The draft Phase III PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan is scheduled to be released for public comment on April 12 with a comment period running until June 7, according to DEP’s April report to the Citizens Advisory Council (page 15).

On April 3, Sunoco and the PUC's Bureau of investigation and Enforcement filed a proposed settlement with the Public Utility Commission proposing a penalty of $200,000 in matters related to an April 2017 leak from the Mariner East 1 Pipeline in Berks County.

Rep. Christopher Quinn (R-Delaware), along with Representatives Danielle Friel Otten (D-Chester) and Robert Freeman (D-Northampton) have introduced a package of 7 bills to further regulate pipeline companies and provide greater oversight authority to state agencies.

On April 3, Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) and other Senators introduced Senate Bill 510 that he said would help level the playing field for the nuclear industry, protect nearly 16,000 Pennsylvania jobs, prevent consumers from facing significantly higher long-term energy costs, and greatly assist the Commonwealth in meeting its carbon emission reduction goals.

The House Consumer Affairs Committee will hold a series of 4 hearings starting April 8 on House Bill 11 (Mehaffie-R-Lancaster) adding nuclear power plants to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards to provide financial support to the industry.

On April 15, the state PFAS Action Team will hold a public meeting in Montgomery County to provide an update on state efforts to deal with contamination by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

On April 5, the Northeast Recycling Council announced the winners of its 2018 State Electronics Challenge Awards which challenges state, regional, tribal, local governments and nonprofit organizations to reduce the environmental impact of their electronic office equipment.

On April 1, the PA Association of Environmental Educators announced the winners of their 2019 awards.  They include--

Hannah Puttcamp is a 14-year-old, Waverly, Lackawanna County resident, who has a passion for the outdoors and mountain biking.

The 36th Annual Pennsylvania Envirothon statewide competition will be taking place May 21-22 on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Johnstown.

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 Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet April 9 on legislation setting deadlines on reviews of erosion and sedimentation permits if they were submitted by a registered  engineer and requiring DEP to forward waste violation notices to municipalities.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold an informational meeting April 8 discussing polystyrene in Pennsylvania and the consequences of a statewide ban.

By Rachel Felver, Chesapeake Bay Program

Having succeeded in protecting funding for the Conservation Title in the 2018 Farm Bill, more than 140 leading farm, conservation, and wildlife groups are once again joining together to protect those hard-fought conservation funds and programs in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations process.

On April 16, DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council will hear a presentation on and have a discussion about DEP’s Water Programs with Aneca Atkisson, Acting Deputy Secretary For Water Programs.

The Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers (ARIPPA) is now accepting applications for two $2,500 mine reclamation grants.  Applications are due May 1.

The Alliance for Appalachia now has available a new Toolkit for Cleanup and Community Development to provide resources for communities vulnerable to the downturn of the extraction-based economy.

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

Lititz-based LandStudies is collaborating with the Municipal Online Stormwater Training Center at the University of Maryland's Environmental Finance Center to offer Economic Ecology - Maximizing Economic and Environmental Returns Through Floodplain Restoration.

The Penn State Environment and Natural Resources Institute will host a Water Insights Seminar on April 9 covering research into stakeholder engagement on agriculture water management issues.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA State Technical Committee meets April 18 at the USDA Office in Harrisburg.

The Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee is scheduled to meet on April 25 and one item on the agenda is adding the Tree Of Heaven Spotted Lanternfly haven to the noxious weed list .(formal notice)

Penn State Extension Service will host 5  public meetings on the spotted lanternfly, the invasive insect that has spread throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding states and presents a significant threat to Pennsylvania agriculture, including the grape, tree-fruit, hardwood and nursery industries.

The Spring edition of The Guardian newsletter from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission is now available featuring articles on--

Cumberland County Vector Control, in partnership with PA Cleanways of Cumberland County, Mechanicsburg Borough, and e-End Recycling will hold a tire and electronics waste collection event on May 4 at Soldiers and Sailors Park, 1 Memorial Park Drive, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

Help us clean up the river! The Brandywine Conservancy is seeking volunteers to assist with its 26th Annual Brandywine River Cleanup on April 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Westmoreland County Cleanways & Recycling this week highlighted several upcoming collection and cleanup events in the county--

Close the Loop has partnered with the Monroe County Conservation District and Northampton Community College Tannersville Campus to bring the Free Give & Take Day to the campus on April 27.

On April 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced a settlement agreement with PPG Industries, Inc., including a $1.2 million civil penalty, for violations at its Ford City Disposal Site located in North Buffalo and Cadogan townships, Armstrong County.

Hold Erie Coke Accountable (HECA) is partnering with the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) to update the public on Erie Coke's (Coal) Plant ongoing violations and the high stakes impact for Erie's quality of life and prosperity.

The PA-Anthracite Section of Society of Mining Engineers/AIME is now accepting applications for the John Kaminski Memorial Scholarships for mining-related engineering or science majors for Pennsylvania students.  The deadline for applications is May 15.

On April 4, Safety engineers from the PUC’s Pipeline Safety Division – part of the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) – responded late Thursday morning to reports that a construction crew had struck a natural gas line near the intersection of Chocolate Avenue and North Ridge Road in Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County.

On April 3, the Public Utility Commission highlighted the behavior consumers should expect from Pennsylvania's retail energy marketing companies, if they are following state regulations. And, what to do if they don't.

DCNR is committed to powering our buildings and facilities in our state parks and forests with renewable energy.

On April 5, Exelon Generation, owner and operator of the Three Mile Island (TMI) Unit 1 nuclear energy facility, filed the federally required Post Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR) detailing plans for the plant after its final shutdown, scheduled September 2019.

Harrisburg University's Center for Environment, Energy and Economy (E3) has scheduled two new presentations in its Distinguished Speaker Series on Climate Disruption and Sustainable Development--

With longer days and warmer spring weather on the way, the Wolf Administration Monday said it wants all Pennsylvanians to be aware of Lyme disease and ticks as they spend more time outdoors.

On April 16, the Penn State Extension Community Forestry Management Monthly Webinar Series will feature DCNR Bureau of Forestry Plant Health Specialist Timothy Tomon will discuss insects, mites, and diseases expected in Pennsylvania landscapes. See how tree boards may prepare to avoid or mitigate damages in public landscapes practically.

Tree Pittsburgh is offering Tree Tender Training for volunteers interested in restoring and caring for the tree canopy in their communities on May 29, June 5 and 12 from 5:30 to 8:30.  The course is designed for lay people and experts alike.

The Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center in Wayne  County is now accepting registrations for summer day and residential camps for the 2019 summer season.

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In March is now available featuring stories on--

On March 28, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission approved $3.67 million in grants for 22 mutli-use trail projects throughout Greater Philadelphia.

The Schuylkill River Sojourn is now accepting registration for the full June 1 to 7, 11-mile Sojourn.  Registration for portions of the Sojourn opens April 8.

The public is invited to the spring meeting of the South Mountain Partnership on May 3 at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, Adams County from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

The South Mountain Partnership is now accepting applications for the 2019 Recreation and Conservation Mini-Grants.  The deadline for applications is May 31.

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting applications for Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini-Grants.  A pre-application meeting is set for April 11.  The deadline for applications is May 3.

The April 3 issue of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring these articles--

Broad-winged hawks are on the move again! Each Spring Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County eagerly looks forward to their familiar high-pitched whistles echoing throughout the Appalachian forests.

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

By Kyle Steffish, Millersville University

On April 4, the PA Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists Board of Directors welcomed Harold Daub as the incoming Executive Director for PFSC. 

David Allard has been named Acting DEP Deputy for Air, Waste, Radiation and Remediation to replace the retiring George Hartenstein.

The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is seeking qualified candidates for a Data Management Specialist position to be located at the Harrisburg office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  The deadline for applications is April 16.  Click Here for all the details.

Each of the 23 environmental education centers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware who are members of the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River is seeking qualified individuals for paid internship positions this summer.

The Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Land Trust is seeking qualified candidates to fill several intern positions.  The deadline for some positions is April 15, so act fast. Click Here to check out all the opportunities.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of Office Assistant at its office in Camp Hill, Cumberland County.

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 95 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 proud sponsor of these award and educational programs--

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