DEP to Hold Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy Steering Committee Meetings (but Feb. 17 meeting later cancelled) and several new Committee meetings were added.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a series of Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy Steering Committee meetings to hear from groups on the initiatives Pennsylvania is taking to reduce nutrient and sediment loads to the Bay.

Upcoming meetings are scheduled for February 17 and March 3 in the Rachel Carson State Office Building. (See Calendar of Upcoming Events)  (On Feb. 13 DEP cancelled the Feb. 17 meeting.)

Both the Senate and House Environmental Resources and Energy Committees have held hearings on DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy to hear concerns from municipal authorities, farm groups, builders and environmental groups. (PaB 9/23-05)

Given the variety of items covered in these meetings, DEP has begun to post meeting documents and related information to the department's Chesapeake Bay website.

New Committee Meetings

· February 13 – Senate Appropriations Committee will meet to consider House Bill 213 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) establishing penalties for eco-terrorism; House Bill 893 (Semmel-R-Berks) changing procedures for shutting off water for nonpayment of sewage bill. Rules Committee Room. Off the Floor.

· February 14 – Senate Community and Economic Development Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1063 (Pileggi-R-Montgomery) providing additional funding to expand the PA Small Business Development Centers (Centers provide the EMAP environmental assistance services). Room 461. 9:30.

2/10/2006