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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, July 14, 2014
(7/14/2014)
* Gov. Corbett Cuts Senate, House Funding $72.2 Million, Reviewing Options On Pensions

Gov. Tom Corbett said Thursday he signed the FY 2014-15 state budget-- House Bill 2328 (Adolph-R-Delaware)-- and the Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 278 (Baker-R-Tioga), but item vetoed $72.2 million in funding going to the Senate and House saying they need to participate in being financially responsible to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.

* Gov. Corbett Item Vetoes Legislative Earmarks In Fiscal Code Bill

While Gov. Corbett signed the Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 278 (Baker-R-Tioga)-- implementing the budget which included provisions creating a new community college and regulating conventional oil and gas well separately from Marcellus Shale wells, he did item veto certain provisions with specific dollar amounts attached.

* House Returns To Session August 4 To Consider Philly Cigarette Tax Bill

The House will return to session August 4 to consider House Bill 1177 (Lucas-R-Crawford) authorizing Philadelphia to impose a new cigarette tax to fund Philly schools, but everything else on the Calendar is fair game too.

* Add Us To Your Google+ Circle

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Just go to your Google+ page and search for DHess@CrisciAssociates.com, the email for the Digest Editor David Hess,  and let us join your Circle.

* 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--

* Chesapeake Bay Foundation Applauds Passage Of New Stormwater Legislation

LeeAnn Murray, PA Assistant Director and Staff Attorney for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, issued this statement following the passage of Senate Bill 1255 (Erickson-R-Delaware), legislation that will help local communities reduce the costs associated with urban and suburban polluted runoff.

* PA American Water Announces 2014 Environmental Grant Award Recipients

PA American Water Tuesday announced the recipients of the company's 2014 Environmental Grant Program awards. A total of 45 projects throughout American Water's service areas in 11 states will be supported by grants totaling more than $185,000.

* Latest DEP Video Highlights Restoration Of Bennett Branch/Sinnemahoning Creek

The latest in a series of educational videos highlighting the wide-ranging work of DEP staff is now available on the department's YouTube channel.

* Growing Greener Grant Used To Successfully Restore Lehigh County Creek

Staff from the Lehigh County Conservation District, in partnership with Fish & Boat Commission, and volunteers from the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, and Perkiomen Valley Trout Unlimited, worked for three days this week to restore a 415 linear foot section of the Hosensack Creek in the Perkiomen Creek Watershed in Lower Milford Township.

* Northcentral PA Conservancy Hosts Agricultural BMP Field Days August 5-8

The Northcentral PA Conservancy will host an Agricultural Best Management Practices Field Days on August 5, 6, 7 and 8 at the Steven and Esther Martin Farm near Lewisburg, Union County.

* USDA: PA No-Till Acreage Increases From 61.9% To 66.8% In 2014

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Friday 66.8 percent of major field crop acreage in Pennsylvania used no-till practices, up from 61.9 percent in 2013.

* DEP Advises Stockton, Luzerne Residents To Not Use Water From Water System

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday recommended residents of Stockton #6 and Stockton #8 in Hazle Township, Luzerne County, not use water from the Stockton Water System for consumptive purposes due to serious health concerns.

* Berks County Water & Sewer Assn. Disaster Planning & Response Conference July 30

The Berks County Water and Sewer Association, in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Local Government at Albright College, are pleased to offer a full day seminar on Disaster Planning and Response at the Albright campus in Reading.

* New Online Drought Emergency Application System Launched By DEP

DEP has released the first phase of its new Drought Emergency Application system.  This system focuses on centralizing the drought oversight of the use of water by golf courses, public water suppliers, athletic field owners, commercial or industrial facilities, and citizens.

* West Branch Susquehanna River Sojourn August 13-17

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is now accepting registrations for the August 13-17 West Branch Susquehanna River Sojourn. Participants will travel 64 miles from Renovo to Jersey Shore, Pa.

* The Nature Conservancy Environmental Action For The Future Involves PA Students

Students from the Walter Biddle Saul High School in Philadelphia are part of The Nature Conservancy’s Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF) Program are heading out for a great summer adventure to nature preserves in 27 states across the country.

* DCNR: Kids In Nature Contests Foster Interest In Environment, Outdoor Activities

DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti has announced two contests to foster the goals of Kids in Nature, a department-wide effort to introduce more families to outdoors fun and adventures.

* Manheim, Lancaster Waste Authority Launch Cigarette Butt Litter Prevention Program

Manheim Downtown Development Group and the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority have partnered in an effort to reduce the impact of cigarette butt litter in the Central Business District of downtown Manheim.

* Allegheny County Men Convicted Of Illegal Dumping

On July 3 Michael Paul Leese, 32 and Terrell Montgomery, 45, both from Pittsburgh, were found guilty of illegal dumping debris from an excavac vehicle in the Larimer section of Pittsburgh by the Honorable Jeffrey A. Manning.

* DEP Accepting Applications For Recycling Performance Grants Thru Sept. 30

The Department of Environmental Protection announced it is now accepting applications for Recycling Performance Grants covering calendar year 2013 through September 30.  (PA Bulletin, page 4443)  For more information, visit DEP’s Recycling Grants webpage.

* July 10 Issue Of DEP News Now Available

The July 10 DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

* Impact Fees Help Address Housing Needs In Marcellus Shale Region

Gov. Tom Corbett Tuesday announced the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Program (PHARE), since 2011, has invested $49.8 million from natural gas and federal funding sources has been invested in housing initiatives by the Corbett administration to address housing needs created by the growing natural gas industry presence in Pennsylvania.

* PUC Approves UGI’s Long-Term Natural Gas Infrastructure Improvement Plan

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday approved the long-term infrastructure improvement plan (LTIIP) for UGI Utilities, Inc. – Gas Division (UGI).

* WSJ: Stabilizing Crude Oil First Makes It Safer To Ship By Rail

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday the federal government is considering whether to require companies shipping crude oil by train to first stabilize the oil by removing volatile gases before shipment.  Click Here for the full story.

* DEP: Search For Missing Nuclear Gauge Continues In Pittsburgh Region

The Department of Environmental Protection and police in Pittsburgh and Mount Lebanon said Wednesday they are continuing their investigation into the disappearance of a portable gauge containing sealed sources of radioactive material.

* Widener Law Plays Key Role In Ethics, Justice Review of Climate Change Policies

The Widener University School of Law campus in Harrisburg, Pa. is teaming up with the University of Auckland in New Zealand on an environmental research project designed to promote equity and justice in climate change policy around the world.

* Pennsylvania Receives Federal Funding For Local Parks, Outdoor Recreation

Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday announced Pennsylvania will receive $1.37 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for local park, outdoor recreation and conservation projects.

* Natural Lands Trust Goes Mobile: Launch Of ExploreNLT Smartphone App

Natural Lands Trust Thursday announced the launch of its new mobile app, ExploreNLT. The free app includes interactive trail maps, activities, events listings, and easy sharing of photos to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

* Volunteers Help Revamp Philadelphia Playground

Volunteers came together to lend a dilapidated playground a neighborly hand on June 17 to revamp the Clayborn & Lewis Playground in West Philadelphia.

* Prowl The Sproul State Forest Hiking Activities Set For July 18-20

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry invites hikers and other visitors to sample the rugged beauty of Sproul State Forest when a three-day “Prowl the Sproul” series of hikes steps off July 18 in Clinton and Centre counties.

* Reminder: DCNR TreeVitalize Tree Planting Grant Applications Due July 15

DCNR officials remind municipalities and local officials the deadline is nearing to apply for grants to aid in tree planting in public rights-of ways and parks.

* DCNR’s July 9 Resource Newsletter Now Available

The July 9 DCNR Resource newsletter is now available.  Click Here to register to receive your own copy (bottom of the page).

* PA Parks And Forests Foundation Announces Partnership With PSECU

July is Park and Recreation Month, and what better way to celebrate our state parks and forests than to become a member of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation

* Western PA Conservancy 2013 Annual Report Now Available

The 2013 Annual Report of the Western PA Conservancy is now available.

* Game Commission: Camera To Provide Elk’s Point Of View

What does an elk eat? With footage captured by a tiny video camera placed on a Pennsylvania elk this week, researchers soon will find out.

* PA Outdoor Writers Assn. Spring PowWow Newsletter Now Available

The Spring issue of the PowWow newsletter is now available from the PA Outdoor Writers AssociationClick Here to read a copy.

* DEP Employees Honored With Secretary’s Excellence Awards

DEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo this week presented excellence awards to 10 department employees for their outstanding work during the past year. There are five categories of awards:  Community Service, Leadership, Team Achievement, Individual Achievement and Dedication.

* Jennifer Sherwood New Land Protection Coordinator, Delaware Highlands Conservancy

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is extremely pleased to welcome Jennifer Sherwood to the organization as the new Land Protection Coordinator.

* Help Wanted: Headwaters RC&D Council Program Specialist

The Headwater Resource Conservation and Development Council is seeking candidates for a Program Specialist position for its DuBois office. The deadline to apply is July 25.  Click Here for details.

* 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 NewsClips

Here's a selection of NewsClips 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 - July 12, 2014

* 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.

* CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

* 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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