10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is honoring Gov. Tom Ridge with the Mark C. Schneider Award for his Smart Growth initiatives and to celebrate his accomplishments as Governor as part of its Commonwealth Awards Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday released an initial Susquehanna River Sampling Report, explaining the latest results from an aggressive sampling effort across the Susquehanna River.

The Independent Fiscal Office issued its latest state revenue estimates Wednesday saying budget makers will face a $520 million deficit in developing the FY 2013-14 state budget-- a $242 million deficit from FY 2012-13 and a $278 million deficit in FY 2013-14.

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 following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Wednesday approved two bills designed to make natural gas service available to more Pennsylvanians, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.  The bills include--

Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) announced his intention to introduce legislation to enact a moratorium on shale gas drilling Tuesday at a rally where advocates delivered 100,000 signed petitions to Gov. Corbett.

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Thursday spoke about the opportunities for Northeastern Pennsylvania businesses to expand and create jobs by partnering with Pennsylvania's Marcellus shale industry.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council Thursday testified before the House Democratic Policy Committee regulations implementing the drilling law passed last year should be expedited to provide additional environmental protection measures for the environment, according to John Walliser, vice president for Legal and Governmental Affairs.

The Chester County Conservation District received the Government Award from the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin on April 17 at the Downtown Club in Philadelphia. 

Nature Abounds, a Central Pennsylvania-based national non-profit organization with the focus on bringing people together for a healthy planet, celebrated their five year anniversary on May 1 as well as the impact they have made in that short time.

The Western PA Conservancy will host the Allegheny River Sojourn on June 1, this year with the theme “Back to the Allegheny: A Float Through Time” which will include activities and presentations that will explore the region’s history, present and future.

The 1st Annual Alcoa Recycled Art CANtest winners have been announced by the PA Resources Council this week.

In celebration of Earth Day, on April 22, Keep Washington County Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, partnered with MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources, LLC for a 70 person volunteer roadside cleanup.

Quehanna Boot Camp’s Community Work Program in Clearfield County will participate in the Great American Cleanup of PA by removing litter from local highways on May 6 through May 10, 2013, prison Superintendent Steven Glunt announced Tuesday.

Folks from 876 households took advantage of Centre County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program this weekend at the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority.

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane announced Tuesday charges have been filed against a New Jersey man and three New Jersey businesses, accused of dumping contaminated soil at two locations in Northampton County.

Keep America Beautiful and Coca-Cola announced the recipients of recycling bins designed specifically for placement at public spaces and schools and universities. The recycling bins are thanks to a grant made possible by Keep America Beautiful and The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Pennsylvania will join states across the nation this week in recognizing April 29 through May 3 as Air Quality Awareness Week.

As warmer weather approaches, so does the onset of ground-level ozone. High levels of ozone pose health risks for everyone, and large segments of the population are considered especially sensitive to ground-level ozone.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials participated in a free, web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension on Marcellus Shale issues in the Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County, on April 25.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Director Lauren Imgrund recently presented Haverford Township in Delaware County with the fourth annual Green Park Award sponsored by DCNR and the PA Recreation and Park Society.

The Game Commission is seeking public input on its draft peregrine falcon management plan, which can be reviewed on the agency's website. 

Starting May 4, Pennsylvania anglers will have a chance to fish for, and win, millions of dollars in cash and prizes in Cabela's "Fish for Millions?" contest.

The Game Commission Thursday resumed controlled burns on the Scotia Barrens on State Game Land 176 in Patton, Ferguson and Halfmoon townships, Centre County, to improve habitat conditions within this unique ecosystem.

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting on May 22 will start at 10:00 instead of 11:00 due to the cancellation of the Environmental Quality Board meeting on that same day.  The meeting location remains the same-- Room 105 Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg.

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 - May 4, 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.