On May 15, Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Governor John Fetterman were joined by state, county, and local government leaders from across the Commonwealth to rally for Restore Pennsylvania.

On May 14, Republicans on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to send a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission urging them to disapprove of a proposed EQB regulation increasing DEP’s Water Quality/NPDES permit review fees made necessary by cuts in DEP’s General Fund budget appropriation.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin of a final regulation setting new Noncoal Mining Program permit review and annual administration fees made necessary by cuts in DEP’s General Fund budget.

On May 16, Gov. Tom Wolf announced he supports a full ban on hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells in the Delaware River Watershed, including a ban on any water transfers into or out of the basin related to drilling operations.

On May 14, the House began debating House Bill 827 (Fritz-R-Wayne) requiring compensation to landowners for their drilling rights if the Delaware River Basin Commission adopts a ban on on fracking.

On May 14, the Department of Environmental Protection announced as part of the ongoing investigation into the September 10, 2018, Revolution Pipeline explosion in Center Township, Beaver County, has issued an ordered to ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC to identify and restore or mitigate all streams and wetlands that it illegally eliminated or altered during the construction of the Revolution Pipeline.

More than 80 percent of all waste from Pennsylvania's conventional and unconventional oil and gas drilling operations stays inside the state, according to a new study that tracks the disposal locations of liquid and solid waste from these operations from 1991 to 2017 based on information reported to the Department of Environmental Protection.

On May 14, the PA Supreme Court denied an appeal of an October 2018 Commonwealth Court decision allowing oil and gas well drilling in all zoning districts in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County as long as they satisfy standards to protect public health, safety and welfare.

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers is hosting a May 28 Webinar and a May 31 public meeting in Lewisburg, Union County to provide an opportunity for the public to hear an overview of the draft PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan and ask questions.

On May 14, RiverStewards announced it is making available a white paper on the One Water concept that breaks down the traditional silos of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater and comes up with solutions to manage all water as one system.

By Amy Duke, Penn State News

On May 15, the Schuylkill Action Network announced the winners of the 2019 Schuylkill Student Street Art Contest from over 150 submissions from Berks, Montgomery and Schuylkill counties.

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 May 14, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held an informational meeting on the demand response industry in Pennsylvania.

On May 16, Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) and Maria Collett (D-Bucks) invited their colleagues to co-sponsor legislation giving the state Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction over environmental crimes involving the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Streams Law and Solid Waste Management Act.

On May 16, the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Services announced it is making available up to $40 million in technical and financial assistance to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands.

On May 13, Triblive.com’s Stephen Huba reported the U.S. Department of Agriculture invited rural communities across the United States to apply for grants and loans to upgrade and rebuild rural water infrastructure.

The DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on May 23 to the scientific literature behind regulating manganese and the draft PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.

The Allegheny County Master Watershed Steward Program will hold a series of 6 public information meetings in July for volunteers interested in joining the program.

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is now offering free presentations and individual assistance to watershed and conservation nonprofit groups to help them write a cold water conservation plan.

The Villanova University Biennial Stormwater Management Symposium organizing committee is now accepting proposals for presentations for the Symposium to be held October 16 and 17 with the theme Building Resilience into Stormwater. 

On May 10, regional transportation groups and the Brandywine-Christina Watershed Partners met for a lively roundtable discussion regarding roads and stormwater runoff.

The 2019 Chesapeake Watershed Forum Planning Committee is accepting session and field experience proposals for the Forum to be held November 15-17 in Shepherdstown, WV through May 24.

The Department of Environmental Protection and PA Infrastructure Investment Authority will hold a public meeting on May 29 to receive comments on the proposed federal FY 2019 Intended Use Plans for drinking water and wastewater project funding. (formal notice)

By Katherine Unger Baillie, Penn Today

[Editor’s Note: See how the restoration of freshwater mussels and American eels are related.] 

The May issue of The Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition highlights a number of ways the Coalition engages youth in watershed-related program and supports their environmental education activities

The Fish & Boat Commission, PA Council of Trout Unlimited, along with state and local partners will hold the first PA Trout In The Classroom Summit on July 17-18 at the Department of Education's PaTTAN Building, 6340 Flank Drive in Harrisburg.

On May 17, the Game Commission, Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources hosted a program to band Harrisburg’s newest peregrine falcons in an educational event attended by students and teachers at the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg.

As the school year winds down, it’s time to start thinking summer vacation! Twice this summer, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host its one-of-a-kind Appalachian Adventure Camp for young nature enthusiasts entering grades 4-8.

The latest issue of Connect With Your Environment in the Erie Times-News features an In Life and in the environment -- Keeping Pets From Becoming Invasive Species Like Turtles.

The Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association is inviting volunteers to take part in creek cleanups events set for June 15, July 20, August 17 and September 21.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has a statewide adoption program available for residents, local groups and businesses to become part of the solution to roadside litter.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is calling for individuals and groups to register community improvement events with the Great American Cleanup of PA before the statewide initiative ends on May 31.

Wrapping up spring cleaning and wondering how to responsibly dispose of the many unwanted materials you’ve put aside?

The Northeast Recycling Council invites all who are interested  in making presentations at the fall Conference to be held on October 29-30 in Rhode Island to submit proposals by July 1.

On May 15, Department of Environmental Protection announced it has issued a Notice of Intent to Deny to Elcon Recycling Services, LLC (Elcon) for its Phase II Part B commercial hazardous waste treatment and storage facility application.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin inviting interested stakeholders to participate in the Universal Service Reporting Work Group that was formed based on a Commission staff report-- Home Energy Affordability For Low-Income Customers In Pennsylvania.

On May 16, the departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation announced grants for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and the designation of 500 more miles of highway as “Alternative Fuel Corridors,” with compressed natural gas (CNG) or EV charging stations readily accessible.

By Penn State News

On May 16, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh unveiled the Exhibit Staging Center, formerly an old public works building, that showcases the latest advancements in green building technology on an existing site, transforming a dilapidated space on a former brownfield into a safe, healthy environment for people, plants and animals.

On May 13, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale urged Pennsylvania to do more to prepare for the impacts of climate change due to a lack of meaningful action at the federal level.

On May 14, EDF-Action released a new poll finding an overwhelming 79 percent of Pennsylvania voters support placing a limit on carbon pollution from Pennsylvania’s power plants that would decline over time to ensure the Commonwealth’s electricity supply becomes carbon-free.

The 2019 Muhlenberg College Public Health Poll found 51 percent of respondents said they believe climate change poses a major risk to public health in Pennsylvania, while 26 percent said it is a minor risk, 20 percent no risk and 4 percent were not sure.

Greg Czarnecki, Climate Change and Research Coordinator for DCNR, gave a presentation at the Watershed Congress in March on the impact of Climate Change on State Parks and Forests.

On May 14, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the start of aerial spraying of woodlands in Lackawanna County to combat gypsy moth populations poised for spring outbreaks in some sections of northeastern Pennsylvania.

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

On May 15, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the department is launching an effort at nine state parks this summer to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and get boaters involved in invasive species detection.

Do you enjoy spending time in Pennsylvania’s local and state parks and forests and on trails and rivers? Is getting outdoors to exercise and socialize important to you and your family?

There is still time to register for the 2019 Delaware River Sojourn to be held from June 14-22 and starts at the Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, PA and ends up in Florence, NJ..

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On May 13, to mark the start of Bike to Work Week, the PennDOT announced a series of planned improvements and opportunities for bicyclists during an event featuring a bike ride around Harrisburg by cabinet members and other state officials.

We’ve seen photos of the muddy tires and the big smiles of mountain bikers…what is it that draws them to ride over rocks and trees, and up steep climbs and downhill descents?

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting applications for PA Water Trails Mini-Grants of up to $5,000.  Applications are due July 19.

Ashley Dohe is an Environmental Advisory Council member in the city of Easton who has a passion for advocating for Pennsylvania’s native plants.

The May 15 issue of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited Chapter partnered with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc. and Boy Scout Troop 465 to hold a special event for nearly 50 military veterans to test their fly fishing skills on May 11.

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 116 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 proud to be a sponsor of the 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference to be held in Pittsburgh on September 8-11.

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