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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Aug. 14, 2017 Issue #685
(8/14/2017)
* PA’s Penncrest High School Team Winners Of International Envirothon Competition

A five-member team of high school students from Penncrest High School in Delaware County won the 2017 International NCF-Envirothon competition, a leading environmental education program run by the National Conservation Foundation which started in Pennsylvania.

* Budget: Business Groups Oppose Energy Taxes, Distance Themselves From Permit Review Changes

A coalition of business leaders representing a wide variety of industry, energy and Shale drilling  sectors across Pennsylvania Tuesday held a media call to urge the House of Representatives to oppose House Bill 542 – the Tax Code bill.

* Gov. Wolf Puts $188.3M In Budgetary Reserve, Cuts Heritage Parks $625K, Parks $500K

Robert Swift of Capitolwire.com reported Tuesday Gov. Wolf has put $188.3 million in budgetary reserve, spending Gov. Wolf characterized as  “legislative add-ons” or “discretionary grants” so that a decision could be made later on whether to actually spend the money or not.

* Rep. Reed: It’s No Secret We Don’t Support Senate Revenue Package, No Urgency To Resolve The Issues

House Majority Leader David Reed (R-Indiana) Thursday briefed the press on the status of budget negotiations saying it’s no secret House Republicans are not supportive of the Senate-passed revenue package and the natural gas severance tax in particular. 

* Op-Ed: Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Facilities Seek Loophole In Senate-Passed Admin Code Budget Bill Rider

By Myron Arnowitt, PA Director Clean Water Action

* DEP Brownfields To Playfields Initiative Wins National Honors

The Environmental Council of the States Thursday announced the six recipients of its 2017 State Program Innovation Awards, including the Department of Environmental Protection’s Brownfields To Playfields initiative.

* EHB Approves Sunoco, Groups, DEP Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction Settlement

Late Tuesday, the owner of the Mariner East 2 Pipeline Sunoco, the groups appealing the pipeline permits and DEP gave a proposed settlement agreement to Environmental Hearing Board Judge Bernard A. Labuskes, Jr. for his review and approval.  The settlement was approved on Wednesday.

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

Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

* Rep. Metcalfe: PA Leaders That Adopted Susquehanna River Basin Compact Were Incompetent, Negligent Or Corrupt

The House State Government Committee held an informational meeting Wednesday to discuss earlier hearings on what Majority Chair of the Committee Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) said was regulatory overreach by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission

* MD Governor Announces Pilot Project To Dredge Behind Conowingo Dam To Help Chesapeake Bay

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Tuesday announced plans for a pilot project to dredge about 25,000 cubic yards of the estimated 31 million cubic yards of sediment trapped behind the Conowingo Dam to help determine whether a larger scale project would be helpful to the Chesapeake Bay.

* DEP Chronicles Story Of Susquehanna River Stresses, Cites Successes On New Multimedia Website

Fans of the Susquehanna River can learn about adverse human impacts on the East Coast’s longest river and its tributaries and follow the progress of the Department of Environmental Protection’s efforts to tackle them on a new interactive, multimedia website called the Susquehanna River Story.

* WPCAMR Invites Your Response To A Survey Of The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Community

The Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation is now conducting a survey of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Community to gather insights about the techniques and tools used by groups, agencies and professionals to ensure the continued success of these efforts.

* Thorn Creek Habitat Improvement Project Completed In Butler County

At Thorn Creek, a tributary to Connoquenessing Creek near Renfrew, Butler County some summertime finishing touches at the Thorn Creek Habitat Improvement Project took place in July.

* Brodhead Watershed StreamWatcher Program Receives $3,000 PPL Grant

The Brodhead Watershed Association Thursday announced it has received a $3,000 grant from the PPL Foundation to support its StreamWatcher Program.

* August Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

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

* DEP Accepting Applications For Coastal Zone Project Grants Thru Oct. 16

The Department of Environmental Protection will start accepting Coastal Zone Management Project Grant applications on August 14.  The deadline for applications is October 16. (formal notice)

* Women Environmental Professionals: Green Infrastructure Tour Oct. 6 In Lancaster County

The Society of Women Environmental Professionals Capital Chapter is inviting its members and their friends to a Healthy Watershed Tour of Green Infrastructure Projects and Stormwater Best Management Practices around Lititz in Lancaster County on October 6 from 1:00 to 4:45 p.m.

* DEP Approves Source Water Protection Plan for Appalachian Utilities, Inc. In Clinton County

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it has approved a Source Water Protection Plan for Appalachian Utilities, Inc., which delivers drinking water to approximately 3,000 people in Avis Borough and Pine Creek Township, Clinton County.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Invites Auditor General To Audit Finances

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Tuesday invited Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to audit the SRBC’s finances and performance in an effort to clear up misconceptions about the commission by some members of the General Assembly.

* Keep PA Beautiful: 8 Communities Get A Fresh Coat Of Paint Thanks To Behr, The Home Depot

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Wednesday announced eight recipients of their 2017 Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania Program Grants designed to provide community groups with paint and painting supplies.

* Aug. 19 PRC Household Chemical Collection Event In Allegheny County

The PA Resources Council and its partners will hold a Household Chemical Collection Event on August 19 at the Boyce Park Ski Lodge in Allegheny County from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

* PA Resources Council Holds First Reuse Fest In Lawrence County Sept. 30

The PA Resources Council is expanding it Reuse Fest to Lawrence County on September 30 to promote the donation and reused and recycling of items.

* August Newsletter Now Available From PA Resources Council

The August newsletter is now available from the PA Resources Council featuring stories on--

* August 10 News & Views Newsletter Now Available From DEP

The August 10 edition of the News & Views newsletter is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

* PUC Reminds Property Owners, Contractors To Call 8-1-1 Before You Dig

In recognition of “National 811 Day,” the Public Utility Commission Friday reminded all residents, contractors and utilities of the importance of dialing 8-1-1 before digging to help ensure the safety of excavation projects across the state.

* DEP Accepting Comments On Water Quality Certification For Birdsboro Pipeline, Berks County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 12 PA Bulletin it is now accepting comments on the proposed Section 404 Water Quality Certification for the 13.2 mile DTE Birdsboro Pipeline Project in Berks County (PA Bulletin page 4768).

* Dominion Appeals Leak Detection In 2 Pipeline Compressor Station Air Permits In Clinton, Potter Counties

On August 3 Dominion Energy Transmission, Inc. filed a basic notice of appeal of an Air Quality Operating Permit issued for two compressor stations, one in Potter County containing provisions requiring a leak detection, repair and monitoring program.

* Opponents Of Natural Gas Pipeline Construction In Lancaster Vow To Continue Fight

By Donna Morelli, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* DEP: Public Hearing Aug. 14 In Lancaster For Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Air Permit

The Department of Environmental Protection issued a reminder Thursday it will hold a public hearing on the Air Quality Plan Approval for the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline on August 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.

* Public Hearing Sept. 13 On Sulfur Dioxide Air Quality Plan Changes For Indiana County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing September 13 on a proposed State Air Quality Implementation Plan revision which demonstrates how the Indiana County nonattainment area will attain the federal standard for sulfur dioxide.  (formal notice)

* PUC Releases Annual Electric Service Reliability Report

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday released its annual Electric Service Reliability Report, detailing the performance of the state’s electric distribution companies (EDCs) during 2016.

* July In Case You Missed It From PA Environmental Council Now Available

The July edition of In Case You Missed It from the PA Environmental Council is now available featuring articles on--

* Health, DEP Report First Probable Human Case of West Nile Virus In Montgomery County

Pennsylvania’s first probable human case of West Nile Virus infection in 2017 has been detected in a Montgomery County resident the departments of Health and Environmental Protection announced Tuesday.

* West Nile Virus Program Announces Positive Mosquito Results In 2 New Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced positive mosquito results for West Nile Virus have been found in Ralpho and Upper Augusta townships in Northumberland County and Penn Township and Selinsgrove Borough in Snyder County.

* DEP: West Nile Virus Mosquito Spraying Set For Lebanon County On August 14

Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it will conduct a mosquito control operation to reduce high populations of mosquitoes on August 14 in portions of Jonestown Borough and Swatara Township in Lebanon County.

* PECO Green Region Program Awards 20 Open Space, Recreation Grants

The PECO Green Region Program recently awarded grants to 20 local municipalities and nonprofits totaling $150,000 to support municipal open space and recreation projects.

* PA Adds 33 Farms, Nearly 3,000 Acres To Farmland Preservation Program

Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Land Preservation Board Thursday announced it added 2,999 acres on 33 farms in 12 counties to the more than half a million acres and 5,100 Pennsylvania farms permanently preserved for agricultural production.

* Pocono Forests & Waters Conservation Landscape Initiative Awards 10 Mini-Grants

The Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Initiative, with funding from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, announced the award of 10 mini-grants to support projects that advance the PFW Landscape goals of Conservation, Connections and Community.

* Southcentral PA Health Care Providers Invited To Aug. 22 Summit On Health Benefits Of Outdoor Recreation

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation, with support from DCNR, and in partnership with the Department of Health, the South Mountain Partnership, and the Partnership for Better Health, is holding a South Mountain Health Summit - The Benefits of Being Active Outdoors on August 22 from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau office, located at 53 W. South Street #1, Carlisle in Cumberland County.

* Lake Wallenpaupack Wally Lake Fest Aug. 25-27 In Wayne County

Wally Lake Fest at Lake Wallenpaupack in Wayne County from August 25 - 27 will be three days of fun, sun, sand and water for people of all ages.

* Little Buffalo State Park In Perry County Dedicates New Playground Aug. 14

Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County will dedicate a new playground area in the Shoaff’s Mill Area of the park on August 14 starting at 3:00 p.m.

* Local Partners, DCNR Celebrate Addition Of 132 Acres To Tioga State Forest In Lycoming County

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Tuesday joined the Northcentral PA Conservancy and other officials in the celebration of a 132-acre addition to Tioga State Forest in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

* Aerial Assault: Dead And Dying Ash Trees Caused By Emerald Ash Borer Pose Hazard

Responsible for hundreds of millions of recently dead and dying ash trees, the emerald ash borer (EAB) is a destructive, invasive insect from Asia.

* Agriculture Expands Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Area Into 19 More Municipalities

Department of Agriculture officials published notice in the August 12 PA Bulletin announcing the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine has been expanded into 19 more municipalities in  Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton and Montgomery counties. (formal notice)

* August 9 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

The August 9 edition of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

* Sustainable Forestry Initiative Accepting Proposals For Conservation, Community Project Grants

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Tuesday announced the opening of its annual request for proposals for the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program.  The deadline for applications is October 10.

* Cornelia Pinchot Focus Of Women Making History Program Aug. 26 At Grey Towers

A dynamic program that explores the history of women in Northeastern Pennsylvania, with a special focus on Cornelia Bryce Pinchot, champion of women's rights and influential wife of Gov. Gifford Pinchot, is planned for Cornelia's 136th birthday August 26, at 5:30 pm, at the former Pinchot estate, Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike County.

* DCNR To Hold Sept. 11 Hearing On Wild Resource Conservation Program Grant Applications

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will hold a hearing in Harrisburg on September 11 to hear comments on grant applications submitted to the Wild Resource Conservation Program(formal notice)

* Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Receives Grant From PPL Foundation

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County Tuesday announced it has received a $5,000 general operating grant from the PPL Foundation.

* Bedford County Captive Deer Herd Tests Positive For Chronic Wasting Disease

Department of Agriculture Friday announced 27 deer from a Bedford County deer farm have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD.

* Brion Johnson Named Executive Director Of PA Infrastructure Investment Authority

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority approved the appointment of Brion Johnson as the agency’s Executive Director at its July 19 meeting.

* DEP Announces Retirement Of Kelly (Heffner) Means As Executive Deputy Secretary

DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell Wednesday announced the retirement of Kelly Heffner-Means who served as Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs.

* Ramez Ziadeh Serving As Acting DEP Executive Deputy For Programs

Ramez Ziadeh, P.E. is now serving as Acting DEP Executive Deputy For Programs, replacing the retiring Kelley (Heffner) Means.

* Help Wanted: Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Seeks Staff Attorney

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA is seeking qualified candidates for a Staff Attorney position based at its office in Harrisburg.  The deadline for applications is August 25.

* 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

No new regulations were published this week.   Pennsylvania Bulletin - August 12, 2017

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* 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.

* 2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 23-24

2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 23-24 in State College.  Join PA Environment Digest in sponsoring this very worthwhile Conference.

* 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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