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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
September 7, 2020 Issue #845
(9/7/2020)
* Ehrenfeld Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project In Cambria County Wins National Recognition; Renewal Of Federal Reclamation Fee Needed Now

On August 31, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced the winners of the 2020 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards.  The winner of the National Award for highest-rated reclamation project is the Ehrenfeld reclamation project along the Little Conemaugh River in Cambria County.

* DEP Receives $25 Million From Feds For Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Economic Development Projects

On September 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has received $25 million for  environmental restoration projects focused on economic development or community revitalization at abandoned mine land (AML) locations across Pennsylvania.

* Op-Ed: Federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Trust Fund Can Be Reauthorized

By John Oliver & R. John Dawes

* House Hearing: $2 Billion In Community Solar Projects, Family Farms Waiting For Passage Of Bipartisan Legislation That Costs Taxpayers Nothing

On September 1, a House Consumer Affairs Committee hearing was told $2 billion of investment is waiting for the passage of bipartisan legislation establishing a community solar energy program that could also help save family farms, all at no cost to taxpayers.

* Senate Environmental Committee Reports Out Bills Taking Away DEP’s Authority To Adopt A Carbon Pollution Reduction Program For Power Plants

On September 3, as expected, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out two bills taking away DEP’s authority to adopt a carbon pollution reduction program for power plants compatible with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

* Senate Appropriations Meets Sept. 8 To Move Bills Taking Away DEP’s Authority For Carbon Pollution Reduction Programs, Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing

The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet on September 8 to consider legislation taking away DEP’s authority to adopt a Carbon Pollution Reduction Program for power plants and a bill to kill regulations by doing nothing.

* PA Environmental Council: Carbon Capture, Utilization, Storage In PA: A Story Map

In the last few years the PA Environmental Council has convened stakeholders and initiated conversations surrounding carbon capture, utilization and storage in Pennsylvania.

* EPA, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Award Record $18 Million For Projects In Chesapeake Bay Watershed; $7.46 Million In PA

On September 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a record $18 million in grants to support 56 Chesapeake Bay Watershed restoration and conservation projects in six states and the District of Columbia.

* CBF-PA: 8 PA Counties To Add Buffers, Advance Their Clean Water Plans With EPA/NFWF Grant

On September 2, a grant was awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA and matching funds will provide nearly $2 million in investments to plant and maintain 360 acres of new trees and boost efforts in eight Pennsylvania counties toward achieving local plans for cleaner water.

* EPA/NFWF Grant Awarded To Chesapeake Conservancy For Precision Conservation In PA

On September 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded funding to Chesapeake Conservancy and the Precision Conservation Partnership for a major restoration initiative in central Pennsylvania.

* EPCAMR/Lackawanna River Conservation Assn. Each Receive $50,000 EPA/NFWF Grants To Cleanup Area Waterways

On September 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced the Lackawanna River Conservation Association and the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation each received $50,000 Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund grants to fund projects that will mitigate the effects the anthracite mining industry has had on the region’s watershed and ecosystems and to offset costs thrust on local communities.

* DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 744 More Permits, 1,526 More Inspections Since Last Week

From March 16 to September 1, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

* PEMA Shares Preparedness Tips, Encourages Participation In National Preparedness Month

The PA Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents throughout the Commonwealth to take steps to prepare for emergencies by participating in National Preparedness Month (NPM).

* 5th DCNR Wildfire Crew Leaves For Colorado; PA Sends Equipment, More People West

On September 1, the fifth 20-person wildfire crew DCNR’s Bureau of Forest will deploy this year to help fight wildland fires headed to Colorado..

* DCNR, Officials Celebrate Ghost Town Trail In Cambria, Indiana Counties As PA’s 2020 Trail Of The Year

On September 2, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined supporters of the Ghost Town Trail and other local officials in celebrating Ghost Town Trail’s designation as Pennsylvania’s 2020 Trail of the Year.

* DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Trevor Nordquist Visited Every State Park

Trevor Nordquist is a graduate student at Slippery Rock University whose quest to discover Pennsylvania brought him to every one of Pennsylvania’s 121 state parks.

* With Record-Setting Use Of Outdoors, DCNR Offers Tips For Recreating Responsibly For Labor Day Weekend

On September 3, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn noted that during this difficult time of the pandemic, people have turned to parks, forests, trails, and neighborhood green spaces in record numbers and reminded potential visitors of the things they can do this holiday weekend to stay safe.

* Planning Process For Riverfront At Hazelwood Green Brownfield Site Begins In Allegheny County, Led By PA Environmental Council

Efforts to restore and reclaim the 1.3 mile stretch of riverfront at Hazelwood Green are taking a step forward with the launch of a master planning and public input process, led by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

* Clean Air Task Force Founder Armond Cohen To Receive Dickinson College’s Rose-Walters Prize For Environmental Activism

The Sam Rose ’58 and Julie Walters Prize at Dickinson College for Global Environmental Activism will be presented this year to Armond Cohen, founder and executive director of the Clean Air Task Force (CATF).

* We Remember September 11, 2001 - DEP Responds To A National Tragedy

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.

* PA Capitol & COVID-19 Weekly Report: Republicans, Wolf Go A Few More Rounds; What Budget?

[ Because In Politics, Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] Senate and House Republicans and Gov. Wolf again sparred last week over issues like ending the COVID disaster emergency, whether to legalize marijuana, paid sick and family leave, eviction and foreclosure protection and who should decide how high school sports should be held.

* Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week

The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--

* 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-- 

* House Environmental Committee Meets Sept. 16 On Recycling Solar Panels; But E-Waste Law Is Broken

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold an informational meeting September 16 on recycling solar panels.

* August Newsletter Now Available From Joint Conservation Committee

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

* EPA Awards $62.9 Million To PA In Clean Water Revolving Loan Funds

On September 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has awarded $62.9 million in Clean Water State Revolving Loan Funding to Pennsylvania for water quality improvement projects to address wastewater treatment and stormwater runoff.

* EPA Meets With Federal Agency Partners In New Castle, Lawrence County To Discuss Redevelopment

On September 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined federal partners to meet with New Castle, city and Lawrence County Economic Development leadership and community leaders to discuss how EPA can assist the city in redevelopment of former Brownfields and sites in Opportunity Zones that had become tarnished from past industrial activity.

* Special Project: Good River - Stories Of The Ohio River [Yes, PA Is The Ohio River Watershed]

The combined talents of seven nonprofit newsrooms spanning five of the 15 states in the Ohio River Watershed have produced a new Good River - Stories Of The Ohio website about the environment, economy and culture of the Ohio River Watershed.

* PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Western PA Virtual Watershed Workshops Oct. 7 & 9

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers will host two virtual workshops for watershed groups on October 7 and 9.

* Western PA Conservancy: Partnership, Generosity Lead To Ohiopyle Stream Restoration In Fayette County

Important headwaters of a wild brook trout stream in Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County have been restored, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of State Park, Wetland Restoration LLC, Beran Environmental and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

* Lancaster Clean Water Partners Hold Virtual Annual Partners Meeting Sept. 11

Lancaster Clean Water Partners, who coordinate the implementation of the County's Clean Water Action Plan, will hold its Annual Partners meeting via Zoom on September 11 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

* Lancaster Clean Water Partners Scholar Spotlight: Marcy Hostetler, Teacher, Volunteer

After 30 years of teaching and directing high school choirs, Marcy decided it was time to leave teaching and forge a new path in life – spending more time volunteering, planting native flowers and trees in her garden, and learning about and acting on the community needs of clean water.

* Pasture Walks Highlight Cover Crop Grazing Sept. 29 Adams County, Oct. 20 Franklin County

Planting cover crops for livestock grazing can result in multiple benefits for soil health and livestock nutrition when implemented as part of regular crop rotation or during pasture establishment.

* Bay Journal: Microplastics, Cigarette Butts, Straws Found In PA Susquehanna River Smallmouth Bass

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* 50th Annual Wissahickon Creek Cleanup Sept. 12 In Philadelphia

The pandemic might have delayed us but it won’t stop us from cleaning up the Wissahickon Creek.  Volunteer now for the 50th Annual Wissahickon Creek Clean Up will be held on September 12 starting at 9:00 a.m.

* Penn State Extension Water Cooler Talk Webinar Sept. 30 On Water Resources In Pennsylvania

On September 30, Penn State Extension will host another in a series of Water Cooler Talk webinar series on Water Resources in Pennsylvania from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

* Sign Up Now For Keep PA Beautiful's Pick Up Pennsylvania

Pick Up Pennsylvania, a program of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, runs from September 1 through November 30. During this time, residents are encouraged to improve their communities by picking up litter.

* PA Resources Council Sets Traveling Glass Recycling Events In Allegheny County

The PA Resources Council has scheduled two Traveling Glass Recycling Events in Allegheny County to service municipalities no longer accepting glass in curbside recycling collection.

* Independence Conservancy Hosts 4 Waste Tire Recycling Events In Beaver County

Need to get rid of tires or wheels from your car or truck?  Four waste tire collection events will be hosted by Independence Conservancy in Beaver County during September and October.

* PA Resources Council Sets 3 Household Chemical Collection Events In Allegheny, Beaver Counties

The PA Resources Council will host the final three Household Chemical Collection Events of its 2020 campaign to provide Pennsylvania residents with an opportunity to safely and cost effectively dispose of a wide variety of materials.

* DEP Provides Notice Of Appeal Rights On Permits For Adelphia Gateway Natural Gas Pipeline Project

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 5 PA Bulletin of the right to appeal DEP’s issuance of a Section 401 Water Quality Certification and related erosion and sedimentation permits for the Adelphia Gateway Natural Gas Pipeline Project (page 4613)

* Premiere Of Mark Ruffalo's 'Invisible Hand' Film About The Rights Of Nature Movement, Including Grant Twp., PA Injection Well Case

Mark Ruffalo's ‘Invisible Hand’ film from Public Herald Studios about the Rights of Nature and community rights movements is now available for viewing online.

* Country View Family Farms Installing Over 8,100 Solar Panels At 4 PA Farms

On September 1, National Hog Farmer reported Country View Family Farms, the hog production division of global food producer Clemens Food Group, plans to install over 8,100 solar panels at four of its Pennsylvania farm locations.

* Sustainable Business Entrepreneur Judy Wicks Will Headline Sept. 15 Virtual Program At NE Sustainable Energy and Education Development Support Meeting

Sustainable Business Entrepreneur Judy Wicks will be the guest speaker at the September 15 virtual meeting of the Sustainable Energy and Education Development Support of the Northeast starting at 6:00 p.m.

* PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In August

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In August is now available featuring articles on--

* Birders! Graduate Student Needs Your Help In Reporting Birds Eating Spotted Lanternflies

Anne, a graduate student at Penn State, is studying predation of the invasive spotted lanternfly by birds.

* September Eastern & Western Trail Summits Go Virtual

Join Pennsylvania’s trail community in a series of virtual trail summits in September.

* 2020 Public Lands Ride September 1-30 To Showcase State Parks, Forests

The PA Environmental Council is hosting the 2020 Public Lands Ride through the month of September to showcase State Parks and Forests across the greater central region of the state.

* DCNR Good Natured Blog: On The Trail Of Geology

Ask any thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail and they’ll tell you that Pennsylvania has a lot of rocks, making the path through the state a bit challenging. Here in the Commonwealth our geology also provides unique experiences and things to see.

* PECO/Natural Lands Green Region Open Space Grant Program Now Accepting Applications

Applications are now being accepted for the PECO Green Region Open Space Grant Program administered by Natural Lands.  Applications are due October 31.

* Free Fallingwater Lecture: Environment Creating Healthy Wellbeing, Wellbeing Creating Healthy Environments Sept. 29 Online Event

The Western PA Conservancy’s Fallingwater in Fayette County will host a free lecture September 29 by Dr.  Barry Kerzin entitled Environment Creating Healthy Wellbeing, Wellbeing Creating Healthy Environments from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. via Zoom.

* Heritage Conservancy Facilitates Preservation Of Highly Visible, 97-acre Farm In Bedminster Twp., Bucks County

On August 31, working in partnership with Bucks County and Bedminster Township, the Heritage Conservancy facilitated the placement of a conservation easement on a 97-acre farm in Bedminster Township.

* Delaware Highlands Conservancy Virtual Conservation Conversation About How To Protect Your Land On Oct. 15

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy will host a virtual Conservation Conversation with Conservancy’s Land Protection Coordinators Trey Talley and Kaylan Hubbard about how the Delaware Highlands Conservancy can help you protect your land.

* Natural Lands Invites Participants To A Virtual ChesLen Chase For Open Space Race Oct. 10-18

Natural Lands’ annual ChesLen Chase for Open Space has gone virtual this year and will be held October 10 to 18.  You choose the race, the place and the pace!

* Sept. 2 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

The September 2 Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now available featuring articles on--

* Sept. 4 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The September 4 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring these articles.

* Educator Offers Video On 6,000 Year-Old Danville Riverside Eel Dam And Eels To The Classroom Project In The Susquehanna River Watershed

Van Wagner, an Environmental Science Educator at Lewisburg High School in Union County, shares a fascinating video report on the origins of the Danville Riverside Eel Dam, as a result of a pilot program, “American Eels In the Classroom” in the Susquehanna River Watershed.

* State Agencies Issue Alert To Contain Invasive 'Rock Snot' In Quemahoning Creek, Somerset County

On September 4, with the recent confirmation of the aquatic invasive alga didymo Didymosphenia geminata, also known as "rock snot," in Quemahoning Creek, Somerset County, the Fish and Boat Commission and Department of Environmental Protection are reminding anglers and boaters that cleaning their gear is the easiest, most effective means to prevent its spread to other waters.

* Game Commission: Online Elk Cam Goes Live

Each September, thousands of visitors make their way to Pennsylvania's elk country to experience for themselves the wonder of the bugling season.

* Outdoor Discovery Center At Crooked Creek Hosts Peregrine Falcons - An Environmental Success Story Online Program Sept. 17

The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek in Armstrong County will host Peregrine Falcons - An Environmental Success Story on September 17 in a special online event starting at 6:00 p.m.

* PA Environmental Council Podcast: Why We Need Wildlife Corridors

Like humans, animals need space and the ability to move safely across it. But habitat fragmentation caused by development is disrupting wildlife migration, leading to more frequent and sometimes dangerous encounters with people--  and the effects will only intensify with climate change.

* Brodhead Watershed Assn./Pocono Avian Research Center Host Virtual Birding At Camp William Penn In Monroe/Pike Counties

The Brodhead Watershed Association and the Pocono Avian Research Center are hosting a new Virtual Birding video at Camp William Penn, part of the Delaware State Forest, in Monroe and Pike Counties.

* Environment & Energy NewsClips

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

* Grants & Awards

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

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

* CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 96 page PA Environment Digest.

* Stories Invited - About 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: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

* Going Virtual! PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Oct. 28-29

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the virtual 2020 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference to be held on October 28-29.   Stay tuned for details!

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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