By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On September 30, the state Senate announced the 2020 Talk To Your State Senator statewide student video competition which this year is focused on the topic-- How To Support Agriculture In Pennsylvania.

By Westmoreland Conservation District

On October 3, Gov. Tom Wolf took executive action instructing the Department of Environmental Protection to join the interstate Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a market-based collaboration among nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and combat climate change while generating economic growth.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled a voting meeting for October 22 and at the end of the meeting there will be a briefing and discussion on the Governor’s Executive Order directing DEP to join the interstate Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

By Stephanie Myers, York City

Pennsylvania and the 12 other states and jurisdictions participating in the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative have made available a framework for a draft regional policy proposal to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from transportation aimed at transportation fuel providers and are encouraging interested individuals and organizations to provide feedback on the draft framework through the TCI portal.

On October 2, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the department is receiving a Climate Adaptation Leadership Award from the national Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

On September 24, Lancaster City Council unanimously adopted a Municipal Operations Climate Action Plan, which aims to make the City’s operations carbon neutral by the year 2050 in an effort to mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions and prevent climate change.

On October 4, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto announced a public commitment that Pittsburgh-- along with regional along with public, private and nonprofit partners-- will work to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, 17 worldwide goals to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and improve the quality of life for every human being.

Six Pennsylvania colleges and universities were among the institutions of higher learning recognized for their sustainability efforts in the International 2019 Sustainable Campus Index published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

On October 17, the DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to hear an update from the Department of Health’s Bureau of Epidemiology on the findings so far from its Oil and Natural Gas Production Health Registry.

Every five years, states across the nation are required to produce a new statewide recreation plan to help guide their recreation policies, programs, and investments.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has posted its Penn’s Parks For All - Planning for Pennsylvania’s State Parks of Tomorrow report which makes recommendations for managing and improving state parks over the next 25 years for public comment.

As October arrives, wildlife watchers, outdoor adventurers, and citizen scientists head out to enjoy fall foliage and witness the annual migration of raptors and other birds, butterflies, and dragonflies.

Late on October 4, the Department of Agriculture announced in a Tweet Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been found in a fifth county-- Luzerne County.

As people continue to spend time outdoors during the fall months, the Department of Health is reminding residents of the dangers of tick and mosquito-borne illnesses, and the steps to protect themselves.

On October 3, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its second Fall Foliage Report with regional comments on factors influencing foliage changes.

Keep PA Beautiful, DEP and PennDOT will hold a Litter Summit in Harrisburg on November 14 to share findings of a new Pennsylvania Litter Study and discuss solutions to litter and illegal dumping problems with a variety of stakeholders.

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

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 Government Oversight Committee has scheduled its first hearing and voting meeting on October 21 and 30 on an issued identified only as Investigation 1-2019.

The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA invites the public to attend the Pennsylvania State Technical Committee meeting on October 16 at the USDA State Office in Harrisburg at 359 East Park Drive.

On October 15, the DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to hear an overview of responsibilities from the Compacts and Commissions Office which coordinates Pennsylvania’s participation in intrastate and interstate organizations and river basin commissions.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 5 PA Bulletin that it has finalized the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Manual For Agricultural Operations (not yet online).

By Kadafi El-Kardah, PA Environmental Council

On October 3, the Brodhead Watershed Association announced it has received a $53,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to install green stormwater practices in the Mountainhome area of Barrett Township in Monroe County.

The Western PA Conservancy will host a meeting November 4 to discuss an upcoming study of Trout Run, a tributary of French Creek, to discuss the start of a study to improve water quality and soil health.

The Wyoming Seminary Upper School opened an exhibit of student artwork entitled STEM And Art: Changing Perspectives Of Waterways on October 4 at the Kirby Center for the Creative Arts, Wyoming Seminary, 260 North Sprague Avenue in Kingston from 5:30 to 7:30.

The Pike County Conservation District is now accepting entries to its Student Conservation Poetry Contest for students in grades 6 to 8.  The deadline for entries is November 15.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting colleges and universities to participate in its 2019 Campus RainWorks Green Infrastructure Challenge.  The deadline for registration is October 15 and entries must be submitted by December 15.

The Department of Environmental Protection will host an October 30 public hearing regarding a Water Quality Management permit application submitted by CFC Fulton Properties to construct the Bivouac Sow Farm, a new swine facility in Ayr Township, Fulton County.  (Oct. 5 PA Bulletin page 5761)

By  Gregory Lenahan, Deputy Digital Director

On October 3, the Public Utility Commission adopted a Joint Petition for Settlement on Remand with PA American Water Company approving the Company’s plan to replace customer-owned lead service pipes (LSPs) and recover associated costs-- the first such plan granted by the PUC under Pennsylvania’s new Act 120 of 2018 (Act 120).

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 5 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed State Air Quality Implementation Plan revision related to certification of previously approved emission control regulations covering the Philadelphia - Wilmington - Atlantic City region.

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting schools to submit student entries to the 2020 Radon Student Poster Contest.  Entries are due November 8.

On October 3, the Public Utility Commission recognized National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure that consumers have the resources to stay secure online while increasing national resilience against cyberthreats.

By Amy Duke, Penn State News

The PA Plant Conservation Network is now offering mini grants for rare plant recovery projects on private lands statewide, including plants listed as rare, threatened, or endangered.  The deadline for proposals is November 15.

Prescribed fire is a low-cost tool that can help landowners restore forests, enhance wildlife habitat, and control pests.

On October 3, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn invited Pennsylvanians to step outside and appreciate the woodlands around them in annual “Walk in Penn’s Woods” outings planned October 6, throughout Pennsylvania.

DCNR's Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year. The deadline for nominations is November 8.

The French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust invites all environmental enthusiasts and history lovers to join us on October 13 at 9:00 a.m. for our monthly Second Sunday Hike at the Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve, home to historic Warwick Furnace Ruins in Chester County. 

The Brandywine Conservancy celebrated its fourth annual Bike the Brandywine fundraiser on September 28 with more than 500 cyclists enjoying a sunny day along the Brandywine Creek Greenway and surrounding countryside.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced it will begin accepting applications for Canoe Access Development Fund grants on October 15.  The deadline for applications is November 15.

Ron Freed is a volunteer hawk watcher for Audubon Pennsylvania at the Waggoner’s Gap Hawkwatch near Carlisle [in Cumberland County along the Kittatinny Ridge].

The PA Environmental Council now has available the In Case You Missed It In September newsletter with articles on--

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

Hunters and other outdoors enthusiasts heading into Pennsylvania’s state-owned woodlands this autumn will find additional roads open in 18 of the 20 state forest districts, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced September 30.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the October 5 PA Bulletin it has entered into a drilling lease with EQT Production Company to lease 40.60 acres of submerged lands for drilling for an upfront payment of $162,400.

The October 2 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The Fall Penn's Stewards newsletter is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation with a look at the Foundation's 20th anniversary and much more--

The October 4 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Nature Conservancy-PA is seeking a qualified person to be Pennsylvania State Director to lead the  Conservancy’s efforts in the Commonwealth.

The Northumberland County Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates to fill an Erosion and Sedimentation Technician position.

PennFuture is seeking a contract with a communications professional located in the eastern third of Pennsylvania who can assist with their work there.

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 116 page 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. 

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

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