By Andy Loza, Executive Director, PA Land Trust Association

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has launched the beta version of its “Find a Pennsylvania Watershed Association” tool. You can use it to identify watershed associations and the watersheds they serve by typing in an address or clicking on a map.

Gov. Tom Wolf Friday signed a proclamation of disaster emergency for the Commonwealth in response to a series of severe rain storms over the past week that caused flash flooding and ensuing damage to homes and businesses throughout much of north and central portions of the state.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s West Nile Virus Program Wednesday reported three more people have tested positive for West Nile Virus-- 2 in Franklin County and 1 in York County.

The Department of Environmental Protection has available a resource for understanding the permit and notification requirements affecting those working in or adjacent to streams impacted by flooding called Guidelines For Maintaining Streams In Your Community.

Another round of significant stream flooding over the last few days again demonstrates the triple benefits of green infrastructure projects like Logan Park in Manheim Borough, Lancaster County.

The Emma Creek Restoration Project on Huntingdon Farm owned by John and Kathryn Dawes in Alexandria, Huntingdon County is another example where green infrastructure not only reduced flood damage, but also the pollution that comes with stormwater.

The Brodhead Watershed Association’s Members & Friends Celebration, a popular annual gathering of local environment-minded people, will be held September 28 at Camelback Resort’s Aquatopia in Tannersville, Monroe County.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of final Safe Drinking Water regulation changes and fee increases in the August 18 PA Bulletin (page 4974).

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it has completed its review of requests for modifications to Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control) and Chapter 105 (Water Obstructions and Encroachments) permits submitted by Sunoco Pipeline, LP (SPLP) for parts of the Mariner East 2 Pipeline.

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--

Conservation Voters of PA, PennEnvironment, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter, and Clean Water Action Tuesday released their 2017-2018 Pennsylvania Environmental Voting Scorecard.

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

By Ed Perry, National Wildlife Federation

A coalition of environmental and watershed groups, community members, and businesses Tuesday launched Our Pocono Waters Campaign, a regional movement aimed at protecting Exceptional Value designated streams in Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties.

By Carol Parenzan, Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper

The Susquehanna River Symposium at Bucknell University in the Elaine Langone Center in Lewisburg, Union County on October 26-27 is now accepting abstracts for presentations.  The deadline for submissions is September 30.

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

The PA Resources Council and its partners will hold its Fall ReuseFest September 8 at the UPMC St. Margaret parking lot at 815 Freeport Road in Pittsburgh from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation will hold its annual Fall Cleanup Event in Centralia, Columbia County on October 20.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it will hold an informational public meeting on August 21 to answer questions regarding the municipal waste application by Community Refuse Service, LLC to modify operations at the Cumberland County Landfill.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing September 20 on the Air Quality Permit for construction of a mineral processing plant at the Hanson Quarry in East Rockhill Township, Bucks County.

The Allegheny County Health Department is accepting proposals from groups to support education activities to be funded by the County Clean Air Fund.  The deadline for proposals is August 29.

The latest edition of the Renewable and Alternative Energy newsletter from Penn State Extension is now available featuring stories on--

The Public Utility Commission Tuesday issued a Secretarial Letter extending the deadline to October 20 for commenting on its proposed policy statement inviting utilities to explore alternative ratemaking methodologies in distribution base rate proceedings.

FirstEnergy Solutions Inc. Wednesday announced it has taken its latest step in the regulatory process leading to the deactivation of its three nuclear power plants beginning in 2020.

On August 10, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne joined Lycoming County commissioners and other local officials in the dedication of wellness enhancements in the South Williamsport Community Park Complex and STEP RiverWalk Center.

The Manada Conservancy in Dauphin County has several conservation events planned in September--

The Hawk Mountain 2018 Autumn Lecture Series will kick off on September 8 with a free lecture by Director of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, Dr. Nina Schoch.

The PA Environmental Council is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Program Manager for Watershed Outreach who promotes and advocates for improved water quality across the Commonwealth in partnership with local watershed associations.

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 59 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.