Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
December 21, 2020 Issue #860
(12/21/2020)
* 15 Stories - What REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership Looks Like In PA

The first 15 stories in this week’s PA Environment Digest-- all new just this week-- profile students, farmers, landowners, businesses, volunteers, scientists and many others showing real environmental and conservation leadership.

* Bay Journal: Landowners, Turkey Hill Dairy, Trout Unlimited, Lancaster Clean Water Partners, Conservation Districts, NFWF, Chesapeake Conservancy, Others Partner On Precision Conservation In PA

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Andrew Johnson, William Penn Foundation’s Director Of Watershed Programs, To Retire In 2021

After 20 years at the William Penn Foundation, Andres Johnson, Director of the Watershed Protection Program plans to retire in June 2021.

* EPA Recognizes Excellence & Innovation in Clean Water Infrastructure Projects, Including Temple University Green Roof Project

On December 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored 58 water infrastructure projects for excellence and innovation within the clean water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and drinking water SRF programs.

* Ralph Streibig Protects 70 Acres With The Lancaster Conservancy In York County In Memory Of His Family

The Lancaster Conservancy announced the acquisition of a 70-acre addition to Hellam Hills Nature Preserve in York County.

* Paul & Cynthia Black, Bob & Shelley Casciato And French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Protect 54 Acres In Chester County

On December 14, Paul & Cynthia Black, Bob & Shelley Casciato and the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust announced they have preserved forever 54 acres along St. Matthews Road in West Vincent Township, northern Chester County, through a conservation easement on property owned by 18 Years, LLC.

* Christina Smith & Berks Nature Permanently Protect 70 Acres Of Farm, Forest, Watershed Lands In Berks County

This past fall, Christina Smith signed a conservation easement with Berks Nature to permanently protect her 70.14 acre property in the Oley Hills in District Township, Berks County.

* Tim & Aurora Hughes, Saly Glassman & Ira Berman Partnered With Wissahickon Trails To Protect 31 Acres Of Watershed Land In Montgomery County

By Gail Farmer, Executive Director, Wissahickon Trails

* PA, MD, VA Student Leaders Draft New Chesapeake Bay Outdoor Bill Of Rights

By A.J. Metcalf, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

* Pittsburgh Mayor, Western PA Energy Consortium Win U.S. Conference Of Mayors Climate Protection Award

The U.S. Conference Of Mayors recognized Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and the Western Pennsylvania Energy Consortium with its First Place Mayors’ Climate Protection Award for Climate Protection Best Practices.

* Curtis Institute Of Music In Philadelphia Kicks Off 3-Year Energy Efficiency Project

On December 16, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia announced it is kicking off a three-year project to make energy efficiency investments in its Philadelphia facilities through an agreement with The Efficiency Network (TEN).

* PA Environmental Council - The Next 50: The Only Constant Is Change

By Dr. Aurora Sharrard, Director of Sustainability at the University of Pittsburgh

* Sustainable Pittsburgh: Support Local, Sustainable Businesses This Holiday Season

Sustainable Pittsburgh is reminding Western Pennsylvania shoppers of opportunities to Shop Sustainably and to frequent Sustainable Restaurants this holiday season.

* Grant Twp. Indiana County Defends Itself Against Another Lawsuit By PA General Energy Company Over Its Ordinance Banning Drilling Waste Injection Wells Based On Environmental Rights Amendment

On December 2, PA General Energy Company sued Grant Township, Indiana County (population 700)  in federal court-- for a second time-- to overturn the community’s law banning shale gas drilling waste injection wells.

* Environmental Groups Sue EPA Over Sulfur Dioxide Pollution In Indiana, Armstrong Counties

On December 18, several Pennsylvania environmental groups filed suit under the Clean Air Act to challenge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Pennsylvania’s inadequate plan to address unhealthy air quality under the federal National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide (SO2) limits.

* Groups Challenge PennDOT, FHA Vehicles-First Erie Bayfront Parkway Project

On December 15, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Erie, and Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future represented by Earthjustice filed a lawsuit challenging the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of the Categorical Exclusion for the Erie Bayfront Parkway Project.

* Vote Online Now For Pennsylvania's 2021 River Of the Year

Voting has started to choose the 2021 Pennsylvania River of the Year among five nominated waterways-- Buffalo Creek, Lehigh River, Loyalhanna Creek, Shenango River and Tunkhannock Creek.

* DEP Provides Update On Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Efforts; New Stormwater Manual Coming; Next State Team Meeting Jan. 26

The December Chesapeake Bay Implementation newsletter is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring these articles--

* Water Quality Cleanup Needs To Focus Not Only On 'Hot Spots' But 'Hot Moments' In Time During Increasingly Frequent Storm Events Using Buffers, Stream Fencing, Cover Crops, No-Till

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

* Dept. Of Agriculture Unveils Schedule For Virtual 2021 PA Farm Show; Highlights Of Educational, Environmental, Energy Events

On December 18, the Department of Agriculture unveiled the schedule for the virtual 2021 PA Farm Show to be held from January 11 to 15, with previews and light programming running January 9,  January 10 and January 16.

* PUC Bureau Of Investigation Proposes $1 Million Penalty For Multiple Violations That Led To Explosion Of Revolution Natural Gas Pipeline In Beaver County

On December 16, the PUC Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement filed a petition for approval of a settlement with ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC-- a.k.a. Energy Transfer Company-- involving the September 10, 2018 explosion of the Revolution Pipeline in Beaver County.

* DEP Projects Nearly 70% Drop In Revenue Supporting Oil & Gas Drilling Regulatory Program Due To Downturn In Industry; Health Impacts Study Report Due This Month

On December 16, Scott Perry, DEP Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, told the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board his program could see a nearly 70 percent reduction in revenue from the permit application fees used to support the regulatory program which will require a significant cut in program expenses-- 86 percent of which are the cost of personnel.

* DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 921 More Permits, 2,013 More Inspections Since Last Week

From March 16 to December 15, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

* Clean Power PA Coalition: 95% Of Commenters At EQB Hearings On Proposed Power Plant Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulation Supported The Proposal

On December 15, the Clean Power PA Coalition announced of the nearly 500 speakers at ten public hearing sessions on the Environmental Quality Board's proposed regulation limiting carbon pollution from power plants, over 95 percent supported the proposal.

* New Poll: 64% Of Pennsylvania Voters Support PA Joining Multi-State Transportation Climate Initiative

A new poll by Climate Nexus and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication on behalf of the Our Transportation Future Coalition found 64 percent of Pennsylvania voters supported Pennsylvania joining the multi-state Transportation Climate Initiative.

* 2021 PA Climate Impact Assessment: 13% Increase In Extremely Heavy Precipitation Events By 2050; DEP Advisory Committee Discusses Draft Impact Report, Climate Action Plan Dec. 22

DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on December 22 to hear a presentation on and discuss the draft 2021 Climate Impacts Assessment, a draft of the 2021 PA Climate Action Plan and a presentation by DCNR on carbon capture in Pennsylvania.

* PA Capitol & COVID Weekly Report: Senate Republican Leader Outlines Priorities; COVID Challenges

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] Senate Republican Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) outlined her initial priorities for the new legislation session to the PA Manufacturers Association last week.  Read more here.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

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-- 

* Gov. Wolf: SBA Approves Low-Interest Loans For Survivors Of Flooding From Tropical Storm Isaias In Berks County, Philadelphia

On December 19, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to declare a disaster in Berks and Philadelphia counties after Tropical Storm Isaias caused devastating flooding and significant damage in early August.

* Chesapeake Bay Foundation Applauds Biden's Pick For EPA Administrator

On December 18, Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker applauded President-Elect Joe Biden’s choice of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan to serve as the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

* Op-Ed: Biden-Harris Administration Should Invest In The Chesapeake Bay And Farmers

By U.S. Senator Bob. Casey, Pennsylvania

* USDA NRCS Seeks Public Input On Guidance Defining Nonindustrial Private Forest Land Eligibility

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking public input on Nonindustrial Private Forest Land related to technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

* Coldwater Heritage Partnership Now Accepting Conservation Grant Applications

On December 18, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited announced it is now accepting applications for the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s Coldwater Conservation Grant Program.  Applications are due February 15.

* DEP Announces $248,000 In Grants For Lake Erie Coastal Zone

On December 17, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of $248,000 in Coastal Zone Grants to help protect and restore the Lake Erie Coastal Zone.

* DEP Announces $579,432 In Grants For Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone

On December 17, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded $579,432 in grants to 12 projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone.

* Introducing A Diversion Best Management Practice To Control Erosion, Sedimentation And Runoff At Timberidge Farms, York County

By Paul Solomon, Master Watershed Steward York County

* Penn State Extension: Stormwater Training For Municipal Staff, Elected Officials

By Jennifer R. Fetter, Educator - Water Resources

* The Importance Of Snow And Forests To PA Streams And Groundwater

By Bryan Swistock, Penn State Extension Water Resources Coordinator

* CBF: Salt For Snow And Ice: Effects On Waterways Not Very Nice

By Harry Campbell, PA Science Policy & Advocacy Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

* Presentation Videos From 2020 Delaware Watershed Congress Now Available

The Delaware RiverKeeper announced the videos of the presentations and panel discussions from the 2020 virtual Schuylkill Watershed Congress are now available online.  The Congress was held the week of September 21.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Releases Draft Comprehensive Plan For Public Comment; January Webinars Set

As required by the Susquehanna River Basin Compact, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission has released a draft Comprehensive Plan covering the immediate and long-range development and use of the water resources of the Basin.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Recaps Dec. 11 Business Meeting

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission held its quarterly business meeting virtually from Harrisburg on December 11. Among its actions, the Commission:

* Delaware River Basin Commission Recaps Dec. 9 Business Meeting

The Delaware River Basin Commission held a business meeting on December 9, among its actions--

* Save The Date: DRBC Advisory Committee On Climate Change To Host Climate Change Forum March 2

The Delaware River Basin Commission’s Advisory Committee on Climate Change will host a March 2 Climate Change Forum as part of the Delaware Estuary’s biennial Science and Environmental Summit.

* PA American Water Hosts Series Of Virtual Customer Assistance Programs, Next One Jan. 14

Pennsylvania American Water is hosting a series of virtual information sessions about its customer assistance programs, with the next on January 14 at 4:00 p.m.

* PA Environmental Educators: Nominations Now Being Accepted For PA's Pathways To Green Schools, Green Ribbon Schools Awards Programs

The PA Association of Environmental Educators announced Pennsylvania has partnered with the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Program to recognize USDE Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awards, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awards.

* Deadline Extended: PennDOT's Innovations Challenge Invites Students To Develop Solution For Funding Transportation With Electric, Fuel Efficient Vehicles

On December 17, the Department of Transportation announced students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in the fourth annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers.

* U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Accepting Applications For College Directorate Fellows Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting applications for undergraduate and graduate college students in the Directorate Fellowship Program.  The deadline for applications is January 15.

* DEP: CrossAmerica Partners To Pay $125,000 Penalty For Violations At 18 Underground Storage Tank Facilities In SE PA

On December 17, the Department of Environmental Protection announced a consent assessment of civil penalty (CACP) with CrossAmerica Partners, LP (CrossAmerica) to address storage tank violations that occurred at 18 storage tank facilities between January 2019 and October 2020.

* KPB Surveillance Cameras Catch Illegal Dumping In Michaux State Forest; Reports Of Illegal Dumping Up 212% In 2020

Cameras installed through the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Illegal Dump Free PA Surveillance Camera Loan Program recently captured a couple illegally dumping a couch in Michaux State Forest in Franklin County.

* DEP Issues Water Quality Certification For National Fuel Gas FM 100 Natural Gas Pipeline Project In Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, McKean, Potter Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 19 PA Bulletin it has issued a Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the National Fuel Gas FM 100 natural gas pipeline project through Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, McKean and Potter Counties.  (PA Bulletin page 7246)

* DEP Publishes Final, Revised General Permit For Beneficial Use Of Liquid Waste From Fracking Oil & Gas Wells

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 19 PA Bulletin of a final, revised Waste General Permit covering the beneficial use of liquid waste from fracking oil or gas wells (WMGR123).

* Nanoengineered Cement Shows Promise For Sealing Conventional, Shale Natural Gas Wells Leaking Climate-Damaging Methane

By Matthew Carroll, Penn State News

* PUC Invites Comments On Electric Storage Policies To Increase Reliability And Resiliency Related To Increasingly Frequent Weather-Related Threats

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the December 19 PA Bulletin inviting comments on policy changes needed to increase the reliability and resiliency of electric distribution systems from weather-related threats, including thunderstorms, floods, hurricanes, derechos and ice storms.

* Public Utility Commission Offers Winter Storm Safety Tips

As the first major winter storm system of the season moved across the Commonwealth, the Public Utility Commission eminded households of the steps they can take to prepare for, and recover safely from, storm-related power outages.

* PUC Moves To Require Diversity Reporting By Public Utilities

On December 17, the Public Utility Commission voted 4-0 to begin a rulemaking process to require regular reporting on diversity programs and efforts by major utilities under the Commission’s jurisdiction.

* PUC Highlights 2020 Accomplishments At Final Meeting Of 2020

On December 17, as part of its final public meeting for 2020, the Public Utility Commission fulfilled a longstanding custom of highlighting some of the agency’s major accomplishments over the past year.

* Op-Ed: Damaged Three Mile Island Reactor Cleanup Needs To Be Fully Funded

By Arthur E. Morris And Eric J. Epstein

* Agriculture Department Reminds Private Pesticide Licensees Of March Deadline, Renewal Requirements

On December 16, the Department of Agriculture reminded private pesticide applicators whose licenses expire on March 31, 2021, that they will need to complete recertification credit requirements and pay a $10 renewal fee by the deadline.

* Penn State Botanists Get DCNR Grant To Study Ginseng In PA

By Jeff Muhollem, Penn State News

* Essential Factors For Park Maintenance, Building Resilience From The Ground Up

By Brian Koehler, Director, PA Park Maintenance Institute

* PA Recreation & Park Society Accepting Applications For Conference & Training Scholarships For Students and Professionals

The PA Recreation and Park Society is now accepting applications for conference and training scholarships for students and professionals.

* Natural Lands Issues Call For Force Of Nature, Stoneleigh Ambassador Volunteers

On December 18, Delaware County-based Natural Lands announced it is accepting applications for both its 2021 Force of Nature® volunteer training program and its Stoneleigh Ambassador volunteer training program.

* Dec. 18 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The December 18 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on-

* Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Arts Barn In Schuylkill County Host Winter Artisan Series

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County is again collaborating with The Arts Barn In Schuylkill County to host the 2021 Winter Artisan Series featuring a medley of ways to flex your artistic muscles, including macrame, painting, polymer clay, book binding, and more!

* Report By State, Federal Agencies Details Coordinated Effort To Combat Chronic Wasting Disease; How Hunters Can Help

On December 14, state and federal agencies and Pennsylvania research institutions released a report detailing coordinated efforts to combat Chronic Wasting Disease, a contagious, fatal disease that threatens deer.

* 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 129 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.

* 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.

Previous PA Environment Digests