Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
September 1, 2008
(8/29/2008)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 9/1/08
* Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Attracts Record Attendance
The mining heritage and mine reclamation themes of the 2008 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference attracted a record 180 participants in State College in August.
* Online Video Feature - Eco Express Website Helps Teachers, Students Implement PA EE Standards
Educators can use the real world video stories of the Eco Express website, produced by the GreenTreks Network, Inc., to help engage students on a variety of environmental topics in an inspiring way.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House committee meeting schedules and floor Calendars are listed here--
* Sen. Mary Jo White Takes Exception to Rendell’s Choice to Head DEP
The Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week took exception to a Harrisburg Patriot-News editorial saying recently appointed acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection was an excellent choice to head the agency.
* World Water Monitoring Day Is September 18
World Water Monitoring Day is an international environmental education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.
* Grants Available To Restore Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla Watersheds
The Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting applications for $113,900 to support stream restoration, habitat enhancement and recreational enhancement activities on streams located in the Tulpehocken Creek and Quittapahilla Creek watersheds.
* DEP Invites Comments On Watershed TMDL Plans
The Department of Environmental Protection has invited comments on Total Maximum Daily Load plans for watersheds in Carbon, Dauphin, Schuylkill and Somerset counties. They include:
* Friends of the Wissahickon Announces Its 2008 Photo Contest
The Friends of the Wissahickon announced it is now accepting entries for its 2008 Wissahickon Photography Contest.
* Register Now For Annual Dirt and Gravel Road Workshop October 1-3
The Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies will hold its annual Dirt and Gravel Road Workshop on October 1-3 at Antiochian Village near Ligioner in Westmoreland County.
* Free Rain Barrels Available To Watershed Groups Thru Coca-Cola Partnership
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is offering free 55-gallon barrels to local watershed organizations and environmental education groups through a partnership with Baltimore Coca-Cola Bottling Company.
* ClearWater Conservancy Holds Spring Creek Day Family Festival September 28
The ClearWater Conservancy will hold its annual Family Festival at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in State College, Pa.
* DEP Extends Expiration Date for NPDES Phase II MS4 General Permit
The Department of Environmental Protection has extended the expiration of the current NPDES Phase II MS4 general permit (PAG-13) by one year from midnight, March 9, 2009 to midnight, March 9, 2010.
* Abigail Pattishall Joins Wildlands Conservancy To Head Rivers Program
The Wildlands Conservancy this week announced Abigail Pattishall is joining the team as the Director of the Rivers Programs.
* 312 Schools Participate In Seedlings For Schools Program
The Seedlings for Schools Program created by the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation and the Game Commission attracted 312 participating schools in its first year.
* Wildlife For Everyone Foundation Provides Updates On Major Projects
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation August newsletter provided an update on just some of the major projects the Foundation is involved in—
* Wildlife Habitat Council Honors PPG Industries, Bayer Corporation
The Wildlife Habitat Council this week announced it will honor PPG Industries Inc. and Bayer Corporation, both headquartered in Pittsburgh, as Signature of Sustainability sites.
* 2008 Wild Resource Festival Set For September 13 At Tom Ridge Center
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle in Erie will host the 2008 Wild Resource Festival sponsored by the Wild Resource Conservation Program on September 13.
* Creating Sustainable Community Parks Conference October 29
Municipal officials, park staff, planners, and anyone else interested in finding a balance between recreational needs and natural resource protection should attend the Creating Sustainable Community Parks Conference at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa on October 29.
* Women and Their Woods, Exploring the Value of Woods - October Events
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy and the Federal Forest Service will sponsor two exciting and informative educational events in October:
* Governor's Hunting, Fishing Council Seeks Dialog on Hunting's Future
The Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation wants to hear from residents, especially sportsmen's clubs and recreation organizations, about how to improve the hunting experience in Pennsylvania.
* Hard to Recycle Collection Scheduled For September 20 In Allegheny County
The Pennsylvania Resources Council and the Allegheny County Health Department will hold a “Hard-to-Recycle” collection event for area residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., September 20 at North Park Pool Parking Lot in Allison Park.
* PROP Organics Committee Meets In Meadville on October 2
The Organics Committee of the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania will meet at Allegheny College in Meadville October 2 to hear presentations on organics and climate change and college sustainability efforts.
* Little Tinicum Island Cleanup in Delaware County Needs Volunteers September 21
As part of the International Coastal Cleanup, PA CleanWays is organizing a cleanup of Little Tinicum Island in William Penn State Forest, Delaware County and they need volunteers.
* Lake Erie Cleanup Seeks Volunteers to Inventory, Collect Trash September 20
The Department of Environmental Protection, along with community leaders and organizations, is seeking volunteers to help build upon five years of work that has removed approximately 32 tons of garbage from Lake Erie’s shorelines and watershed.
* Free Festival to End Philadelphia Summer With a Splash To Celebrate Coast Day
Philadelphians will have an opportunity to explore the city’s coastline by land and by sea on September 20, in what will be a full day of festivities during Southeastern Pennsylvania Coast Day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Walnut Plaza at Penn’s Landing.
* P2E2 Roundtable Learning Lessons, Realizing Savings With Green Roofs
Members of DEP's Pollution Prevention/Energy Efficiency Roundtable recently toured a "green roof" installation in Lancaster to learn about its energy savings and stormwater benefits.
* PA Sustainable Agriculture Assn. Harvest Dinner Benefit September 21
The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture will hold its annual Harvest Dinner on September 21 in Harrisburg.
* 400,000 Acres Of Farmland Now Preserved in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Board set a new record by preserving the state's 400,000th acre, Gov. Rendell announced this week. Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of acres preserved.
* Pittsburgh Homeowner Receives Energy-Efficient Modifications
Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Pennsylvania and the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania again this year joined forces to help make energy efficiency improvements to a home in Pittsburgh.
* Coalition Looks To PUC For Approval Of Needed Transmission Project
Pennsylvanians for Reliable Power this week urged the Public Utility Commission to approve the construction of the proposed Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line in southwestern Pennsylvania.
* PUC Releases Agenda, Issues For September 11 Hearing On Winter Energy Prices
The Public Utility Commission this week released the agenda and the issues to be discussed at the September 11 public hearing on winter energy prices.
* Making Homes Energy Efficient Before High Heating Bills Hit
With the cost of heating homes expected to hit record levels this winter, the Department of Environmental Protection is urging residents to make their homes as energy efficient as possible before the heating season begins.
* More Appointments Announced to DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee
House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene) and Minority Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) this week announced appointments to the new DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee created by the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act signed into law in July 9.
* Mid-Atlantic Conference on Children’s Health and Environment September 18-19
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 Conference on Children’s Health and Environment is set for September 18-19 at the Perelman Quadrangle, University of Pennsylvania.
* Healthy Homes Guidebook Helps Families Tackle Environmental Problems At Home
The Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health and the Environment with funding from the Region 3 offices of the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry and the EPA has developed a guidebook for families living in the mid-Atlantic region to address environmental health concerns in the home.
* West Shore Schools Join EPA’s Tools For Schools Program
The West Shore School District in Cumberland County recently joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tools for Schools Program.
* Fish and Boat Commission Seeking Waterways Conservation Officers
The Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting applications from individuals interested in becoming Waterways Conservation Officers.
* Feature - New Partnerships Encouraging City Youth To Explore PA’s State Parks
She listened, she learned and now she was ready to give it a try. And what Nyiah Nevarez found in Monocacy Creek left her beaming brighter than the early August sun’s rays bouncing off the Northampton County waterway.
* 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 Environmental Quality Board published final revised coal mine reclamation fees, a notice it has accepted a petition to redesignate several watersheds in Greene County and a notice correcting bluff recession and setback regulations for Lake Erie.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Pennsylvania Data Center published revised populations projections for each county.
* Calender 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 Trout Unlimited
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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