The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center this week reported 19 counties are now in a drought watch condition, according to the Palmer Drought Severity Index.

Pennsylvania's Drought Task Force is scheduled to meet July 21 to discuss conditions and provide input on possible drought declarations.

Several of the counties now experiencing drought watch and warning conditions, in particular Bradford, Lycoming and Tioga, are areas where Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling uses millions of gallons of water to both drill and frack new wells.

The Rendell Administration distributed a document this week during the budget bill signing ceremonies pointing out General Fund appropriations have been significantly reduced in some cases to levels of 17 years ago.

Last minute additions to Senate Bill 1042 (Browne-R-Lehigh) making changes in the Fiscal Code also include provisions outlining a process for environmental, planning and other permit extensions for developments caught in the economic downturn.

Did you know you can search nearly 6 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of topics, by county and on any key word you choose. Just click on the search page.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

The following bill was signed into law by Gov. Rendell this week--
 

Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) issued the following statement regarding a moratorium on natural gas drilling this week--

The Marcellus Shale Coalition, an industry group representing companies involved in developing Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves, circulated this report this week on contamination problems in Pennsylvania's private, drinking water wells.

Work Groups created by the Department of Environmental Protection have been meeting since the end of March to develop the Watershed Implementation Plans needed to meet the Chesapeake Bay TMDL mandates of the federal Clean Water Act.

The 32nd Annual National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programsin Scranton on September 19-22 will feature a presentation on USGS watershed characterization software and databases.

Need ideas for an environmental education project to get students interested in ecology, energy conservation and saving the Earth?

The PA Resources Council and other partners will hold a hard to recycle collection event on July 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Galleria At Pittsburgh Mills in Allegheny County.  Click here to download an event brochure for details.

Learn how to design, install, troubleshoot and maintain a small wind power system by attending the Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center Small Wind Turbine Installation Class at the Center in Loretto, Pa July 26-30.

This week, demand for electricity rose even closer to record-setting levels for PPL Electric Utilities as the region remained in the grip of oppressive heat and humidity.

By Cassandra Treshok, Michael Gess, William “Fred” Romeo, and Helen M. Boylan, Ph.D.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, formed after the split of the prior Department of Environmental Resources in July of 1995 into DCNR and the Department of Environmental Protection.

By Lara Lutz, Chesapeake Bay Journal

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of proposed changes in oil and gas well casing requirements and the Board of Coal Mine Safety published proposed changes to Chapter 208 underground coal mine safety.

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

Send your stories, photos and videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.