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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Sept. 3, 2018 Issue #740
(9/3/2018)
* Northeast Environmental Partners Announce Winners Of 2018 Environmental Leadership Awards

The Northeast Environmental Partners Monday announced the winners of their 2018 Environmental Leadership Awards, the Emerging Environmental Leader Award and the Thomas P. Shelburne Award.  The winners will be recognized at a special awards dinner on October 25 in Wilkes-Barre.

* NFWF Delaware River Restoration Fund Awards $1.6 Million In Watershed Grants In PA

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The William Penn Foundation Tuesday announced the award of grants totaling $2.2 million to support 13 new or continuing water conservation and restoration from the Delaware River Restoration Fund.

* PA Chesapeake Bay Planning Steering Committee Meets Sept. 10 On Outreach, Engagement

The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee is scheduled to meet on September 10 and on the tentative agenda is a discussion of the materials its Communications and Engagement Workgroup is preparing to educate and engage the public and stakeholders in the process of developing the Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan.

* House Returns To Session Sept. 12, Now’s The Time To Become A Hellbender Defender!

A group of inspiring young people on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Student Leadership Council are working to restore Pennsylvania's waters with a one-of-a-kind critter-- the Eastern Hellbender.

* Green Building Alliance Honors 25 Western PA Green Building Projects On Sept. 20

Green Building Alliance based in Pittsburgh is celebrating 25 years of green buildings and sustainable communities throughout Western Pennsylvania by honoring 25 projects that have significantly advanced the region’s sustainability movement.

* DEP: Conventional Oil & Gas Well Violations More Than Triple Between 2015-2017

The 2017 Oil and Gas Annual Report released Friday by the Department of Environmental Protection shows the number of conventional oil and gas well violations more than tripled between 2015 and 2017 from 1,024 to 3,273 last year.

* FirstEnergy To Close Its Last Coal-Fired Power Plant In Pennsylvania, And The State’s Largest

FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. late Wednesday notified PJM Interconnection of its plans to deactivate four fossil-fuel generating plants, including the 2,490 MW coal-fired Bruce Mansfield power plant in Beaver County, its last coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania and the state’s largest. 

* PA Supreme Court Denies Appeal Of Decisions Saying Local Zoning Ordinances Do Not Apply To Mariner East Pipelines

The PA Supreme Court Tuesday declined to hear the appeal of two Commonwealth Court decisions finding local zoning ordinances do not apply to the Mariner East Pipelines in Chester and Delaware counties.

* PA Recycling Markets Center, Closed Loop Fund Announce $5 Million Partnership To Invest In Municipal, Private Recycling Infrastructure

The PA Recycling Markets Center and Closed Loop Fund Monday announced a statewide partnership to make a $5 million investment in recycling infrastructure in Pennsylvania.

* DEP Has Storm Recovery Information Available, Time For Real Investment In Green Infrastructure Solutions With Multiple Benefits

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

* DEP: Mosquito Spraying Set For Columbia, Lycoming, Schuylkill Counties On September 4 And 5

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it will conduct mosquito control operations to reduce high populations of mosquitoes on September 4 in Columbia and Schuylkill  counties and September 5 in Lycoming County.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule [Updated]/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--

* Reminder: Apply Now For $10 Million In REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits

The Department of Agriculture Wednesday reminded landowners $10 million dollars in tax credits are available to help farmers statewide implement best management practices (BMPs) to prevent water pollution or purchase conservation equipment through 2018-19 Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program tax credits.

* Berks Conservation District Farm Tour Oct. 5 At Deep Roots Valley Farm Mohrsville

The Berks County Conservation District will host a Farm Tour October 5 at the Deep Roots Valley Farm in Mohrsville with  hosts Will and Kelly Smith to educate invited guests on farm conservation practices.

* Registration Opens For Annual Watershed Specialist Meeting Oct. 9-11 In State College

The 2018 Conservation District Watershed Specialist Meeting will take place at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College on October 9-11 for newer watershed specialists and October 10-11 for the full group.

* Sept. 18 Webinar: Working With Rural Landowners On Voluntary Conservation, Research Results

Water Words that Work, Chesapeake Land And Water Initiative will host a webinar on September 18 starting at 1:00 p.m. to review the results of their research into Working With Rural Landowners On Voluntary Conservation.

* Stroud Water Research Center Invites Citizen Scientists To Celebrate World Water Monitoring Day Sept. 19

The Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County invites citizen scientists to help celebrate World Water Monitoring Day on September 19 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Center, 970 Spencer Road in Avondale.

* Northampton County Parks & Rec Staff, Watershed Volunteers Repair Riparian Buffer At Fry’s Run County Park Within Days Of Flash Flood

By: Jim Wilson, Northampton County Parks & Recreation Division

* PA Coast Day, Delaware River Festival Sept. 15 In Philadelphia, Camden

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will hold the annual Pennsylvania Coast Day festival on September 15 at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia and the Camden Adventure Aquarium from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* Photo Of PA's Neshaminy Creek Winner Of Delaware River Basin Commission Summer Photo Contest; Fall Contest Starts

The Delaware River Basin Commission Wednesday announced Paul Michael Bergeron’s photograph, titled Lazin’ at Neshaminy Creek on an Early Summer Day, was chosen as the winner of the Commission’s Summer 2018 Photo Contest. 

* Feature: Penn State Extension's Master Watershed Stewards Are Making A Difference In PA

In a state with more than 12 million people and robust agricultural and resource-extraction industries, the water quality in Pennsylvania's more than 86,000 miles of streams and rivers is always a dicey proposition.

* Pennsylvania Water & Wastewater Technology Summit Nov. 1-2 In State College

The PA Chapter of the American Water Works Association, PA Municipal Authorities Association and the PA Water Environment Association will hold the 2018 PA Water & Wastewater Technology Summit November 1-2 at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College.

* Centre County Offers Recycle Right Advice For Penn State Football Games This Fall

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority is again helping Penn State football fans Recycle Right at upcoming games.

* Not In Philly Meet-Up To Talk Trash & Combat Litter Event Sept. 18

Not in Philly, a project of the PA Resources Council, Friday announced it will hold a Litter? Not in Philly Meet-up and Ambassador Training session on September 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Pipeline Philadelphia, Graham Building, Dilworth Park, 30 S 15th Street, 15th Floor in Philadelphia.

* Call For Presentations: PA Environmental Professionals Annual Conference May 8-10

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals have issued a call for presentation proposals for their 2019 Annual Conference to be held May 8-10 in State College.  The deadline is September 20.

* DEP Hearing Oct. 10 On Georgia Pacific RACT II Air Quality Plan In McKean County

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled an October 10 hearing on the proposed RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Georgia Pacific Plant in Sergeant Township, McKean County. (Sept. 1 PA Bulletin page 5561)

* Gov. Wolf: $500,000 Grant To Redevelop IAC Brownfield In Cumberland County

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced $500,000 in funding to redevelop the 48-acre IAC brownfield site in Carlisle Borough, Cumberland County by Carlisle Productions, Inc.

* Penn State Extension: Update On Shale Gas Rule Of Capture Court Decision Webinar Sept. 20

On September 20 Penn State Extension is holding another it is series of Shale Gas Legislative and Regulatory Update Webinars, this one focused on the PA Superior Court decision on the rule of capture.  The webinar will be held from 1:00 to 2:00.

* Schuylkill County Anthracite Coal Waste-To-Energy Power Plant To Shut Down

Luminant, a subsidiary of Vistra Energy, Friday announced it filed a notice of suspension of operations with PJM and other mandatory regulatory notifications related to the retirement of its 51-megawatt waste coal facility, Northeastern Power Company, in McAdoo, Schuylkill County, due to its uneconomic operations and negative financial outlook.

* Gov. Wolf Announces $1 Million Grant To Reopen Anthracite Coal Mine In Columbia County

Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday announced $1 million in funding for a mine development project that will reengineer, reopen, and redevelop a large reserve of Mammoth anthracite coal in the Mount Carmel region of Columbia County.

* DEP Offering Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates Of Up To $2,000

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it is offering rebates up to $2,000 for Pennsylvania residents who purchase alternative fuel vehicles(formal notice)

* Sustainable Pittsburgh Hosting Healthy Products, Responsible Waste Management, Water Systems Workshops In Sept.

Sustainable Pittsburgh is hosting several informative workshops the same week as the Living Product Expo in Pittsburgh--

* DCNR, The Conservation Fund Celebrate Adding 560 Acres To Michaux State Forest In Adams County

On Monday, at the Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and The Conservation Fund, held a public event to celebrate the recent addition of 560 acres to Michaux State Forest in Adams County.

* East Stroudsburg University, Brodhead Watershed Assn. Tree Museum Tour/Hike Sept. 23 In Monroe County

The Brodhead Watershed Association and East Stroudsburg University Assistant Professor Emily Rollinson will host a tour of the arboretum and trees on the ESU campus on September 23 in Stroudsburg, Monroe County starting at 10:00 a.m.

* Brodhead Watershed Assn What's Under That Log? Children’s Program Sept. 15 In Monroe County

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host another in its Water Wiser Kids called What's Under That Log? on September 15 at the Seven Pines Natural Area in Cresco, Monroe County.

* Lacawac Sanctuary Highlights Education, Other Programs In September In Wayne County

The Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station in Wayne County Tuesday highlighted upcoming education and other programs in September--

* DCNR Blog: Wild About Native Trout! Commitment To PA’s State Fish

Is there a more stunning fish than the native brook trout? Often, equally as stunning, are the places they call home. With many wild trout streams in our state forests and parks, there is much that DCNR does to help conserve Pennsylvania’s beautiful state fish.

* Hawk Mountain Celebrates Vulture Awareness, Raptor Conservation Education Sept. 1

September 1 will be an exciting day as Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County hosts a celebration for the annual International Vulture Awareness Day and begins its weekend programs.

* Kelly Stagen, Pike County, Named Secretary, PA Association Of Conservation Districts

Kelly Stagen, of Lords Valley, a member of the Pike County Conservation District Board of Directors, has been named Secretary of the PA Association of Conservation Districts.

* In Memoriam: Susan Woods, State Government Media Relations Professional

Susan Woods (61) of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County passed away on August 21 at Carolyn’s House and served as Auditor General Eugene DePasquale Press Secretary at the time of her death.

* 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.

* 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.

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

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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.

* About PA Environment Digest

PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  He can be contacted by sending email to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

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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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