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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 27, 2006
(3/24/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 3/27/06
* PEC -- Restore $100 Million in Cuts/Diversions from Environmental Programs
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council this week urged the Senate, House and Rendell Administration to listen to voters who passed the Growing Greener bond issue last year and restore more than $100 million in funding proposed to be diverted or cut from key environmental programs in the 2006-07 budget.
* On the Senate, House Agenda
The Senate is in session the week of March 27 and the House April 3. Here’s the rundown of what’s on the calendars and in committees—
* Senate/House Bills Moving/Introduced
Legislation on ecoterrorism and shutting off water to customers moved in the Senate this week and several new bills were introduced. Here’s the rundown.
* May is Watershed Awareness Month, Celebrate “The Power of Positive Action”
Watershed Awareness Month is coming up in May and it’s a great time to celebrate your accomplishments in restoring and protecting your watershed!
* Attendance Nearly Doubles for the Second PA No-Till Alliance Conference
Over 135 farmers, farm business representatives, conservation district staff, farm organizations, as well as supporting agencies attended the second Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance Conference in State College March 15.
* Manure Hauler and Broker Training Sessions Announced for May
The Department of Agriculture this week announced manure haulers and brokers will have more opportunities for training in May
* Comments Requested on TMDLs for 3 Indiana County Watersheds
The Department of Environmental Protection has invited public comments on proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Plans (TMDLs) for three Indiana County watersheds.  The watersheds are: Ferrier Run, Penn Run and Tearing Run.
* Lycoming Researcher Receives Grant to Study Hellbenders
They are ugly and prehistoric-looking, but the eastern "hellbender" salamander may be a harbinger of the health of the Susquehanna River basin.
* Fish Commission Undertakes Statewide Study of Stocked Fish Movement
Trout swim. That’s obvious, but just how far trout swim and when they may move from stocking points is the focus of a study this spring by the Fish and Boat Commission.
* Teacher Education Workshops on Wetlands, Creating Outdoor Classrooms Set
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia will host two wetlands workshops on April 7 and 8 for teachers.
* $100 Million in Clean Water Grants Awarded by PENNVEST
The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority this week approved more than $100 million to clean up state waterways and improve wastewater and sewage facilities in 23 counties.
* Putting Conservation Into Local Codes Workshop May 4
Local officials, planning commission members and interested citizens are invited to a “Putting Conservation into Local Codes” workshop in Harrison City, Westmoreland County on May 4.
* Three PA Companies Honored for Energy Conservation by EPA
The U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency honored 67 businesses, groups, and government entities this week for their accomplishments and leadership in the Energy Star program, including three Pennsylvania companies.
* PECO WIND Ranked Top 10 by U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently ranked PECO WIND in the top ten green power programs based on total number of customers.
* Pennsylvania Partners with ENERGY STAR to Promote Efficiency in Schools
Gov. Rendell this week said Pennsylvania is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program to significantly improve the energy efficiency of school buildings, especially existing buildings and additions.
* EPA Invests in Clean Indoor Air and Safer Schools
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced initiatives in Lebanon, Erie, Warren and Crawford counties to make schools safer and healthier.
* BP, DuPont Get Top Scores in First-Ever Ranking of Climate Change Strategies
After years of inaction, a growing number of leading U.S. companies are confronting the business challenges from global warming, recognizing that greenhouse gas limits are inevitable and that they cannot risk falling behind their international competitors in developing climate-friendly technologies.
* Quecreek Mine Rescue Site Earns Official State Historic Marker
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission this week approved the placement of an official state historic marker at the site of the 2002 rescue of nine miners trapped in the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County.
* Engineer Honored by Cumberland Trout Unlimited
Ray Zomok, a Senior Civil Engineer Manager with the DEP Bureau of Waterways Engineering was honored March 18 by the Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
* Help Wanted – Nature Conservancy Seeks Applicants for 4 Positions
The Nature Conservancy is seeking applicants for four positions at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County, Delaware Water Gap, Monroe County and in Harrisburg.
* See & Hear - Egg-citement Builds as Peregrine Falcons Await the First Egg
If history is any indicator, and it is in this case, the first egg laid by the female peregrine falcon nesting on the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg should come any day now.
* See & Hear - Watersheds.tv – Learn How Other Watershed Groups Restore and Educate
Browse dozens of stories about how watershed groups across the state are planting buffers, knocking down dams, treating abandoned mine drainage, reducing nutrient runoff and much more by visiting Watersheds.tv.
* Feature - Remembering the Accident at Three Mile Island, March 28, 1979
At 3:53 a.m., March 28, 1979, the cascading failures of valves, pumps, gauges and reactor operators combined to produce the worst accident in the U.S. commercial nuclear power industry.
* 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.
* Watershed Awareness Month Activities
This special Calendar section is devoted to activities going on in and around Watershed Awareness Month in May. If you have events to add, send them to: DHess@crisciassociates.com.
* Regulations
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission approved the Nutrient Management regulations adopted by the State Conservation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection posted draft regulatory language to limit mercury emissions from power plants.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published proposed changes in policy related to lead and copper in drinking water.
* 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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