The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Infrastructure, Environment and Government Operations is scheduled to hold a follow up hearing on March 14 to review the “Environmental Programs Management and Environmental Programs Operation functions within the Department of Environmental Protection.”

Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding told the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday more resources are needed to meet Pennsylvania’s commitments to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Here are 10 things we learned from Senate and House budget hearings--

In 9 months you can make a whole new human being, but there is no clear path forward yet on resolving the state’s budget impasse.

Thursday, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful launched www.eWastePA.org to help ensure Pennsylvania consumers have the information they need to properly manage their electronic waste such as old televisions and computer monitors, commonly referred to as e-waste. 

The PA Association of Environmental Educators celebrated the great work of educators and educational programs throughout the state.  The award winners will be honored at the PAEE Conference which begins March 14 at The Inn at Pocono Manor.

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 Joint House-Senate Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing March 21 on the collapse of Pennsylvania’s Electronic Waste Recycling Program created by the Covered Device Recycling Act.

In response to a U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers report issued Monday saying the Conowingo Dam reservoir has reached the limit of its ability to trap sediment coming down the Susquehanna River, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Friday called on the federal government to immediately provide Pennsylvania with $5 million to help farmers reduce sediment runoff from agricultural areas.

By Harry Campbell, PA Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Denise Coleman, PA State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Tuesday announced funding for farm producers and forest land operators to implement improved management practices is now available through the Conservation Stewardship Program.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Wednesday announced over $700,000 is available to help Pennsylvania agricultural producers improve water quality in selected high-priority watersheds in Bedford and Blair counties through the National Water Quality Initiative.  Applications are due April 15.

Join the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Green Valleys Watershed Association, and the PA Environmental Council for a Green $aves Green Stormwater Management Workshop in Phoenixville, Chester County, on managing stormwater (and saving money) by working with nature.

Join neighbors, businesses, and elected officials for a lively discussion about local clean water issues at a York County Town Hall Reception on April 14 hosted by Clean Water Counts: York.

The West Branch Susquehanna River Restoration Coalition is now accepting nominations for its annual Orange Rock Awards to recognize an individual, volunteer group or organization who has gone above and beyond the call to help improve water quality in the West Branch.

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it has awarded a $13,455,319 competitively bid contract to Rosebud Mining Company to remediate and reclaim a 62-acre abandoned mine site in the community of Ehrenfeld, in Cambria County.

The DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on March 24 to review proposed permit fee increase proposals for NPDES (Chapter 92a-- application, annual fees) and Water Quality Management (Chapter 91) permits.

The Scranton Times reported Thursday a federal jury has awarded two Dimock Township couples just under $4.24 million after finding Cabot Oil & Gas responsible for contaminating their well water.  Click Here to read the entire story.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Thursday approved a compliance settlement agreement with Cabot Oil & Gas fining the company $11,000 for undertaking projects subject to SRBC approval without that approval.

Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. Thursday announced Mariner East 1 pipeline, the first pipeline in the larger Mariner East system, is now transporting both ethane and propane to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex in Delaware County and is approaching full operations as it completes loading of the first waterborne ethane shipment.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale Wednesday announced the start of a performance audit of the Public Utility Commission’s administration of the collection and disbursement of the unconventional shale gas well impact fees provided for in Act 13 of 2012.

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday notified the public about a violation of the lead standard applicable to the drinking water sold at Crystal Spring Water, a company that sells water through vending machines in Adamstown, Berks County.

Public Utility Commission Thursday underscored the importance of water efficiency and conservation, along with the impact of wasted water, as part of National “Fix a Leak Week,” which runs from March 14-20.

The Schuylkill Action Network is now accepting nominations for its annual Scholastic Drinking Water Awards to recognize students and schools in the Schuylkill Watershed who protect drinking water sources.   Nominations are due March 31.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. The deadline for nominations is May 16.

The PA Chapter of the American Water Works Association will hold its 68th Annual Conference on May 10-12 at the Bethlehem Sands Hotel and Casino in Bethlehem.

The State Board for the Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers published notice of the dates for the 2016 SEO certification examinations and the deadlines for registering for the exams in the March 12 PA Bulletin.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful received top honors at the annual Keep America Beautiful National Awards Dinner, held during Keep America Beautiful’s recent annual National Conference in Orlando, Florida. 

The Tenth Annual Tire War, a friendly competition between Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliates in Huntingdon, Juniata, Perry and Mifflin counties received national recognition from Keep America Beautiful for first place in the America Recycles Day Program Award category.

Volunteers are needed for the Red Clay Valley Cleanup on March 19 which will sweep more than 83 miles of stream and roadways along the east and branches of Red Clay Creek, including Kennett Square in Chester County.

Volunteers are needed for the Annual Cameron County River and Roadside Cleanup on March 20. This is great opportunity to help make our area even more beautiful. You can choose to help clean the Driftwood Branch Stream or clean the roadway along Rt. 120.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved Act 129 Phase III Energy Efficiency and Conservation plans submitted by several of Pennsylvania’s electric distribution companies, detailing efforts to reduce energy consumption and peak demand through 2021.

The Department of Environmental Protection and the Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Transportation invite fleet managers, municipalities, school districts, incorporated nonprofit entities, and businesses to a March 22 Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant seminar in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, and another seminar on March 24 in Harrisburg.

The Natural Lands Trust and the Chester County Association of Township Officials Thursday honored Kennett Township with the Growing Greener Communities Award.

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests will host a Loving The Land Through Working Forests Program on May 14 on forestland owned by Foundation board member Dr. Jane Woods at 13360 and 13333 Carter Hill Road, Corry, Erie County from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Grey Towers Heritage Association will host its last two winter Lunch and Learn programs on March 22 and April 18 at the Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pike County.

Over thousands of years, most forests in the eastern United States evolved with frequent fire, which promoted tree species and ecosystems that were both fire and drought resistant.

The Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team is now accepting nominations for Champions of the PA Wilds Award to recognize individuals, groups, organizations, communities or businesses that have made significant contributions to help grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Celebrate the unique Upper Delaware River region with the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at the 9th annual Foods of the Delaware Highlands Gala on April 30 at Hawley’s Settlers Inn In Wayne County starting at 5:30 p.m.

Carol R. Collier has been named to the American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows for her outstanding achievements in regional and environmental planning.

Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary for Water Programs Dana Aunkst Monday announced Nicki Kasi will lead DEP’s new Chesapeake Bay Office, part of the Bay Program reboot announced January 21.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA is seeking qualified candidates to fill two positions--

Former Senator William J. Stewart (D-Cambria) passed away March 7.  He served in the Senate from 1987 to 1996 and was a member of the House from 1997 to 1987.

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 published notice of a correction to its notice of a proposed regulation making changes to Class A Trout Stream redesignations in the March 12 PA Bulletin.

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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.