Individuals, businesses, farmers, schools, local governments, students of all ages, nonprofit groups and organizations just like you are doing great things to protect and restore Pennsylvania's environmental all the time and in every corner of the Commonwealth.

While everyone else is home having pork and sauerkraut at their New Year’s Day dinner, members of the Senate and House will be in Harrisburg January 1 at noon to formally inaugurate the new two-year legislative session by swearing in new members, formally electing leadership and otherwise getting organized.

The General Assembly adjourned its two-year session sine die on November 30.  The Senate and House formally reorganizes and starts its new session on January 1.

The Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation announced this week the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is seeking applications for the Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program.

For most people living in rural areas, collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage must be accomplished on site. Here are some tips to prevent problems with your system.

The Friends of the Wissahickon in Montgomery County selected Kevin Kramer of Ambler for Volunteer of the Year at its annual Volunteer Recognition Night at Valley Green Inn at the beginning of December.

The Friends of the Wissahickon was presented with a check for $15,000 from Recreational Equipment, Inc. at FOW's Annual Volunteer Appreciation Night at Valley Green Inn at the beginning of December.

The Northeast PA Audubon Society is inviting applications for a $4,000 college scholarship for students who wish to pursue a career in an environmental field such as Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Planning,Environmental Engineering, Fish, Game, or Wildlife Management, Ecology and/or Environmental Science.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals board of directors announced Thursday Alexandra Ratliff of Chatham University won its annual scholarship competition.  PAEP received 64 applications.

The Department of Environmental Protection will introduce a new “DEP at Home” exhibit during the 97th Pennsylvania Farm Show in the Main Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg from January 5 to 12.

After soliciting public input during 13 community meetings, PPL Electric Utilities has submitted the Northeast-Pocono Reliability Project to the Public Utility Commission for approval, the company said Friday.

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice inviting public comments on an application by Tri-County Landfill to re-open an existing closed landfill in Liberty and Pine Townships, Mercer County (PA Bulletin page 7862).

Pennsylvania’s state forest and park systems again are rolling out the welcome mat for winter visitors intent on enjoying cold-weather outdoor fun.

The Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation funds Seedlings for Schools, an educational program that is available for all schools in the state.

While it may be winter, now is the time for landowners to begin making plans to help wildlife by to planting tree and shrub seedlings offered by the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery, which will begin January 7 through April 19.

Young anglers and their adult mentors can get an early start to trout season by fishing one of 12 waters on March 23, the weekend before the regional opening day.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices of the opportunity to bid on an abandoned mine reclamation projects in Allegheny County, Nickolson Township, Fayette County,  Springhill Township, Fayette County and Schuylkill County.

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

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

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

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

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

The PA Housing Finance Agency published regulations allocating the Marcellus Shale impact fee revenue for the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund.

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.

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

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