John Dawes, Executive Director of the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, received the PA Land Trust Association’s 2015 Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award during its annual Conference in Gettysburg Thursday.

Northampton County received the PA Land Trust Association’s 2015 Government Conservation Leadership Award during its annual Conference in Gettysburg Thursday.

The Senate Republican Policy Committee Wednesday held a hearing for the purpose of touting Senate Bill 724 (Vogel-R-Beaver) and Bion Environmental Technologies as the solution to reducing nutrient pollution and meeting Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay commitments.

Bion Environmental Technologies attempted Monday to respond to critics of Senate Bill 724 (Vogel-R-Beaver), which threatens to derail current clean water restoration efforts and divert critical funding from proven science-based practices, while favoring proprietary, corporate-backed and costly manure technologies.

The following are remarks delivered by former DEP Secretary David Hess at the PA Land Trust Association Conference in Gettysburg Thursday--

As the General Assembly and Gov. Wolf begin their final few weeks of work to put a state budget in place by June 30, it is a good time to remember the continuous, downward spiral of environmental funding over the last 12 years.

The PA Environmental Council monthly Environmental Focus TV show on the Pennsylvania Cable Network is now available online.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council meeting on May 20 will feature a presentation from Raina Rippel, Director, Southwest PA Environmental Health Project, on the need for a health registry to capture the health impacts associated with natural gas development.

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Let us join your Circle.

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 House Local Government Committee Wednesday was amended and unanimously reported out House Bill 859 (Staats-R-Bucks) that would exempt from the realty transfer tax grants of conservation easements to municipalities to the full House.

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) Wednesday praised Senate passage of Senate Bill 699 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) to transfer Moon Lake Park from Luzerne County to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold confirmation hearing for Acting DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn May 13.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on May 12 to consider House Bill 1099 (Maher-R-Allegheny) creating an independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board (sponsor summary).

The April issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring stories on--

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its 2015 Growing Greener Plus Watershed Protection and Restoration Grants Program. Applications will be accepted until July 10. (formal notice)

The Fish and Boat Commission Monday announced two independent laboratory tests have confirmed a malignant, or cancerous, tumor on a single smallmouth bass caught in the middle Susquehanna River by an angler late last year and provided to the PFBC.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA says the discovery of cancer in a smallmouth bass caught on the Susquehanna River provides further evidence that more must be done to clean up the river and its tributaries, and that the river should be declared an impaired waterway.

The May issue of Chesapeake Bay Currents newsletter is now available from the federal Chesapeake Bay Program featuring articles on-

Applications for National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Grants are due May 14. Grants in two categories will be awarded--

The May issue of the Catalyst newsletter from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition in Butler County is now available featuring articles on--

Are you 55 years or older, live in the DuBois area or Jefferson County and want to become involved in protecting our resources and educating the public on the natural world? If so, the new DuBois-Jefferson Senior Environment Corps wants you.

A panel of regional experts will address the many issues relating to the Wissahickon watershed in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties on May 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, and will offer tangible ways for community members to engage in protecting the 64-square mile area.

The Department of Environmental Protection celebrated National Drinking Water Week from May 3 to May 9. DEP encourages Pennsylvanians to conserve water and make every drop count.

The Spring issue of Water Policy News is now available from the PA League of Women Voters Water Resources Education Network featuring stories on--

Substances commonly used for drilling or extracting Marcellus shale gas foamed from the drinking water taps of three Pennsylvania homes near a reported well-pad leak, according to new analysis from a team of scientists.

As shale gas fracking expands in Pennsylvania so does the amount of liquid and solid waste generated, including hazardous and radioactive materials, yet oil and gas waste has exemptions from federal and state regulations.

Emily Krafjack, President of Connection for Oil, Gas & Environment in the Northern Tier, presented these comments to the Department of Environmental Protection on the proposed final Chapter 78 drilling regulation on May 4 in Williamsport—

The Environmental Quality Board meets on May 20 to consider final regulations covering fiberglass boat manufacturing, Land Recycling Program changes, and a proposed regulation making changes to the Remining Program.

The April recap of activities by the PA Environmental Council is now available featuring articles on--

Hundreds of redevelopment and remediation experts from across the northeast will gather at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center May 13-15 for the 2015 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference. 

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

People continue to flock to the PA Resources Council Backyard Composting Workshops in Western PA and three more are scheduled.

Folks from 1,070 households took advantage of Centre County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program May 1-2 at the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority.

Litter’s negative impact on the greater Pittsburgh environment – and individuals’ lives – stretches in countless directions such as viewing visual blight on your daily commute and worrying about your dog cutting a paw on glass on your neighborhood streets to dealing with the consequences of trash polluting our rivers and streams.

The May issue of the e-PRC newsletter is now available from the PA Resources Council featuring articles on--

Recyclebank, the company that inspires and rewards smarter, everyday choices for a more sustainable future, Wednesday announced through this year's Recyclebank Green Schools Program it will provide $69,000 in grants to environmental projects at 38 schools across the country.

On May 5 to 12, the Berks County Conservation District will hold its annual high school and middle school Envirothons at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Berks County, will offer three professional workshops for formal and non-formal educators and are approved for Act 48 hours. Cost is just $5 and all workshops include lessons and curricula that can better connect students with the outdoors.

Snipes Farm and Education Center, Bucks County, Wednesday announced the Farm to Food Truck FEASTival will be coming to Snipes Farm on June 18. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. the event will feature delicious food, great live music and family fun entertainment.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites middle school teachers, administrators, and building managers to a June 17 training workshop in Pine Grove Mills, Centre County on the Keystone Energy Education Program to teach and track energy efficiency in school buildings and homes.

The Department of Environmental Protection is again offering rebates to consumers who purchase plug-in hybrid electric, natural gas fueled, hydrogen fueled, propane and other alternative fuel vehicles through its Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program.  (formal notice)

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday appointed Gladys M. Brown as chair of the Public Utility Commission. Brown served as a PUC commissioner prior to her appointment as chair.

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday urged electric customers in southwestern Pennsylvania to consider shopping for a competitive electric supplier in order to realize potential savings opportunities and to view offers for renewable-energy products.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved the modified long-term infrastructure improvement plan for PECO Energy Company.

Operators removed Three Mile Island Unit 1 from service Wednesday to repair an electrical component that powers one of the unit’s control rods. This repair cannot be performed while the plant is generating electricity.

The Lacawac Sanctuary and the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance will host a Women In Science Symposium on May 27 at the Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort in Hawley, Pike County.

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday said it has begun aerial spraying on more than 1,600 stream miles in 36 Pennsylvania counties to control black flies, also referred to as gnats.

HeritagePA, the state’s collective body of the twelve state-designated Heritage Areas, celebrated one of the state’s leading economic driver – tourism. Operating since 1989, the Heritage Areas have transformed special places in Pennsylvania, helping to create a state with worldwide appeal for visitors and guests.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is providing first-time campers with needed gear and a reservation for two nights at a participating state park for just $20.

GelTech Solutions, Inc. announced Tuesday FireIce has been successfully deployed on more than 20 wildfires this season by firefighting airtankers contracted by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry.

By Jim Hyland

The May 6 edition of the Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now available featuring articles on--

As part of a collaborative project between Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Protection, PA Natural Heritage Program, ecologists are assessing the patterns of riparian vegetation of higher order streams in selected watersheds across Pennsylvania. 

More than a dozen wildlife and nature artists will open their doors on June 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the 10th annual Hawk Mountain Arts Tour & Sale in Berks County, a free and self-guided driving tour that is open to the public.

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

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 are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more-- 

The Environmental Quality Board meets on May 20 to consider final regulations covering fiberglass boat manufacturing, Land Recycling Program changes, and a proposed regulation making changes to the Remining Program.

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