Gov. Tom Wolf Friday accepted the resignation of John Quigley as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Patrick McDonnell will serve as the Acting Secretary of the department.

Gov. Tom Wolf Friday named Patrick McDonnell Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection following the resignation of John Quigley from the position.

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the selection of 114 projects to receive $25,143,294 in funding from Department of Environmental Protection, for the protection of Pennsylvania’s water resources.

Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Wednesday issued this statement following the announcement by Gov. Wolf 114 projects would receive $25.1 million in Growing Greener funding. Mr. Campbell said:

If you were expecting progress on the FY 2016-17 state budget this week, you would be disappointed.  On the other hand, if you expected more threats if this or that isn’t done along with the budget, then you hit the target.

Andrew Health, Executive director of the PA Growing Greener Coalition, last week send a letter to legislators outlining the Coalition’s priorities in the coming state budget talks. The text of the letter follows—

House Concurrent Regulatory Review Resolution #1 to kill DEP’s final conventional (Chapter 78) and unconventional (Chapter 78a) drilling regulations remains on the House Calendar and could be voted on at any time when the House comes back to session on May 23.

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

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 Monday unanimously approved legislation-- House Bill 1737-- which aims to reduce prescription drug abuse and ensure the safety of Pennsylvania’s drinking water by providing for the proper disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications.

The PA Environmental Council Friday sent a letter to all members of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee expressing significant concerns with House Bill 1967 (Gabler-R-Clearfield) that would eliminate the current DEP limit on temporarily ceasing surface coal mining operations for 180 days and replace it with the less stringent federal requirement that has no specific time frames.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources told DEP’s Citizen Advisory Council Tuesday Pennsylvania must install 95,000 more acres of forested stream buffers in the next 9 years to meet its Chesapeake Bay Watershed restoration milestones.

By Harry Campbell, PA Executive Director, CBF

The May 16 Chesapeake Bay Journal News is now available featuring stories on--

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Tuesday applauded the Indiana County commissioners, for adopting a Clean Water Counts resolution, calling on state officials to make clean water a top priority for the Commonwealth.

Are you interested in helping communities learn more about protecting local watersheds through projects that make neighborhoods greener, more vibrant places to live, learn, work and play?

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it will supply bottled drinking water on an interim basis to residents with confirmed levels of perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) OR perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the area of the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, former Naval Air Station Warminster and Air National Guard Horsham, Montgomery County.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy Friday announced the selection of 218 new Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund And Cleanup Grant investments totaling $55.2 million to 131 communities across the U.S.  

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will hold its 2016 Delaware Estuary Teacher Workshops July 18-21.

In partnership with the Fish and Boat Commission, the Wildlife Leadership Academy is offering a new, fifth field school this summer called Pennsylvania Bass, focusing on smallmouth bass and the Susquehanna River.

Ed Schroth (photo left), whose hands-on field-and-stream stomping ways have influenced environmental activities in the region for the past 53 years, is one of 5 winners of the 2016 Dominion, PA Environmental Council Western PA Environmental Awards. 

The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is one of 5 winners of the 2016 Dominion, PA Environmental Council Western PA Environmental Awards. 

The designer of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s electronic waste recycling website--  www.eWastePA.org--  was recognized recently with a national American Web Design Award.

Dr. Martina McGarvey, Director of the Bureau of Laboratories, told DEP’s Citizen Advisory Council Tuesday the agency’s laboratory had its natural gas cut off briefly during the state budget impasse because the lab’s landlord was not paid for six months.

Superintendent William R. Hite Monday announced the School District of Philadelphia’s first-ever sustainability plan, GreenFutures. This five-year sustainability plan supports Action Plan 3.0, the School District’s strategic vision, in better serving all students.

Sustainable Pittsburgh is now accepting registrations for its 2016 Green Workplace Challenge that enables businesses to receive recognition for their sustainable actions and achievements.

PPL Corporation Thursday released its 2015 Sustainability Report, which highlights how the company is meeting the challenges of a changing energy landscape and investing in the future.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 21 PA Bulletin (page 2617) seeking public comments on the proposed water quality certification for the 34.4 mile UGI Sunbury Pipeline Project running from Lycoming to Snyder county.  Comments are due June 20.

Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC Monday announced it has appealed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s refusal to grant the company’s request for a Section 401 Water Quality Certification under the Clean Water Act.

A county audit has found that the Allegheny County Health Department’s overuse of negotiated settlements called consent decrees has failed to bring major industrial polluters into compliance with air pollution laws.

PennFuture Thursday lauded the Independent Regulatory Review Commission’s vote to disapprove new regulations on net metering on the grounds that they exceed the authority of the Public Utility Commission.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved a settlement agreement ordering Public Power LLC to pay a $72,500 civil penalty and to provide refunds to customers who were overbilled between January and April 2014.

Public Utility Commission Thursday issued for comment a Tentative Order proposing a three-year waiver of regulations related to confirmation letters electric distribution companies are required to send to customers requesting an “instant connect.”

Pennsylvania has earned top national honors for its work to transform outdoor recreation planning and get residents to spend more time outdoors, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced Tuesday.

The Department of Transportation, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Health and the Department of Labor & Industry joined other state and local officials Monday in kicking off Bike to Work Week May 16 – 20 by announcing the launch of a new interactive mapping tool for BicyclePA routes.

At the May 17 Northeast Trail Symposium, the PA Environmental Council shared the first draft of the regional trail gap analysis it’s undertaking in the Poconos region.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday joined other state officials and hiking group leaders in extending an invitation to visit the newly renovated Poe Paddy Tunnel and trestle, and Mid State Trail section on the Centre-Mifflin-Union county line.

Paddlers can now register for the 22nd Annual Delaware River Sojourn taking place June 18-25 starting in Skinners Falls, N.Y. and ending in Quaker Penn Park, Pa.

The Wildlands Conservancy is still accepting registrations for the June 24-29 Lehigh River Sojourn in Lehigh County.  Click Here for a rundown on more Conservancy programs in June, including programs at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary and the Trexler Nature Preserve.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host its annual Native Plant Sale on May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 22 from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine, in the Visitor Center parking area.

Mt. Airy Learning Tree will host its annual Hidden Gardens Tour on June 4 to showcase gardens in Northwest Philadelphia.

Whether in their backyards or high on a mountain, it’s almost certain Pennsylvanians will encounter young wildlife this time of year.

The Manada Conservancy in Dauphin County is hosting a Bird The Kittatinny Ridge on June 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. from Hocker Park on Berry Lane in Harrisburg to the Boyd Big Tree Preserve.

The Central Penn Business Journal Thursday announced Kelly Gutshall, RLA from LandStudies, Inc., Lancaster County, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2016 Women of Influence Award.

For his continued leadership in the development of the North Delaware Riverfront Greenway, along with over a decade of commitment on the Delaware River City Corporation’s board, PEC Executive Vice President Patrick Starr was honored as the recipient of DRCC’s 2016 Outstanding Service Award.

Applications currently are being accepted for Visitor Services internship positions at Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike County.  Applications are due June 15.

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

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

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - May 21, 2016

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

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.