The Citizens Advisory Council to the Department of Environmental Protection is asking the public for ideas on how to improve public participation in developing environmental regulations and policies, according to John Walliser, Council Chair.

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

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

The House Environmental Resources and Energy and Finance Committees this week approved a package of eight bills offering incentives to vehicle and transit systems incentives for converting to natural gas.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 343 (Miller-R-York) setting standards for drinking water wells on April 17 starting at 9:00 in Room 205 Ryan Building.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a webinar on April 15 starting at 2:00 p.m. on proposed Technical Guidance for Onlot Sewage Module Review in High Quality and Exceptional Value watersheds.

The Headwaters Charitable Trust is pleased to announce the receipt of two Growing Greener grants in February of 2013 from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Did you miss the 2013 Watershed Congress? Couldn't get to all the sessions you wanted to see?

The Kettle Creek Watershed Association will hold two more riparian tree planting events on May 4 and May 6.  The Association serves the watershed in Tioga, Potter and Clinton counties.

Do you like gardening?  Do you love seeing birds and butterflies at flight in your yard?  Creating a rain garden offers therapuetic exercise, attracts wildlife, and helps keep stormwater runoff from overburdening sewer systems--or entering local streams.

iConservePA’s website is turning its focus to water. We’ve added new content to help you use water wisely in all aspects of your life.

The Lower Allen Recreation and Parks Board are proud to announce our 9th annual Gardeners Gathering Event set to take place on April 20 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Lower Allen Community Park, 4075 Lisburn Road in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County. 

The April issue of the Chesapeake Bay Journal is now available and features how other states are supporting agricultural best management practices, a Maryland study of impacts of gas drilling and much more.  Click Here to read your copy and to get added to the Journal’s email list.

The PA Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative is now accepting applications for its ongoing educational mini-grants program.

The 2012 Annual Report of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is now available and provides an update on the projects, programs and collaborations by the Partnership.

The winners of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership third annual photo contest were announced Wednesday and invited visitors to their Facebook page to vote for an additional honorable mention photo.

The Wildlands Conservancy is hosting two summer camp events in April-- a Freshwater Stream Study and a Wildflower Walk.

During National EE Week, and throughout the year, help youth receive the benefits of environmental education experiences with the help of Penn State Extension programs and resources.

Dr. Regina Lamendella's and Dr. Christopher Grant from Juniata College are using crowdfunding to finance a $10,000 study of how Marcellus Shale fracking is impacting headwater streams in northwestern Pennsylvania.  So far they have collected over $3,300 in contributions.

Mansfield University Marcellus Institute will host the Marcellus Seminar for Teachers and Educators on July 15-17 at its campus in Mansfield, Pa.

The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania this week invited nominations for the 2013 Waste Watcher Awards to recognize recycling, waste reduction, reuse and composting programs in the Commonwealth.  The deadline for nominations is May 31.

The Office of Attorney General has joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement officials from across the state in support of the fifth Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania early bird registration for the 23rd Annual Recycling and Organics Conference on July 24-26 in Wilkes-Barre ends April 19.  Click Here for details on the conference and registration information.

Keep Philadelphia Beautiful's Board of Directors announced Thursday Michelle Feldman, current Commercial Corridor Manager and Communications Director of the Frankford Community Development Corporation, will succeed Phoebe Coles as the organization’s Executive Director starting April 15.

The Department of Environmental Protection has approved the Erie County Convention Center Authority’s plan to clean up the former GAF Materials plant. 

The Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center is hosting an emergency preparedness workshop on May 11 from 8:30 to Noon in C.H. McConnell Hall at the Center, 2910 New Holland Road, Reading, Berks County.

Department of General Services Secretary Sheri Phillips Friday announced the department is now accepting proposals for an energy efficiency project to be conducted at the State Correctional Institution Dallas located in Luzerne County.

The PA Land Trust Association honored Buckingham Township, Bucks County, with the 2013 Government Conservation Leadership Award for their demonstrated leadership in the conservation of our special landscapes and critical natural resources.

The PA Land Trust Association honored Peter Hausmann of Chester County, with the Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award at an awards dinner in State College on April 5th.

Are you interested in learning how to manage your land in a healthier, more environmentally- friendly way? 

The Raystown Restoration Branch of the PA Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation will host a special fundraising event on May 4 at the C. Barton McCann School of Art in Petersburg, PA starting at 5:00 p.m.

The Lower Susquehanna Branch of the American Chestnut Foundation will hold a series of tree plantings in Lancaster County in April and its annual fundraising dinner on October 6.

April 9 marks the anniversary of the birth of Joseph T. Rothrock, Father of Pennsylvania Forestry. Rothrock served as the first Commissioner of Forestry in 1895. He promoted the ideas of conservation, recreation and health.

A non-native, invasive insect that attacks and kills Eastern hemlock trees has advanced westward across Pennsylvania to Clarion and Jefferson counties where infestations have been confirmed in two state parks.

Toyota Tuesday announced a $3.5 million grant to The National Audubon Society to extend Toyota TogetherGreen, a national initiative that invests in emerging conservation leaders and funds innovative community-based conservation projects throughout the United States.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan Friday visited Hugh Moore Park in Easton to highlight the importance of local parks and trails to communities and economies.

What do more than one million licensed anglers in Pennsylvania do before their first cast of the season? They pick up a copy of the Fish and Boat Commission’s Summary of Fishing Laws and Regulations.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of opportunities to bid on mine reclamation projects in Armstrong and Clarion counties.

The Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council is seeking a NRCS Easement Quality Assurance Monitor. The position provides quality assurance review of easements acquired within the state of Pennsylvania under the authority of USDA-NRCS easement programs to ensure they are managed according to all conservation and policy requirements of the funding sources. 

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking candidates for three student intern positions: working with farmers to review nutrient and E&S plans and inspecting earth disturbance construction sites; educational outreach visits for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program; and to work on a redesign of the District website.

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--

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - April 13, 2013

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.