Stroud Water Research Center has launched the Watershed Restoration Group to utilize the Center's groundbreaking freshwater science to develop, research, implement, and monitor restoration projects throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan told the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday a recently updated inventory identified a $1 billion backlog in maintenance projects for State Parks and State Forests.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

The new electronics recycling law is featured in the February issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

Detailed information on the agenda and presenters is now available for the PA Watershed Conference to be held on April 5-6 in State College.  The theme of the Conference is Advocate, Communicate, Transform!

Penn State Extension is hosting the Join us for the Keystone Wells and Water Testing Seminar on May 6 starting at 5 p.m. at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville near Harrisburg.

The Penn State Extension Water Resources Team is offering two pond education opportunities where participants learn from home. An Online Pond Home Study Course, and an Aquatic Pesticide Recertification Correspondence Course, allows Pennsylvania Pond Owners to participate, without ever leaving their home.

The PA Resources Council and the Darby Creek Valley Association present "Backyard Buffers & Rain Barrel Making," a free presentation to inform residents on water conservation and stormwater management practices to help protect the Darby Creek.

The State Board for the Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers announced its 2013 examination schedule in the March 2 PA Bulletin.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission meets March 21 in Harrisburg to consider water withdrawal requests, a flood mapping project, announcement of the Maurice Goddard Award and on an appeal by Anadarko E&P of a water withdrawal request action.

In January, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania announced the findings of a study it did addressing the safety of natural gas pipelines which made a number of recommendations on improving pipeline safety. (PA Environment Digest 1/28/13)

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invites entries to their inaugural Great American Cleanup of PA Video Contest.   The deadline for entries is May 24.  Beginning June 1, the top entries will be posted on the Keep PA Beautiful Facebook page where visitors can vote for their favorites.

Clinton County CleanScapes will begin the 2013 cleanup season with the 4th Fishing Creek greenway, Rt. 64 and Rt. 150 community cleanup event on March 9 from 9:45 a.m.- Noon in the Borough of Mill Hall, Clinton County.

Spring is right around the corner according to a certain famous groundhog, and with spring comes cleaning! To aid in your clean out, the PA Resources Council is offering multiple e-waste recycling collection events this month in the Philadelphia region. 

Southwest Pennsylvania residents - get ready to pack up and safely dispose of your old, unused or unwanted household chemicals at multiple Household Chemical collection events sponsored by the PA Resources Council and partners this year--

Got e-waste to recycle? Secure documents to shred? We have the one-stop solution! This year, at PA Resources Council's Hard-to-Recycle Collections, residents can  drop off televisions, electronic waste (including computers, monitors, keyboards printers and more), cell phones, printer/toner cartridges, CFLs, ink and toner cartridges and small appliances for free.

The Environmental Institute at Lackawanna College in Scranton offers a variety of public programs on environmental, natural resource and wildlife topics every month.

Ever wonder what it might be like to turn waste into energy, rather than sending it to an overflowing landfill? Well, users of iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad devices will now have the chance to find out through a fun and educational simulated game experience.

The Department of Environmental Protection will display its new interactive “DEP at Home” exhibit during the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center downtown from March 1 to March 10.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday issued for comment changes to regulations regarding natural gas supplier licensing requirements as part of an Advanced Notice of Final Rulemaking.

PPL Electric Utilities will change its generation service charge on March 1 based on the latest costs to supply service to customers who do not choose an alternative supplier in the competitive power market.

In an effort to better inform Pennsylvania customers on utility issues, the Public Utility Commission Thursday launched social networking initiatives via a Facebook page for PAPowerswitch.com and a Twitter account for regulatory news. 

The Harrisburg Patriot News Monday reported former Gov. Tom Ridge (R) joined 37 prominent political figures at the U.S. Capitol Monday calling for policymakers to figure climate change into national security strategy and budget considerations.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has launched a new interactive mapping application that tracks a variety of noteworthy development projects throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

The Fish and Boat Commission is stocking adult trout in a variety of lakes and streams that are open to public angling throughout Pennsylvania in 2013 and has posted “where” and “when” those fish will be released on the Commission’s website. 

With the completion of a new spillway in 2012, Leaser Lake in Lehigh County, managed by the Fish and Boat Commission, will be stocked with trout and open to public fishing on the first day of trout season on March 30.

The Allegheny Chapter of Delta Waterfowl will hold its Annual Banquet on March 16 at the Hillcrest Country Club, 3411 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell, PA starting at 5:30.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of an opportunity to bid on a bridge replacement project in Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming 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--

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - March 2, 2013

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.