On February 19, Public Utility Commission Chairman Gladys Brown told the Senate Appropriations Committee at the Commission’s budget hearing it recognizes it does not have enough staff to deal with pipeline safety issues and will be asking to at least double or possibly triple the number of pipeline inspectors over the next 5 years.

On February 19, Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) reintroduced legislation-- Senate Bill 305-- declaring an action to ban fracking in the Delaware River Watershed by the Delaware River Basin Commission an act of eminent domain requiring compensation for property owners for drilling rights.

On February 21, DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council sent letters to members of the House and Senate urging them to act now to find a funding source for DEP’s Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program before it becomes insolvent.

On February 21, Randy Padfield, Acting Director of the PA Emergency Management Agency, told the Senate Appropriations Committee the Commonwealth had over $101.5 million in public infrastructure flood damages that were not covered by federal disaster assistance in 2018.

On February 22, Department of Environmental Protection Regional Director Mike Bedrin joined Rep. Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne) and local leaders to discuss Avoca Borough’s challenges with flood control and how the bipartisan Restore Pennsylvania infrastructure proposal will help prevent future flooding.

The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Steering Committee is now scheduled to meet on March 8 to hear presentations from Adams and Franklin counties on the plans they developed to meet their nutrient pollution reduction targets.

On February 21, DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council sent letters to members of the House and Senate urging them to support legislation creating a Keystone Tree Fund to support DCNR programs to plant riparian stream buffers.

On February 19, The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary kicked-off the implementation of a revised Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.  Implementation of the plan to include a mussel hatchery at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia.

On February 21, the PA Resources Council presented its fourth annual Zero Waste Awards to 23 environmental leaders in recognition of their commitment to adopting sustainable environmental practices and diverting waste through recycling, composting and reuse.

On February 22, the PA Resources Council announced it will hold a series of 8 “pop-up” glass recycling collection events in Allegheny County in response to the sudden removal of glass from many of the region’s residential curbside recycling programs.

Winthrop Management and evolve environment :: architecture recently announced the iconic U.S. Steel Tower, in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, has earned a LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M): Existing Buildings Silver Certification, making it the second largest building in the world to achieve such a distinction.

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

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--

On February 19, the  House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held an informational meeting on the Department of Environmental Protection’s budget that covered lots of ground from whether climate change was real, proposed Oil and Gas Program fee increases, whether public hearings on pipeline permits were necessary and more.

On February 19, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, wrote to DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell asking him to request petitioners to resubmit their greenhouse gas cap-and-trade petition to the Environmental Quality Board.

On February 20, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee information meeting on the Forge The Future energy and economic development plan proposed by state business groups turned into a classic debate over climate change.

On February 19, the House Transportation Committee approved and reported out House Bill 374 (Everett-R- Lycoming) establishing the Keystone Tree Fund to support tree planting programs by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on February 19.

On February 19, a bipartisan group of House members announced the introduction of House Bill 531 to authorized community solar projects in Pennsylvania.

The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the Department of Environmental Protection’s budget request on February 28 starting at 3:00.

On February 19, Eastern Federal District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond granted a U.S. Department of Justice request to dismiss a lawsuit on procedural grounds brought by the Clean Air Council and two Pennsylvania children alleging harm from recent efforts to rollback federal environmental regulations.

By Rachel Felver, Chesapeake Bay Program

The agenda for the March 15 Susquehanna River Basin Commission includes a resolution adopting recommendations made in the Auditor General’s 2018 Performance Audit of the Commission.  (formal notice)

By Heidi Reed, Penn State Extension Educator

While direct water quality impacts from education and certification of professional manure handlers is hard to measure, a recent survey of the Pennsylvania industry by demonstrates that program participants gain knowledge on key competencies.

Animals at a farm operation are enclosed in pastures, meadows, barnyards, and barn areas. This leads to concentrated areas of manure where piles add up. Even when a just a few animals, or a single animal, are being raised for a couple months before summer fair season that manure can add up fast.

Are you a farmer in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York or New Jersey?  Rodale Institute and the Stroud Water Research Center want to hear from you to help make it easier for farmers to adopt conservation and “water-friendly” practices while protecting their bottom line.

On April 2, the PA Recreation and Park Society will hold a Parks and Green Infrastructure Workshop - Managing Water For Multiple Community Benefits at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The PA Environmental Council and DCNR are seeking volunteers for 2 tree planting events coming up April 20 in Weiser State Forest, Columbia County and May 4 in Moshannon State Forest, Clearfield County.

On March 20 the Expedition Chesapeake iMax film will premiere at the Whitaker Center For Science & The Arts in Harrisburg at 5:30.

Get connected with the outdoors during the Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center’s 3rd Annual NatureWorks on March 2, a free one-day nature and conservation interactive educational experience for all ages in Johnstown, Cambria County.

Interested in learning more about the proper management of private water wells, springs and cisterns and sharing what you learn with others? Check out the Master Well Owner online course being offered by Penn State Extension!

Penn State Extension has available a updated Watershed Decisions Activity Kids, a hands-on, inquiry based activity kit that helps older youth and adults learn about water quality issues in small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues.

Swamp, marsh, and bog. These are a few words that are used to describe wetlands; but what is a wetland and why do they matter?

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is inviting communities and groups to adopt local roads, waterways, parks and other areas to help keep them litter free as part of the KPB Adoption Program.

On February 21, the PA Resources Council announced its schedule of 2019 Backyard Composting, Rain Barrel and Healthy Body & Health Home Workshops in Allegheny County.

he PA Association Of Hazardous Materials Technicians will hold its 27th Annual Hazmat Training and Education Conference on August 22-25 in Seven Springs, Somerset County. 

On February 21, the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) executive director Rachel Filippini joined Mayor Bill Peduto and other local officials Thursday in the Duck Hollow section of Pittsburgh for the kickoff of the city’s first “Clean Construction” project.

The Group Against Smog and Pollution is now accepting registrations for its student summer camp Air Adventures in Pittsburgh to be held from June 17 to 21.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 23 PA Bulletin it has issued the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for a proposed UGI liquefied natural gas truck loading facility at 5665 Leesport Avenue, Reading, Ontelaunee Township, Berks County (PA Bulletin, page 893).

By Asher Jones, Penn State News

The Bucknell University's Center for Sustainability and the Environment will hold its 7th annual Sustainability Symposium "Young People’s World: Making Your Future Energy, Climate & Human Rights" on April 26-27 at various locations on the Bucknell University campus in  Lewisburg.

On February 21, Penn State Extension held a webinar on How Colorado Prioritizes Oil and Gas Well Inspections Using a Risk-Based Approach.

Penn State Extension will host a webinar on March 14 starting at 1:00 on a case study of methane migration and changes in aquifer properties.

On February 21, the state Farmland Land Preservation Board took action to preserve 35 farms covering 3,333 acres across 19 counties.

On February 19, Natural Lands announced 57-acres of land the organization purchased has been transferred to Marsh Creek State Park in Wallace Township, Chester County.  The land was slated to be developed.

The PA Land Trust Association recently finalized the text of two easements-- a conservation easement and a model environmental stewardship easement.

The PA Environmental Council and DCNR are hosting the 2019 PA Mountain Bike Summit on May 10 at the Raystown Lake Visitors Center in Huntingdon County from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

Ron Beach, a former PennDOT traffic technician supervisor of 30 years and former Game Commission Deputy Game Protector of 20 years, has continued his passion for wildlife into his retirement.

Private woodland owners are encouraged to attend the Dauphin County Woodland Owners Association’s  9th Annual Woodland Owner’s Conference on March 9  at the Dauphin County Agricultural & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road in Dauphin from 8:30 to 3:15.

On February 21, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reported there were a total of 690 wildfires in 2018 which burned 1,843 acres.

The February 21 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy highlighted educational and other programs coming up in March for students and adults, including--

Periodically, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited reviews its various policies to incorporate updates that reflect current views on these guiding principles. The following Policy on Trout Management prepared by the Trout Management Committee was approved and adopted by Council’s Executive Committee on Feb. 9, 2019.

Registrations are now being accepted for the Keystone/Trout Unlimited Teens Conservation Camp to be held from June 23 to 29 at Keystone College in Dickson City, Lackawanna County.

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program will hold 2 webinars for professionals and anyone else interested in aquatic invasive species on March 1 and 8.  Here are the webinar topics--

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is now accepting registrations for its Youth Appalachian Adventure Camp on July 8-12 and August 12-16 at the Sanctuary.

The Winter issue of the PA Trout newsletter is now available from the PA Council of Trout Unlimited featuring articles on--

On February 20, the Department of Agriculture announced a doe on a Bethel Township, Fulton County breeding farm, and a buck on a Bloom Township, Clearfield County hunting preserve have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.

On February 22, the Game Commission announced forester Brent McNeal has been presented with the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year Award for his dedication to wild turkeys and wildlife habitat management.

On February 21, the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation announced it has named Susan Hawthorne as its new Executive Director.

Know a college student interested in learning more about the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources  and being a part of our mission to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations?

Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.

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

CLICK HERE to View or Print the entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 112 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.

The PA Environment Digest is proud to be one of sponsors of these 4 awards and educational events--

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.