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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 10, 2008
(3/7/2008)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 3/10/08
* 500 Attend Keystone Coldwater Conference, Schuylkill Watershed Congress
Over the last two weekends 500 people attended the Keystone Coldwater Conference and the Schuylkill Watershed Congress anxious to learn more about how to protect and restore Pennsylvania’s watersheds. Here’s a quick summary of each of these very successful conferences.
* Coldwater Heritage Partnership Announces $35,000 in Grant Awards
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership recently announced that $35,000 in grants have been awarded to local organizations to protect and conserve Pennsylvania’s coldwater stream habitats.
* DEP Announces Growing Greener Watershed Grant Awards
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced $22 million in Growing Greener Watershed Grants for more than 120 projects that will help restore the state’s polluted streams, provide clean water, and help prevent devastating floods in communities across the commonwealth
* DEP Accepting Applications for Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for the 2008 Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration Grants Program.
* Video Blog Feature - Cleaning Up 15,000 Miles of Water Quality Impaired Streams, Chesapeake Bay
Pennsylvania has 15,000 miles of water quality impaired streams and rivers, but the focus of recent months has been on requirements to cleanup Pennsylvania waters draining into the Chesapeake Bay.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of March 10 and will be in session the next two weeks.
* Spring Environmental Legislation Scorecard for the Senate and House
The Senate and House made some progress on key environmental issues during the first two months of the year, but much work remains to be done. Here’s a quick scorecard of environmental bills pending in the General Assembly.
* Secretary Says DEP’s Proposed Budget Makes Tough Choices, Limits Programs
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty told the Senate and House Appropriations Committees this week that an Administration plan to reduce climate changing greenhouse gases is unlikely, a state water resource atlas will be released later this month and funding is needed to address Pennsylvania’s $20 billion water infrastructure needs.
* Gyspy Moths, Lifeguards, PA MAP Highlight DCNR Budget Hearings
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis was questioned closely in the Senate and House budget hearings this week on plans for dealing with the surging gypsy moth populations, lifeguards at State Parks and the PA MAP Program.
* Senate Committee Meets on Game Commission Annual Report, Deer Management
The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee will hear a presentation on March 11 from the Game Commission on its annual report and comments on the Commission’s Deer Management Program.
* 2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Award Winners Announced
Seven winners were honored at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s 2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards held March 3 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
* New iConserve Website to Inspire Pennsylvania to Protect, Enjoy Natural Resources
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week announced a new iConserve Pennsylvania website designed to share the stories of people taking everyday actions to conserve, protect and enjoy the natural resources of the Commonwealth.
* Stormwater Management Administration Grant Applications Due March 31
The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications from local governments eligible to receive reimbursement for their stormwater management administrative costs under Act 167 of 1978.
* New Web Tool Maps Critical Characteristics for PA’s Streams and Watersheds
The U.S. Geological Survey has released a new web-based application, Pennsylvania StreamStats, allowing users to delineate watersheds, determine their characteristics, and obtain stream-flow statistics quickly and easily anywhere in the state.
* Commission Invites Public Input in Norfolk Southern Stream Cleanup Plans
The Fish and Boat Commission invites the public to participate in its first stakeholder meeting concerning the Norfolk Southern spill cleanup plan on March 12, at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Region 1 Office in Emporium starting at 11 a.m.
* 2008 Adult Trout Stocking Schedule Now Online, Anglers Invited to Trout Expos
The Fish and Boat Commission is stocking adult trout in a variety of lakes and streams that are open to public angling throughout Pennsylvania in 2008 and has posted “where” and “when” those fish will be released online.
* Volunteers Provide Protective Passage for Spotted Salamanders
For some residents of Chester County, this week brought an irresistible mix: rain, cold, dark, and the chance to see hundreds of spotted salamanders.
* Learn “Green” Backyard Gardening Techniques from EPA’s Exhibit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show exhibit teaches techniques for having a beautiful, carefree garden that doesn’t need mowing, uses little water and fossil fuels, reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and keeps garden waste out of landfills.
* PA Home Energy Conference Set for March 18-19 in State College
Plan now to attend the PA Home Energy Conference 2008 and learn about new programs to help consumers reduce home energy use, and integrate whole house performance with green design.
* West Chester Passes Energy Star Ordinance for Commercial Construction
West Chester Borough, Delaware County, has become the first municipality in the country to require commercial buildings to earn the Energy Star, thanks to a new ordinance passed unanimously by borough council.
* New EPA Tool Helps Water/Wastewater Plants Tap into Energy Savings
America's drinking water and wastewater facilities can now save energy and reduce their carbon footprint with expanded tools available from EPA's Energy Star Program. Enhancements to Portfolio Manager.
* Climate Change Uncertainties, Opportunities for Business Innovation Workshop
On March 27 a one-day seminar in Pittsburgh will explore the topic of “Climate Change Uncertainties, Opportunities for Business Innovation” at the Four Points Sheraton in Mars, Pa.
* EPA Awards $2.5 Million for Brownfields Job Training, Including in PA
Thirteen communities in 10 states will share more than $2.5 million in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency brownfields job training grants geared toward cleaning up contaminated properties and turning them into productive community assets.
* DCNR Soliciting Applications for Volunteer Forest Firefighter Grants
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it is now accepting applications for volunteer forest firefighter grants.
* Petitions Circulating to Urge Hunting License Increase for Game Commission
The PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and other hunting and environmental groups are urging those who care about wildlife management and protecting wildlife habitat to sign a petition to be sent to legislators supporting an increase in the Game Commission hunting license fee to at least $35.
* Peregrine Falcon Educator’s Workshop to be Held April 3
The Department of Environmental Protection and the Game Commission invite teachers, non-formal educators, homeschoolers and youth group and scout leaders to attend a free Peregrine Falcon Educator’s Workshop, WILD in the City, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., April 3 in the Rachel Carson State Office Building Auditorium in Harrisburg.
* Help Wanted: Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is seeking candidates for Education Coordinator who will develop and implement the educational program for a 134-acre naturalistic botanical garden devoted to Pennsylvania native plant species.
* Feature - Bill for Upgrades at PA Water Plants Creates Sticker Shock
By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal
* Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for grants and financial assistance as well as nominations for awards and other recognition programs. NEW means from last week—
* 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 Department of Environmental Protection published proposed revisions to the State’s Air Quality Implementation Plan dealing with particulate matter (PM2.5) and provided notice of an April 10 public hearing and a separate notice of proposed changes to the Greene County Ozone Nonattainment Plan. Other actions below—
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published final guidance on drinking water system laboratory reporting. See details below.
* Calendar of Upcoming Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW indicates new from last week. 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 .
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.

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