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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Sept. 21, 2015
(9/21/2015)
* DEP: Chesapeake Bay Reboot Not Ready Yet; DCNR: New PNDI Review Fee

DEP Secretary John Quigley told the Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday his plan for rebooting the Chesapeake Bay cleanup program is not done yet, but he hopes to be able to make an announcement in the near future.

* Senate Republicans Pass Stopgap Budget They Know Will Be Vetoed By Wolf

Senate Republicans Friday passed their stopgap budget package by a party line 30 to 19 vote and moved it to the House where two of the three bills will be considered in the Appropriations Committee on Monday.

* PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Let us join your Circle.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule [Updated] /Gov’s 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--

* Coldwater Heritage Partnership Now Accepting Applications For 2016 Grants

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership Tuesday announced the opening of the 2016 Coldwater Conservation Grants Program application period.  Applications are due December 18.

* Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference At Lehigh University On Oct. 13

The 6th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on October 13 at Lehigh University’s STEPS Building, 1 West Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, Northampton County.

* Fish Commission Reaches $2.5M Settlement Over Dunkard Creek Fish Kill

The Fish and Boat Commission Monday confirmed that it has reached a $2.5 million settlement with Murray Energy for civil damages resulting from a devastating 2009 pollution incident in which discharges from a coal mine entered Dunkard Creek in Greene County contributing to a massive fish kill spanning nearly 30 miles of stream in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

* DEP Awards Mine Reclamation Grant In Luzerne To Reduce Flooding

Home and property owners near Reservoir Creek in Newport Township, Luzerne County, will benefit from a new abandoned mine reclamation project, Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) announced Monday.

* 100-Year Old Coal Site To Be Reclaimed In Washington County At No Cost To Taxpayers

Rep. Peter J. Daley II (D-Washington) Friday announced a Monongahela firm will remove abandoned coal waste from a 3-acre site in West Pike Run Township, Washington County, at no cost to taxpayers.

* National Mining Hall Of Fame To Induct 3 New PA-Related Members

The National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum will be inducting five individuals, 3 related to Pennsylvania, into the National Mining Hall of Fame and presenting the Prazen Award at its 28th Annual Induction Banquet October 23 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh.

* Results Of Susquehanna River Basin Commission Meeting On Sept. 10

On September 10 the Susquehanna River Basin Commission held its quarterly business meeting in Binghamton, N.Y. Among its actions, SRBC:

* NRCS Accepting Applications For Farm, Landowner Conservation Programs In PA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications to help producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations, and achieve other environmental benefits.

* Unique Partnership Called On For Greening Lower Susquehanna Program

Greening the Lower Susquehanna Conservation Corps volunteers had the opportunity to help maintain a rain garden on the base of the U.S. Air Force 193rd Special Operations Wing in Middletown, Dauphin County.

* PEC Partners With Facility Managers For Green Stormwater Project In Philadelphia

The PA Environmental Council and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the International Facility Management Association are partnering on a project that seeks to improve water quality benefits, enhance habitat, and reduce pollutant loadings to streams through the engagement of new commercial landowners as adopters of green stormwater infrastructure in their existing and new properties.

* Villanova, PEC Municipal Stormwater Management Workshop, Webcast Oct. 13

Villanova University and the PA Environmental Council will host a Municipal Stormwater Workshop on October 13 as part of Villanova’s 2015 Stormwater Symposium on October 14-15 in Philadelphia.

* Stroud Water Research Center: Microbial Masters Workshop For Teachers Oct. 17

The Stroud Water Research Center will host a Microbial Masters Workshop for middle and high school teachers on October 17 at the Center in Avondale, Chester County.

* Now Online: PEC TV - Delaware River Restoration Program In Spotlight

The Delaware River Watershed Restoration Program is the theme of the September episode of “Environmental Focus,” the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s monthly half-hour television talk show now available on PEC’s website.

* September Upstream Newsletter Now Available From Stroud Water Research Center

The September issue of the Upstream newsletter is now available from the Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, Chester County, featuring stories on--

* Sept. 14 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension

The September 14 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn state Extension featuring articles on--

* Williamsport Joins Partnership For Safe Water’s Optimization Program

Williamsport Municipal Water Authority in Lycoming County recently became a member of a new program operated by the Partnership for Safe Water.

* Keep PA Beautiful: Still Time To Participate In The International Coastal Cleanup

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful would like to remind Pennsylvania residents to that there is still time to be a part of the 2015 International Coastal Cleanup.

* Record Breaking Unwanted Medication Collection In McKean County

Sixty-eight McKean County Residents delivered medications to the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Unwanted Medication Collection Program on September 12 at the Penn State Extension Office in Smethport.

* Attorney General Charges Bucks County Man With Illegal Dumping

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane Monday announced criminal charges have been filed against a Bucks County man following an investigation by the Office of Attorney General’s Environmental Crimes Unit.

* EPA: Dunbar Asphalt To Clean Up 29-Acre Portion Of Sharon Steel Superfund Site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday  announced a proposed settlement the government has reached with Dunbar Asphalt Products, Inc., to clean up a 29-acre portion of the Sharon Steel Corporation Superfund Site in Hermitage, Mercer County. 

* DEP Reaches Penalty Agreement With Research Laboratory REI Consultants

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it has fined research laboratory REI Consultants, Inc. $75,000 for violations at their Beaver, WV, lab.

* DEP Issues Air Permit For Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant In Luzerne County

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it has approved an air quality plan approval for Moxie Freedom Energy, LLC of Virginia to construct and operate a 1050-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in Salem Township, Luzerne County.

* IFO Releases New Natural Gas Production Report

The Independent Fiscal Office Tuesday released a report on Pennsylvania natural gas production, which covers January to June of 2015, and summarizes raw data compiled by the Department of Environmental Protection.

* DEP: Keystone Cement Fined $197,203 For Air Quality Violations In Northampton

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it has reached an agreement with Keystone Cement Company of East Allen Township, Northampton County for the payment of a civil penalty in the amount of $197,203.00 for numerous air quality violations during a four-year period.

* PPL Foundation Reorganizes Nonprofit Grant Application Process

PPL Corporation Monday announced the formation of the PPL Foundation, which will partner with community organizations to improve the lives of people in the communities served by the company.

* September 17 DEP News Now Available

The September 17 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

* Exelon Recognized For Sustainability Performance For 10th Year In A Row

In recognition of its industry-leading corporate sustainability performance, Exelon Corporation has been named to the 2015 Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America. This is the tenth consecutive year Exelon has appeared on the index.

* DEP Holds 1st Of 14 Listening Sessions On Federal Clean Power Climate Plan

DEP Secretary John Quigley, Policy Director Patrick McDonnell, and Deputy Secretary Ken Reisinger led the first of an unprecedented 14 listening sessions on Pennsylvania’s compliance with the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.

* PA Clean Power Climate Plan Comments: Waste-To-Energy Recovery Council

DEP held its first listening session on EPA’s Clean Power Climate Plan requirements Tuesday in Harrisburg and heard from a variety of groups, including these comments from the Energy Recovery Council representing the waste-to-energy industry, including six facilities in Pennsylvania--

* PA Clean Power Climate Plan Comments: Exelon Corporation

DEP held its first listening session on EPA’s Clean Power Climate Plan requirements Tuesday in Harrisburg and heard from a variety of groups, including these comments from the Exelon Corporation--

* DEP Secretary Discusses Climate Change With Floodplain Managers

The PA Association of Floodplain Managers held its annual fall meeting in Harrisburg on Sept. 16. DEP Secretary Quigley delivered the keynote address.

* Op-Ed: Report Shows Climate Change Could Change Everything In PA

By John Quigley, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection

* Delaware Highlands Conservancy Marks Pope’s Care For Our Common Home Message

Delaware Highlands Conservancy Tuesday announced it would mark Pope Francis’s first United States visit by celebrating the environmental message in his recent encyclical to “care for our common home” and inviting the public to join us at our upcoming fall events to connect to our lands and waters.

* DCNR Citizens Advisory Council Meets Sept. 23, Annual Report Available

DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council meets on September 23 to hear a series of updates on state forest and state park programs.

* Vote Now For PA Parks & Forests Foundation Thru The Seasons Photo Contest

Voting is now open for the PA Parks and Forests Foundation Thru the Seasons Photo Contest on Facebook.  Click Here to see the entries in each category and then vote by “liking” that photo.  The deadline for voting is September 26.

* Volunteers Interested In Forming Caledonia State Park Friends Group Meet Sept. 23

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation and Caledonia State Park will hold a meeting on September 23 from 6-8 p.m., at Caledonia State Park, 101 Pine Grove Rd, Fayetteville, Franklin County, to discuss the formation of a friends group for the park.

* Philadelphia Residents Can Register Now For TreePhilly Tree Giveaway

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Wells Fargo, Tuesday announced that registration for the Fall 2015 TreePhilly Yard Tree Giveaways is now open.

* Call For Nominations: Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Land Ethics Award

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in Bucks County is seeking nominations for the 2016 Land Ethics Award. The deadline for submissions is January 15.

* Save The Date: Bowman’s Hill Preserve Land Ethics Symposium March 10

The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in Bucks County will hold the 16th Annual Land Ethics Symposium on March 10 at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.

* One Step Closer To Southern Waterfront Trail In Philadelphia

Natural Lands Trust, in partnership with the Delaware River Waterfront Corp, has recently acquired a key parcel in the building of the Southern portion of the Delaware River Trail, which is part of the East Coast Greenway and the Circuit, and will provide a crucial bicycle network connection for the city and region.

* Westmoreland Land Trust Board Provides Update On Actions

Theo van de Venne was recently elected to the board of the Westmoreland Land Trust, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that has preserved more than 200 acres of land of special value in Westmoreland County since its founding in late 2007.

* Hawk Mountain To Host Fall Native Plant Sale Sept. 19-20

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host its annual Autumn Native Plant Sale on September 19 and 20 outside the Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a wide selection of native trees, grasses, vines, shrubs and flowering plants.

* Veterans Showcase Fly Fishing Talents On Spruce Creek

Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. hosted veterans and supporters to a pair of Pennsylvania’s nationally-renowned trout streams on September 14 for the inaugural Wildlife For Warriors Spruce Creek Classic.

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

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 19 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Schuylkill County.

* Help Wanted: 3 Positions At 3 Organizations

The Department of Environmental Protection, PA Association of Conservation Districts and the Berks County Conservation District are looking for qualified people to fill these positions--

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

* 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.

* Environmental NewsClips - All Topics

Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - September 19, 2015

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* 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 UnlimitedSponsor: 2016 Keystone Coldwater Conference, State College, Feb. 26-27.

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