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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Jan. 26, 2015
(1/26/2015)
* Quigley To CAC: I Want To Raise The Morale Of DEP, Give It The Resources It Needs

Acting Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Quigley told the DEP Citizens Advisory Council Wednesday one of his priorities is to raise the morale of the agency and get DEP the resources it needs to succeed at its mission.

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Completes Transition Report To New DEP Secretary

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council Wednesday completed work on a Transition Report to the incoming Wolf Administration and DEP Secretary on environmental issues facing Pennsylvania and the Department of Environmental Protection.

* Gov. Wolf: Pennsylvania Is Blessed With Natural Resources

In his inaugural address Tuesday Gov. Tom Wolf said, “I want you to know that for the next four years, my administration will be dedicated to three simple goals: Jobs that pay. Schools that teach.  And government that works – one that is worthy of our trust.”

* 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--

* Senate/House Bills Moving

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

* Senate Names Standing Committee Members

The Senate announced standing committee members on Monday and Tuesday. All committee members are now posted on the General Assembly website.  Here are members related to some key committees--

* House Names Standing Committee Members

The House Thursday released a list of members of each standing committee.  All committee members are now posted on the General Assembly website.  Here are members of some of the key committees--

* Senate Environmental Committee OKs Oil Council, Leaseholder Bills

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Wednesday approved legislation creating a PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council and two bills protecting natural gas royalty interest owner rights.  The bills include--

* Senate Schedules Hearings On FY 2015-16 State Budget

The Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday published a schedule of agency budget hearings for 2015.  Some of the key hearing dates for environmental programs are--

* Citizens Advisory Council Invites Comments On Underground Mining Impact Report

The Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting public comments and will accept public testimony during its March 17 meeting on the 2008-2013 Underground Coal Mining Impact Report required by the state’s Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act (Act 54).

* Testing Spills For Radium, More Guidance On Buffers, Endangered Plant Reg Changes

Vince Brisini, DEP Deputy Secretary for Waste, Air, Radiation and Remediation, told the DEP Citizens Advisory Council Wednesday the results of the TENORM Study of radiation exposures from natural gas-related activities lead his staff to recommend any reportable spills be tested for radium and workers cleaning up spills should take appropriate precautions.

* PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference, 1st Film Festival, June 25-26

The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Planning Committee is busily planning for the next conference and are happy to announce that the 2015 Pennsylvania Conference on Abandoned Mine Reclamation will be held June 25-26 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in State College. 

* German Filmmakers Visit PA For Mine Fire Documentary

A crew from a Berlin-based film production company visited the coal refuse pile fire abatement project at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Allegheny County last week. They are creating a prime-time documentary for German television to be aired in mid-February.

* PA Growing Greener Coalition Celebrates 2015 DEP Growing Greener Grants

The PA Growing Greener Coalition Monday celebrated the approval of more than $23 million in Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Funds through the Department of Environmental Protection to support 109 watershed protection efforts throughout the state.

* CBF-PA: Erie, Greene Counties Join Clean Water Counts! Initiative

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA  applauds the Erie and Greene County Commissioners for adopting a Clean Water Counts resolution, calling on state officials to make clean water a top priority for the Keystone State.

* PA American Water Accepting 2015 Environmental Grant Program Applications

PA American Water Thursday announced applications are now being accepted for the company’s 2015 Environmental Grant Program awards.  The deadline for applying is March 13.

* Wissahickon Watershed Assn. Completes Insect Study In Watershed

Over 955 species of insects were discovered amid the 1,300 acres of forest, fields and wetlands in the preserves managed by the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association in Montgomery County.

* Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition 2014 Year In Review, Student Symposium

Two editions of The Catalyst newsletter are now available from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition in Butler County.

* 50 Volunteers Participate In Friends Of Wissahickon Day Of Service

Approximately 50 volunteers participated in Friends of the Wissahickon's Day of Service in the Wissahickon on January 19 celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The volunteers removed invasive vines and trees near the Thomas Mansion in Philadelphia.

* Jan. 19 Watershed Winds Newsletter Available From Penn State Extension

The January 19 issue of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on--

* Berks/Montgomery County Districts Innovative Agriculture Workshop Feb. 26

Want to learn more about growing your operation? Join the Berks County and Montgomery County Conservation Districts on February 26 for our free Innovative Agriculture Workshop.

* PAEP Seeking Nominations For Karl Mason And Walter Lyon Awards

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is seeking nominations for two award programs: the Karl Mason Award and the Walter Lyon Award.  Nominations are due March 21.

* Keep PA Beautiful: Sheetz Joins As Sponsor Of 2015 Great American Cleanup Of PA

Keep PA Beautiful Tuesday announced Sheetz as their newest sponsor of the 2015 Great American Cleanup of PA, their annual signature event.

* POSTPONED: 2015 PA Recycling Industries Congress January 27 In Harrisburg

This event has been postponed due to weather. The PA Recycling Markets Center and its partners are holding the Pennsylvania Recycling Industries Congress in the East Wing of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg on January 27.

* DEP Educates Farm Show Attendees About PA Energy Resources

DEP's exhibit for the 99th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show held January 10-17 in Harrisburg focused on Pennsylvania’s energy resources and featured a van fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), an electric vehicle (EV), an all-new animated unconventional drilling video and the garage from its award-winning DEP at Home exhibit.

* Jan. 30 DEP Webinar On Converting Vehicles To Natural Gas

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a webinar at 10 a.m. January 30, for the companies, organizations and partnerships who received Act 13 funding for the conversion of their heavy-duty fleet vehicles to natural gas.

* January 22 DEP News Now Available

The January 22 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

* Registration Now Open For PA Environmental Educators Conference March 13-14

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is now accepting registrations for its 2015 Conference on March 13-14 at the Lake Raystown Resort and Lodge.

* PA Environmental Council Policy Priorities For 2015

The PA Environmental Council Friday published a list of its policy priorities for 2015 covering climate change, stronger natural gas regulation, water resource protection, a moratorium on further State Forest leasing for natural gas development, an end to sidestepping the legislative process during budget season, renewing the financial commitment to environmental programs and adoption of drinking water well standards.

* UPDATED: FERC Schedules Public Scoping Sessions For PennEast Pipeline, Postpones NJ Meeting

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has scheduled a series of five scoping session in Pennsylvania and New Jersey on the proposed PennEast Pipeline. (formal notice of meeting)

* PA Environmental Defense Foundation Files For Reconsideration Of Ruling On Drilling

The Post-Gazette PowerSource reported Wednesday the PA Environmental Defense Foundation has filed an application for reconsideration of the January 7 ruling by Commonwealth Court upholding the state’s ability to shift funds out of DCNR’s Oil and Gas Fund to balance the state budget.

* PA Wilds Seeks Nominations For Champion Of The Pennsylvania Wilds Awards

The PA Wilds Planning Team wants to recognize individuals, groups, organizations or businesses that have done outstanding work in the last year to help grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy in the Pennsylvania Wilds through its annual PA Wilds Champion Awards.

* Register Now For Rivers Conservation And Fly Fishing Youth Camp June 21-26

The Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited is holding the 21st annual Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp June 21-26, at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, PA. The camp begins on a Sunday and ends the following Friday.

* PA Land Trust Assn: New Guide On The Importance Of Child-Nature Connections

The PA Land Trust Association is pleased to announce the release of its publication, Nature Play: Nurturing Children and Strengthening Conservation through Connections to the Land.

* Lackawanna Environmental Education Center Updates Activities For February

The Lackawanna Environmental Education Center in Covington Township, Lackawanna County, has updated its list of upcoming activities.  Click Here for a Calendar of Upcoming Events.

* POWR Is Now Accepting Applications For 2015 PA Sojourn Grants

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers announced the opening of the 2015 PA River Sojourns Grant cycle. The deadline for applications is February 27.

* PA Study Shows Nongame Wildlife, Conservation Efforts Are Important To Residents

A new survey of public opinion done for the Game and Fish and Boat Commission in 2014 shows managing and conserving threatened and endangered species and providing opportunities for fishing were the top two functions of the Commissions supported by 92 percent of those surveyed.

* Wildlife For Everyone: Construction Underway On Colyer Lake Restoration

Despite a harsh winter chill throughout central Pennsylvania, work to restore Colyer Lake continues in Centre County through Save Colyer Lake, Inc. Currently, contractors are collecting materials and readying the site for repair work, while outlining projects to refurbish the lake bottom.

* PA’s First African-American State Forester: Ralph Elwood Brock

Ralph Elwood Brock was born on February 15, 1881 and raised in Pottsville, Schuylkill County. He became the first African-American to become a Graduate Forester of the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy's first class of 1906.

* Patrick Henderson Named Marcellus Shale Coalition Director Of Regulatory Affairs

StateImpact reported Friday Patrick Henderson, Gov. Corbett’s Energy Executive, has accepted a position with the Marcellus Shale Coalition as Director of Regulatory Affairs.

* PA Environmental Council Announces Changes To Organizational Responsibilities

The PA Environmental Council Wednesday announce changes in roles and responsibilities for two key staff within the Council-- Patrick Starr and Cindy Ferguson.

* PA Environmental Professionals Announce 2015 Board Members

Celebrating 30 years in 2015, the PA Association of Environmental Professionals announces and congratulates the following Board of Director members:

* Help Wanted: Chester County Conservation District Has 2 Positions Open

The Chester County Conservation District is seeking candidates for a professional engineer position.  Click Here for all the details.

* Opportunity To Bid On DCNR Projects In Bedford, Cumberland, Huntingdon Counties

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of an opportunity to bid on State Forest projects in Bedford, Cumberland and Huntingdon counties.

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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.  It also gives you a heads-up on House and Senate Committee meetings, conferences and other interesting events.  Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.

* 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.

* General Environmental/Budget 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---

* Watershed/Flooding NewsClips

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - January 24, 2015

* 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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