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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, April 11, 2016 Issue #615
(4/11/2016)
* Dominion, PEC Announce Western PA Environmental Award Winners

Four environmental programs and one individual will share $25,000 from Dominion and the PA Environmental Council for innovation and effectiveness in making a positive impact on the Western Pennsylvania environment.

* Conventional Drillers Tell Court Time Is Now To Decide Whether DEP Violated The Law

Lawyers representing conventional oil and gas drillers told Commonwealth Court Thursday the time is now to decide whether DEP violated provisions of a 2014 Fiscal Code amendment directing DEP to adopt separate regulations for conventional and unconventional oil and gas drilling.

* House Environmental Committee Meets April 12 On DEP Drilling Regulations

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on April 12 for a voting meeting on DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78a (unconventional) final regulations.

* April 12: Senate Committee Considers Drilling Regs, Bill To Delay Clean Power Plan

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet April 12 to vote on sending correspondence to the IRRC on DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78a (unconventional) final drilling regulations.

* House Passes Fiscal Code Bill Cutting Growing Greener, Funding Natural Gas Expansion

The House this week took steps to put another Fiscal Code bill on the Governor’s desk-- House Bill 1589 (Causer-R-Cameron) that includes many of the provisions vetoed by Gov. Wolf in the last Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 1327 (Peifer-R-Pike).

* PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

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

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule/ Bills Introduced

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

* Bills On Governor's Desk

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

* Senate/House Bills Moving

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

* Senate Approves Bill Increasing Penalties For Littering, Illegal Dumping

The Senate Wednesday unanimously passed Senate Bill 973 (Scavello-R-Monroe) increasing the fines for littering.

* Bill Allows Coal Mine Operators To Temporarily Suspend Operations

Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield) introduced House Bill 1967 (Gabler-R-Clearfield) this week that would eliminate the current DEP limit on temporarily ceasing surface coal mining operations of 180 days and replace it with the less stringent federal requirement that has no specific time frames.

* House Democratic Policy Committee Holds Clean Energy Hearing April 11

The House Democratic Policy Chair Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) announced Wednesday the committee will hold a public hearing April 11 hosted by Reps. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery), Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) and Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D-Delaware), on clean-energy jobs.

* Senate Local Government Committee Meets April 12 On Stormwater Fee Bills

The Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to meet on April 12 to consider a package of 3 bills to allow townships and boroughs to charge local stormwater management fees.  The bills include--

* Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Update On Recycling, E-Waste Programs April 19

At its April 19 meeting, the DEP Citizens Advisory Council will hear updates from DEP on the Recycling Program generally-- Where We Are In 2016-- and the Covered Device (Electronics Waste) Recycling Program specifically.

* April 22 Is Earth Day: 1 Billion People Will Be Involved, Will You?

This Earth Day, April 22nd, more than one billion people in 192 countries will take action to protect our shared environment.

* Celebrate Earth Month With Stroud Water Research Center

The Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County is celebrating Earth Month by holding a series of events during April, including--

* Volunteers Needed For April 30 Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Assn Streams Cleanup

The Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association in Chester and Delaware counties is seeking enthusiastic volunteers for its 19th Annual CRC Streams Cleanup on April 30 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at thirty sites throughout the watersheds. 

* Capital Region Water: May 7 Litter Cleanup And Drinking Water Tour, Harrisburg

Capital Region Water is hosting a May 7 litter cleanup and drinking water tour it calls Consider The Source at the Dehart Dam in Clarks Valley north of Harrisburg from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

* LancasterOnline: Free Composting Workshops Offered In Lancaster County

Ad Crable, LancasterOnline, reported Thursday the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, local municipalities, community organizations and Penn State Master Gardeners will sponsor a series of 7 organic composting workshops in Lancaster County starting on April 16.  Click Here for all the details, including how to register.

* Only 5,000 Of 33,600 Farmers Fill Out Chesapeake Bay Conservation Survey

Pennsylvania farmers still have time to help share their individual agriculture conservation stories by completing Penn State’s Survey Research Center’s best management practices (BMPs) survey.

* March Catalyst Newsletter Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

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

* April 4 Chesapeake Bay Journal News Now Available

The April 4 Chesapeake Bay Journal News is now available featuring stories on--

* 2015 Manure Expo Receives Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

The 2015 North American Manure Expo, which was co-hosted by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, is being recognized with the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence, Pennsylvania's "highest honor bestowed upon businesses or organizations for environmental performance and innovation."

* NRCS PA State Technical Committee To Meet April 14 In Harrisburg

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service invites the public to attend the Pennsylvania State Technical Committee meeting on April 14 at the USDA State Office in Harrisburg.

* EQB To Consider Radioactive Materials, Radon Fee Increases April 19

The Environmental Quality Board will meet on April 19, and among other regulations, will consider proposed fee increases for radon certification and a 50 percent increase in fees for the licensing and inspection of radioactive materials.

* DEP Restarts Process To Improve Statewide Consistency In Inspections, Enforcement

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it is restarting a process to improve statewide consistency in the way DEP conducts inspections of regulated entities and activities, ensures compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, and handles enforcement cases.

* PennFuture Settlement Ensures Green Water Infrastructure Funding In Pittsburgh

Settlement of a lawsuit between PennFuture and the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority will ensure that future development projects receiving substantial public funds will use green infrastructure and low-impact management practices to manage stormwater and prevent off-site discharges that commonly carry pollution to area streams and rivers.

* Insurance Commissioner: Consumer Alert For Homeowners On Appealing Flood Maps

Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller Monday issued a consumer alert telling homeowners about a process by which they can appeal their property's placement in a flood zone by the federal government, which in many cases requires them to purchase flood insurance.

* Reminder: Entries For Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest Due June 3

Just a reminder, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is accepting entries until June 3 for the Great American Cleanup of PA Video Contest open to all registered participants.

* 9th Annual PROP Recycling Film Festival Now Accepting Entries

The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania is now accepting entries for the 2016 Annual Recycling Film Festival.  The deadline for entries is July 8.

* Nominations Now Being Accepted For 2016 Waste Watcher Awards

The Pennsylvania Waste Watcher Awards Program is now accepting nominations to recognize municipalities, counties, businesses, industries, schools, colleges, universities, community nonprofit groups and individuals who made a significant contributions to recycling, composting and waste reduction and reuse.

* PA Resources Council April Newsletter, Upcoming Events Now Available

The April newsletter from the PA Resources Council is now available featuring articles on--

* DEP Fines Rice Drilling $393,000 For Violations In Greene, Washington Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced it has entered into three Consent Assessment of Civil Penalties with Rice Drilling B, LLC, of Canonsburg, Washington County and two of its affiliates covering $393,000 in penalties for violations at sites in Washington and Greene counties.

* Conventional Drillers Respond To Media Reports On Drilling Reg Lawsuit

Mark Cline, President of the PA Independent Petroleum Producers Association, Tuesday responded to media coverage of its announcement of the trade group’s lawsuit seeking to overturn DEP’s final Chapter 78 (conventional) drilling regulations update now going through its final regulatory reviews.

* FERC To Complete PennEast Pipeline Environmental Review By Dec. 16

On March 29 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission published a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review establishing a December 16 completion date for FERC’s environmental review of the PennEast Pipeline Project.

* PECO Earns LEED Green Building Certification For Philadelphia HQ

PECO has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the company’s Philadelphia headquarters.

* West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund Video: The Quiet Ones Doing The Right Thing

he West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund posted a new video profiling the projects, businesses and individuals they support to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy projects creating economic opportunity and doing “the right thing” within their service territory.

* PA Environmental Council: In Case You Missed It In March

The PA Environmental Council March edition of In Case You Missed It is now available featuring stories on--

* Dominion Foundation Offers $1 Million In Education Grants, Including Environment

Dominion Resources Monday announced it will provide $1 million in educational grants to schools within the company's geographic footprint through its philanthropic arm, the Dominion Foundation.  Applications are due May 31.

* Reminder: Northeast PA Audubon Society Accepting Applications For College Scholarship

Northeast PA Audubon Society is accepting applications for its annual $4,000 college scholarship, available to 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.

* ClearWater Conservancy Supports 2,021 Children At Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

ClearWater Conservancy in Centre County awarded $14,743 in funding through its “Connections” program for 2,021 students attending public and private schools in central Pennsylvania to take part in field trips this spring to Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in State College.

* PA Horticultural Society, Aqua PA Award TreeVitalize Watershed Grants

The PA Horticultural Society Monday announced the award of $203,174 in TreeVitalize Watershed Grants to 38 separate projects to plant over 7,000 trees and shrubs. The grant funds leverage an additional $146,886 in match provided by the grantee organizations.

* Trees For Tomorrow Accepting Grants Applications In Franklin, Dauphin, Cumberland

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Trees for Tomorrow Program is now accepting applications for grants for native tree planting and maintenance projects that enhance water quality in Franklin, Dauphin and Cumberland counties.

* Educational Retreat For Women Forest Landowners Sept. 15-18 In Wayne County

Women across the mid-Atlantic region who own, care for, or are interested in learning more about forestland are invited to apply to attend the Women and Their Woods Educational Retreat from September 15-18 at the Highlights Foundation Facility in Boyd’s Mill, Milanville, Wayne County.

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation Looking For Stewards Of Penn’s Woods

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is launching a new program for volunteers-- Stewards of Penn’s Woods-- to assist with cleanup and beautification at trailheads, boat launches, islands, vistas and other interesting sites in Pennsylvania’s state forests.

* Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Emergency Trail Clearing Project April 9-10

In the early morning hours of June 23 a powerful storm blew west to east across part of the proposed Minister Valley Wilderness Area in the Allegheny National Forest, knocking down hundreds of trees, and even tragically killing one young camper.

* Show Support For PA Parks & Forests: It’s Not Just A T-Shirt, It’s An Adventure!

Show your support of state parks and forests by purchasing a t-shirt. The PA Parks and Forests Foundation, is selling t-shirts and hoodies for a very limited time. 

* Wildlands Conservancy Conservation Connections Newsletter Now Available

The latest issue of Conservation Connections, a newsletter from the Wildlands Conservancy in the Lehigh Valley is now available featuring articles on--

* Kettle Creek Needs Help With Disabled/Recovering Veterans Fly Fishing Event May 6-8

The Kettle Creek Watershed Association in Tioga, Potter and Clinton counties will sponsor a 3-day weekend Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing outing for disabled/recovering military veterans on Kettle Creek May 6-8.

* Mehoopany Creek Watershed Assn. April 16 Trout Day Fundraiser In Wyoming County

The Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association in Wyoming County has scheduled its Annual Trout Day Fundraiser on April 16 at Forkston’s Four Corners  at PA 87 and Windy Valley Road.  From 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Association will be selling soup, wimpies, hot dogs and sweets along with MCWA logo clothing.

* Interns Wanted: Grey Towers Horticultural Internships Available

Applications currently are being accepted for  summer internships at the Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike County for college students or recent grads who are seeking a practical, hands-on experience assisting the U.S. Forest Service horticulturist in the landscape maintenance and historic preservation of the estate.

* Help Wanted: President, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County is seeking qualified candidates for the position of President in a national search.  Click Here for all the details on the Sanctuary, a description of the position and its responsibilities and how to apply.

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Mine Reclamation Project In Luzerne County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 9 PA Bulletin of the opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Luzerne County.

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* Environmental NewsClips - All Topics

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Governor’s Office published notice of its veto of House Bill 1327 (Peifer-R-Pike) amending the Fiscal Code.

* CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

* Stories Invited

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.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

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