The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee Tuesday heard the initial recommendations for farm and forestry best management practices and approaches to include in Pennsylvania’s Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan to meet the 2025 Chesapeake Bay cleanup obligations.

DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell and Lisa Schaefter, County Commissioners Association of PA, Tuesday hosted a webinar attended by over 200 participants to invite county-level participation in the development of Pennsylvania’s Phase 3 Chesapeake Bay Implementation Plan.

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal 

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal 

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Friday issued a statement condemning efforts by Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte from Virginia to gut the provisions in the Chesapeake Bay Program holding states accountable for their cleanup obligations.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the July 14 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed regulations increasing permit review fees on unconventional well permit applications by more than two-and-a-half times.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 14 PA Bulletin inviting public comments on a revised Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy technical guidance (DEP ID: 012-0501-002).

The Public Utility Commission Thursday unanimously denied the request by Buckeye to reverse the flow of the Laurel Pipeline from Pittsburgh to Altoona.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently recognized more than 40 employees for once again going above and beyond their normal responsibilities to further the goals of the agency.

Ever wonder how your local park was able to get that new swing set? Or how construction on that bridge began at your favorite Pennsylvania state park? Or how your favorite walking or biking trail came to be?

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has scheduled  more public meetings across the state to help the agency chart the future course of Pennsylvania’s state forest districts.

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) was joined by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and other state and local officials Friday on the last leg of his Senator Takes a Hike Initiative in Wilkes-Barre.

On the strength of a commitment by all four Chairs of the House and Senate Game and Fisheries Committees, the Fish and Boat Commission Board of Commissioners Tuesday deferred its decision from last fall to reduce spending by $2 million beginning in July 2018.

The Department of Transportation Wednesday announced it has received an award in the regional America’s Transportation Awards competition for its work relocating an endangered species during a bridge project in Forest County.

The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation will host the annual celebration of the 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue on July 28 at the rescue site on the Arnold Farm, 151 Haupt Road, Somerset starting at 10:00 a.m.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

The House Republican Policy Committee will hold a hearing on natural gas pipeline safety on July 17 at the Penn State Brandywine Campus, Rooms 114-117 of the Student Union Building, 25 Yearsley Mill Road in Media, Delaware County starting at 1:00 p.m.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency Wednesday denied Pennsylvania’s request for a major disaster declaration for damages from western Pennsylvania’s February through April severe weather that included flooding and landslides in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled a series of three flood proofing and floodplain management workshop for community officials and the public in Allegheny and Armstrong counties after significant flash flooding events in Western Pennsylvania counties. 

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Committee is hosting a July 24 webinar on Transitioning From Gray To Green Infrastructure Using Urban Forestry from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

The Penn State Master Watershed Stewards in York County will host a Rain Barrel Workshop on August 8 at the Penn State Extension Office Annex Building, 112 Pleasant Acres Road in York from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Delaware Watershed Research Conference, a component of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University's initiative to encourage novel research throughout the Delaware River Watershed. will be held on November 29 in Philadelphia.

The Delaware River Basin Commission Tuesday announced New Jersey Gov. Philip D. Murphy has been elected to serve as Chair of the DRBC for Fiscal Year 2019, which runs from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on proposed water withdrawal requests on August 2 in Room 8E-B East Wing of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg starting at  2:30.

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant College Program Tuesday announced the award of $972,000 in grants to support applied research to help inform decision makers as they address some of the region’s most pressing coastal and watershed issues.

The Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance will hold its Summer Soil Health Field Day on July 26 at Don Cotner Farms, 127 Rushtown Road in Danville, Montour County from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The 11th Eastern Native Grass Symposium will be held September 17-19 in Erie's Bayfront Convention Center.

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will host this year’s Ag Progress Days on August 14-16 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, 9 miles southwest of State College on Route 45.

The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association will hold the 2nd Annual Family Field Day on August 4 at the Lowber Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Project on Herminie-Lowber Road near Lowber from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The July edition of the Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition in Butler County featuring stories on--

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 14 PA Bulletin inviting comments on draft stream evaluation reports for 6 streams in Delaware, Elk, Fayette, Luzerne, Monroe Counties.  The reports include--

The Department of Environmental Protection  published notice in the July 14 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Plan for Montour Creek in Perry County. (PA Bulletin page 4173).

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 14 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Erosion and Sedimentation Control General Permit for Earth Disturbance Associated With Oil and Gas Exploration and related facilities.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 14 PA Bulletin related to Court-ordered changes to compliance deadlines for registering and upgrading existing impoundments related to unconventional natural gas drilling operations.

Do you ever wonder who picks up all trash along roadsides? Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has a statewide adoption program available for residents, local groups and businesses to become part of the solution to roadside litter.

The PA Resources Council and its partners will hold a Household Chemical Collection Event on July 21 at Wild Things Park, One Washington Federal Way in Washington, Washington County from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Penn State Extension hosts a webinar on August 21 on Planning and Implementing A Municipal Leaf Compost Facility from Noon to 1:00.

The PA Resources Council Tuesday announced as a further committed to the safe, ethical and responsible recycling of electronic waste through recognition by the Basel Action Network as an e-Stewards® Enterprise. 

The Wolf Administration Wednesday urged Pennsylvania residents and visitors to take precautions to avoid ticks and mosquitoes when spending time outdoors this summer.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday reported on its West Nile Virus website mosquitoes testing positive for the virus have been found in 5 more counties -- Carbon, Clearfield, Clinton, Forest and Schuylkill.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it has collected a $250,000 civil penalty from CNX Gas Company, LLC for violations associated with the Marchland 3 Pipeline in North Mahoning Township, Indiana County.

The Group Against Smog and Pollution and Clean Air Council Tuesday announced they have filed a “Complaint in Action for Declaratory Judgment” in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas seeking a judicial order that would prevent the County’s Health Department from using air improvement funding on an office renovation project.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale Tuesday said his recent performance audits of two programs designed to keep low-income Pennsylvanians warm and safer through winter found the state failed to spend $5.4 million of federal funding that potentially could have helped 527 families.

High Hotels Ltd. announced Wednesday it is installing a $1.5 million solar array that will generate 100 percent of the electrical power required to operate the 133-room Courtyard by Marriott-Lancaster.

Nissan and Duquesne Light Company Monday announced they are extending their rebate program to  purchase all-electric LEAF cars until September 30, or until supplies last.

The In Case You Missed It In June is now available from the PA Environmental Council featuring stories on--

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is highlighting Latino Conservation Week July 14-22 which provides opportunities for Latinos to come together and demonstrate their passion for the outdoors -- both its enjoyment and preservation.

The departments of Transportation and Community and Economic Development Tuesday announced two new U.S. Bicycle Routes have been designated in Pennsylvania: USBRs 30 and 36.

The July 11 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

he Allegheny Land Trust is hosting two environmental educator workshops in the next few weeks in the Pittsburgh area lead by Julie Travaglini.  They include--

Mark your calendars and spread the word to your family and friends about the annual Celebrate the Bloom event July 28 at the Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road in Slippery Rock, Butler County from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The PA Horticultural Society and other partners will host a Woody Plant Conference on July 20 at Swarthmore College in Delaware County from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friends Of South Side Park in Allegheny County will hold the 2nd Annual Goat Fest July 28 at the Bandi Schaum Community Garden and Paved Loop to celebrate the work of the Allegheny Goatscape goats in South Side Park from Noon to 4:00 p.m..

For the second consecutive year, a pair of federally endangered piping plovers are raising chicks on Presque Isle State Park’s Gull Point in Erie.

The Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell Monday announced the appointment of Allison Acevedo as Director of Environmental Justice.

Bill Gladden of West Chester, Chester County, has been named executive director of the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, which preserves, stewards and connects people to the land in northern Chester County.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Tuesday announced the addition of Casey Schneck from Berks County as an intern in their Camp Hill, Cumberland County office.

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

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 highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits. 

CLICK HERE to View or Print the entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 87 pages long.

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  He can be contacted by sending email to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.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.