View north on the Susquehanna River at Susquehannock State Park

The Department of Environmental Protection unveiled a new look and a new address for its website this week that it said would make it easier to navigate and find information.

The new site--www.depweb.state.pa.us -- is divided into four main areas – air, land, water and energy. Users who currently have bookmarked the site will need to enter the new address to re-establish their links.

The center panel of the new homepage features seasonal information on programs like the “Stay Warm PA” program and Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling Program.

Users will also find links to other Pennsylvania environmental agencies and commissions, environmental laws (PA Code and PA Bulletin) as well as links to other hot topics.

The left navigation panel of the homepage features quick links to frequently visited sites such as forms and publications, and a new feature, “DEP Programs A-to-Z,” which will help users easily locate the specific information they are seeking.

The newsroom section of the site features the latest environmental headlines from DEP’s “Daily Update” newsletter. Links to department news releases and clips from newspapers around the state are also included on this page.

The “In Your Neighborhood” section links users to a particular region of the state and the news and information for that particular area. Users can find quick contacts for DEP’s regional and local offices in this section.

Brand new to the site is a “Just for Kids” section featuring Carson P. Falcon, who helps younger visitors learn about a host of environmental topics such as energy, recycling, mining and, of course, Pennsylvania’s Peregrine falcons, which nest on the 15th Floor ledge of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.

“Just for Kids” is also where youths can build a wind tower, test their litter IQ or play the watershed game to learn more about Pennsylvania’s environment. The site also features dozens of interactive games and links to printable posters, stickers and coloring books.

Session Schedule

The House returns to session on November 7 to presumably finish work on legislation to repeal the pay raise. The Senate is technically on a 6-hour call to return to Harrisburg. Both are scheduled to be in session again starting November 14.

The House session schedule for the remainder of the year looks like this: November 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19.

On the Hill

· Senate Committee Reports Waste Tire, Forestry, Sewer, ATV Bills

· House Energy Policy Meeting Focuses on Energy Efficiency, Renewables

· Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week

· Bills Introduced

Other News

· First Environmental Bond Grants for Brownfields, Watershed, Energy Projects

· New Environmental Bond Grant Funds Watershed Project Repairs Statewide

· DEP to Hold Public Meetings on Proposed Nutrient Trading Program

· Open Rivers Initiative Grant Applications Due January 13

· Capital Region Senior Environment Corps Wins Watershed Protection Award

· Over 450 Attend Premier of “Looking to the River” Documentary by WVIA-TV

· Schuylkill River Heritage Recognizes Partners for Preservation, Water Trail Efforts

· Five Communities Receive Flood Hazard Mitigation Funding

· Pitt Laboratory Earns Gold Green Building Designation

·Keystone Profiles, Ltd.Saves Over $41,000 a Year in Energy, Waste Costs

·Conestoga Wood Specialties Wins Businesses for the Bay Award

· Deadline Extended for 2005 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards

· New Website Helps Residents Learn if They Need Mine Subsidence Insurance

· DEP Landfill Permitting Regulations Upheld By Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Feature

· A Year of Changes for Wolf Creek, Grove City, by Anna McAnnich

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

11/4/2005