining the Delaware Highlands Conservancy - Eagle Institute at the 6th annual Foods of the Delaware Highlands Gala on April 27 at 5 p.m.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy added a 40-acre parcel to the David M. Roderick Wildlife Reserve in Erie County and 100 acres to Buchanan State Forest, resulting in better public access to the forest’s Sweet Root Natural Area, in Bedford County

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan recently visited the former Pittsburgh Cut Flower property in Richland Township that will be conserved as open space with a state conservation and recreation grant.

The Wildlands Conservancy Thursday announced the purchase of 180 acres of significant natural habitat in Tunkhannock and Tobyhanna townships, Monroe County to add to the organization’s land holdings.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will target eight counties in an aerial spraying effort to combat the effects of growing gypsy moth populations in northwest and Northcentral Pennsylvania.

Alexander Boyd, 87, who donated a thousand acres that is now Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area in the Pennsylvania State Park system, passed away February 19 at his home in Arizona.

The Sustainable Sites Initiative  has announced four new projects that have achieved certification under the nation’s most comprehensive rating system for the sustainable design, construction and maintenance of built landscapes.

PECO Tuesday announced it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with an Energy Star Partner of the Year Award in Energy Efficiency Program Delivery, for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency efforts.

On March 13 FirstEnergy will hold a webinar on Retrofitting T8/T5 Systems starting at noon.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites code enforcement officials, builders, contractors and designers to a March 21 training workshop in Moon Township, Allegheny County, on the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.

The Pennsylvania Treasury recently sold several thousand loans made through its nationally recognized Keystone Home Energy Loan Program, according to State Treasurer Rob McCord.  The sale, one of the first of its kind in the country, also marked an important milestone in national efforts to develop a secondary market for such loans.

The Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $290,010 in grants to help 36 small businesses across Pennsylvania invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites teachers, non-formal educators, home-school teachers, youth group leaders and Scout leaders to attend a Peregrine Falcon Educators’ Workshop, WILD in the City, on April 2 in the Rachel Carson Building auditorium, 400 Market St. in Harrisburg from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The PA Office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks candidates for its PA Watershed Restoration Program Manager to manage the restoration programs for local streams and rivers in the Commonwealth.  The deadline for applications is March 24.  Click Here for details.

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice inviting bids on a mine reclamation project in Washington County.

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs.  NEW means new from last week.

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

The Public Utility Commission published notice of proposed rules of practice and procedure for public comment and notice to pipeline operators of the annual registration requirements under the Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act.

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars.  Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.