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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
February 24, 2020 Issue #817
(2/24/2020)
* House Holds Hearings With DEP, DCNR Feb. 24 On A Budget Request That Primarily Repairs Damage Done Last Year; Promises More

DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell and DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn will be answering questions about Gov. Wolf’s FY 2020-21 budget requests for their agencies on February 24 in hearings before the House Appropriations Committee, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. respectively.

* EPA Features Blacks Creek, Venango County Mine Drainage Treatment As Success Story

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has featured Blacks Creek mine drainage treatment projects in Venango County as one of their Nonpoint Source Success Stories.

* DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanian: Former Senator Franklin Kury

Franklin Kury is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1966 to 1972 representing Montour and Northumberland Counties, and a former member of the Pennsylvania State Senate serving from 1973 to 1980 representing Columbia, Juniata, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties.

* Molly Morrison To Receive PALTA Conservation Lifetime Achievement Award

The PA Land Trust Association will honor Molly K. Morrison of Chester County, former president of Natural Lands, with its Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award at the 2020 PA Land Conservation Conference awards dinner in Gettysburg on April 2.

* Game Commission Biologist Mary Jo Casalena Recognized With National Conservation Award

On February 18, Game Commission biologist Mary Jo Casalena has been recognized with the national Henry S. Mosby Conservation Award by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

* PennDOT Announces First District Winner Of Student Innovation Litter Challenge

On February 21, the Department of Transportation announced the first district winner of the 2020 Student Innovation Litter Challenge-- team members LaceyJo Hunter and Destiny Krome from Northwest PA Collegiate Academy in PennDOT District 1 in Erie County.

* Study Finds Over 500 Million Pieces Of Roadside Litter: Join Keep PA Beautiful's Pick It Up Pennsylvania Today!

A recent statewide study on litter found an estimated 502 million pieces of litter along Pennsylvania’s roadways polluting our environment and affecting our quality of life.

* Agriculture’s Pesticide Advisory Board Meets March 3 To Discuss Proposed Ban On Chlorpyrifos, A Pesticide Harmful To Children

The Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on March 3 and on the agenda is a discussion of legislation proposing a ban on the pesticide chlorpyrifos known to cause harm to human health, in particular children, as well as to wildlife.

* Earth Day 50 PA: Wayne Kober: Impact & Inspiration From First Earth Day

The Earth Day 50 PA website is collecting memories of the first Earth Day in 1970 and this is one of those stories...

* Earth Day 50 PA: Richard Lewis: What I Did On The First Earth Day 50 Years Ago

The Earth Day 50 PA website is collecting memories of the first Earth Day in 1970 and this is one of those stories...

* DCNR Good Natured Blog: Earth Day 50: Diversity For Sustainability

Earth Day turns 50 this year, with a national theme of climate action. Once a month this year the Good Natured blog is featuring a solution in recognition of the need to act to address this environmental challenge facing people, wildlife, and the planet.

* PA Capitol Report: Presidential Candidates All In For PA Primary; Permanent State Deficits

 Because In Politics, Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] February 18 was the deadline to submit petitions to be on the Primary Election ballot April 28 and all the major Democratic candidates for President made the deadline.  Guess they aren’t taking Pennsylvania for granted after all.

* Fair Districts PA Pushes “Not Red, Not Blue, Just Fair” Campaign To Fix Our Broken, Gerrymandered Redistricting Process

Fair Districts PA, a project of the League of Women Voters of PA, is pushing reforms to the way Pennsylvania draws legislative voting districts by urging residents to support their “Not Red, Not Blue, Just Fair” campaign.

* Bills On Governor's Desk

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

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

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--

* Sen. Street Announces Bill Package To Transition From AEPS To New Clean Energy Standard With Carbon Capture

On February 18, Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) announced he will be introducing a package of bills to, among other things, amend the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards to create a new Clean Energy Standard that includes carbon capture as a major element.

* EPA Accepting Comments On Proposal To Regulate PFOA, PFOS In Drinking Water

On February 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it is accepting public comments on a proposed determination to regulate perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water.

* EPA Awards $464,200 In Funding For Fish & Boat Commission Staff To Restore Streams In Chesapeake Bay Watershed

On February 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of $464,200 to the Fish and Boat Commission to hire eight employees to assist with stream improvement projects in Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

* Elizabethtown College Awarded EPA Student Innovative Technology Grant For Lead Detection

On February 19, a student team from Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency P3 Student Design Competition Program grant to create a paper test to detect lead in drinking water.

* NFWF To Host March 11 Webinar On Chesapeake Bay And Delaware River Watershed Grant Opportunities

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will host a webinar March 11 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for anyone interested in applying for grants through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund and the Delaware River Watershed Program.

* Southwestern PA Water Resources Center Hosts Smart Green Corridors, MS4 Stormwater Refresher, Stormwater & Flood Management Workshops

The Southwestern PA Commission Water Resource Center is scheduled to hold a series of workshops on smart green corridors, a refresher on MS4 Stormwater requirements and comprehensive stormwater and flooding management in March.

* How To Repair & Maintain Gravel Driveways And Unpaved Lanes Workshop March 24 In Westmoreland

The Westmoreland Conservation District and Brandywine Conservancy will host an After the Storms: How to Repair and Maintain Gravel Driveways and Unpaved Lanes March 24. at Penguin Court, 104 California Avenue, Laughlintown from 1:00 to 3;00 p.m.

* Wissahickon Watershed Assn. Hosts Feb. 26 Meeting On Upper Gwynedd Twp. Stream Restoration Project in Montgomery County

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will host a February 26 meeting on a stream restoration project along the PECO right-of-way in Upper Gwynedd Township in Montgomery County that will begin in March.

* Volunteers Needed For Stream Restoration Planting At Slippery Rock Campground, Butler County

The Slippery Rock Campground in Butler County received a stream bank upgrade to prevent excessive amounts of sediment from entering the stream and protecting about ten trailers. Construction was completed in October and November of last year.

* CleanScapes Celebrates 20 Years Of Service: Bald Eagle Valley Trail Fest March 28, Clinton County

CleanScapes will celebrate 20 years of service to Clinton and Lycoming counties on March 28 with the Bald Eagle Valley Trail Fest - 5K Walk/Run - Carrot Cake/Cupcake Baking Competition at the Castanea Fire Company, 111 McElhattan Avenue in Castanea, Clinton County.

* Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Invites Volunteers For April 4 Stream Cleanup In Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery Counties

Looking to make a positive difference in the health of our local environment?  Sign-up for the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy’s annual Stream Clean-up and help us remove trash, tires and other debris from regional waterways. 

* Stream Monitoring In The Delaware River Basin Is More Than Just Numbers

By Carol Armstrong, Master Watershed Steward Chester/Delaware Counties

* York County Master Watershed Stewards Recognize Ryan Davis, Chesapeake Bay Forests; Northeastern Schools As 2019 Outstanding Partners

By Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator York County

* Penn State Extension: Riparian Buffers: Using The Power Of Plants To Help Clean Our Waterways

Buffers are an easy way to help improve water quality in our local rivers and streams.

* Monitoring Streams With Visual Assessment Important For Assessing Stream Conditions

By Danielle Rhea, Penn State Extension Educator

* Penn State Extension: What Is A Municipal Stormwater Fee?

By Andy Yencha, Extension Educator, Renewable Natural Resources

* February Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

The February issue of the Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition featuring articles on--

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Business Meeting March 13 In Harrisburg

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a business meeting on March 13 at the SRBC Headquarters, 4423 N. Front Street in Harrisburg starting at 9:00 a.m.  (formal notice)

* PA Anthracite Section Of SME Meets March 12; Features Presentation On Grace Iron Ore Mine, Berks County - History, A Study For Reopening

The PA Anthracite Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration will meet March 12 at Carmelo's Roman Delight, 1240 Centre Turnpike, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County starting at 5:00 p.m.

* Pennsylvania Launches Keystone Mesonet One-Stop Shop For Displaying Weather, Environmental Data

On February 21, the PA Emergency Management Agency announced the launch of Keystone Mesonet, an internet-based one-stop shop for weather and environmental data.

* DEP Fines Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill $24,000 To Resolve Waste Violations; Drilling Waste Impacts On Leachate

On February 18, Department of Environmental Protection announced it has negotiated a consent order and agreement with Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill, a residual/municipal waste landfill located in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, to address violations of its permit and the Solid Waste Management Act.

* DEP Issues Permits To Sunoco For Changes To Mariner East II Pipeline Construction In Blair, Perry Counties; 2nd Pipeline In Berks County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 22 PA Bulletin it has approved Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits for the Mariner East II Pipeline in Blair and Perry counties (PA Bulletin page 1165).

* DEP Invites Comments On Adelphia Gateway Natural Gas Pipeline Project Erosion & Sedimentation Permit

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 22 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation Control permit applications for the Adelphia Gateway Natural Gas Pipeline Project route through Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties (PA Bulletin page 1171)

* USGS Study: No Statistically Significant Relationship Between Shale Gas Development And Stream Chemical, Benthic, Microbial Life Changes In State Forest Drilling Areas

The U.S. Geological Survey released study results of 40 chemical parameters and benthic and microbial life study of oil and gas operations in 25 small watersheds in State Forest lands over a two year period.

* G.E.T. Solar Now Accepting Applications To Help Nonprofits, Businesses Go Solar; 7 County Focus Area

G.E.T. (Galvanizing Energy Transition) is now accepting applications from nonprofits and businesses to help transition them to solar energy.  The pre-screening deadline is March 16.  The deadline for applications is March 31.

* Ernst Conservation Seeds, Ernst Pollinator Service & American Solar Grazing Assn. Partner On Pollinator-Friendly Fuzz & Buzz Seed Mix For Solar Arrays

Crawford County-based Ernst Conservation Seeds, the largest producer of native grass and wildflower seeds in the eastern United States, has partnered with Ernst Pollinator Service, a leader in pollinator establishment in all types of habitats, and the American Solar Grazing Association, a nonprofit trade organization devoted to promoting the grazing of sheep on solar installations, to develop the new Fuzz & Buzz™ Seed Mix.

* PUC Announces Be Utility Wise Consumer Forum March 12; Highlights Energy Assistance Programs & LIHEAP

The Public Utility Commission will join community organizations and local energy utilities in sponsoring a “Be Utility Wise” consumer education forum March 12 in Delaware County.

* Penn Power Partners With Erie Bird Observatory To Protect Nesting Osprey, Prevent Power Outages

Pennsylvania Power Company has again partnered with the Erie Bird Observatory to install two 55-foot wooden poles with nesting platforms in Mercer and Crawford counties.

* Sustainable Energy & Education Development Support (SEEDS) Names Olga Trushina New Executive Director

Wayne County-based Sustainable Energy & Education Development Support (SEEDS) Olga Trushina as its new Executive Director.

* Forest Soils Release More Carbon Dioxide Than Expected In Rainy Season

By Francisco Tutella, Penn State News

* 39 Farms, 2,848 Acres Added To Pennsylvania's Farmland Preservation Program

On February 20, the Agricultural Land Preservation Board safeguarded 2,848 additional acres on 39 farms in 19 counties through the state’s nation-leading farmland preservation program.

* Schuylkill River Greenways Hosts International Paddling Film Festival March 26

Schuylkill River Greenways will host the 2020 World Tour of the Paddling Film Festival on March 26 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street in Phoenixville, Chester County from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

* Enter The PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau 2020-21 Photo Contest

On February 18, the PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau announced their new Photo Contests for 2020-2021 for photos taken in Jefferson, Elk, Clarion, Forest, or Cameron counties.

* Annual Cherry Pie Hike Held Feb. 22 At Jennings Environmental Ed Center, Butler County

On February 22 the Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road in Slippery Rock, Butler County held its annual "Cherry Pie Hike" and "Washington's Trail Hike.”

* Wildlands Conservancy Highlights Special Activities, Programs In March

The Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy highlights the activities and programs it has scheduled for March, including--

* Dauphin County Woodland Owners Conference Set For March 14 In Dauphin

Private woodland owners are encouraged to attend the Dauphin County Woodland Owners Association’s tenth annual Woodland Owner’s Conference on March 14 at the Dauphin County Agricultural & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road in Dauphin from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

* PA Plant Conservation Network To Hold 2nd Public Stakeholder Meeting March 27 In Beaver County

Help build a future where Pennsylvania’s native plants are thriving, abundant, and cared for by a vibrant and inclusive community of conservation advocates!

* Pennsylvania Rare Plant Forum To Be Held March 28 At Penn State Beaver Campus

The 2020 Pennsylvania Rare Plant Forum will take place March 28 at the Penn State Beaver Campus, General Classroom Building Room 115A in Monaca, Beaver County from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

* Feb. 19 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

The February 19 issue of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

* Feb. 21 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The February 21 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* Game Commission To Host Briefing On Status Of Atlantic Flyway Waterfowl Populations March 6 In Venango County

Representatives of waterfowl organizations, interested hunters and the public are invited to attend a briefing on March 6 on the status of Atlantic Flyway waterfowl populations and proposed federal frameworks for the 2020-21 waterfowl hunting seasons.

* Environment & Energy NewsClips

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.

* Grants & Awards

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. 

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* 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.

* Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 28-29 In State College

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

* Riparian Forest Buffer Summit March 11 & 12 In Altoona

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

* PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 24-25 In State College

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.

* 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.

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