On June 5, the $4.5 billion Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan legislation was introduced with strong bipartisan support as House Bill 1585, sponsored by Rep. Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery), with 99 cosponsors [83 Democrats, 16 Republicans] and Senate Bill 725, sponsored by Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) and Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware) with 25 cosponsors (22 Democrats, 3 Republicans).

On June 5, Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) and Patrick Stefano (R-Fayette) introduced Senate Bill 716 and Senate Bill 717 establishing a Restore PA-lite infrastructure program funded by lifting the moratorium on natural gas drilling on DCNR’s State Forest lands.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On June 4, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved and reported out bills allowing a company who causes pollution or a spill to surface or groundwater to determine if it is pollution and whether it should be reported to DEP and a nutrient reduction procurement bill that guarantees taxpayers will pay the highest price per pound for pollution reductions to meet Chesapeake Bay cleanup obligations.

On June 10, the Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the costly Senate Bill 575 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) would establish a taxpayer funded procurement program for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions needed to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed pollution reduction goals.

On June 5, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee heard testimony on how DEP is making fundamental changes to its Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sedimentation) and Chapter 105 (Dam Safety and Encroachment) permit to speed permit reviews, cautions about constructing third party permit review programs and a suggestion for developing a special licensing program for third party reviewers.

On June 5, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a lively, but generally thoughtful hearing on the concept of allowing third parties to review DEP permit applications as a way of getting faster turnaround times.

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on June 18 to hear an update on its review of the climate cap-and-trade and PFOA rulemaking petitions.

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on June 18 to hear presentations on DEP’s Climate Action Plan and the climate cap-and-trade rulemaking petition pending with the Environmental Quality Board.

On June 4, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm Patrick McDonnell as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

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 June 5, Senate Bill 677 was introduced by Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) which would require pipeline operators transporting natural gas and natural gas liquids to conduct an end of life study on all pipelines over 50 years of age.

On June 6, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) circulated a co-sponsor memo announcing he is introducing legislation to require the Environmental Quality Board to enact a limit on carbon pollution from the power sector.

On June 6, Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) introduced Senate Bill 726 (Bartolotta-R- Washington) which would create a new standard for the review for appeals of DEP permit actions before the Environmental Hearing Board by limiting parties appealing permit decisions-- a company or a citizens group-- to issues raised in and information contained in a record of decision of a permit prepared by DEP.

Legislation will soon be introduced in the Senate and House to regulate conventional oil and gas drilling separately from Act 13 of 2012 that now sets environmental protection standards for both conventional and unconventional drilling.

Resolutions were recently introduced in the Senate and House designating the week of June 2 through June 8 as “Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania

On June 3, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) was honored with the 2019 “Public Official of the Year” Award by the PA Water Environment Association during its annual award ceremony in State College. 

On June 4, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approved and reported out legislation on farm conservation other agriculture bills, including-- 

On June 5, the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee reported out several bipartisan farm conservation bills that are part of Gov. Wolf’s PA Farm Bill proposal.  The bills include--

On June 5, the House Game and Fisheries Committee reported out House Bill 1003 (Gillespie-R- York) further providing for the enforcement of safety markings for low head or run-of-the-river dams (sponsor summary).

The House Commerce Committee is scheduled to meet on June 11 to consider legislation to limit the use of plastic straws and require bisphenol A-free containers.  The bills include--

The House Environmental Resources and  Energy Committee is scheduled to meet June 11 to consider House Bill 1557 (Gabler-R-Clearfield) that eliminates the ability of coal refuse disposal site operators to temporarily cease operations for 21 year and still retain their permit.

The House Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on June 11 to consider 2 of the 8 bills making up the House Republican Energize PA natural gas use subsidy bills.  The bills include--

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold an information meeting on June 12 on House Bill 707 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) that would exempt any facility owned by a church or an association of churches, including schools and camps, which rely on a privately-owned water well for their drinking water supplies from the need to meet Safe Drinking Water Act clean water standards.

On June 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued new guidance on the use of the state Section 401 Water Quality Certification process as it relates to pipelines and other energy infrastructure projects saying state certification should be limited to water quality issues and standards as described in the federal Clean Water Act.

On June 5, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $3.9 million in funding for 9 Brownfields grants in Pennsylvania. 

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications for the national Conservation Innovation Grants.  The deadline for applications is July 29.

EPA's Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will host a webinar on June 12 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on federal grants and innovative financing options for reducing nutrient pollution.

By: Hayley Pisciotti, Former Communications Intern, and Megan Lehman, Community Relations Coordinator, DEP Northcentral Regional Office

On June 7, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the arrest of the owner of a Berks County construction company for falsifying lab reports for water samples following the installation of new water mains in Berks and Lancaster Counties.

By Rachel Posavetz, Pike County Watershed Specialist

The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture will be accepting presentation proposals until June 14 for their 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Conference on February 5-8 in Lancaster.

By Bill Steinberg, Abington Friends School Senior

Anton Adams joined the Pike Conservation District team in May as a summer intern through the Pike County Workforce Development office State Local Internship Program (SLIP) administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

By Nicole Kindbeiter, Brandywine Conservancy

The PA Forestry Association’s Forest Heritage Discovery Center located in the Caledonia State Park near Fayetteville, Franklin county is seeking interns to help staff the Discovery Center.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy in Union County offers a variety of youth conservation education programs, including its Youth Conservation Ambassador Program and series of Field Schools on Brookies, Bass, Bucktails, Drummers and Gobblers.

During the summertime, the outdoors are warm, bright, and just waiting to be explored, and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County is no exception. In addition to the lush, green trails that are always offered, this summer is bursting with events for everyone to enjoy.

The latest issue of Connect With Your Environment in the Erie Times-News features a story about how students from Fort LeBoeuf High School tackled the problem of cigarette butt litter, going beyond just cleaning up the trash.

On June 12, Construction Junction will host 2 workshops on Better Recycling for Pittsburgh, one for businesses from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and another for residents from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The PA Resources Council has scheduled 9 more Pop Up Glass Recycling Collection Events in Allegheny building on the success of

The PA Resources Council will hold Hard-To-Recycle Collection Events in June in Allegheny County.  The events will be held from 9:00 to 1:00--

The PA Resources Council will hold a Household Chemical Collection Event at the Fayette County Fairgrounds on June 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to help residents safely and cost effectively dispose of common household chemicals.

Volunteers are needed for 30th Annual River Sweep June 15, from 8 a.m. to noon to help clean up stream and riverbanks in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette and Westmoreland Counties.

Keep PA Beautiful announced public voting will begin on June 17 to pick the winning entries in the Great American Cleanup of PA Video Contest.  Voting will take place through the KPB Facebook page.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing July 15, if requested, on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Haysite Reinforced Plastics facility in Millcreek Township, Erie County. (PA Bulletin page 3017)

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing July 17 on the NPDES Water Quality Permit for the Bailey Central Mine Complex Coal Refuse Disposal Area in Morris Township, Greene County. (PA Bulletin page 3019)

The nonprofit Conservation Consultants, Inc. will present another in the series of Stepping Up Speakers Series Events on June 20 on Achieving Green and Health Homes: Housing As A Key Social Determinant Of Health - How To Fix It! in Pittsburgh at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens from 3:30 to 5:50 p.m.

The Department of Labor and Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council is seeking public comments on the 2018 International Code Council Building Codes from June 13 to October 10. (formal notice)

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a public webinar on June 12 starting at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the agency’s annual assessment of safety performance at the nuclear power plants located in Pennsylvania.

The PA Environmental Council now has available the In Case You Missed It In May featuring stories on--

The PA Horticultural Society encourages non-professional gardeners from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware to enter their beloved green spaces in the 2019 PHS Gardening Contest. The deadline for entries is now June 13.

Penn State Extension Service will host additional 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 PA Chapter - The American Chestnut Foundation is seeking citizen scientist volunteers to help conduct Small Stem Assays (SSA) with American chestnut seedlings June 20-21 at the Chestnut Orchard, Arboretum at Penn State in University Park, Centre County.

On July 5, 6, 12, and 13, visitors are invited to see the only population of regal fritillary butterflies in the eastern United States at Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center, Annville, Lebanon County.

The Living Landscape Observer is a website and monthly newsletter offering commentary and information on the emerging field of large landscape conservation.

Registration is now open for the 2019 National Natural Areas Conference to be held this year in Pittsburgh October 8-10. The Conference theme is-- At The Water's Edge: Managing Our Land And Water In A Changing Landscape.

The Friends of Allegheny Wilderness are asking the public to submit comments urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect wilderness areas around the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir as part of the Corps' 25-year Master Plan for the area in Warren County.

The PA Recreation and Park Society will celebrate Park and Recreation Professionals Day in Pennsylvania on July 19.

The Department of Conservation and Natural resources published notices in the June 8 PA Bulletin--

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 117 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.