Here are 87 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.

PA Environment Digest Put Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

On July 25, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) announced that its current president, Davitt Woodwell, will be retiring at the end of December, following over 30 years with the organization.

On June 30, Ocean Networks Canada's CEO Dr. Kate Moran was recognized for her contributions to support ocean and planet sustainability with her appointment as Officer of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.

On July 28, the University of Pittsburgh announced School of Public Health scientists will present the results of studies exploring health impacts of human exposure to environmental risk factors, including unconventional natural gas development activities, in an eight-county region in Southwest Pennsylvania.

On July 26, the Department of Environmental Protection and Sunoco Pipeline L.P. announced they had entered into two consent assessments of civil penalties . Sunoco agreed to pay $660,000.00 to resolve numerous violations of the Clean Streams Law, and the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, that arose during Sunoco's construction of the Pennsylvania Pipeline Project – Mariner East II. 

Comments submitted by Lauren Barr, Save Our Streams PA, on a proposed Roulette Oil & Gas Co. LLC oil and gas wastewater injection well in Clara Township, Potter County show the principals involved in the company have been involved in abandoning eight other injection wells in Clara and Hebron Townships in Potter County.

From July 15 to 22, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 503 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 37 violations of environmental regulations-- 26 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry, 4 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry and 7 related to a gathering pipeline construction erosion and sedimentation control failure..

From July 22 to 28, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 640 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 63 violations of environmental regulations-- 55 violation entries by the conventional oil and gas industry and 8 violations or continuing violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

The following DEP notices were published in the July 29 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. 

On July 24, the Department of Community and Economic Development announced it awarded a $501,136 grant to UGI Utilities to construct a new natural gas pipeline to serve the Little Leaf farms greenhouse in Banks Township, Carbon County.

On July 25, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz and U.S. Senator Bob Casey joined Pennsylvania environmental leaders, Chesapeake Bay partners, and local farmers in Lancaster County to announce $14.3 million in grants directed to Pennsylvania through EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.

The departments of Environmental Protection, Agriculture and Conservation and Natural Resources have released Pennsylvania's Healthy Waters Health Communities 2022 Chesapeake Bay Progress Report.

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority is now accepting applications for the Clean Water Project Procurement Program.  The deadline to apply is September 1.

The PA Farm Bureau, The Heinz Foundation and the Sand County Foundation are now accepting nominations for the 2023 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award.  The deadline for nominations is August 1.

The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is accepting nominations for the Annual Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Award, given in recognition of conservation work in environmental justice communities in Pennsylvania.  The deadline for nominations is September 29.

The federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded $100,000 to the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association in a cooperative agreement for a watershed restoration project in Mount Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County.

On July 27, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is maintaining a statewide drought watch, after a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force.

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a hearing August 9 on water withdrawal requests to be considered at the next business meeting on September 7.  (formal notice)

Department of Environmental Protection includes information on DEP’s new EJ staff, available grants, upcoming webinars and much more!

In March of this year, the Tree of Life Lutheran Church on Linglestown Road in Harrisburg completed a major solar energy project covering almost its entire roof with over 90 solar panels.

On July 25, the Evangelical Environmental Network is proud to announce our joining of the US Chapter of the Trillion Trees Platform, a community of US-based companies, nonprofit organizations, and governments committed to reaching the global goal of creating healthy and resilient forests through conservation, restoration, and reforestation.

UPDATE: The regional grid operator PJM Interconnection has canceled the Maximum Generation Emergency Alert/Load Management Alert which provided an early notification that system conditions might require the use of “additional procedures” to deal with the heat wave.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will start accepting applications for ATV and Snowmobile Project Grants starting August 1.  The deadline for applications is September 29.  (formal notice)

In a major step forward for public safety and river health, demolition of Oakland Dam on the Susquehanna River begins today [July 25]. The project is the largest dam removal to date in Pennsylvania.

The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania and Delaware announced it has closed on the purchase of 240 acres located in Bear Creek Township in Luzerne County.

On July 25, Natural Lands announced the permanent preservation of the 44-acre Aguilar farm in East Nantmeal Township, Chester County.

A parcel of land harboring old-growth oaks and beeches, a wetlands and a pristine tributary to Pennypack Creek is now under the permanent protection of the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust.

The PA Association of Conservation Districts was awarded a $210,000 Landscape Scale Restoration grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service to pilot a Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) program in the northwest region of Pennsylvania.

The Pike County Conservation District is urging residents to participate in the PA iMapInvasive Species Program Scavenger Hunt during August to get outside and find invasive species in their neighborhoods.

The Keystone Trails Association will host their 15th KTA Trail Challenge 25K Run/Hike on Saturday, September 9 within Susquehannock State Park in Lancaster County and along the Conestoga Trail.

The July 28 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, in partnership with the Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Bird Atlas Steering Committee, has selected Amber Wiewel, Boalsburg, to serve as the coordinator of the 3rd Pennsylvania Bird Atlas.

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

The Department of Environmental Protection will start accepting applications for 2024 Environmental Education Grants August 1.  The deadline for applications is November 15.  (formal notice)

The Stroud Water Research Center and other partners will host a free, online seven-part series of workshops for K-12 educators in Pennsylvania on Expanding Meaningful Environmental and Watershed Literacy With Geospatial Tools.

The 2nd National Stream Restoration Conference will be held August 21-23 at the Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore.  This year’s theme is - Finding Common Ground.

On August 16, WeConservePA hosts an online Update On DCNR's Bureau of State Parks Land Management Program from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m.

The Penn State Extension will host a 5-part online Woodland Stewardship - Guided Engagement With Your Land Workshops on September 20, October 4, October 18, November 1, and November 15 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The Penn State Technical Assistance Program will host a September 21 webinar on Pollution Prevention: Discover Green Sustainable Pathway Technologies from 11:00 a.m. to Noon.

The Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, has opened the call for presentations for the 2024 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference to be held March 25-27 in State College.

The Keystone Trails Association’s new Trail Academy series features educational webinars and in-person training events to maintain safer trails, develop wiser hikers, and create happier forests.

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

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

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 July 29 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 supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.