Susquehanna ice just up river of Harrisburg in January. Print your own copy from the PDF file at the bottom of this webpage.

There was no love lost between Gov. Rendell and Senate and House Republicans this Valentine’s Day week. The Governor’s priorities notwithstanding, the Senate and House left town without resolving the mass transit issue or environmental funding and instead settled in for budget hearings.

That’s not to say they didn’t move bills on these issues, some with lots of partisan wrangling, threatened vetoes and more hard feelings between the Governor and members over other funding issues.

The one program receiving near unanimous, bipartisan support among House and Senate members is the restoration of funding for the Black Fly Spraying Program cut in Gov. Rendell’s proposed budget.

There are rumors of the formation of a “Black Fly Caucus” in the Senate and House to support the program.

Black flies, or gnats, are those pesky, small black bugs that circle endless around people during the summer months. Although a pest, they are in fact a sign that water quality in our rivers and streams is improving. If the water wasn’t clean, the black fly larvae could not survive.

Contents – On the Hill

· Senate, House Act on Environmental Spending Proposals, Gov. Threatens Veto

· Adolph/White Release Green Ribbon Commission Recommendations

· Sen. Musto, Rep. Hershey Introduce Green Schools Initiatives

· Other Environmental Bills Introduced

Other News

· Groups Encouraged to Register for 2005 Great PA Cleanup! in April

· American Water Launches Watershed Grant Program in Pennsylvania

· EPA Again Invites States to Submit Projects for Targeted Watershed Grants

· Save the Date: August Mine Water Treatment Technology Conference

· DEP Awards $3.4 Million in Innovative Water Infrastructure Grants

· Apply Now for Composting Infrastructure Grants

· Recycling Market Infrastructure Grants Available Through DEP

· DEP Awards $20 Million in Recycling, Composting Grants

· Advanced Energy Project Development Proposals Due to DEP April 1

· PA Joins EPA, Other States In Clean Energy-Environment Partnership

· Green Building, Renewable Energy Seminar March 9

· Campus Strategies for Sustainability- Energy, Community, Curriculum

· DEP Seeks Environmental Justice Board Members

· PA Preserves 29 More Farms Totaling 3,085 Acres

· America’s Backyard Bird Count, February 18-21

· Biodiversity Conservation: From Knowledge to Action Conference – March 9

· Find Out More About Where You Live with EnviroMapper, eMapPA

· Forest Service Centennial Celebration, Film Features PA’s Gifford Pinchot

· Reminder: Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Seeking Nominations

· POWR Watershed Directory - Has Your Listing Been Updated?

· Quick Clips: Recycling, Wind Energy, New Leadership, Waste Fee Case, Trails, Bear Kill

Taking Positive Action

· Chester County Dentist Makes His Office Cleaner, Brighter

Feature

· State of the ‘Sock, Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association

Calendar of Events – Check out all the new items!

2/18/2005