Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 8, 2021 Issue #871
(3/8/2021)
* 18 New Stories - What REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership Looks Like In PA

There are 18 new stories in this week’s PA Environment Digest that show the leadership of educators, anglers, foresters, county commissioners, riverkeepers, a Sister of Mercy, a candy company, a religious group, conservancies, trail and outdoor recreation facilities, farmers, a city shade tree commission, power company and a land trust leader.

* PA Association Of Environmental Educators Announced 2021 Education Award Winners

On March 5, the PA Association of Environmental Educators announced the recipients of their 2021 environmental educator awards.  The winners include--

* Natural Lands President Oliver Bass Featured In Philadelphia Business Journal's 'Power 100'

Natural Lands’ president, Oliver Bass, has been selected as part of Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Power 100” list of influential people in the region.

* DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: In Memoriam John Eastlake, Conservationist, Outdoorsman, Fmr DCNR Forester

We were deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of John Eastlake, conservationist, outdoorsman, and former DCNR forester.

* Bay Journal Forum: Muddy Creek Chapter Trout Unlimited's Many Hands Make Light Work Of Tree-Planting In York County

By Adam Miller, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

* Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited, Western PA Conservancy Partner To Cleanup Mine Drainage In Dunbar Creek, Fayette County

By Ben Moyer, Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited Chapter

* Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Looking Forward To A Year Of Growth

This article appeared first in the latest Penn’s Woods newsletter from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA--

* PA Nature Conservancy Adds 1,058 Acres To Cove Mountain Preserve In Perry County

On March 4, the Pennsylvania and Delaware Chapter of The Nature Conservancy announced it has closed on a land deal to add 1,058 acres to its existing Cove Mountain Preserve in Perry County, which now creates a 14-mile stretch of protected land along the Kittatinny Ridge

* Jane McCartney, A Sister Of Mercy, Donates Easement To Western PA Conservancy To Permanently Protect Forest Land In Clearfield County

On March 1, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of a 100-acre property in Penn Township, Clearfield County through a donated conservation easement from Jane McCartney, a Sister of Mercy.

* Hershey Company Announces Goal To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 25% By 2030 From 2018 Baseline

The Hershey Company recently announced new commitments to reduce its global emissions in line with the global best practice of the Paris Climate Agreement, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.  Read more here.

* Op-Ed: Pennsylvania Agriculture Is Vulnerable To Climate Change

By Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture

* Op-Ed: We Are All Stewards Of God's Creation

By David Heayn-Menendez, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light

* Penn Power Partners With Erie Bird Observatory For 2nd Year To Protect Osprey, Birds Of Prey

On March 3, Penn Power announced it has partnered with the Erie Bird Observatory for the second year in a row to install a nesting platform on top of a 55-foot wooden pole in Greenville, Mercer County as part of an effort to reduce power outages.

* Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper, Talen Energy Agreement To Close Montour Power Plant Coal Ash Disposal Site, Donate 805 Acres, $1.2 Million For Conservation Efforts

By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets March 16 On Mine Reclamation Needs; Expiration Of Federal Fee Would Leave PA With No Resources To Deal With This Critical Issue

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting March 16 to hear a presentation on the Mine Reclamation Program and the need for reauthorization of the federal Mine Reclamation fee.

* Environmental Quality Board Meets March 16 On Final Water Quality Permit Fee Increases

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting March 16 to consider a final regulation increasing NPDES water quality permit application and annual fees.

* Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Pennsylvania Must Stop Killing The Chesapeake Bay

The following editorial appeared in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette on March 2, 2021--

* Chesapeake Bay Foundation: It Takes A Shared Commitment To Stop Killing The Susquehanna And Local Waters

By Shannon Gority, PA Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

* Chesapeake Bay Commission Recommends Increasing Federal Funding For Chesapeake Bay Watershed Cleanup

The interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission has released a set of recommendations for federal funding increases to support cleaning up water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. 

* Funding Flashback 2017: PA Chesapeake Bay Commission Members Spotlight Need For Clean Water Fund In PA

On January 24, 2017, Pennsylvania’s representatives to the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission wrote to all Senate and House members outlining the need to address funding to support state efforts to clean up water pollution.  Very little has happened since then.  Here’s their call to action--

* Funding Flashback 2020: Senate Environmental Committee Puts Spotlight On Funding Needed To Implement PA Clean Water Plan At Chesapeake Bay Briefing

On January 8, 2020, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing at the PA Farm Show that put a spotlight on resources needed to implement Pennsylvania's plan to clean up our streams and rivers to meet Chesapeake Bay cleanup obligations.  Here's what was said, in-part--

* DEP Order Requires Payment Of $125,000 Penalty For Latest Revolution Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Violations In Beaver County

On March 1, the Department of Environmental Protection announced that it has executed a consent order and agreement with ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC [an Energy Transfer Partners/Sunoco pipeline company] which owns and operates the Revolution Pipeline to address construction violations along the route of the Revolution Natural Gas Pipeline, a 40.5-mile natural gas gathering pipeline that crosses Butler, Beaver, Allegheny, and Washington counties.

* Independent Fiscal Office Reports PA Natural Gas Production Increased 3.9% In 2020 Over 2019; Impact Fee, Permit Fee Revenue Takes Hit

On March 2, the Independent Fiscal Office reported natural gas production in Pennsylvania increased 3.9 percent in 2020 over 2019, the lowest rate of growth on record for a full year of production.

* DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 946 More Permits, 2,170 More Inspections Since Last Week

From March 16, 2020 to March 2, 2021 Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

* First Lady Frances Wolf Discusses PA Tourism And Increased Outdoor Activities During COVID Pandemic

On March 4, First Lady Frances Wolf hosted a virtual conversation on Facebook discussing how the tourism and outdoor industries have been impacted during COVID-19.

* Votes Are In For 3 Pennsylvania Trails In USA Today 10Best Recreational Trails Competition!

The votes have been counted-- with no controversy-- for three Pennsylvania trails included in the USA Today 10Best Competition for recreation, riverwalk and urban kayaking trails and here’s where they placed--

* DCNR Blog: How You Can Help Protect The Diversity Of Plants And Animals In Pennsylvania

This month, when you are outdoors in a natural place looking for signs of spring, you’ll see biodiversity -- it’s the variety of life that surrounds us, including all the earth’s plants, animals, their habitats, and the natural processes of which they are a part.

* DCNR Awards $357,211 In Wild Resource Conservation Grants To Foster Biodiversity, Protect Non-Game Species

On March 4, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced $357,211 Wild Resource Conservation Program grants to support 12 projects to protect the state’s native biodiversity.

* Central PA Conservancy Protects 233 Acres Of Farm, Forest Land Containing Rare Plant Community In Franklin County

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy recently recorded a 233-acre conservation easement just east of Mercersburg in Franklin County to help protect an area known for its biological diversity.

* Middle & Lower Susquehanna RiverKeepers, File Notice Of Lawsuit Over Fish & Wildlife Service Decision To Deny Endangered Species Protection For Eastern Hellbenders

On March 4, the Middle and Lower Susquehanna RiverKeepers and other conservation groups filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its decision in April 2019 to deny federal Endangered Species Act protection to eastern hellbenders.

* Penn State Students Need Help From Individuals Who Harvest Wild Ramps For Personal Use Or Commercial Sale

Penn State Extension and graduate students Cathryn Pugh and Cassie Stark are doing research on wild ramps, the forest plant that is often harvested for their edible bulbs, leaves and flowers.  They would like to interview individuals who harvest them for personal or commercial use.

* SEEDS Program Accepting Entries To Burkhardt Sustainability Essay College Scholarship Contest In Monroe, Pike Counties

On March 4, the Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support (SEEDS) announced it is now accepting entries to the Burkhardt Sustainability Essay Scholarship Contest for college-bound high school seniors in Monroe and Pike counties.  Entries are due May 2.

* PA Capitol & COVID Weekly Report: Pandemic Unemployment; Remote Education; Budget Hearings Start In Senate

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] The House budget hearings last week again re-lived some of the worst days of the pandemic for unemployed workers trying to get benefits and for school students after schools were forced to close.

* 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-- 

* House Committee Hears Annual Reports From Game, Fish & Boat Commissions

On March 3, the House Game and Fisheries Committee held two information meetings to discuss the 2020 annual reports from the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission.

* Senate Committee Meets March 10 On Carbon Dioxide Management Technologies

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold an informational meeting March 10 on the deployment and utilization of carbon dioxide management technologies.

* Rep. Sappy Holds March 11 Discussion Of Stormwater Issues, Property Damage In Chester County

On March 11, Rep. Christina Sappey (D-Chester) will hold an online discussion of stormwater management, the environment, infrastructure and property damage in Chester County starting at 6:00 p.m.

* House Republican Policy Committee Sets March 18 Hearing On Francis E. Walter Dam Corps Of Engineers Water Withdraw Study

On March 18, the House Republican Policy Committee will hold a virtual hearing to discuss issues related to the ongoing reevaluation study of the Francis E. Walter Dam and Reservoir in Carbon County by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

* Petition Asks Delaware River Basin Commission To Upgrade River Designation To Protect Fish & Aquatic Life, Prevent Atlantic Sturgeon Extinction

On March 3, a coalition of organizations submitted a petition to the Delaware River Basin Commission to upgrade the regulatory status and protections for the Philadelphia-Camden- Wilmington reach of the Delaware River.

* Federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Provides $52.4 Million To PA For Mine Reclamation

On March 1, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced Pennsylvania will receive a total of $52.4 million to support its mine reclamation efforts-- $27.4 million for its ongoing program and $25 million for mine reclamation projects designed to improve local economies.

* EPA: UCT Facility In Bucks County To Pay $44,880 Penalty For Hazardous Waste Violations

On March 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced chemical manufacturer UCT will pay a $44,880 penalty to settle hazardous waste violations at its Bristol, Bucks County facility.

* Study For Great Lakes Protection Fund Identifies Erie County, PA As One Of 10 Priority Areas For Green Infrastructure Investment In Great Lakes Region

On March 3, a study supported by the Great Lakes Protection Fund identified Erie County, Pennsylvania as one of ten priority areas in the entire Great Lakes Region for green infrastructure investment.

* Registration Open For Southwest PA Regional Water Network Virtual Meetings On PA Ohio River Watershed Issues April 20, May 4 & 18

The Southwest PA Regional Water Network is now accepting registrations for April 20, May 4 and 18 virtual public meetings on issues in Pennsylvania's portion of the Ohio River Watershed in Western Pennsylvania.

* Allegheny Conservation District Releases Montour Run Watershed Assessment, Restoration Implementation Plan

On March 1, the Allegheny County Conservation District announced the release of the Montour Run Watershed Assessment and Restoration Implementation Plan. The plan serves as a guide for the protection, enhancement and restoration of the area's valuable water resources for generations to come.

* Pike Conservation District: March Is Forestry Month; Contractors Workshop March 23; Leaf Pack Network- Stroud Water Center; Environmental Ed Grants

The Pike County Conservation District's March newsletter highlighted a series of resources available in March for Forestry Month, environmental education opportunities and grants and more.

* Penn State Extension: New Citizen Science Tool - First Investigation of Stream Health Webinar April 1

Penn State Extension will host an April 1 webinar on a new citizen science tool called the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

* WeConservePA: Registration Now Open For Environmental Advisory Council Virtual Conference April 10

WeConservePA is now accepting registrations for the virtual Environmental Advisory Council Conference on April 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Mine Reclamation Project In Indiana County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 6 PA Bulletin about an opportunity to bid on an abandoned mine reclamation in Indiana County.

* DEP Hosts April 6 Virtual Hearing On Hazardous Sites Cleanup Of Fmr McKees Rocks Landfill, Allegheny County

On March 5, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold a virtual public hearing on April 6  at 6:00 p.m. to take testimony from interested parties on DEP’s prompt interim response under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act at the former Mazzaro-McKees Rocks Landfill site in Kennedy Township, Allegheny County.

* Call For Presentations: PA Environmental Professionals October Virtual Conference Speakers Series

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting presentation proposals for their Annual Conference Virtual Speakers Series to be held October 1, 4, 8, 15, 18, 22, 25 and 29.  The deadline for submissions is March 26.

* Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission Introduces Equitable Street Tree Investment Strategy

On March 2, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and the City of Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission announced a new Equitable Street Tree Investment Strategy to promote maintenance in low-income neighborhoods with low tree canopy cover as part of Mayor Peduto’s vision to plant 100,000 trees over the next decade.

* Neighborhoods Can Now Apply For Fall Tree Plantings From TreeVitalize Pittsburgh

TreeVitalize Pittsburgh is now accepting applications communities for fall tree plantings in the City of Pittsburgh to help the Western PA Conservancy and its partners meet the goals of Pittsburgh’s 10-year Street Tree Management Plan.

* Apply Now To Receive Help With Community Food Gardens In Allegheny County

The Western PA Conservancy and Grow Pittsburgh are now accepting applications for material support for community food gardens in Allegheny County.

* Save The Date: 9th Annual PA Firefly Festival June 25 & 26 In Forest County

The 2021 PA Firefly Festival will be held June 25 and 26 in Tionesta, Forest County and is scheduled to include nature exhibits, presentations, firefly experts, music and firefly tours.

* 2nd PA Wilds Conservation Shop Coming To Leonard Harrison State Park In Tioga County

On March 1, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship announced it is opening its second PA Wilds Conservation Shop at Leonard Harrison State Park this summer, expanding visitor services at the busy state park and improving market access for rural entrepreneurs and businesses looking to serve its thousands of visitors.

* Pike County Commissioners Begin Lackawaxen River Corridor Trail Feasibility Study

On March 1, the Pike County Board of Commissioners announced the kickoff of a grant-funded Trail Feasibility Study focusing on the Lackawaxen River corridor, between Hawley and Lackawaxen.

* March 5 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The March 5 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In February

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In February features articles on--

* Wildlands Conservancy: Register Now For Summer Camps; Other Activities Available In March

The Wildlands Conservancy is now accepting registrations for its 2021 Summer Camping season for students and for these other programs coming up in March--

* Proposals Wanted: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Issues RFP For Communications, Marketing Services For Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued an Request for Proposals for Communications and Marketing Services in support of the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership.

* Help Wanted: Northumberland Conservation District; Berks Nature; Brandywine Conservancy

These three organizations are looking for qualified people to fill these positions--

* 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.

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* 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 POWR, PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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