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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 6, 2006
(3/3/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 3/6/06
* Appropriations Committees Hear of Environmental Funding “Challenges”
DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty told the Senate and House Appropriations Committees this week her agency faces environmental funding “challenges” to keep programs like the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program running and from federal funding cuts.
* On the Senate, House Agenda
The House returns to session on March 6 and Senate and House hearings on Gov. Rendell’s 2006-07 budget proposal will continue. Here’s the rundown…
* Over 250 Attend Keystone Coldwater Conference, Focus on Habitat and Access
Habitat improvement, public access to streams and involving youth in fishing and boating activities were themes echoed by many presenters at the 2006 Keystone Coldwater Conference in State College last week.
* PA’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Leads the Nation
More than 150,000 acres are enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to improve watershed quality and wildlife habitat, according to the Game Commission.
* State Wildlife, Habitat Grant Applications Due April 7
The Fish and Boat and Game Commissions issued a reminder this week that State Wildlife Grants are due on April 7 to help address conservation needs for high-priority conservation projects for endangered, threatened and at-risk species.
* Schuylkill Watershed Congress “Rain, Snow or Shine” March 4 & 5
The 2006 Schuylkill River Watershed Congress will be held at Montgomery County Community College March 4 and 5.
* Celebrating the Headwaters Program, Coudersport April 20
The Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program is sponsor a dinner program on April 20 at the Potato City Inn in Coudersport entitled, “Celebrating the Headwaters.”
* Montgomery Senior Environment Corps Highlights Water Education Programs
Montgomery County Senior Environment Corps volunteers, in cooperation with the North Penn Water Authority, recently conducted eight Nonpoint Source Pollution/Source Water Protection education sessions for youth and adult organizations.
* Grants Help Expand Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program
The Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies announced the receipt of two grants that will help expand its environmentally sensitive road maintenance practices program designed to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff from dirt and gravel roads.
* Soil Maps Available Online for 57 PA Counties
The National Cooperative Soil Survey with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service has made soil survey maps available online, including 57 of Pennsylvania 67 counties.
* Montgomery County Conservation District Receives Grant for BMPs
Montgomery County Conservation District received a $23,504 grant from the Department of Environmental Protection to demonstrate best management practices on Little Neshaminy Creek.
* Agriculture Establishes Fertilizer Committee, Including Compost, Manure
The Department of Agriculture this week named members to a newly created Fertilizer Advisory Committee to help share information, research, technology and regulation of fertilizer. The group includes representatives from compost and organic fertilizer industry.
* Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Management Now Available
The Philadelphia Water Department Office of Watersheds has just published a “Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Management” as part of its “Clean Water-Green City” initiative.
* Alliance for Chesapeake Bay 2006 River Sojourns Youth Art Contest
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has announced its annual Youth Art Contest designed to showcase what the watershed’s rivers mean to students.
* NASA Educator Conducts April 19 GLOBE Land Cover Workshop
The PA NASA Educator Resource Center will conduct a GLOBE Land Cover Program workshop on April 19 at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
* TreeVitalize Display at Philadelphia Flower Show Highlights Native Trees
“Plant a Native Tree!” is the theme for the TreeVitalize exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show, March 5-12.
* Pennsylvania State Parks: The Canvas of the Commonwealth March 9-12
The artistic and natural beauty of Pennsylvania's state parks will be featured in five vignettes at the Pennsylvania Garden Expo's "Art in the Garden" at the Farm Show complex in Harrisburg, March 9-12.
* EPA Calls On Industry to Reduce Chemical Use
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled the National Challenge Commitment for Priority Chemicals, a collaborative initiative to shrink industrial use of 31 priority chemicals.
* EPA Seeks Public Comment on U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on a draft report that analyzes the sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
* EPA Scientists Share Innovations with Public and Businesses
More than 130 scientific patents of technologies that benefit the environment can now be viewed at the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency TechMatch website.
* Outdoor Lighting Workshop for Municipal Planners March 28
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting Council and Department of Environmental Protection are sponsoring a workshop entitled, " Outdoor Lighting: Planning Issues for Municipalities" on March 28.
* Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference April 28-29
The 2006 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference will be held April 28-29 in State College.
* PA Environmental Professionals Annual Conference May 17-19
The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals will hold their annual conference on May 17-19 in State College and the theme this year is “Career Development for Pennsylvania’s Environmental Professionals.
* Driving Down the Cost of Green Buildings Workshop April 4
The Green Building Alliance is sponsoring a workshop on driving down the cost of constructing green buildings in Pittsburgh on April 4.
* Stewardship for Home, Farm, Business, and Community Workshop April 8
The Center for Environmental Sciences at Millersville University will host a “Environmental Stewardship for Home, Farm, Business and Community” workshop on April 8 on its campus near Lancaster.
* Southeast PA Regional Environmental Advisory Council Workshop March 11
Environmental Advisory Council members from Southeast PA are invited to a special regional conference in Bryn Mawr on March 11.
* DEP to Hold Flood Protection Workshop March 28-30
The Department of Environmental Protection is sponsoring a Flood Protection Workshop to be held at the Fernwood Hotel and Resort in the Poconos on March 28- 30.
* 2006 Shades of Green Awards for Green Design Now Being Accepted
The Green Building Alliance is now accepting applications for the 2006 Shades of Green Awards through March 28.
* First Ever Southeast Regional Stormwater BMP Award Nominations Due April 17
The Stormwater BMP Recognition Program is seeking nominations for its 2006 awards program to recognize innovative stormwater management best management practices in Southeastern PA.
* National Conservation Partnership, Environmental Ed. Award Nominations Due
International Paper and The Conservation Fund will provide national recognition and $10,000 cash grants to two conservation/environmental education leaders at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., this summer.
* Call for Nominations – Northeast Environmental Partners Awards
The Northeast Environmental Partners are now accepting nominations for the Sixteenth Annual Environmental Partnership Awards and the Twelfth Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award.
* Reminder - 2006 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards
There’s still time to send in nominations for the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Dominion.
* Online Peregrine Falcon Cam Goes Live March 6
The online webcam showing the peregrine falcon nest on the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg will go live on March 6. And what viewers may see is competition between the falcons and a large red-tailed hawk for the same home territory.
* Youth Hunter Essay Contest Winners Honored by Game Commission
James W. Oswald, of Sinking Springs, Berks County, is headed for summer school and, unlike most youngsters facing that task, he just can't wait to get started.
* Barn Owl Conservation Initiative Extends to Southwest PA
The Game Commission is expanding its Barn Owl Conservation Initiative into its Southwest Region by seeking information about active and historic barn owl nest sites.
* See & Hear - Environmental Advisory Councils, Helping Communities Find Solutions
Environmental Advisory Councils are helping over a hundred communities in Pennsylvania find solutions to environmental problems.
* Feature - Watershed Groups in Rural Pennsylvania Have Gone Mainstream, By Lara Lutz, Chesapeake Bay Journal
Local watershed organizations are influencing community dynamics—and the nature of environmental stewardship—in rural Pennsylvania, according to a research team at Pennsylvania State University.
* Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state.
* Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
* Regulations
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission will consider the State Conservation Commission’s final Nutrient Management regulation at its meeting on March 23.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published final guidance on repairing potable water storage tanks.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
* Stories Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com .

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