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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
September 16, 2019 Issue #794
(9/16/2019)
* House Committee To Consider Bill Sept. 17 To Establish 5-Person Commission To Make Decisions On 31,000 Environmental Permits; Fire All DEP Employees Handling Permit Reviews

The House State Government Committee is scheduled to meet September 17 to consider 2 bills that are part of the House Republican Energize PA natural gas use subsidy package--

* Bay Journal: Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Leaders Meet Without Tackling PA's Funding Shortfall

By Whitney Pipkin, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* EPA Provides $2.4 Million To Pennsylvania To Help Implement Chesapeake Bay Watershed Plan

On September 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it is reallocating portions of its Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay funding from two fiscal years to help apply the funds more quickly and efficiently to the Commonwealth’s efforts to restore the Bay and local waters.

* PA's REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program Recognized By Environmental Defense Fund, National Assn. Of State Departments Of Agriculture

On September 11, Environmental Defense Fund and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture recognized Pennsylvania’s Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program as an innovative, state-led model for conservation funding.

* EPA To Announce Approval Of Allegheny County Sanitary Authority’s Plan To Control Sewage Overflows Sept. 19

On September 12, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Don Hopey reported the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce it has approved the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority’s revised plan to control sewage overflows, including the ability to incorporate cost effective green infrastructure.

* Earthworks’ New Report, Interactive Map Tracks Disposal Of 380 Million Barrels Of PA Oil & Gas Drilling Wastewater, Including Road Dumping

On September 11, Earthworks issued a new report documenting a 1,500 percent increase in the volume of toxic, often radioactive waste generated by Pennsylvania oil and gas operations between 2003 and 2018 and an interactive map showing where that waste was sent.

* PUC Investigating Subsidence Involving Several Pipelines Near Site Of Sunoco Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction In Delaware County

On September 13, the PUC's Pipeline Safety Division announced it is investigating reports of subsidence near several pipelines located near the site of construction work on the Sunoco Mariner East 2 Pipeline in Middletown Township, Delaware County.

* DEP Orders Sunoco To Cover Exposed Natural Gas Liquids, Other Petroleum Pipelines At 43 Locations Across The State

On September 11, Department of Environmental Protection ordered Sunoco Pipeline, LP, an Energy Transfer Partners-related company, to cover exposed pipelines at 43 locations across the state.

* Court: Sen. Dinniman Did Not Have Standing To Bring A Complaint To PUC Over Mariner East Pipeline Construction Failures

On September 9, Commonwealth Court issued a decision saying Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) did not have a direct, immediate and substantial interest” in construction failures by Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 Pipeline to bring a complaint before the Public Utility Commission.

* Group Against Smog & Pollution Announces 2019 Michelle Madoff Environmental Excellence Award Winners

On September 12, the Pittsburgh-based Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) announced the winners of the 2019 Michelle Madoff Environmental Excellence Awards-- Laura Nettleton, Thoughtful Balance; Eva Resnick-Day, Sierra Club Ready For 100; Patricia Himes, Naturalist Educator, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy; Kristina Marusic, reporter with Environmental Health News; and Dr. Deborah Gentile, pediatric medicine, allergy/immunology.

* PA Resources Council Holds 80th Anniversary Celebration Oct. 17 In Newtown Square, Delaware County

Join the PA Resources Council at their 80th Anniversary Celebration on October 17 at The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve, 3821 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square, Delaware County from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

* DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council To Review Preliminary State Parks For All Plan Oct. 2

The DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on October 2 to review and consider recommendations on the preliminary State Parks - Penn’s Parks For All Plan along with other invited stakeholders.

* Pennsylvania Fire Fighters Join Others To Battle Wildfires In Northern California

On September 9, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn met with 40 volunteer forest fire fighters from Pennsylvania headed to northern California to help battle wildfires.

* Kinzua Bridge State Park In McKean County Named Best In Culture Category By American Bus Association

On September 12, Pennsylvania’s Kinzua Bridge State Park, home of the Kinzua Sky Walk, received a “2019 Best of Best” designation from the American Bus Association for its excellence in serving group tours.

* DCNR, Fish & Boat Commission Discuss Green Infrastructure Needs Along Lancaster County Waterway

On September 9, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer toured a potential recreation site along Cocalico Creek in Ephrata, Lancaster County and discussed the need for funding to address similar green infrastructure needs in the state.

* Great Allegheny Passage Trail Relay Presented By UPMC Health Plan On Oct. 11-12 Aims To Be First Carbon Neutral Trail Relay In U.S.

On September 9, P3R-Pittsburgh Marathon has partnered with the Allegheny Trail Alliance and PA Environmental Council to host the first carbon neutral trail relay event in the U.S. at this year’s Great Allegheny Passage Relay presented by UPMC Health Plan, scheduled for Oct. 11-12.

* 31 Counties Now Have Mosquitoes Or Animals Testing Positive For West Nile Virus, The Latest: Fayette County

On September 9, the Department of Environmental Protection announced mosquitoes in Fayette County has tested positive for West Nile Virus bringing the total this season to 31 counties where positives were found.

* Game Commission Releases Draft Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan For Public Comment

On September 12, the Game Commission released a draft Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan intended to guide the agency’s management of CWD, which always is fatal to the deer and elk it infects.

* Personal Memories Of Sept. 11, 2001 And What Came After -- David Hess, Fmr Secretary Of DEP

We all remember where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001, but the employees of the Department of Environmental Protection remember better than most because they played a key role in responding to the Somerset County crash site of Flight 93.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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--

* Senate Environmental Committee Hears Testimony On The Need To Help Communities Implementing MS4 Stormwater Pollution Reduction Plans

On September 11, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee when to Franklin County to hear comments from a variety of presenters on the need to provide financial help and lower cost best management practice options for local governments to implement the federal MS4 Stormwater Water Pollution Reduction Program.

* House Environmental Committee Holds Info Meeting With DEP On Wolf Climate Change Initiatives Sept. 19

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold an information meeting September 19 with DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell on “the Administration’s position and progress regarding climate change initiatives.”

* NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Grant Program Accepting Applications

On September 9, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service announced the launch of the updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Potential partners are encouraged to submit proposals that will improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.

* Conservation Organizations Oppose EPA’s Move To Finalize Rollback Of Waters Of The U.S. Rule

On September 12, a wide spectrum of conservation groups announced they are opposing the Trump Administration’s rollback of the 2015 federal Clean Water Rule [Waters of the U.S. Rule], finalized Thursday. The groups said the Administration’s action will leave roughly 50 percent of wetlands and 60 percent of stream miles across the country vulnerable to pollution and destruction.

* Call For Presentation Proposals: 2020 Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 28-29

The organizers of the February 28-29 Keystone Coldwater Conference in State College are now accepting proposals for presentations.  The deadline for proposals is October 15.

* Alliance For Chesapeake Bay Accepting Nominations For Chesapeake Forest Champions

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, with support from the U.S. Forest Service, is now accepting  nominations for their annual Chesapeake Forest Champions Contest.  The deadline for nominations is September 30.

* Pike Conservation District Hosts Oct. 7 Stormwater, Snow Management Road Maintenance Workshop

With winter weather just around the corner, the Pike County Conservation District is hosting a free Road Maintenance Workshop on October 7, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, at the Palmyra Township Building, 115 Buehler Lane, in Paupack.

* Op-Ed: Pennsylvanians Had Landmark Opportunity To Strengthen Pipeline Safety Rules

By Joseph Otis Minott, Clean Air Council

* PRC Hosts September Household Chemical Collection Event, Pop Up Glass Recycling Events In Allegheny, Washington Counties

The PA Resources Council will hold Household Chemical and a Pop Up Glass Recycling Events at 5 locations in  Allegheny and Washington counties in September.

* GASP: DEP Asks Hearing Board Judge To Certify Appealability Of Erie Coke (Coal) Plant Aug. 28 Ruling

On September 9, the Group Against Smog and Pollution provided this update on the ongoing legal cases involving the Erie Coke (Coal) Plant in Erie--

* PUC Begins Be Utility Wise Consumer Education Events In September

On September 10, the Public Utility Commission announced it will hold the first of 8 Be Utility Wise consumer education events on September 13 in Erie promoting consumer awareness, utility education, life management skills and financial literacy.

* DEP Sets Oct. 21 Hearing On Broad Mountain Wind Power Project Water Quality Permit In Carbon County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing on the NPDES Water Quality Permit for the Broad Mountain Wind Power Project in Nesquehoning Borough and Packer Township, Carbon County on October 21. (PA Bulletin, page 5362)

* Allegheny County Votes To Implement C-PACE Clean Energy Financing Program For Commercial Properties

On September 10, the Allegheny County Council approved a resolution to implement C-PACE, a clean energy financing program for commercial, industrial and agricultural properties

* Center For Coalfield Justice, Partners Hosting Greene County Solar Festival Sept. 28

The Center for Coalfield Justice and Solar United Neighbors are hosting the Greene County Solar Festival on September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Greene County Fairgrounds, 107 Fairgrounds Road in Waynesburg.

* Delaware Valley University: Farming In Climate Chaos Seminar, Sept. 25 In Bucks County

The One Health Working Group and Food Systems Institute at Delaware Valley University will host Farming In Climate Chaos, part of the One Health Seminar Series, on September 25 at the University's Life Sciences Building Auditorium in Doylestown, Bucks County from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

* September Catalyst Now Available From The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

The September Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition based in Butler County--

* Land Conservancy Of Adams County Preserves 17 Acres Of Woodland In Key Location

Some preservation projects undertaken by the Land Conservancy of Adams County are more impactful than their acreage might suggest. A recent project preserving just 17 acres of woodland in Huntington Township is one example.

* The Nature Conservancy-PA, Troegs Independent Brewing Teaming Up To Protect Kittatinny Ridge With New Trail Day Beer

On September 9, The Nature Conservancy-PA and Tröegs Independent Brewing announced they are joining together to protect Pennsylvania’s Kittatinny Ridge, an ecologically important 185-mile chain of forested Appalachian mountains that runs through Pennsylvania.

* Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness: Tracy Ridge Mountain Biking On Hiking Trails Project Canceled In Allegheny National Forest

The Allegheny National Forest Tracy Ridge Wilderness Area Mountain Biking On Hiking Trails Project has been formally canceled by the U.S. Forest Service in Warren County, according to the Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness

* Voting Open For 2019 State Parks & Forests Through The Seasons Photo Contest Thru Sept. 18

You have until September 18 to vote for your favorite entry in the 2019 State Parks & Forests Through the Seasons Photo Contest sponsored by the PA Parks and Forests Foundation.

* Sept. 13 Take Five Fridays With Pam Now Available From PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The September 13 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* Autumn Lecture Series Returns To Hawk Mountain Sanctuary In Berks County

The Autumn Lecture Series is back at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County, and it is made to entertain, intrigue, and educate any interested ear.

* Little Shamokin Creek Watershed Assn. Hosts Northumberland Native Matt Miller In Sunbury Sept. 30 To Share First Book

Matt Miller, author of the book Fishing Through The Apocalypse, will be visiting the Little Shamokin Creek Watershed Association for a book signing event on September 30 at 6:30 p.m. in Sunbury, Northumberland County.

* Maryland Takes Down Signs To Negro Mountain In MD & PA; PA House Member Seeks To Change No Longer Appropriate Geographical Names

The Maryland Department of Transportation last week removed several road signs pointing to Negro Mountain, part of the Allegheny Ridge starting in Maryland and continuing into Pennsylvania, over concerns about racial insensitivity.

* Help Wanted; Audubon PA Delaware Watershed Alliance For Watershed Ed Program Associate

Audubon PA is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Delaware River Alliance for Watershed Education Program Associate position.

* Environment & Energy NewsClips

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

* 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.

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

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

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