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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
July 9, 2012
(7/9/2012)
CLICK HERE To Print Entire Digest
* Opinion: Turning US versus THEM, into WE, As Leaders In Sustainability

By Gov. Tom Ridge

* Senate Passes Resolution Commemorating 10th Anniversary Of Quecreek Mine Rescue

The Senate last week unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 341, sponsored by Sen. Richard Kasuni (D-Somerset), designating the week of July 22-29 “Mine for Nine Tenth Anniversary Remember Week” to commemorate the 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue in Somerset County. 

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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

* On The Governor's Desk

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

* Governor Signs Pittsburgh Summer Gas Bill Into Law

Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Butler) Friday announced the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 1386 which he introduced with Sen. Tim Solobay (D-Washington) designed to make gasoline cheaper for western Pennsylvania motorists.

* Fairness Becomes The New Battleground Over Natural Gas Drilling

A provision added to the Fiscal Code bill-- Senate Bill 1263 (Browne-R-Lehigh)-- passed last week as part of the state budget package imposing a moratorium on natural gas drilling in Bucks and Montgomery counties has raised the ire of natural gas drilling opponents

* DEP Proposes Changes To Toxics Management Strategy

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice announcing its intent to amend the Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy statement of policy to compliment recent proposed changes to Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards required by the Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards.

* Schuylkill Action Network Photo Contest Now Accepting Entries

The Schuylkill Action Network is showcasing the beauty, fun, and purity of the Schuylkill River with this week’s launch of the Schuylkill Shots Photography Contest.  The deadline for entries is October 30.

* DEP Offers Tips To Residents On Wetland, Stream, Flood Debris Removal Projects

The Department of Environmental Protection is reminding homeowners and landowners who are conducting work in or along streams and wetlands that a permit may be required from DEP or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

* PACD Sets Erosion & Sedimentation Manual Training

The PA Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. is offering three Erosion & Sediment training sessions throughout the months of August and September.

* USDA: Nearly 60 Percent Of PA Farm Acreage Practices No-Till Farming

The U.S.D.A.’s Pennsylvania Field Office 2012 survey of farm tillage practices found 59.8 percent of major crop acreage practices no-till farming, down from 62.6 percent in 2011.

* DEP Now Accepting Coastal Zone Management Grant Applications

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Coastal Zone Management Grants through October 15. (formal notice)  Applications will be accepted electronically through the DCNR Grant Application webpage.

* Heritage Conservancy's 4th Annual From Farm To Table Event August 4

Heritage Conservancy, the Bucks County-based conservation organization, has announced its Fourth Annual From Farm to Table Dinner. The event will take place on August 4 at Lindsay Farm in Warminster, PA.

* Great Lakes Engineer Training Symposium August 27-27 In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Post of the Society of American Military Engineers is hosting the 2012 Ohio Valley and Great Lakes Joint Engineer Training Symposium August 27 – 29, at Sheraton Station Square, in Pittsburgh. 

* Household Chemicals Collection Event July 14 In Washington County

The PA Resources Council and its partners will hold a household chemicals collection event at the Washington Mall, South Strabane Township, Washington County.  Click Here for details.

* Paper Recycling & Shred Event July 20 In Allegheny County

The PA Resources Council and its partners will hold a paper recycling and shred event on July 20 at the Mall at Robinson in Allegheny County.  Click Here for details.

* ECOvanta Partners With PA Resources Council On E-Waste Recycling Events

The PA Resources Council this week announced a new partnership with ECOvanta for electronic waste recycling.

* Western PA Conservancy Acquires 23 Acres In Butler County

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy recently acquired 23 acres of land, which will be added to the Conservancy’s 115-acre Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area. The tract includes forested bluffs and over 1,100 feet of frontage along Wolf Creek in Slippery Rock Township.

* 27th Annual Wildlife Art Show At Middle Creek August 3-5

The Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area visitor center will feature hundreds of original paintings and fine-art prints from some of the best-known wildlife artists in the state during its annual Wildlife Art Show from August 3-5. 

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation Sponsors Photo Contest

The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to take their camera with them this summer. The contest, called “2012 Take Five in the Outdoors” for the five categories an entrant can submit photos, runs until September 3.

* Sustainable Lands Bus Tours Set In Lebanon, Luzerne, Montgomery Counties

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and local partners are sponsoring several bus tours will take place in various Pennsylvania communities to highlight the importance of sustainable land management and habitat protection.

* Family Fishing Program Offered In Wilkes-Barre July 11

Discover how much fun fishing can be when you do it together as a family. Join the Fish & Boat Commission on July 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as they conduct a Family Fishing Program at the Wilkes-Barre River Common’s Fishing Pier.

* DCNR Reorganizes Ecological Services, Conservation Science Program

To cement the Bureau of Forestry's position as a leader in science- and ecological-based land management, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry Ellen Ferretti Thursday announced the Office of Conservation Science will be integrated into a newly created division within the Bureau of Forestry.

* iConservePA.org DCNR Conservation Volunteers Videos

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Conservation Volunteer Program is the subject of a new iConservePA.org environmental video.

* Reminder: PA Horticultural Society Community Greening Award Nominations Due

The PA Horticultural Society is now accepting Community Greening Award nominations until July 15.

* Governor’s Office Publishes Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda

The Governor’s Office published its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda in the July 7 PA Bulletin (starting on page 4262) outlining pending and planned regulations agencies will consider of the next six months.  Regulations are listed by agency and include a brief description and agency contact information.

* Grants & Awards

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

* Budget/Quick Clips

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of two proposed rulemakings for public comment: Measurement and Reporting of Condensable Particulate Matter Emissions and Chapter 93 changes proposed in the Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards.

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* Stories Invited

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

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn/PA Trout Unlimited

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

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