PA Environment Digest

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Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.

Note: DEP published the 2018 meeting schedules for its advisory committees and boards. Click Here for DEP Aggregate Advisory Board 2018 meeting schedule.

January 29-- NEW. Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna) would authorize local governments to create energy improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects by commercial and industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs, Click Here for more. Rules Room. Off the Floor.

January 29-- DEP/Health/ATSDR public meeting on Keystone Landfill Health Assessment Document. Mid Valley High School, 52 Underwood Road, Throop, Lackawanna County. 7:00.

January 30-- NEW. Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider Senate Resolution 226 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an independent performance evaluation of DEP’s Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation) and Chapter 105 (Water Obstruction and Encroachment) permitting programs (sponsor summary) Click Here for more; Senate Resolution 104 (Bartolotta-R- Washington) resolution urging the Governor to end the moratorium on new nonsurface disturbance natural gas drilling on state forest land (sponsor summary); House Bill 1341 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) further providing for training and certification of emergency medical personnel responding to bituminous deep mine accidents (House Fiscal Note and summary); House Bill 1486 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) exempting agricultural high-tunnel structures from the Stormwater Management Act (House Fiscal Note and summary). Room 8E-B East Wing of the Capitol. 9:30. Click Here to watch the meeting live.

January 30-- NEW. Senate Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 913 (Everett-R- Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by incorporated towns, House Bill 914 (Everett-R- Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by boroughs, House Bill 915 (Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by first class townships and House Bill 916 (Everett-R- Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by Cities of the Third Class-- Click Here for more. Rules Room. Off the Floor.

January 30-- DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry, 717-772-5713 or send email to: lahenry@pa.gov. (formal notice)

-- Continue discussion of Act 101 changes and updates

January 30-- DEP Hearing on Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy Policy Changes. DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street in Norristown, Montgomery County. 1:00.

January 30-- Environmental Quality Board Hearing on Triennial Water Quality Standard Regulation Changes. DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street in Norristown, Montgomery County. 1:00.

January 30-- NEW. Penn State Water Insights Seminar. What Is Water Law And Why Should Scientists Care? Room 102 Forest Resources Building at Penn State University, State College. Click Here to attend the Seminar by webinar (sign in with your name and email). Noon to 1:00.

January 30-- Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council. Biochar Production & Marketing Webinar. Noon to 1:00.

January 31-- DEP Hearing On Air Quality Permit At Sunoco Marcus Hook Facility Delaware County. Marcus Hook Community Center, 7 W. Delaware Ave, Marcus Hook. 6:00 to 8:00.

January 31-- DEP Hearing On Emission Credits For Jessup Natural Gas Power Plant In Lackawanna County. Valley View High School, 1 Columbus Dr., Archbald. 6:00 to 9:00.

January 31-- Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. Webinar On Proposed Revisions To Pollution Control Standards. 6:00.

January 31-- Pocono Heritage Land Trust. Full Moon Night Hike, Jonas Mountain Nature Preserve, 506 Watercrest Dr. Monroe County. 6:00 p.m.

February 1-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a hearing on proposed water withdrawals and other requests. Room 8E-B East Wing Capitol. 2:30. (formal notice) Click Here for more.

February 3-- NEW. Fish & Boat Commission. Sportsmen’s Forum On Conserving Aquatic Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Great American Outdoor Show, Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, Seminar Room 1. 10:00.

February 3-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Eagle Photo Workshop Bus Tour. Milford, Pike County.

February 5-- Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee holds hearing on Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Credit Trading Program. Room 8-EA East Wing Capitol. 9:00. Click Here for more.

February 6-- Governor’s Budget Address. Noonish

February 6-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, 717-772-3429 or send email to: mbrojakows@pa.gov.

February 6-- PA Resources Council Reuse Central Launch Celebration. Ann Jones Gerace Center, 64 South 14th Street, Pittsburgh. 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

February 6-- Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council. Small Scale Chestnut Production Webinar. Noon to 1:00.

February 6-- PA Environmental Council. 2018 Philadelphia Area Environment Ride. Yards Brewing, 500 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia. 5:30 to 7:30.

February 7-- Joint Legislative Budget & Finance Committee to release an update of cost estimates for an alternative approach to meeting PA’s Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction targets. Room 8E-B, East Wing. 10:00.

February 7-- NEW. NRCS-PA State Technical Committee meeting. USDA State Office Conference Room at 359 East Park Drive, Harrisburg. 1:00. Call in option: 1-888-844-9904 with access code 6941559.

February 7-10-- PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture Annual Conference. State College.

February 8-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, 717-772-3436, kdalal@pa.gov.

-- Proposal to reduce sulfur limits in heating oil from 500 ppm to 15 ppm

February 8-- DEP State Board for Certification of Water & Wastewater Systems Operators meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Edgar Chescattie, 717-772-2814, echescattie@pa.gov.

February 8-- DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Daniel Snowden, 717-783-8846 or send email to: dsnowden@pa.gov. (formal notice)

February 8-- DEP Hearing [If Requested] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Jeraco Enterprises, Inc. Milton Plant, Northumberland County. DEP Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street, Suite 101, Williamsport. 10:00.

February 8-- Manada Conservancy. Nature Therapy: The Health Benefits Of Spending Time In Nature. South Hanover Township Building, 161 Patriot Way in Hershey, Dauphin County. 7:00

February 9-- DEP Hearing [If Requested] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Graymont Company, Centre County. DEP Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street, Suite 101, Williamsport. 10:00.

February 11--Pocono Heritage Land Trust. Winter Snowshoe Adventure, Brodhead Creek Heritage Center at ForEvergreen Nature Preserve, 1539 Cherry Lane Rd., East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. Noon.

February 13-- DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. 14th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 8:30. DEP Contact: John Brakeall, 717-783-9731, jbrakeall@pa.gov.

February 13-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council meeting. Room E-100, First Floor, Department of Labor of Industry Building, 651 Boas Street in Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact: Cindy Holtry, Department of Labor and Industry, 717-783-4560. (formal notice)

February 13-- Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council. Agroforestry Practices In The Federal Farm Bill Webinar. Noon to 1:00.

February 14-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Todd Wallace, 717-783-9438, twallace@pa.gov.

February 14-- DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting. Conference Room 11B, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kristen Szwajkowski, 717-772-2186, kszwajkows@pa.gov.

February 15-- PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 1:00 to 4:00. Click Here to register to attend the meeting by webinar.

February 15-- MS4: Elements Of A Stormwater Management Program Workshop. Toftrees Golf Resort & Conference Center, One Country Club Lane, State College, Centre County. 8:00 to 4:30.

February 15-- NEW. PennTAP. Building Re-Tuning: A Sustainability Workshop On Energy Efficiency. Penn State Great Valley Conference Center, Malvern, Chester County. 7:30 to 3:00.

February 17-- NEW. Fish & Boat Commission. Sportsmen’s Forum On Conserving Aquatic Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Allegheny Outdoor, Sport & Travel Show, Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville, Stage 2. 10:00.

February 20-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- Independent Fiscal Office. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.

February 20-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Independent Fiscal Office; 1:00- Department of Revenue. Room 140 Main Capitol. Click Here to watch the hearing online.

February 20-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.

February 20-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Contact: Executive Director Lee Ann Murray, 717-787-8171, leemurray@pa.gov.

February 20-- NEW. PennTAP. Road To Alternative Energy Webinar For Businesses Webinar. Noon to 1:00.

February 22-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- State Police/Homeland Security; 3:00- PA Emergency Management Agency/ Fire Commissioner. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.

February 22-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of Transportation; 1:00- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Room 140 Main Capitol. Click Here to watch the hearing online.

February 22-- DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Jay Braund, 717-772-5636, jbraund@pa.gov.

February 22-- Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing on Proposed Fracking Ban. Lisa Scheller-Wayne Woodman Community Services Center, Lehigh Carbon Community College, 4525 Education Park Dr., in Schnecksville, Lehigh County. 3:00 to 7:00. Click Here to register to speak.

February 23-- DEP Hearing [If Requested] On NRG Shawville Generating Station RACT II Air Quality Plan, Clearfield County. DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street in Williamsport. 10:00.

February 23-24-- Registration Open. Keystone Coldwater Conference. State College. (Join PA Environment Digest as a Conference sponsor.)

February 24-- NEW. Fish & Boat Commission. Sportsmen’s Forum On Conserving Aquatic Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Fly-Fishing & Wing Shooting Expo, Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony, Carbon County Striped Bass Room. 4:00.

February 24-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Landscape For Life Workshop. Dauphin County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to 11:00.

February 26-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00- Department of Transportation. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.

February 26-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of Environmental Protection; 3:00- Department of Agriculture. Room 140 Main Capitol. Click Here to watch the hearing online.

February 28-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- Department of Agriculture; 3:00- Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.

February 28-- DEP Hearing [if requested] On RACT II Air Quality Plan for Montour Power Plant, Montour County. DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office 208 Third Street, Williamsport. 10:00.

February 28-March 1-- NEW. Western PA Conservancy, DCNR. 2018 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit. Ramada Conference Center, State College.

March 1-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00- Department of Environmental Protection. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.

March 2-- NEW. DEP Hearing [If Requested] On Proposed RACT II Air Quality Plan for Texas-Eastern Compressor station in Shermans Dale, Perry County. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg. 10:00

March 2-- Harrisburg University Center for Environment, Energy and Economy. Hosts The Fracking Debate Author Daniel Raimi In Discussion Program. Harrisburg University, 326 Market St, Harrisburg. 11:30 to 1:00.

March 3-- NEW. Fish & Boat Commission. Sportsmen’s Forum On Conserving Aquatic Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Erie Sport & Travel Expo, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, Room 140 ABC. 10:00

March 3-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Stormwater Management & Native Plants. Dauphin County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to 11:00.

March 3-- PA Wilds Buyer’s Market. Clarion University, Clarion.

March 6-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimbach, 717-772-5556, daheimbach@pa.gov.

March 6-- DEP Board of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloske, 724-404-3143, mscheloske@pa.gov

March 6-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council meeting. Room E-100, First Floor, Department of Labor of Industry Building, 651 Boas Street in Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact: Cindy Holtry, Department of Labor and Industry, 717-783-4560. (formal notice)

March 6-- Delaware River Basin Commission Moderated Hearing on Proposed Fracking Ban By Telephone. 1:30 to 3:30. Members of the public are encouraged to listen by calling 1-866-831-8713 and asking the operator to connect them to the DRBC call. Click Here to register to speak.

March 8-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- Governor’s Budget Secretary; 3:00- Governor’s Budget Secretary Continued. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.

March 8-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Governor’s Budget Secretary. Room 140 Main Capitol. Click Here to watch the hearing online.

March 8-- DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry, 717-772-5713, lahenry@pa.gov.

March 8-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a business meeting on proposed water withdrawals and other issues. Location To Be Determined. 9:00. (formal notice)

March 8-- PA Resources Council. Allegheny CleanWays. 2018 Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Chatham University’s Eddy Theatre, Woodland Road, Pittsburgh. 6:00 p.m.

March 10-- NEW. Fish & Boat Commission. Sportsmen’s Forum On Conserving Aquatic Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Greater Philadelphia Boat Show, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks. 10:00.

March 10-- York County Penn State Master Gardeners GardenWise Workshop. Central York Middle School, 1950 N. Hills Road, York. 7:30 to 4:00.

March 10-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Container Gardens. Dauphin County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to 11:00.

March 10-- 2018 Schuylkill River Watershed Congress. Montgomery County Community College West Campus, Pottstown.

March 12-13-- Registration Open. PA Association of Environmental Educators. 2018 Annual Conference. State College, Centre County.

March 15-- Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. 18th Annual Land Ethics Symposium. Delaware Valley University, Doylestown, Bucks County.

March 17-- NEW. Fish & Boat Commission. Sportsmen’s Forum On Conserving Aquatic Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Lycoming College, Williamsport, Heim Building, Room G-11., 10:00.

March 17-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Turf Management. Dauphin County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to 11:00.

March 20-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.

March 20-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Contact: Executive Director Lee Ann Murray, 717-787-8171, leemurray@pa.gov.

March 20-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council meeting. Room E-100, First Floor, Department of Labor of Industry Building, 651 Boas Street in Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact: Cindy Holtry, Department of Labor and Industry, 717-783-4560. (formal notice)

March 22-- DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Joseph Melnic, 717-783-9730, jmelnic@pa.gov.

March 24-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Attracting Bluebirds. Dauphin County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to 11:00.

March 27-- DCNR, Penn State Extension Forest Health & Disease Briefing. Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, Centre County. 8:30 to 3:30.

March 29-- DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner, 717-772-2189, dhissner@pa.gov.

April 3-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council meeting. Room E-100, First Floor, Department of Labor of Industry Building, 651 Boas Street in Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact: Cindy Holtry, Department of Labor and Industry, 717-783-4560. (formal notice)

April 3-6-- Carnegie Mellon University Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. 2018 Energy Week Program. Carnegie Mellon University.

April 4-- DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Mike Maddigan, 717-772-3609, mmaddigan@pa.gov.

April 5-- PA Camber of Business & Industry Environmental Conference & Trade Show. Eden Resort Inn & Suites, Lancaster. 8:00 a.m. to 3:15.

April 10-- DEP Mine Families First Response & Communications Advisory Council meeting. DEP New Stanton Office, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloske, 724-404-3143, mscheloske@pa.gov.

April 10-- Center for Watershed Protection. 2018 National Watershed & Stormwater Conference. Maryland and Virginia In-person and online.

April 12-- DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee meeting. DEP Bureau of Laboratories building, 2575 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Aaren Alger, 717-346-7200, aaalger@pa.gov.

April 14-- NEW. Master Gardeners Of Lancaster County. 26th Annual Shirley R. Wagner Garden Symposium. Lancaster Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. 7:30 - 2:45.

April 17-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council meeting. Room E-100, First Floor, Department of Labor of Industry Building, 651 Boas Street in Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact: Cindy Holtry, Department of Labor and Industry, 717-783-4560. (formal notice)

April 17-19-- National Forum On Low-Zero Energy Buildings. Wyndam Grand Hotel, Pittsburgh.

April 20-- Berks County Conservation District. Tree Seedling Sale & Education Programs Event. Berks County Agricultural Center, 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport. 11:00 to 7:00.

April 24-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 10:30. DEP Contact: Janice Vollero, 717-772-5157, jvollero@pa.gov.

April 28-- Manada Conservancy Native Plant Sale. Hummelstown Borough Park, Dauphin County. 10:00 to 3:00

May 2-4-- PA Association Of Environmental Professional. Annual Conference. State College.

May 8-- 2018 PA Groundwater Symposium. Ramada Inn in State College, Centre County.

May 22-23-- Choose Clean Water Coalition. 9th Annual Clean Water Conference. Lancaster Marriott.

June 20-21-- 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference. Ramada Conference Center, State College.

July 25-27-- Registration Open. Professional Recyclers of PA. 28th Annual Recycling & Organics Conference. Best Western Premier Hotel, Harrisburg.

August 20-23-- U.S. Biochar Initiatives Conference. Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, Delaware.

September 22-- Joint meeting of DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee and Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry, 717-772-5713, lahenry@pa.gov.

September 28-- DEP Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee meeting Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Rich Janati, 717-787-2147, rjanati@pa.gov.

October 17-21-- Passive House Western PA. North American Passive House Network 2018 Conference. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.

Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.

Sign Up For DEP’s eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.

Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.

DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage

Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System

Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage

Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage

DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage

August 2017 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 4922

DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage

Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System

Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage