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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Jan. 29, 2018 Issue #709
(1/29/2018)
* Winners Of 2018 PA Park & Forests Volunteerism, Leadership And Management Awards

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Monday announced the winners of its 2018 awards to  recognize the outstanding service, programs, and exemplary work being done in state parks and forests.

* DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Local Parks, Recreation, Conservation Project Grants

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants. The deadline for applications is April 11.  (formal notice)

* Keep PA Beautiful Earns National Recognition At Keep America Beautiful Awards Ceremony

Keep America Beautiful presented Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful with a Diamond State Affiliate Recognition Award at Keep America Beautiful’s National Awards Ceremony during its 2018 National Conference in Dallas, Texas this month.

* EPA Approves Report Showing 19,900 Miles Of Streams, Rivers Are Polluted In Pennsylvania

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved its most recent 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment showing 19,900 miles of rivers and streams in Pennsylvania are impaired and do not meet federal water quality standards.

* Bay Journal: Conowingo, Growth, Climate May Threaten Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Deadline

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Gov. Wolf, DEP Taking Action To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight, Modernize Permit Process

Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced the administration's plan to reduce permit backlogs, modernize permitting processes, and better utilize technology to improve both oversight and efficiency.

* Gov. Wolf’s Statement Introducing Plan To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight, Modernize DEP’s Permit Process

Gov. Tom Wolf gave this opening statement Friday at a press conference to introduce his plan to reduce DEP permit backlogs, improve oversight and modernize DEP’s permit processes--

* Senate Committee Meets Jan. 30 On Resolutions On Permit Program Reviews, Ending State Forest Drilling Moratorium

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on January 30 to consider resolutions to require an independent performance evaluation of two of DEP’s permitting programs critical to development and another to end the moratorium on drilling on state forest land.

* DEP, DCNR Discuss Special Funds Use To Support Community Projects, Agency Environmental Missions With House Appropriations Committee

DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell Thursday appeared before House Appropriations Committee to discuss how their agencies use special funds to support community-initiated projects and carry out the environmental and conservation missions of their agencies.

* DEP Secretary McDonnell’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations Hearing

DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell submitted this written testimony for the Thursday hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on the use of special funds by the Department of Environmental Protection--

* DCNR Secretary Dunn’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations Hearing

DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn submitted this written testimony for the Thursday hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on the use of special funds by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection--

* PA Supreme Court Causes Scrum In Throwing Out Congressional District Maps

The PA Supreme Court Monday, by a vote of 4 to 3, issued a decision finding the state’s Congressional District Map “clear, plainly and palpably violates the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and, on that sole basis, we hereby strike it as unconstitutional.”

* 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 Last Week

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

* 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--

* Senate Passes Bill That Reduces Transparency, Gives 1 Committee Power To Delay Regulations

The Senate Wednesday passed Senate Bill 977 which limits information given to the public on proposed regulation changes and gives one committee of the House or Senate the authority to delay consideration of any regulation.

* Republican Senators Propose A Count, Cap And Cut Regulations Initiative

Republicans Senators Scott Wagner (R-York), John DiSanto (R-Dauphin) and Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Erie/Mercer/Warren) Thursday announced they will introduce legislation to count, cap and cut the number of regulations in Pennsylvania.

* Re-Write Of Oil & Gas Act For Conventional Drillers Returns To 1984

Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) Monday circulated a co-sponsor memo to colleagues asking them to sign on to a re-write of the Oil and Gas Act to specifically apply to only conventional oil and gas drillers.  The draft is based on the Oil and Gas Act passed in 1984.

* New Senate Bill Would Require 30% Reduction In Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 2025 In PA

Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) Thursday announced the introduction of Senate Bill 15-- the PA Climate Change Mitigation Act that directs the Department of Environmental Protection to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025.

* Joint House-Senate Conservation Committee Celebrates 50th Anniversary

By Sen. Scott Hutchinson, Chair, Joint Legislative Air Pollution Control and Conservation Committee

* Video Available Of Environmental Issues Forum On Pumped Storage Hydro

The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee now has a video available of the Environmental Issues Forum it held Monday on the issue of pumped storage hydroelectric facilities in Pennsylvania.

* Senate Committee Meets Jan. 30 On Local Stormwater Fee Authorization Bills

The Senate Local Government Committee meets January 30 to consider a package of four bills to authorize boroughs, townships of the first class, cities of the third class and incorporated towns to adopt local stormwater management fees.  The bills include--

* Learn More About Nonpartisan Redistricting Legislation At Jan. 30 Meeting In Harrisburg

Join Fair Districts PA to learn more about nonpartisan redistricting legislation at a meeting January 30 at the Giant Food Community Center, Blue Mountain Room, 2300 Linglestown Road in Harrisburg from 6:30 to 7:45.

* PA Environmental Professionals Accepting Nominations For Karl Mason, Walter Lyon Awards

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards.  The deadline for nominations is March 30.

* Pittsburgh Water Authority Reports Water Sampling Results Show Lead Exceeding EPA Action Level

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Monday released estimated results from its most recent compliance testing for lead required by state and federal regulations showing it has exceeded the EPA action level of 15 ppb (parts per billion).

* Pittsburgh Water Authority Reaches $5 Million Settlement With Veolia Water

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Thursday announced it has reached a settlement with Veolia related to the management services it provided to PWSA from 2012 to 2015. Through a mediated agreement, PWSA secured a $5 million settlement, and Veolia will pay $500,000 to a fund aiding PWSA’s most vulnerable customers.

* DEP Asks For Information On Adequacy, Impact Of New Manganese Water Quality Standard Required By Law

The Department of Environmental Protection published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the January 27 PA Bulletin requesting information on a water quality standard for manganese required by law in an amendment to the Administrative Code adopted in October.  The deadline for submitting information is February 26.

* Schuylkill River Restoration Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

The Schuylkill River Restoration Fund is now accepting applications for grants for projects to address stormwater runoff, agricultural pollution and abandoned mine drainage in the Schuylkill  River Watershed.  The deadline for filing a letter of intent is February 13.

* DEP, Local Leaders Celebrate Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn's General McLane High School Growing Greener Project

DEP Regional Director Jim Miller and staff joined community leaders Tuesday to celebrate a new project to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff into Edinboro Lake in Edinboro, Erie County.

* Montour Run Watershed Assn Moving Forward With $1.1M Mine Water Treatment Project In Allegheny County

The Montour Run Watershed Association will begin construction in the next few months on a new $1,119,089 private-public passive abandoned mine water treatment system project in the Montour Run Watershed adjacent to Mahoney Road in North Fayette Township in western Allegheny County.

* DEP Releases New Guide To Maintaining Streams In Your Community Booklet

The Department of Environmental Protection recently released a new resource for understanding the permit and notification requirements affecting those wishing to work in or adjacent to streams impacted by flooding called Guidelines For Maintaining Streams In Your Community.

* Western PA Conservancy, DCNR Host 2018 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit Feb. 28-March 1 In State College

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are hosting the 2018 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit at the Ramada Conference Center in State College February 28 and March 1.

* Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership Hosts Feb. 28 Nature Talks Program In Philadelphia With Author Richard Louv

The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership will host a Nature Talks Program on February 28 with Richard Louv, the author of The Nature-Rich Life: Nature-rich Cities, Homes, Schools and More.

* Penn State Extension: Is Your Farm Ready For Inspection In PA's Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

By the end of 2018, 1 in 5 Pennsylvania farms within the Chesapeake Bay watershed will have been visited by the Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Inspections Program.

* Rescheduled: NRCS-PA State Technical Committee Meeting Feb. 7 In Harrisburg

The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA Office has rescheduled the Pennsylvania State Technical Committee meeting for February 7 at the USDA State Office in Harrisburg.

* Pittsburgh Students Win ORSANCO Ohio River Sweep Poster Contest

Hanna Jones from Mt. Lebanon High School in Allegheny County is the Grand Prize Winner in the 2018 Ohio River Sweep Poster Contest organized by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission.

* Entries Now Being Accepted For PA American Water Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest

PA American Water is now accepting entries to its 2018 Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest which offers a fun and imaginative way to draw children’s attention to the protection and preservation of our water resources. The deadline for entries is April 13.

* Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters Student Art Contest Now Accepting Entries

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Philadelphia Water Department are now accepting entries for the 2018 Green City, Clean Waters Student Art Contest. The deadline for entries is February 28.

* Volunteers Wanted: Audubon PA Learn, Restore, Explore Our Watershed Student Program

Audubon Pennsylvania is seeking volunteers to assist with Audubon’s Learn, Restore, Explore our Watershed field studies program, which takes students from Harrisburg, York, and Carlisle.

* Penn State Extension Seeking Proposals For Youth Water Educators Summit On Sept. 20

Penn State Extension is looking for individuals and organizations interested in being part of the 2018 Dive Deeper - Youth Water Educators Summit to be held September 20 in Harrisburg.  Proposals are due February 28.

* 2017 Penn State Extension Youth Water Educators Summit Receives National Recognition

The Penn State Extension 2017 Dive Deeper - Youth Water Educators Summit was recently recognized as the 2017 Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education program winner by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA).

* PA American Water Now Accepting Applications For Stream Of Learning College Scholarship Program

PA American Water Thursday announced applications are being accepted for its 2018 Stream of Learning Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to high school seniors who are planning to pursue careers in the water and wastewater industry.  The deadline for applications is March 23.

* Westmoreland Shale Gas Stream Monitoring Workshop Feb. 24

The Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring and Protect Penn-Trafford will hold a Shale Gas Stream Monitoring Workshop on February 24 at the Protect PT at 3337 Route 130 Suite 2 in Harrison City, Westmoreland County from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* Jan. 30 Water Insights Seminar: What Is Water Law And Why Should Scientists Care?

The January 30 Water Insights Seminar will feature Lara Fowler, Penn State Law, will give a presentation entitled, “What Is Water Law And Why Should Scientists Care?” starting at Noon.

* Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy And Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality Presentation Now Available Online

The January 23 Water Insights Seminar featuring a presentation by Matt Royer of Penn State’s Agriculture and Environment Center on the topic Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy and Practice Innovations to Improve Water Quality is now available online.

* Ohio River Sanitation Commission Webinar On Proposed Revisions To Pollution Control Standards Jan. 31

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission is now accepting comments on proposed revisions to the pollution control standards for the Ohio River and its tributaries through February 24.

* Delaware RiverKeeper Files PennEast Pipeline Rehearing Request With FERC

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network Wednesday announced it has filed a Rehearing Request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, asking the agency to reconsider its decision to issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the PennEast Pipeline Project.

* Jan. 30 DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee Continues Act 101 Reform Discussion

DEP’s Recycling Fund Advisory Committee is scheduled to hold a special meeting on January 30 to continue its discussion on how to improve and reform the Act 101 recycling and waste reduction program.

* Jan. 31 DEP Hearing On Air Quality Plan For Sunoco Marketing Terminal In Delaware County

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it will host a public hearing on January 31 (snow date February 1) regarding its intent to issue an Air Quality Plan Approval for Sunoco Partners Marketing Terminals, L.P. (SPMT) in Marcus Hook Borough, Delaware County.  

* DEP Hearing March 2, If Requested, On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Pipeline Compressor Station In Perry County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 27 PA Bulletin of a proposed RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Texas-Eastern compressor station in Shermans Dale, Perry County for comment.

* PennTAP: Building Re-Tuning: A Sustainability Workshop On Energy Efficiency Feb. 15 In Chester County

The PA Technical Assistance Program will hold a Building Re-Tuning: A Sustainability Workshop On Energy Efficiency on February 15 at the Penn State Great Valley Conference Center in Malvern, Chester County from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

* Feb. 20 Road To Alternative Energy Webinar For Businesses From PennTAP

The PA Technical Assistance Program will hold a Road To Alternative Energy Webinar for businesses on February 20 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

* U.S. EIA Forecasts Natural Gas To Remain Primary Source For Electricity Generation

The U.S. Energy Information Administration's January 2018 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) forecasts that natural gas will remain the primary source of U.S. electricity generation for at least the next two years.

* PA Anthracite Council Spring Meeting March 6 In West Hazleton, Luzerne County

The PA Anthracite Council will hold its spring meeting on March 6 and will feature Iris Kapo, Senior International Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce.

* Jan. 24 DEP News & Views Newsletter Now Available

The January 24 News and Views newsletter is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

* POWR Now Accepting Applications For 2018 Pennsylvania Sojourn Grants

The PA Organization of Watersheds and Rivers is now accepting applications for 2018 Pennsylvania River Sojourn Grants.  The deadline for applications is February 26.

* PEC Now Accepting Applications For Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grants

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting applications for Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grants.  The deadline for applications is February 23.

* Reminder: PA Land Trust Assn Accepting Nominations For Govt. Leadership Award Thru Feb. 12

The PA Land Trust Association will be accepting nominations for the 2018 Government Leadership Award until February 12. 

* Register Now For Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference April 12-14 In Chester County

Register now for the PA Land Trust Association 2018 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference to be held at The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, Chester County April 12 to 14.

* 26th Annual Shirley R. Wagner Garden Symposium April 14 Lancaster

The 26th Annual Shirley R. Wagner Garden Symposium will be held on April 14 at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster from 7:30 am. To 2:45 p.m.

* Jan. 24 DCNR Resource Newsletter Now Available

The January 24 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

* Fish & Boat Commission To Hold 6 Sportsmen’s Forums On Conserving Aquatic Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities

The Fish and Boat Commission Tuesday announced it has scheduled a series of Sportsmen’s Forums across the state to solicit opinions from anglers and boaters on how the agency can best conserve aquatic resources while creating more opportunities for fishing and boating recreation.

* Penn State: Deer, Other Mammals Smaller, Move Less In Human-Modified Landscapes

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

* Opportunity To Bid On Gas Well Plugging, Clinton County; Mine Reclamation, Jefferson County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the January 27 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on a orphan gas well plugging project in Clinton County and an abandoned mine reclamation project in Jefferson County.

* In Memoriam: Eugene C. Capaldi, Who Fought Against Illegal Dumping

Eugene C. Capaldi, 80, of Newtown Square, Delaware County, passed away Saturday.  He was dedicated to environmental conservation and active in the fight against illegal dumping.

* Interns Wanted: Gifford Pinchot Grey Towers College Internships Available

Applications are now being accepted for a number of different summer internships at Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike.

* Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy Senior Planner For Municipal Assistance Program

The Brandywine Conservancy, a program of the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art based in Chadds Ford, Delaware County, is seeking an experienced, energetic, creative, senior planner to lead its innovative water resources protection efforts in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware.

* 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 Department of Environmental Protection published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the January 27 PA Bulletin requesting information on a water quality standard for manganese required by law in an amendment to the Administrative Code adopted in October.  The deadline for submitting information is February 26. Click Here for more.

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