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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, June 10, 2013
(6/10/2013)
CLICK HERE To Print Entire Digest
* Senate Agriculture Committee To Consider Mandating Expensive Nutrient Reduction Tech

The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee is scheduled to meet on June 11 to consider Senate Bill 994 (Vogel-R-Beaver) establishing a system to put in place expensive, capital-intensive nutrient reduction technologies.

* CBF Opposes Unaffordable Nutrient Reduction Bill To Be Considered In Senate Committee

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation sent a letter Friday to Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) and Sen. Judith Schwank (D-Berks) Chairs of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee opposing Senate Bill 994 (Vogel-R-Beaver) which would establish a system to preferentially favor expensive, capital-intensive nutrient reduction technologies.

* PEMA: First Hurricane Of The Season Brings Reminder To Prepare

With the Atlantic hurricane season now underway, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency reminds residents to always be prepared for the possibility of severe weather.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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

* Bills On Governor's Desk

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

* Senate/House Bills Moving

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

* Transportation Infrastructure Funding Bill Passes Senate, Future Uncertain In House

Senate leaders Wednesday hailed Senate passage of a comprehensive proposal to fund Pennsylvania’s transportation needs-- Senate Bill 1 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery), saying the measure is vital to public safety and economic development.

* House Environmental Committee OKs Oil And Gas Royalties Transparency Bill

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation making changes to requirements for oil and gas well royalty payments, but did not consider legislation authorizing the state to set standards for the construction of drinking water wells.

* House Environmental Committee To Consider Water Well Standards Bill June 11

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on June 11 to consider legislation authorizing the state to set standards for the construction of drinking water wells.

* Northeast PA Environmental Partnership Calls For Award Nominations

The Northeast PA Environmental Partnership is now accepting nominations for its 2013 Partnership Awards, the Nineteenth Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award and the 2013 Emerging Environmental Leader Award.  Nominations are due July 1.

* Reminder: Registration Open For PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference

The 2013 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference is now accepting registration for this special event which this year will celebrate its 15th anniversary with the theme, “15 Years and Counting, Full Steam Ahead!”   The Conference will be held in State College August 8 to 10.

* Nominate A Watershed Hero Making A Difference In Your Area

Do you know someone who is a Watershed Hero?  Who goes above and beyond to restore and protect your watershed?

* Six Projects Selected As Best Ways To Improve Delaware River, Bay

An alliance of public and private organizations convened by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary has selected six restoration projects as the top ones for improving the tidal Delaware River and Bay in 2013, prompting DuPont to invest $20,000 through its Clear Into the Future program.

* NRCS Seeking Landowners Interested In Preserving Wetlands

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications from Pennsylvania landowners interested in the Wetlands Reserve Program.  Although applications are accepted throughout the year, interested landowners are encouraged to sign up by June 28.

* Trees Available For Restoration Projects In Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon Counties

Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center, in partnership with Davis Organics, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Tri-County Conewago Creek Association and other Lower Susquehanna partners, has established a native tree nursery to provide free trees to landowners interested in planting projects this fall.

* CBF, EPA Reach Agreement To Reduce Pollution From Animal Operations

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have reached a new agreement to reduce pollution from animal operations.

* Volunteers Needed For Ohio River Sweep Cleanup Set For June 15

Volunteers in six states making up the Ohio River Watershed will be cleaning up trash during the 23rd annual Ohio River Sweep on June 15.

* DEP Issues $150,000 Fine For Illegal Discharges During Lycoming Pipeline Construction

The Department of Environmental Protection has fined PVR Marcellus Gas Gathering LLC of Williamsport, Lycoming County, $150,000 for discharge violations that occurred during construction of the Coal Mountain pipeline in four Lycoming County townships during fall 2011.

* Penn State Extension: Online Tutorials Teach Youth Water's Role In Gas Drilling

Two new, youth-oriented online presentations from Penn State Extension explore the role of water in shale-gas drilling and production in the mid-Atlantic region.

* 27 Conservation Districts Receive Grants For Non-Point Source Education Projects

The PA Association of County Conservation Districts this week awarded  more than $47,000 for 27 projects in 24 counties that promote water pollution prevention strategies through the Non-point Source (NPS) Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-Grant Program.

* What's The Status Of Your Water System’s Source Water Protection Program?

Every community water system is encouraged to be proactive and develop a source water protection plan to enhance the reliability and sustainability of the sources they rely upon.

* DEP Invites Comments On TMDLs In Adams, Lancaster, Lycoming, Northumberland

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on four proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Watershed Plans in Adams, Lancaster, Lycoming and Northumberland counties. (PA Bulletin starting on page 3182).

* Penn State Extension: Drinking Water Clinics Held In Bucks County

In February and May, Bucks residents who rely on a private well, spring or cistern for their drinking water attended drinking water clinics and received free, basic water testing and education during a two-hour workshop.

* Delaware Valley Green Schools Symposium July 23 For Educators, Administrators

The PA Association of Environmental Educators, Delaware Valley Green Building Council and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will sponsor the Delaware Valley Green Schools Symposium on July 23 starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia.  Click Here for more information on this and other environmental education programs.

* PPL Susquehanna Energy Center Offers Teaching Credits

Teachers can obtain the professional development credits they need while enjoying a fact-filled program about energy topics this summer at the Susquehanna Energy Information Center in Berwick, Columbia County.

* Chatham University Receives Climate Leadership Award

Chatham University in Pittsburgh has been selected to receive a 2013 Climate Leadership Award by Second Nature, a national nonprofit that works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable society by transforming higher education.

* Vote NOW For The Best Great American Cleanup Of Pennsylvania Video

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invites you to vote for your favorite video submission for their inaugural Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania Video Contest. Simply go to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Facebook page, view the videos, and vote for your favorite.

* DCNR Announces Grants Available For Protecting Non-Game Species

The Wild Resource Conservation Program is again accepting applications for grants to protect the state’s native biodiversity.  The deadline for applications is July 1.

* Heritage Conservancy Holds BioBlitz At Bristol Marsh

Heritage Conservancy, Bucks County, kicked off its first ever BioBlitz at Bristol Marsh on May 17 at near Bristol.

* Western PA Conservancy Permanently Preserves 2 Properties In Ligonier Valley

Two properties in Westmoreland County are not only important pieces of the Tubmill Creek watershed – a priority stream because of its rich aquatic life, including trout – but also essential in preserving the agricultural heritage of the Ligonier Valley.

* Fulton Elementary School Visited By Western PA Conservancy Scientists

Fulton Elementary School in Allegheny County – the recent recipient of 19 trees and more than 300 shrubs and perennials – turned its enhanced school grounds green space into an outdoor laboratory last month with the help of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Scientists in Schools pilot project.

* Thousands Of Seedlings Planted In Elk County, Including Chestnuts

Dozens of volunteers – some traveling from as far as Virginia – planted thousands of seedling trees in Bennett Branch Forest in Elk County. They wrapped up a project that ultimately resulted in the planting of more than 20,000 trees on 30 acres of a reclaimed surface mine site.

* iConservePA.org Video: Frances Slocum State Park Floating Islands

Frances Slocum State Park's lake in Luzerne County has a sediment problem, so Fawn Kearns and Kathy Kelchner led a group of conservation volunteers and school kids to build floating islands that will clean the lake.  Click Here to watch this iConservePA.org video on this unique project.

* Mountain Laurel Now Blooming At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Now is the time to visit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County and other wooded areas to view one of nature’s most spectacular displays, the annual blooming of Mountain Laurel.  Wooded locations and rocky hilltops like Hawk Mountain Sanctuary are excellent places to enjoy Pennsylvania’s showy state flower.

* June 8 National Marina Day On The Delaware In Philadelphia

Discover Boating on the Delaware, an initiative led by Pennsylvania Environment Council’s Delaware River Ambassadors, announces “Welcome to the Water on National Marina Day” on June 8 to celebrate the boating lifestyle as part of a nationwide observance.

* Residents Encouraged To Participate In Appalachian Bat Survey

Game Commission biologists are seeking assistance from residents in a regional monitoring effort to collect bat maternity colony data this summer through the Appalachian Bat Survey.

* Hawk Mountain, Penn State Schuylkill To Offer Raptor Day Camp July 15-19

Are your kids interested in birds, nature, and the outdoors?  If so, then Penn State Schuylkill and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary have teamed up to present Raptor Camp as a new offering in the Penn State "Kids College" camp program.

* Family Fishing Programs Offered At Wilkes-Barre River Common

Discover how much fun fishing can be when you do it together as a family. Join the Fish and Boat Commission  as they conduct a Family Fishing Program at the Wilkes-Barre River Common’s Fishing Pier on the following dates: June 26; July 31; and August 21.

* Game Commission Honors Wildlife Conservation Pioneers

Two pioneers of wildlife conservation in Pennsylvania have had their names added to a Washington, D.C. memorial that recognizes the sacrifice of law-enforcement officers who die in the line of duty.

* Plassio Named New Director For District Mining Operations

William Plassio, a 32-year veteran of the Department of Environmental Protection’s mining program, Director of the Bureau of District Mining Operations Monday.

* R. Timothy Weston Appointed To DEP Citizens Advisory Council By Governor

Gov. Corbett this week appointed R. Timothy Weston, an attorney for K&L Gates and a long-time environmental manager, to DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council.

* PennFuture Appoints Jim Abernathy Interim President

PennFuture Monday announced the appointment of Jim Abernathy as interim president and chief executive officer of the statewide environmental organization.

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Mine Reclamation Project In Cambria County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Cambria County.

* Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* Budget/Quick Clips

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

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

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

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - June 8, 2013

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* Stories Invited

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.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

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