The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Council on Environmental Quality Tuesday recognized 18 teachers and 63 students from across the country for their outstanding contributions to environmental education and stewardship at a special White House ceremony.

The Joint Senate/House Committee on Documents Thursday voted unanimously to direct the Legislative Reference Bureau to publish DEP’s final Chapter 78a unconventional (Marcellus Shale) drilling regulations in the PA Bulletin.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a series of 10 webinars starting August 22 and ending on September 1 for stakeholders involved in the permitting and operation of Marcellus Shale gas wells under the new final Chapter 78 drilling regulations.

By Susan LeGros, Center For Sustainable Shale Development, Pittsburgh

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 20 PA Bulletin the final 2015 PA Climate Change Action Plan Update and Comment/Response Document is now available on DEP’s  Climate Change webpage.

According to the Department of Environmental Protection’s latest inventory of air emissions for the unconventional (Marcellus Shale) natural gas operation industry released Wednesday, several categories of contaminants have increased.

The Department of Environmental Protection is proposing 14 counties be designated as nonattainment areas for the new federal ozone standard of 70 parts per billion and has scheduled 3 public meetings to solicit public input on the designations.  (formal notice)

The environmental priorities facing Pennsylvania and state regulators are the subject of discussion in August’s edition of “Environmental Focus,” the PA Environmental Council’s monthly environmental affairs television program.

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 August edition of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring articles on--

The next Environmental Issues Forum of the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee will be held on October 24 and will feature an update on Pennsylvania’s Wildlife Action Plan by the Fish and Boat and Game Commissions.

By John Arway, Executive Director, Fish & Boat Commission

The Monongahela River Town Program will hold a Mon River Town Summit on September 14 with the theme, Unlocking The Opportunities: The Economic Benefits of River-Related Recreation Beyond Tourism.

As part of the PA Environmental Council’s continuing efforts to increase environmental and conservation stewardship across the Commonwealth, PEC is pleased to present our first podcast series (the term “PEC-Cast” has even been suggested).

The Fish and Boat Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced $200,000 in grants to address habitat improvement and sediment reduction projects in York and Lancaster counties.

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced $25.7 million in funding for the repair of five high-hazard, unsafe dams, and the design of two others, managed by the Fish and Boat Commission.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a meeting September 8 to at The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown, NY. 9:00. (formal notice)

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA will host a Heroes on the Water kayaking and fly fishing event August 27 to celebrate veterans and the beauty of the Susquehanna River at Shank’s Mare Outfitters in Wrightsville, York County starting at 1:00 p.m.

The August 15 Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring stories on--

Funded through the support of the PA Environmental Council’s Community Illegal Dumpsite Program, the National Park Service, Kittatinny Canoes, and local partners hosted hundreds of volunteers for the “On and Under the Delaware River Clean-Up” last month.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its 2017 round of Environmental Education Grants. DEP is also holding a series of 4 workshops to help those interested in applying for the grants.

Recyclebank, the incentives-based recycling company, Thursday offered these 10 tips to make going back to school EcoCool--

The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, in partnership with Advanced Disposal, is placing recycling bins at three locations in Clearfield County.  The recycling bins will be placed at the following addresses:

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, Behr Paints and Home Depot Thursday announced the eight grant recipients of their 2016 Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania Grants. 

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it has assessed a $1 million penalty against Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. for air quality violations at its facility in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County.

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday released results of surveillance for Aedes mosquitoes, which have been found to be vectors of the Zika virus.

The York County West Nile Program will be conducting an ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation to reduce high populations of mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus on August 22 in parts of Manchester Township.

The August 18 DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring stories on--

Gov. Tom Wolf Friday announced the Department of Corrections has implemented a new energy savings pilot program that will reduce utility costs at State Correctional Institution Dallas in Luzerne County by more than $1.7 million over five years.

Philadelphia Water Thursday was named a “Climate Hero” by the first-ever SustainPHL, a citywide sustainability celebration hosted by the great people behind Green Philly Blog.

Covanta, a world leader in sustainable waste and energy solutions, has been ranked number 55 on the Carbon Clean 200, a list of the top 200 publicly traded companies worldwide based on their share of clean energy revenue.

A roundtable discussion of the National Wildlife Federation report Changing Tides Along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard will be held on August 31 at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge At Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd. in Philadelphia from 2:30 to 3:30.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the August 20 PA Bulletin (page 5088) of proposed regulations for comment updating Environmental Laboratory Accreditation requirements and setting new permit fees. 

The Governor’s Office published an updated agency by agency Catalog of Nonregulatory Documents for each agency-- primarily technical guidance, Secretary’s letters and similar documents on implementing programs, -- in the August 20 PA Bulletin starting on page 5185.

It’s easy being green for 20 local municipalities and nonprofits thanks to nearly $160,000 in grant funding from PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program.

In a bid to better gauge ATV use across Pennsylvania and plan for future riding opportunities in the state, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Tuesday said it is seeking participation of riders and owners in an online survey.

PennDOT Secretary of Transportation Leslie S. Richards Friday joined the National Park Service and federal, state and local officials to open Sullivan’s Bridge – the new, four-span, bicycle and pedestrian trail bridge spanning the Schuylkill River in Valley Forge National Historical Park in Montgomery County.

What kind of season lies ahead for those who love to go leaf peeping? While this is always an intriguing question, it's one that often has the answer, “it depends.”

Karen Verchimak liked hiking. And she liked Pennsylvania’s state parks.  So she decided to take a hike in all of them.

For the geologic tourist, Pennsylvania offers any number of ways to pursue your happiness — trails lined with points of geologic interest, hikes and drives to scenic vistas, waterfalls, rock cities, boulder fields, and other geologic wonders.

Trees donated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County were dedicated on Wednesday along the allée—the grounds' encircling walkway lined with trees.

The Brandywine Conservancy will host the inaugural Bike the Brandywine on September 17. Cyclists are invited to explore the scenery, glimpse the history, and discover the lure of the Brandywine Creek on the ride, which benefits the Conservancy’s clean water programs.

Get ready to run for nature at Natural Lands Trust’s 3rd annual ChesLen Chase for Open Space, with 10K, 5K and 2-Mile Fun Run-Walk!  The challenging trail runs include steep hills, a creek crossing, woodlands, and open fields.

Keystone Trails Association will host the 8th annual KTA Trail Challenge (formerly Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run) on September 10.

The National Recreation and Park Association and the American Planning Association awarded 5 Great Urban Parks Grants on August 8, including one to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for McKinley Park.

Land in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands that provides wildlife habitat and scenic views of Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County is now permanently protected, the Western PA Conservancy announced Tuesday.

The August 17 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

Philadelphia Water, Parks and Recreation and their partners will hold the Philly Fun Fishing Fest on the Schuylkill River on September 10 from 7 a.m. to 11 a. M.

September 3rd will kick off the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s Fall Lecture Series with a free lecture by interim president Dr. Keith Bildstein. His presentation "Understanding Vultures" will provide the perfect ending to the Sanctuary's International Vulture Awareness Day celebrations. 

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking qualified individuals to fill an Urban Resource Conservationist position is part of a team responsible for implementing Chapter 102 (Erosion Control), Chapter 105 (Dam Safety and Encroachments) and Chapter 92 (NPDES Stormwater Management) programs.

The Western PA Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates for a one-year Watershed Conservation AmeriCorps Service Position based in Indiana, PA.  The deadline for applications is August 29.  Click Here for all the details on this and other WPC positions and internships available.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 20 PA Bulletin of the opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Beaver County.

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.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the August 20 PA Bulletin of proposed regulations updating Environmental Laboratory Accreditation requirements and setting new permit fees.  Comments are due September 19.  Make copies and review a copy of the regulation changes through DEP’s eComment webpage.

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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.

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