By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On July 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its evaluations of state actions in meeting 2018-19 milestones for reducing nutrient and sediment pollution in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and an assessment for the 2020-21 milestone period.

The novel coronavirus pandemic will not stop Penn State's 2020 Ag Progress Days-- scheduled for August 9-12-- from providing educational activities, research tours and commercial interactions, even as the event shifts to a virtual format due to COVID-19 restrictions, according to organizers in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

On July 31, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the availability of $10 million in tax credits to farmers for measures to improve soil and water quality.  Tax credits are considered on a first come, first served basis and are usually oversubscribed.

The Penn State Extension Dive Deeper Distantly: Water Educator Virtual Summit on October 1 is for anyone who teaches youth about water.

From March 16 to July 28, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

The Environmental Quality Board published the final regulation increasing the DEP permit fee for unconventional drilling permits in the August 1 PA Bulletin.  It becomes effective August 1.

On July 30, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny)  introduced Senate Bill 15 which, consistent with existing statutory authority, provides for the adoption of a “Cap and Invest” program to reduce carbon pollution from power plants and for the use of proceeds from the program to protect communities and workers already adversely affected by the changing energy economy, provide low-income assistance with energy bills and promotes clean energy and energy efficiency.

On July 29, the PA Environmental Council announced it has partnered with race organizer P3R and the Allegheny Trail Alliance to make the Virtual 2020 GAP Relay presented by UPMC Health Plan one of the most sustainable distance-running events in the U.S.

On August 2, a third 20-person wildfire crew from DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry will leave from Moshannon State Forest headquarters in Clearfield County Sunday, this time to preposition in the Rocky Mountain Wildfire Coordination Area in the Colorado region.

As the peak of hurricane season nears, the Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency urged Pennsylvanians to have an emergency plan in place if a hurricane or tropical storm is forecasted to impact the state during COVID-19.

On July 28, Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman urged property owners to consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their homes, businesses, and possessions.

On July 31, the Department of Environmental Protection reported six more counties had mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus-- Fayette, Lancaster, Lawrence, Philadelphia, Montgomery and Northampton.

As of July 21, the Department of Agriculture reports 165 cases of rabies in wild and domestic animals in 49 counties across the state.

[ Because In Politics, Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] School district representatives told a joint hearing by the Senate Education and Republican Policy Committee July 27 they need protection from lawsuits holding them liable for spreading COVID-19 if they are to reopen successfully this fall.

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 July 29, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, was critical of DEP's climate consultant-- ICF International, Inc.-- for belonging to a group that supported the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Program covering power plants.

On July 30, Republican members of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met in Butler County for a behind-the-scenes look at the next generation technologies associated with long lateral, high pressure and multi-natural gas well completions, during a tour of Deep Well Services (DWS).

The latest newsletter from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee highlights Pittsburgh’s Rivers Of Steel National Heritage Area--

On July 27, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted a request to change the emergency preparedness plan for the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County to reflect the plant’s decommissioning status.

By Lisa Feldt, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund will host a series of five webinars on Regional-Scale Collaborative Approaches For Chesapeake Bay Restoration during August.

By Lydia Martin, PA Green Infrastructure Coordinator, Alliance For Chesapeake Bay

By B.J. Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the August 1 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Plans for Mummasburg Run Watershed, Adams County (PA Bulletin, page 3955) and Imlertown Run Watershed in Bedford County (PA Bulletin, page 3954).

The PA Resources Council and partners, Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative and Haverford Township’s Hav-A-Rain Garden Program, completed 3 new rain garden installations this spring.

By: Megan Lehman, Community Relations Coordinator, DEP Northcentral Regional Office

The Fish and Boat Commission published notice in the August 1 PA Bulletin  of a proposed rulemaking updating the royalty rates for sand and gravel dredged from rivers in Pennsylvania.

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a virtual hearing on August 12 and business meeting on September 10 to consider water permits and budget-related resolutions.  (formal notice)

The PA Resources Council and UPMC will host a ReuseFest in two locations this fall-- September 12 in Erie and October 17 in Pittsburgh.

The Northeast Recycling Council is now accepting registrations for its Fall Virtual Conference to be held October 20-22.

On July 31, the Department of Community and Economic Development announced the award of $1,042,794 in Industrial Sites Reuse Program grants to clean up former industrial sites in Berks, Bucks and Montgomery counties.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the August 1 PA Bulletin of final regulations intended to increase consumer protections and ensure greater price transparency in the competitive retail electricity market.

On July 29, the Department of General Services, Bureau of Procurement announced it has been honored for its excellence in purchasing sustainable electronics with the 2020 EPEAT Purchaser Award, according to Secretary Curt Topper.

The Clean Air Council is proud to host the 15th annual Greenfest Philly from September 12-27, an entirely free event presented by Toyota Hybrids.

By PennFuture

A broad and diverse coalition of thought leaders and organizations from West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio recently released a Reimagine Appalachia blueprint to expand economic opportunity in the region while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published a notice in the August 1 PA Bulletin it could be changing the present $4 per person fee for a shuttle token at Ohiopyle State Park to a fee that could range from $4 to $24 per reservation or registration.

On July 28, the South Mountain Partnership announced the launch of the Friends Of South Mountain Partnership to allow for membership and tax deductible financial support for South Mountain Landscape Initiatives, in collaboration with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

On July 27, the Brandywine Conservancy will begin accepting applications for the Brandywine Creek Greenway Mini Grant Program in Chester and Delaware counties on July 30.  Applications are due September 15.

The July 31 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring these articles--

On July 27, Natural Lands announced the preservation of Great Oak Farm, a 10-acre property in North Coventry Township, Chester County.

On July 28, the Allegheny Land Trust announced it has received two grants totaling $150,000 to permanently preserve the meadows, woodlands and paved trails of the defunct Churchill Valley Country Club as a 148-acre greenway for public recreation and environmental education.

The Nature Conservancy-PA TNC Coffee Series returns in August with a variety of programs--

The Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy will offer Afternoon Adventures outdoor experiences for children K-6 in August.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County provided a preview of on-site programs in August.  They include--

On July 28, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the Wild Resource Conservation Grant Program will begin accepting applications for grants to protect the state’s native biodiversity on August 3.

The Game Commission released a new plan for battling what many consider the biggest wildlife-management challenge of the 21st century-- chronic wasting disease.  And it’s counting on hunters to help put it into action.

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 79 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 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference will now be held on October 28-29 in State College.

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