The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee Thursday approved a draft county clean water toolbox and county-level clean water planning process to pilot in four Central Pennsylvania counties this summer.

The PA Environmental Defense Foundation Thursday filed a petition for declaratory relief in Commonwealth Court asking the Court to declare 2017 amendments to the Fiscal Code eliminating DCNR’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund and making and proposing $96 million in money transfers from the Fund unconstitutional.

On Friday afternoon, Federal Court Judge Christopher Conner issued a revised order striking down only those portions of Act 44 of 2017, the Fiscal Code amendments, related to requiring the transfer of $200 million from the PA Professional Liability Joint Underwriting Association Fund to the General Fund to help balance the General Fund budget.

On May 11, the Environmental Hearing Board issued an opinion upholding the issuance of unconventional natural gas well permits in Butler County because the appellants failed to demonstrate DEP’s decision violated the Department’s responsibilities under the Environmental Rights Amendment and other provisions of law.

The Environmental Quality Board Wednesday approved a proposed regulation increasing permit review fees for unconventional oil and gas drilling by more than two-and-a-half times for public comment.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday issued an Order, requiring a “negative surcharge” or monthly credit on customer bills for 17 major electric, natural gas, and water and wastewater utilities, totaling more than $320-million per year.

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--

The House Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet on May 24 to consider House Bill 2131 (Quigley-R-Montgomery) encouraging PennDOT to plant native vegetation along highways (sponsor summary).

The bipartisan Senate-House Nuclear Energy Caucus will hold a hearing on May 23 on the value of nuclear power to Pennsylvania labor.

Join researchers from the Penn State Center for Nutrient Solutions, the U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Services and others on June 12 as they present the results of their research and lessons learned for reducing nutrient pollution in watersheds.

By Laura Bray, PEC Program Coordinator

The annual Appalachian Mined Land Reforestation Conference will be held August 8 and 9 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. This year’s theme is Developing Partnerships for Mine Land Reforestation.

The Federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement is now accepting applications for Not-For-Profit Acid Mine Drainage Watershed Cooperative Agreement Grants.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through August 31.

The Department of Environmental Protection regularly receives proposals under the Environmental Good Samaritan Act Program for both mine reclamation and oil and gas well plugging.

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

3 Rivers Wet Weather and its partners are hosting a Stream Restoration Workshop June 22 at McFadden Hall, 1520 Butler Plank Road, Glenshaw, Shaler Township, Allegheny County from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

3 Rivers Wet Weather and its partners are hosting a How Does Your Rain Garden Grow? Workshop at the Green Tree Municipal Building, 10 West Manilla Avenue in Pittsburgh from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary invites the public to comment on the revised draft Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Delaware Estuary (CCMP). This comment period runs from May 21 to July 20.

The Penn State Extension 2018 Dive Deeper: Youth Water Educators Summit will be held on September 20 at the Central Hotel & Conference Center, 800 East Park Dr., Harrisburg from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

PA American Water Monday unveiled the updated 2018 version of its web-based infrastructure map to show customers where the dollars from their monthly bills are flowing.

The Schuylkill Action Network and its partners have rescheduled the Schuylkill Scrub Cleanup for May 24 at the Upper Merion Boathouse Park, Water Street in Bridgeport, Montgomery County from 10:00 to 12:30.  It was to be held May 19.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is accepting entries for the Great American Cleanup of PA Video Contest until June 8 that show how you keep your community clean and beautiful. 

By: Melanie Williams, Community Relations Coordinator, DEP Northwest Regional Office

The Group Against Smog And Pollution is still accepting registration for the Air Adventures Summer Camp for students age 9 to 11.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it will host a public hearing on May 22 regarding its intent to issue an Air Quality Plan Approval for Sunoco Partners Marketing Terminals, L.P. (SPMT) in Marcus Hook Borough, Delaware County. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 19 PA Bulletin it will hold a hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic plant in Shirley Township, Huntingdon County. (PA Bulletin, page 2972)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 19 PA Bulletin it will hold a hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for the E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company plant located in North Towanda Township, Bradford County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3009)

The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for the Clean Diesel Grant Program, part of the Driving PA Forward Program, with funds provided by the EPA settlement with Volkswagen. Applications will be accepted from May 19 to July 6.  (formal notice)

SustainPHL is now accepting nominations for its 2018 Sustainability Awards to recognize individuals, groups, projects, nonprofit, civic or government entity or for-profit business that are advancing sustainability, including social impact or civic causes.  Nominations are due May 31.

The Public Utility Commission formally published the Final Implementation Order for Act 40 of 2017 (Act 40) establishing new qualifications for systems that qualify for the solar photovoltaic (solar PV) requirements under the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) Act.  (formal notice)

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh, independent advisory firm CustomerFirst Renewables, and Ceres for an educational webinar for Pennsylvania business leaders and other large energy users on the benefits of and opportunities for procuring renewable electricity on June 12 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The Public Utility Commission Tuesday issued a Secretarial Letter announcing a second en banc hearing on July 12 to hear testimony and gather additional information on customer billing practices by competitive electric generation suppliers, specifically on the legality, merits and potential implementation of supplier consolidated billing.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday announced the availability of an updated publication of “A Guide to Utility Ratemaking.”

The U.S. Energy Information Administration Friday reported it construction of new natural gas pipeline capacity in the United States to continue in 2018, in particular in the northeastern United States.

On the heels of the first Spotted Lanternfly hatch of the season, the state Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Penn State University Wednesday warned of its potential $18 billion impact on the Commonwealth’s businesses, trade, and economy.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday announced Pennsylvania will begin aerial spraying of forestlands to combat gypsy moth populations poised for spring outbreaks in the northeastern and central portions of the Commonwealth.

With the start of Bike to Work week, the Wolf Administration Monday announced a series of planned improvements for bicyclists during an event featuring an executive bike ride around Harrisburg by several cabinet members, other officials, and staff.

The PA Wilds Community Development Committee, Headwaters Charitable Trust and other partners will host the Knox & Kane Rail Trail Is A Reality... Now What? Forum on June 15 at the Marienville Area Civic Association Building, 149 Maca Drive, Marienville in Forest County starting at 8:00 a.m.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District Tuesday announced it is discontinuing its study in collaboration with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to make operational modifications at Foster J. Sayers Dam at Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County to sustain aquatic habitat during historical low-flow conditions. Current operations will be maintained.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials Wednesday met with local legislators to update them on plans for a study related to the local community and visitor experience at the 3,002-acre Beltzville State Park in Carbon County.

On May 2nd 16 new crew members joined the Landforce team. They come from all across the Pittsburgh region and each have their own unique story to tell, but the common thread between each of them is a commitment to working hard to improve their communities and to reach their own personal goals.

DCNR and the Student Conservation Association are gearing up to launch the seven-week summer PA Outdoor Corps Program, which offers work experience, job training, and educational opportunities to young people who complete recreation and conservation projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands.

Prescribed burning, also known as controlled burning, is a forest management practice that dates back millennia.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provided notice of two streambed submerged land leases in the May 19 PA Bulletin--

The May 16 edition of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

By Larry Myers, Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited

The newest Harrisburg falcons were banded Monday in a livestreamed educational event attended by local students and hosted by the Department of Environmental Protection and Game Commission at Rachel Carson State Office Building.

Four eggs being incubated by a pair of peregrine falcons began hatching Sunday, May 13– Mother’s Day - in a nesting box on the 21st floor of PPL’s headquarters building at Ninth and Hamilton streets in downtown Allentown.

For the fourth year, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County is hosting a 24/7 live stream via a camera mounted within a local American Kestrel nest box installed by the Sanctuary.

The Game Commission Friday announced Pennsylvanians who harvest deer anywhere in New York, Ohio, Maryland or West Virginia no longer may bring them home without first removing the carcass parts with the highest risk of transmitting chronic wasting disease (CWD).

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.

No new regulations published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - May 19, 2018

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 72 pages long.

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  PaEnviroDigest@gmail.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.

Registration is now open for the 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference to be held June 20-21 at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center in State College.  Join PA Environment Digest as a sponsor of this terrific Conference.