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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 31, 2008
(3/28/2008)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 3/31/08
* Pennsylvania Will Be First to Benefit from Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation told the House Republican Policy Committee investigating the cost of implementing the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy that Pennsylvanians would be the first to benefit from cleaner water.
* Great PA Cleanup! Resource: New Safety Training CD Available From PennDOT
Thinking about organizing a litter cleanup for the Great PA Cleanup!? The Department of Transportation now has available an interactive CD that helps volunteers stay safe while they pick up litter.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of March 31.
* House Committee to Consider Audit of Deer Program, Game Commission Report
The House Game and Fisheries Committee will consider a resolution authorizing an audit of the state’s Deer Management Program and hear the annual report of the Game Commission this week.
* Informational Meeting on Deep Mine Safety Bill Set By House Committee
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee scheduled an informational meeting on Wednesday on legislation that would update the state’s deep mine safety law.
* Senate Environmental Committee Holds Session on DCNR Oil, Gas Leasing Policies
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee scheduled an informational meeting on Tuesday on oil and gas resource leasing policies by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
* PEC, Nature Conservancy Call for Passage of Energy, Climate Change Bills
In a joint letter to members of the General Assembly this week, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Pennsylvania Chapter of The Nature Conservancy called on members of the General Assembly to resolve their differences over renewable energy and climate change legislation and pass them quickly.
* Penn State: Ensuring Food Security in a Changing Climate Workshop
A Global Plant Stress Initiative Workshop will be held from April 6-8, jointly hosted by Penn State, the University of Leeds, United Kingdom and the Worldwide Universities Network at University Park, Pa.
* Highmark Pittsburgh to Go Dark to Support Climate Change Effort
Part of Pittsburgh's city skyline, Highmark's Fifth Avenue Place and Penn Avenue Place facilities, will go dark from 8 to 9 p.m. on March 29 joining hundreds of other companies around the world in the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour Initiative by turning out the lights in its facilities to support environmental initiatives.
* Susquehanna County Sawmill Cuts Fuel Costs $35,854 Over Two Years
S & D Lumber of Hallstead, Susquehanna County, has saved $35,854 over two years in the cost of diesel fuel and motor oil expenses by investing in a high-efficiency diesel generator.
* DCED Helping PA Municipalities Cut Energy Costs
A small, state-supported change to traffic light technology will mean big savings for dozens of municipalities in north-central Pennsylvania, the Department of Community and Economic Development announced this week.
* Nearly $1 in $4 of Income Goes to Buy Energy
It is not just the poorest households who are struggling to pay their energy bills or who are affected by government energy policies, says Americans for Balanced Energy Choices.
* Wildlife For Everyone Foundation Announces Tipton Run Stream Project
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation has teamed up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and PennDOT to implement a stream restoration project to restore a section of Tipton Run, Blair County.
* Rachel Carson Forum Features Hope for Polluted Waters Documentary
The April 18 Rachel Carson Forum on Future of the Environment will feature the documentary, “Hope for Polluted Waters” with an introduction by Bucknell University Professor Carl Kirby.
* Volunteers Sought to Help Monitor for Invasive Zebra & Quagga Mussels
Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Mansfield University and the Army Corps of Engineers are offering a special training session for volunteers interested in joining the Pennsylvania Zebra and Quagga Mussel Monitoring Network.
* First Opening Day of Trout Season Online Video Teaser
Watch the Fish and Boat Commission’s online video teaser for the first opening day of trout season on March 29 for counties in the Southeaster. The second opening day is April 12 for the remainder of the state. For more, visit the PA Trout Season webpage.
* Water Researcher Dr. Conrad Volz to Speak in McKean County April 7
The McKean County Conservation District and Penn State Cooperative Extension are sponsoring a special presentation by Dr. Conrad Volz, scientific director of the Center for Healthy Environments and Communities, on April 7 in Bradford, Pa.
* WPC's Allegheny River Sojourn Promises a Weekend of Scenery and Discovery
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is proud to be hosting the annual Allegheny River Sojourn on June 21-22 through the federally designated wild and scenic portion of the Allegheny River in Tionesta, Pa.
* PA American Water Works Assn. Sponsors Pump and Seal Course
The PA American Water Works Association is sponsoring a Pump and Seal Course Training Course on April 10 in Harrisburg.
* Poster Contest Highlights International Compost Awareness Week May 3-10
To help celebrate International Compost Awareness Week (May 3-10), the U.S. Composting Council (USCC) invites entries to its annual poster contest which this year has a theme of “The Possibilities Are Endless – Compost!”
* Volunteers Needed for Waste Collection Event in Allegheny County
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste Task Force is looking for volunteers to help staff a household hazardous waste collection event on April 26, at Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool.
* Funding Still Available for Underground Heating Oil Tank Cleanup
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced there was still grant money available for the current fiscal year to assist tank owners with costs of taking corrective action in response to heating oil tank leaks.
* EPA Assistance Center Hosts Grant Workshop for Small, Disadvantaged Businesses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mid-Atlantic region's Business Assistance Center is hosting the eighth annual workshop for small and disadvantaged businesses on April 22 in Philadelphia to help prepare competitive proposals for an upcoming Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation.
* April is Children & Nature Awareness Month
The Children and Nature Network is helping to celebrate April as "Children & Nature Awareness Month."
* Harrisburg Peregrine Falcon Lays First Three Eggs of Season
Just after 7 a.m. March 22, the first egg of the 2008 season was delivered to the Peregrine falcons nesting on the 15th floor ledge of the Rachel Carson State Office Building, then shortly thereafter two more.
* Grasslands for Wildlife Workshop Set for April 5
A Grasslands for Wildlife Workshop will be held at the Lehigh Valley Zoo on April 5 to learn what steps landowners can take to promote grassland habitat for wildlife.
* Director Selected for Penn State Agriculture and Environmental Center
Kristen Saacke Blunk has been appointed director of the newly established Agriculture and Environment Science and Policy Center in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
* Spotlight - Seasonal Wetlands Threatened By Anonymity
Beneath the leafy canopy of the Central Appalachians lie some of the forest’s most prized and mysterious wetlands.
* Environmental Heritage - Two New Historical Markers Approved on Environmental Topics
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved 43 new state historical markers this week commemorating a variety of people and events making significant contributions to the state’s history, including two related to the environment--
* Opinion - Path Dependence and Green Infrastructure
By Dr. Arthur Holst, Philadelphia Water Department
* 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 notice of proposed 2008 NOx budget trading program set-asides and a proposed 8-hour ozone nonattainment area plan for Greene County. The Game Commission published the final regulations for the agricultural damage depredation permit program.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published two guidance documents for public comment, one on evaluating underground storage tank liners and the other concerning changes to a mine operator’s business organization. DEP also gave notice of proposed bond rates for mine openings and boreholes. Details are below:
* Calendar of 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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