Huntingdon Farm of Alexandria, Huntingdon County, has been honored with one of six regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program awards.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA this week announced 5 more counties have adopted Clean Water Counts resolutions calling on state officials to make clean water a top priority for the Commonwealth.

By Harry Campbell, PA Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The PA Environmental Council Tuesday unveiled a new website-- WaterResourcespa.org-- that allows the public to identify water quality impaired streams, illegal dumpsites, areas covered by stormwater management plans and much more.

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 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the William Penn Foundation Wednesday jointly announced a third-year round of funding for the Delaware River Restoration Fund projects.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary has scheduled three public listening sessions as the first step in revising the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the Estuary.  The Pennsylvania session will be held August 11 at DEP’s Norristown Regional Office at 2 Main Street from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The Philadelphia Water Department Rain Check Program is holding a series of workshops for residents interested in participating in its program to help residents manage stormwater at their homes.  The workshops will be held--

The Fish and Boat Commission Wednesday announced $350,000 in grants under the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Restoration Grant Program to develop and implement projects that benefit fishing, boating, and aquatic resources within in Cameron, Elk, Potter and McKean counties.

A state grant from the Department of Environmental Protection will aid in the completion of an abandoned mine reclamation project in Westland, according to Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Fayette).

In a June 7 article, Science Daily highlighted how researchers at Penn State are refining a natural, low-cost process that will help remove some of the most abundant pollutants, such as iron, from mine-contaminated water.

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

Harry Campbell, Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania Monday provided an update on how efforts to clean up the Bay Watershed in Pennsylvania are progressing.  Here’s just some of what he had to say--

Members of DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council, along with legislators, local, state and federal environmental officials, Tuesday toured eight innovative projects in Lancaster to learn how the city has addressed environmental challenges such as stormwater management through the use of green infrastructure.

Capital Region Water is hosting three Community Greening Parties on July 26, 30 and August 2 in Harrisburg to provide area residents with information on water issues and community greening.

The PA Resource Council will hold a Rain Barrel Workshop on July 30 at the Ross Township Municipal building, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive, Pittsburgh from 10:30 to Noon in Allegheny County.

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the approval of $68.1 million in funding for 20 drinking water, wastewater and nonpoint source projects across 14 counties by the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority will begin accepting applications for a new Small Water and Sewer System Funding Program August 1.  The deadline for applications is October 31.

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to declare Fayette County a disaster area as well as Greene, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties, after severe storms and flooding caused significant damage to homes and businesses on June 17.

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced the approval of the PA Turnpike Commission’s Total Reconstruction and Widening Project for miles 320-326 in Tredyffrin and Upper Merion townships, Chester and Montgomery counties.

The July 18 Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on-

The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture will hold its 2nd Annual Summer Conference July 28-29 in Centre Hall, Centre County, with the theme of Living Roots 24/7/365.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced it has settled alleged violations with the Galliker Dairy Company for failing to safely manage a hazardous substance at its dairy products manufacturing plant in Johnstown, Cambria County. 

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invites local residents, organizations, civic groups, and businesses to join programs to adopt local areas, such as municipal roads, communities, parks, neighborhood blocks, greenways, waterways and trails to keep them litter free.

The PA Resources Council will host a Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event on July 30, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the North Allegheny High School, 10375 Perry Highway in McCandless, Allegheny County.

Over 2,600 pounds of organics and recyclable material were collected during the four day Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and The People’s Choice Festival in Centre County.

A recently signed agreement by the Department of Environmental Protection, Greenville Reynolds Development Corporation and Marcegaglia-USA, Inc.  will allow the redevelopment of the 32-acre contaminated property in Pymatuning Township, Mercer County, to move forward.  

The July 20 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

The Conservation Leadership Academy, hosted by Lacawac Sanctuary & Biological Field Station, was held on June 26 to July 1.  Sixteen campers from Wayne, Pike and surrounding counties were treated to an exciting week of outdoor adventures. 

In an effort to bring fresh ideas and attract the best and brightest minds to public service, Gov. Wolf Tuesday announced the creation of the William Penn Fellowship for advanced degree graduates.

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced Stonehenge Appalachia LLC, has entered into a Consent Order and Agreement that includes a $1.5 million civil penalty assessment for having uncontrolled and unpermitted sediment discharges into wetlands and causing a landslide into a stream in Butler County.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the July 23 PA Bulletin announcing it has issued permits for the over 34 mile Sunbury Pipeline Project proposed by UGI in Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Friday approved a draft environmental impact statement for the 118-mile, 36-inch PennEast Pipeline running from Dallas, Luzerne County To Pennington, Mercer County in New Jersey.

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday released an updated version of a GIS application that allows users to learn information and download reports about oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday met with legislators, local government officials, businesses, and other stakeholders to discuss downstream economic opportunities and workforce needs following the June 7 announcement by Royal Dutch Shell that the company plans to build a new ethane cracker plant in Beaver County.

Trillium CNG Tuesday announced it has finalized an agreement to bring 29 new compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel stations to Pennsylvania.

Bangor— 20-year-old New Jersey man was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon at a popular and dangerous Bangor quarry, according to Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek.

The Public Utility Commission Friday encouraged Pokémon Go players across Pennsylvania to always be aware of their location and surroundings – including utility infrastructure, such as water towers and reservoirs; along with power plants, electric substations, power lines and other similar facilities.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved a Final Order providing electric distribution companies (EDCs) with a three-year waiver of regulations related to confirmation letters sent to customers requesting an “instant connect.” 

A dangerous heat wave is moving into Pennsylvania, prompting the departments of Health and Aging Friday to recommend that residents follow simple steps to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from potentially deadly heat-related illnesses.

With high temperatures and humidity expected to continue throughout the weekend, UGI Electric encourages all customers to stay safe and conserve energy during this heat wave.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Small Business Advantage Grants to fund energy efficiency and pollution prevention grants. (formal notice)

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for its green building and renewable energy funding programs. The deadline for applications is August 25 (60 days prior to the scheduled October 24 CFA Board meeting date).

The July 27 State of Renewable Energy In The Region: A Focus On Wind And Solar Energy will provide an overview of key solar and wind projects in Pennsylvania and how the energy sector will help achieve Pennsylvania’s climate goals.

The PA Technical Assistance Program is hosting a series of webinars to help businesses think about how to reduce their energy, materials and waste disposal costs.  The upcoming schedule includes--

Pennsylvania has led the nation in confirmed cases of Lyme disease from 2012–2014, according to the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for TreeVitalize Tree Planting Grants for 2017.  The deadline for applications is September 30.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry Friday invited hikers and other visitors to sample the rugged beauty of the Sproul State Forest in Centre and Clinton counties when the three-day "Prowl the Sproul" series of hikes steps off July 29

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is hosting the Ride The Schuylkill River Trail on September 24 from Reading to Pottstown to benefit the Heritage Area.

The July 20 edition of the Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring stories on--

The American Chestnut Foundation is now accepting entries for its 2016 Photo Contest until September 1.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County recently earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity monitor. This is the second consecutive year that the organization holds the highest possible rating.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is seeking qualified candidates for Senior Watershed Coordinator and Watershed Planning Specialist positions.  Applications are due July 31.  Click Here for all the details.

The Western PA Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates to fill a variety of positions, including Community Greenspace Coordinator, Fallingwater Tour Guides, Visitor Representatives, and more.  Click Here for all the details.

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 Department of Transportation published notice in the July 23 PA Bulletin of proposed changes in 67 PA Code Chapter 403 Hazardous Materials Transportation regulations for comment.  Comments are due August 22.

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

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.