Here are 61 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

NOTICE!  PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Is Your Story Being Told?

By David E. Hess, Former Secretary Department of Environmental Protection

By Karen Feridun, Better Path Coalition

The Department of Environmental Protection has issued revised Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation Permits for sections of the Pennsylvania Pipeline Project/Mariner East II Pipeline in Delaware and Chester Counties (PA Bulletin, Page 7945).

On December 16, the Evangelical Environmental Network released this statement on the House vote to disapprove of the final Environmental Quality Board regulations reducing carbon pollution from power plant consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative [Read more here.]--

On December 15, Chad Forcey of the PA Conservative Energy Forum told members of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee it is “commited to clean and renewable energy and energy diversity in the Commonwealth.”

SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support) of Northeastern Pennsylvania announced it has received two grants to support sustainability initiatives in NE PA totaling nearly $15,000.

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On December 16, Gov. Tom Wolf announced $17.4 million in grant funding for projects in 33 counties across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, highlighting their path-breaking work to improve the health of local streams, rivers, and lakes by reducing nutrient and sediment pollution.

Starting in January 2022, farmers in 14 of the 43 Pennsylvania counties in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed will have a chance to self-report conservation practices implemented on their farms by completing a survey from Penn State.

By Peter Durantine, Franklin & Marshall News

In partnership with the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM) out of Dickinson College in Carlisle, the Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Association is looking for volunteers in Lycoming and Clinton counties to join a new Stream Team monitoring effort in 2022.

By Jodi Sulpizzio, York County Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

On December 5, Julie Slavet, Executive Director for the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership received the John Dornan Conservation Award from the Wyncote Audubon Society.

Master Watershed Stewards in Westmoreland, Indiana and Armstrong counties plan to monitor road salt levels entering streams and creeks over the winter months.

By Penn State News

The Department of Environmental Protection will host an eighth round of public meetings of Regional Water Resources to help get input into the 2022 State Water Plan Update.  Read more here.

On December 16, DEP’s Solid Waste Advisory and Recycling Fund Advisory Committees heard presentations by DEP on its recommendations for changing the law to make Act 101 Recycling Programs more effective and fixing the very broken Electronics Waste Recycling Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection posted the 2022 schedule for advisory committee and board meetings in the December 18 PA Bulletin (PA Bulletin, Page 7946).

On December 10, the PA Environmental Defense Foundation filed a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court to stop the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Project in Northcentral Pennsylvania saying the legislation mandating the project violates the public trust responsibilities under the state’s Environmental Rights Amendment, upheld in several PA Supreme Court decisions.

From leaf peeping to whitewater rafting, biking, hiking, and more, Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests offer many options for outdoor recreation, attracting visitors near and far.

On December 16, U.S. Senator Bob Casey wrote to the Maryland Air National Guard asking for an extension of the public comment period and a transparent public outreach process on their proposed low-level combat training flights over the PA Wilds in Cameron, Clinton, Elk, McKean, Potter and Tioga counties.

On December 14, the PA Wilds Center For Entrepreneurship announced the PA Wilds Region is a finalist for up to $100 million in investment to grow its outdoor recreation industry, officials said Monday.

On December 17, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced $1.2 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant funding for the acquisition of Starr Farm in East Bradford Township, Chester County.

On December 16, the Department of Agriculture announced it has protected 2,569 acres on 30 farms in 18 counties from future development, investing more than $7.2 million in state, county and township dollars.

The Lancaster Conservancy announced it has acquired a 155-acre tract of stream, forests, and farmland that surrounds the Conewago Recreation Trail in Mount Joy Township, Lancaster County.

On December 15, Natural Lands announced the protection of 35 acres of land in West Brandywine Township, Chester County.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The December 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

Whether it’s helping clear trash or choosing restroom locations, you can help Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) this winter by participating in its ongoing work to conserve one of the area’s greatest treasures - the Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia.

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

In a landmark ruling, the Constitutional Court of Ecuador has enforced the nation’s constitutional “Rights of Nature” provision to halt mining concessions issued in the Los Cedros Protected Forest ecosystem. [Read more here.]

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

Registration for the 2022 Keystone Coldwater Conference and PA Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Joint Meeting is now open!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting nominations for the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators.  The deadline for nominations is February 18.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting nominations for the President’s Environmental Youth Award.  The deadline for nominations is February 18.

Learn about our natural world and support conservation in your community by becoming a PA Master Naturalist volunteer.

The Kutztown-based Rodale Institute, the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture, launched the “Grow Clean Water” initiative aimed at educating young families about the connection between farming practices and healthy rivers and streams.

Registration is now open for the January 25 virtual PA Lake Erie Environmental Forum, hosted by the Department of Environmental Protection and PA Sea Grant from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests and French Creek Valley Conservancy are thrilled to host a live virtual Woods & Water Film Series on January 21 via Zoom webinar,

Now on demand, the Physicians for Social Responsibility in Pennsylvania virtual conference-- Cradle to Grave: Health Hazardous Of The Oil and Gas Industry in Pennsylvania held on December 10.

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week-- 

On December 14, the House passed House Bill 1842 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) to make fundamental changes in the Clean Streams Law related to the definition of water pollution and letting companies decide when to report spills by a vote of 108 to 95-- Republicans supporting.

The Senate and House Appropriations Committees have released their 2022 state budget hearing schedule.

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

On December 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $1 billion investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to initiate cleanup and clear the backlog of 49 previously unfunded Superfund sites and accelerate cleanup at dozens of other sites across the country.

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

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

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the latest PA Bulletin--

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 a proud sponsor of the 2022 Joint Meeting of the Keystone Coldwater Conference and PA Chapter of the American Fisheries Society on February 25-26, 2022, at the Ramada Conference Center in State College.  Registration Open!

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.