On February 4, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed an FY 2020-21 state budget that restores many of the cuts made to environmental funding in last year’s budget, and frees up more than $43 million in funding for community-based farm conservation, watershed restoration and recreation projects.

On February 5, seventeen member groups of the Growing Greener Coalition released a statement saying while they are “heartened” by Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal, “there is a tremendous backlog of environmental infrastructure needs requiring the state’s attention and demanding much higher levels of investment.”

On February 6, Reid Frazier of StateImpact PA reported DEP will receive 36 percent less federal mine reclamation funding this year-- $32 million-- compared to last year-- $55 million-- to cleanup Pennsylvania’s abandoned mines.

Over the last 17 years, General Fund support for DEP environmental programs has been cut by more than 40 percent, and the agency’s staff reduced by nearly 30 percent.

On February 5, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful released a Litter & Illegal Dumping Cost Study which found just nine cities in Pennsylvania spend more than $68 million a year fighting litter and illegal dumping.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On February 4, the PA Association of Environmental Professionals issued a call for nominations for the 2020 Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards.  The deadline for submissions is March 27.

More than 120 people gathered at Liberty Mountain Ski Resort in Fairfield, Adams County on January 31 to celebrate the South Mountain landscape and the work of its partners to invest in a sustainable, healthy future for our communities and citizens in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties.

Ross Snook is the Chairman of the Environmental Advisory Board for New Hanover Township, in Montgomery County.

On February 18, DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to hear presentations on the draft regulation to implement a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade emission reduction program covering power plants, a State Water Plan update and draft changes to Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Encroachment regulations.

The PA Trout Unlimited Keystone Coldwater Conference on February 28-29 in State College has extended the deadline for students to submit entries in the Student Poster session and to be part of the Student Mentoring Program to February 14.

Because In Politics, Everything Is Connected To Everything Else: On February 4, Gov. Wolf officially kicked off the FY 2020-21 budget season with a proposal that increases spending by 7.6 percent over the current budget, but does not increase the sales or personal income tax.

The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--

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--

On February 4, Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) announced plans to introduce legislation to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide that is known to cause harm to human health, as well as to wildlife and water supplies, yet continues to be utilized across millions of acres of farmland in the United States.

On February 4, Republicans on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out a concurrent resolution disapproving of the final EQB Triennial Water Quality Standards and Stream Redesignation Regulation.

On February 4, the Senate and House took final action on House Bill 1100 (Kaufer-R-Luzerne) which would provide unlimited taxpayer-funded subsidies for natural gas use in manufacturing through a new tax credit.  The bill now goes to the Governor.

On February 3, DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell told the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee coal waste-fired power plants will not incur significant compliance costs under DEP’s draft Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative regulations.

On February 7, Senators John Yudichak (I-Luzerne), David Argall (R-Schuylkill) and Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) announced their intent to introduce a resolution directing the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee to study the potential impacts of joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiative on the coal waste-fired electric generation industry.

On February 5, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee heard from eleven witnesses who highlighted what they thought were the disadvantages and negative impacts to Pennsylvania’s economy and jobs if DEP goes ahead with regulations establishing a cap-and-trade program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

On February 4, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee voted to approve and report out Senate Bill 915 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which sets standards for the application of fertilizer to turf, provides for the certification of professional fertilizer applicators and for labeling and an education program (sponsor summary).

On February 5, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation on alternative on-lot sewage facilities and increasing fines for dumping waste tires in Philadelphia.  The bills include--

The February newsletter from the Joint House-Senate Conservation Committee includes an article brought to the newsletter by Rep. Bud Cook (R-Fayette) about how the Belle Vernon Municipal Authority in Fayette County took steps to protect the Monongahela River from water pollution caused by drilling waste.  Here is the text of the article--

On February 4, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation filed comments on the draft federal rule to update the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) required by the 2018 federal Farm Bill.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to USDA's Farm Service Agency calling for key water quality improvements in proposed changes to the Conservation Reserve Program regulations and released this statement--

On February 7, the Mid-Atlantic Region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today the release of its 2019 Year-in-Review report highlighting the successes, major accomplishments and environmental progress through 2019.

On February 5, Maya van Rossum, of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, testified at a hearing titled “Modernizing the Natural Gas Act to Ensure it Works for Everyone,” held by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Members of Congress David B. McKinley P.E. (R-W.Va.) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) announced their commitment to working together to develop bipartisan legislation to reduce emissions in the power sector.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for projects to restore fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality under its Delaware River Program.  Proposals are due April 2.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is now accepting comments on the draft Water Quality Assessment Methodology for 2020.  The deadline for comments is March 6.

By Ryan Neuman, Upstream Conservation Leader, TTF

The Department of Environmental Protection is soliciting interest and bids for a five year contract to operate and maintain mine drainage treatment systems in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton and Sullivan counites. (Feb. 8 PA Bulletin, page 881)

The Pike County Conservation District and Wayne County Conservation District will hold a Workshop on Resource Conservation Issues Affecting Local Realtors on March 5 (snow date March 9) at the Wallenpaupack Environmental Education Center, 126 Lamberton Lane in Hawley, Wayne County from 8:00 a.m. until after lunch.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy in Lewisburg, Union County is seeking referrals of motivated students ages 14 to 17 to become Certified Conservation Ambassadors by attending one of five residential summer camps. 

The PA Land Trust Association is now accepting registrations for the 2020 Environmental Advisory Council Network Conference on May 2 at the Upper Merion Township Building, 175 W. Valley Forge Road in King of Prussia, Montgomery County from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On February 6, the Public Utility Commission voted 5-0 on a motion offered by Commissioner Ralph V. Yanora, which begins a rulemaking process on issues related to water and wastewater utility service.

Delaware Valley University’s One Health Seminar Series will present-- PFAS in Pennsylvania: How 'Forever Chemicals' Threaten Our Health and Environment and What We Can Do About It February 11.

On February 7, Gov. Tom Wolf announced a $37,344 Industrial Sites Reuse Grant for the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation.

The latest Environmental Justice Update newsletter is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

By Gabrielle Stewart, Penn State News

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a hearing for February 26 on a request by Chesapeake Energy to waive the 330-foot setback required by the Oil and Gas Conservation Law for a natural gas well to be drilled in Wyalusing and Tuscarora townships in Bradford County.  (Feb. 8 PA Bulletin, page 880)

On February 6, the Public Utility Commission voted 5-0 in support of a motion by Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille intended to “reinvigorate the Commission’s efforts to promote and implement effective diversity programs at our major jurisdictional utility companies.”            

On February 6, the Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, held a meeting to share updates from the regional utility Sustainable Energy Funds

Registration is now open for the 2020 Industry Forum On Energy Efficiency - Healthcare, Food Services and Higher Education on April 3 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 4960 S. 12th Street in Philadelphia from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Cumberland County will host two upcoming events for gardeners interested in including native plants in their gardening and sharpening their gardening skills.

On January 23, the Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee added three more plants to the noxious weed list.  (formal notice)

The Allegheny Hemlock Conservation Partnership, Allegheny Forest Health Collaborative and Allegheny Outfitters will host programs February 13 and 15 focusing on the invasive pest known as the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Warren County.

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

Pennsylvania Master Naturalist is still accepting applications for 2020 spring training sessions set for Delaware and Montour counties.  The deadline for applications is February 15.

On February 4, the national Rails-To-Trails Conservancy awarded $100,000 in grants from the 2020 Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund to support six regional and community projects across the country.

PA Land Trust Association member, Merrill Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy, successfully protected Meadow Lane Farm in Snyder County, preserving the farm forever. Here’s their story in their own words.

The PA Land Trust Association is now accepting applications for the Conservation Easement Assistance Program to help conservation organizations and now municipal authorities plan and complete conservation, trail, and other public access easements.

Friends of Allegheny Wilderness will host its annual winter backpacking trip over the weekend of March 7-8 in Warren County.

By Mark Taylor, Trout Unlimited

On February 7, Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine announced a ban on all forms of tobacco, vaping, and e-cigarettes at playgrounds in all state parks.

Whether you are hiking, camping, fishing, or kayaking in Pennsylvania state parks and forests, no one can deny that getting outdoors is both physically and mentally beneficial.

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office is out with the Happy Traveler Guide, a resource to inspire travelers to pursue their happiness in Pennsylvania, including:

The February 7 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The February 5 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

Love birdwatching? Consider participating in this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count! This free and fun citizen science program takes place Friday, February 14 – Monday, February 17.

The Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Land Trust is seeking qualified individuals to fill two intern positions-- the Hamm Conservation Intern and a Stewardship Intern.

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 141 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.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 28-29 in State College.  Registration is now open.  Click Here for more.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit March 11 - 12 in Altoona.  Registration is now open.  Click Here for more.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 24-25 in State College.  Click Here for more - Call For Presentations.

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