Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
August 12, 2019 Issue #789
(8/12/2019)
* Carmichaels High School Envirothon Team Thanks Everyone Who Helped Them Win 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition!

On August 7, Kevin Willis, a coach of the Carmichaels High School Envirothon Team from Greene County, issued this thank you on behalf of the team and coaches to everyone who helped them win 3rd Place in the International Envirothon competition on August 4--

* Will PA Miss 2025 Pollution Reduction Goals By 19 Years? DEP To Present Final Chesapeake Bay Watershed Plan To Steering Committee Aug. 16

DEP will present Pennsylvania’s final draft of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan to the PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Steering Committee on August 16.

* Sen. Yudichak, DEP Secretary Highlight Benefits Of Proposed Restore PA Plan To Turn Brownfield Site Into Recreation Area

On August 5, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell was joined by Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and local officials to highlight the benefits of the Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan in remediating and redeveloping blighted properties across Pennsylvania.

* New Poll Shows Overwhelming Public Support For Restore PA Infrastructure Plan; When Will It Translate Into Legislative Votes?

A new Franklin & Marshall Poll released August 8 finds broad voter support-- 69 percent-- for Gov. Wolf’s Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan funded by a severance tax on natural gas.

* Dept. Of Health To Distribute Free Potassium Iodide Tablets Aug. 22 Around PA's 5 Nuclear Power Plants

On August 8, the Department of Health announced it will offer free potassium iodide, or KI, tablets on Thursday, August 22, to Pennsylvanians who live or work within 10 miles of the state’s five nuclear power plants.

* How Long Must The Public Wait For Action On Bipartisan Pipeline Safety Bills? New Pipeline Bill Introduced

On August 7, Senators Tom Killion (R-Delaware) and Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) introduced Senate Bill 753 directing the Department of Environmental Protection and Public Utility Commission to develop new pipeline siting and safety guidelines.

* Clean Air Council Calls For Shutdown Of Mariner East 2 Pipeline After Chester County - Backfire

On August 7, the Clean Air Council called on Gov. Wolf and the Public Utility Commission to shut down the Mariner East 2 Pipeline after a loud explosion from the pipeline's Boot Road Pump Station in West Goshen township, Chester county rattled windows and shook pictures of the walls of homes up to a half mile away.

* PennFuture Blog: The Problem With Natural Gas, Oil Pipelines

By Jared Stonesifer, PennFuture

* KPB: Registration Now Open For Pick Up Pennsylvania, Part Of The International Coastal Cleanup - Sept. 1 to Oct. 31

Keep PA Beautiful is now accepting registrations for volunteer cleanups for Pick Up Pennsylvania, part of the International Coastal Cleanup running from September 1 to October 31.

* DEP Reports Mosquitoes Have Tested Positive For West Nile Virus In York County Bringing Season Total To 20

On August 9, the Department of Environmental Protection announced mosquitoes in Springettsbury Township, York County have tested positive for West Nile Virus bringing the total this season to 20.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session 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--

* Gov. Wolf: Feds Approve SBA Recovery Loans For Allegheny, Surrounding Counties, Due To July Storms

On August 8, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to declare a disaster in Allegheny County after intense storms produced damaging flash flooding between July 21 and 22, 2019.

* NRCS-PA Welcomes Visitors To Ag Progress Days To Learn More About Healthy Soil, Conservation Aug. 13-15, Near State College

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA Office invites visitors to Ag Progress Days near State College  to check out their interactive demonstrations, displays and tours to learn how conservation practices can benefit an ag operation and the environment and earn a prize.

* EQB Meets Aug. 20 On Final Changes To Fine Particulate Matter Reg, Another Fee Report

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on August 20 to consider final changes to regulations covering fine particulate matter [PM2.5] emissions and a presentation on a regulatory fee report on the Uniform Environmental Covenants Program.

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Discuss Dam Safety, Flood Control, Encroachments & Erosion Permitting, Wetlands Mitigation Programs Aug. 20

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on August 20 to hear a presentation from DEP’s Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands which is responsible for critical flood damage prevention, stormwater, erosion and sediment control and damage mitigation programs.

* Air Quality Advisory Committee To Get Overview Of Draft DEP Combined Heat/Power Generation Facility General Permit August 15

The DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet August 15 to hear an overview of a new draft General Plan Approval/Operating Permit for Combined Heat and Power Facilities.

* Governor’s Office Posts Agency Regulatory Agendas, Catalog Of Technical Guidance

The Governor’s Office published its Regulatory Agenda, an updated agency-by-agency listing of regulations in development or that will be developed, in the August 10 PA Bulletin starting on page 4181.  See these pages for environmental agencies--

* Mature Riparian Forested Buffer Along Opossum Creek Shows Tree-Mendous Success In Cumberland County

By B.J. Small, Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership

* Bay Journal: Manure Injection Passes The Smell Test As A Best Management Practice

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Stroud Water Research Center Launches Its Future Of Fresh Water Initiative

To strengthen ongoing research and to expand community empowerment programs to protect clean fresh water regionally and around the world, on August 5, the Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County announced its Future of Fresh Water Initiative.

* Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Assn. Hosts 30th Anniversary Celebration Aug. 28 In Carlisle

The Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association is holding a 30th anniversary celebration on August 28 to showcase its new interactive map and video project-- A Long Way With Many Bends.

* Sustainable Business Summit Set For Sept. 4 In Lancaster Featuring Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership, Hershey Company

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay will hold its first Sustainable Business Summit on September 4 at the Lancaster Chamber Building, 115 E. King Street in Lancaster from Noon to 5:00 p.m.

* Call For Abstracts, Registration Open For Delaware Watershed Research Conference Nov. 19

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is now accepting abstracts for presentations and registrations for the Delaware Watershed Research Conference to be held November 19 at the Academy, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Partnership For The Delaware Estuary 2018 Annual Report Now Available

On August 9, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary published its 2018 Annual Report celebrating the completion of two major milestones: the adoption of a revised Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Delaware Estuary and an agreement with the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority for the Mussels for Clean Water Initiative.

* Southwestern PA Commission Water Resource Center Workshops: Smart Green Corridors-Aug. 27; MS4 Stormwater Refresher-Aug. 28

The Southwestern PA Commission Water Resource Center will host 2 upcoming stormwater workshops in Allegheny and Washington counties.

* PUC Appoints Receiver To Operate Indian Springs Water Company In Luzerne County

On August 9, the Public Utility Commission announced it has appointed a receiver to operate the Indian Springs Water Company, a small, troubled water company that serves 54 homes and approximately 137 residents in the community of Glen Summit, located in Fairview Township, Luzerne County.

* Interns: DEP Environmental Education Center Interns Sarah Cutshall, Sarah Dropkin Share Summer Experience Takeaways

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education and Information Center in Harrisburg was home base for two summer interns-- Sarah Cutshall from the University of Pittsburgh and Sarah Dropkin from Shippensburg University.

* Latest DEP Teaching Green Newsletter Now Available

The summer issue the Teaching Green newsletter from the Department of Environmental Protection is now available featuring articles on--

* Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Hosts Migration Madness Youth Workshop Aug. 20

Discover and celebrate the magic and mystery of migration at the August 20 Migration Madness Youth Workshop at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County.

* FracTracker Alliance: Nominations Now Being Accepted For 2019 Community Sentinel Awards

The Pittsburgh-based FracTracker Alliance is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Community Sentinel Awards to celebrate individuals whose noble actions exemplify the transformative power of caring, committed, and engaged people.

* DEP, Erie Coke (Coal) Plant Submit Final Arguments In Environmental Hearing Board Case

By Group Against Smog & Pollution

* DEP Receives 2 Proposed Good Samaritan Gas Well Plugging Project Requests In Bradford, Tioga Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection has received 2 proposed Good Samaritan abandoned oil gas well plugging project requests for wells in Bradford and Tioga counties. (August 10 PA Bulletin page 4178).

* Engineers' Society Of Western PA Brownfields Basics Workshop Sept. 18 In Pittsburgh

The Engineers' Society of Western PA will host a free Brownfields Basics Workshop on September 18 at the Society's offices at 337 Fourth Avenue in Pittsburgh from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

* PA Resources Council Holds Household Chemical Collection Aug. 17 In Allegheny County

The PA Resources Council will hold a Household Chemical Collection Event on August 17 in Boyce Park Ski Lodge parking lot in Allegheny County from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

* PA Resources Council Names Justin Stockdale Managing Director

On August 7, the PA Resources Council announced the appointment of Justin Stockdale as Managing Director as part of a significant transition project being undertaken by the Commonwealth’s oldest grassroots environmental organization.

* PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In July Now Available

The In Case You Missed It In July newsletter is now available from the PA Environmental Council featuring articles on--

* DCNR Good Natured Blog: State's New Outdoor Recreation Plan Underway

-- What does the future hold for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania?

* DCNR: Inflatable Dam Repairs In Sept. Will Require Lowering Shikellamy State Park Lake On Susquehanna At Sunbury

On August 6, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced emergency repairs to the Adam T. Bower Memorial Inflatable Dam in Shikellamy State Park will require lowering of the park lake in early September and shorten the summer boating season at the popular Susquehanna River impoundment at Sunbury.

* DCNR Announces $502,700 In Grants To Expand ATV, Snowmobile Recreation Opportunities In PA

On August 9, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the award of 6 grants totaling $502,700 to support expanded ATV and snowmobile riding opportunities in Pennsylvania.

* DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Joe Neville, Keystone Trails Association

Joe Neville is the Executive Director of the Keystone Trails Association (KTA) in Mechanicsburg, [Cumberland County]. His love of the outdoors has fueled his passion for trail work and advocacy.

* Sinnemahone Gravel Race Set For Sept. 28; Ultra Trail Run October 19 In Cameron County

Registration is now open for the Sinnemahone Gravel Race sponsored by Embassy Powdered Metals on September 28 in Cameron County, the second race of the Emporium Triple Crown.

* Walk In Penn’s Woods Happening Oct. 6 To Showcase Diversity Of State’s Woodland Resources

Occurring across Pennsylvania, the October 6 Walk in Penn’s Woods is a day when organized woods walks in each county will help build appreciation for forests, the people who own them, and the importance of caring well for them.

* DCNR Awards Nearly $620,000 In Grants To Support Local Volunteer Fire Companies To Fight Wildfires

On August 8, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego announced more than 130 wildfire fighting grants totaling nearly $620,000 to assist volunteer fire companies throughout the state.

* Penn State Extension, PA Horticultural Society, Tree Pittsburgh Offer Tree Tender Training Sessions

Penn State Extension, PA Horticultural Society and Tree Pittsburgh have scheduled Tree Tender Training sessions for volunteers interested in restoring and caring for the tree canopy in their communities.

* PA Forestry Association Annual Wildlife & Woodlands Symposium Sept. 28 In State College

The PA Forestry Association will hold its Annual Wildlife and Woodlands Symposium on September 28 in State College at the Toftrees Resort and Conference Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* Haverford College Hosts Tree Canopy Conference Oct. 18 In Delaware County

Haverford College in Delaware County will host a Tree Canopy Conference on October 18  on how urban forests can make an impact on reducing atmospheric carbon and mitigate climate change effects.

* Foundation For Sustainable Forests: Loving The Land-- Clarence & Deb Cleer, Spring Creek, Warren County; Erie Gives Day Aug. 13

By Ellis Giacomelli, Foundation for Sustainable Forests

* Northern Woodlands Magazine: Good Forestry In Western Pennsylvania

By Dave Mance III, Editor, Northern Woodlands Magazine

* Land Conservancy Of Adams County, Partners Preserve 144-Acre Farm

The Land Conservancy of Adams County recently partnered with Jeff and Deborah Seibert to preserve their 144-acre farm in Hamilton Township, Adams County with a conservation easement.

* Heritage Conservancy Preserves 35.5-Acre Property In Bucks, Northampton Counties To Help Protect Drinking Water, Viewscape

In conjunction with local townships and state and federal agencies, the Heritage Conservancy recently facilitated the placement of a conservation easement on the 35.5-acre Seifert property located on Martin’s Lane in Springfield Township, Bucks County, and Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County (the property crosses county lines).

* The Nature Conservancy-PA Adds 175 Acres To Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge In Monroe County

The Nature Conservancy-PA recently purchased and transferred two properties to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, adding 175 acres to the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe County.

* Heritage Conservancy: Maximuck’s Farm Market Now Protected Under Conservation Easement In Bucks County

On August 9, the Heritage Conservancy announced Maximuck's Farm Market 102-acre property in Buckingham Township, Bucks County is now protected under a conservation easement.

* Lancaster Conservancy Protects 49 Acres Of Wetlands; Opens Forest Garden At Conoy Wetlands Nature Preserve

In July, the Lancaster Conservancy and partners gathered at the Conoy Wetlands Nature Preserve to celebrate two momentous occasions: the Conservancy’s acquisition of 49 acres along the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail in Conoy Township, expanding the Conoy Wetlands Nature Preserve to 71 acres, and the formal opening of the Conservancy’s Falmouth Forest Garden on the original Conoy Wetlands tract.

* French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Preserves Family Farm In Chester County

The French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust recently permanently preserved the Thompson Farm in Charlestown Township, Chester County.

* 101-Acre Meng Preserve In Montgomery County Transferred To Natural Lands

On August 5, Natural Lands announced it has taken ownership of the 101-acre Meng Preserve in Lower Frederick Township, Montgomery County.

* Lebanon Valley Conservancy Preserves 172 Acres Of Farmland In Fort Indiantown Gap Buffer Area

The Lebanon Valley Conservancy recently announced the preservation of 172 acres of land in the Lebanon Valley, located along the Kittatinny Ridge in Lebanon County.

* Brandywine Conservancy & Museum Of Art Earns Accreditation Renewal Through National Land Trust Association

On August 7, the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Delaware County announced it has achieved renewal of its accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the national Land Trust Alliance.

* August 7 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

The August 7 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

* August 9 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The August 9 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* PUC Appoints Renardo L. Hicks Chief Counsel

On August 8, Public Utility Commission announced the appointment of Chief Counsel Renardo “Rick” L. Hicks, effective August 12.

* 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.

* Grant & Award Deadlines

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.

* CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to View or Print the entire 115 page PA Environment Digest.

* Stories Invited - About PA Environment Digest

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.

* Sponsor: 2019 PA/National Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference

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.

* Sponsor: 8th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference Oct. 15 In Bethlehem

PA Environment Digest is proud to be a sponsor of the 8th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference on October 15 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

Previous PA Environment Digests