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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
November 30, 2020 Issue #857
(11/30/2020)
* Ben & Sharon Peckman From Slate Ridge Dairy Farm In Franklin County Receive Leopold Conservation Award

The PA Farm Bureau announced Ben and Sharon Peckman of the Slate Ridge Dairy Farm in Franklin County are the 2020 recipients of the Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award.

* Stroud Water Research Center Celebrates The Life Of Chief Quiet Thunder

“The Earth is our Mother, and we all have a sacred obligation to learn to live in harmony with her and protect her for future generations.” — Chief Quiet Thunder (1934–2020)

* DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Tina Englert, Friends Of Nolde Forest, 2019 Volunteer Of The Year

Tina Englert is a member of the Friends of Nolde Forest and was honored as the DCNR 2019 Volunteer of the Year.

* Bay Journal Forum: Clean Water Partnerships Accelerate Farm Conservation Efforts

By Jenna Mitchell, Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay

* DCNR Good Natured Blog: Making Progress On Streamside Forests; 2021 Buffer Summit March 10-11

By Teddi Stark, DCNR Watershed Forestry Program Manager

* DCNR Highlights $400,000 Investment To Improve Recreation, Help Restore Codorus Creek In York County

On November 23, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources highlighted the investment of $400,000 to provide a kayak launch and fishing platforms and help restore a portion of Codorus Creek in the City of York.

* DCNR Grant Workshop For Next Grant Round, Outdoor Recreation Plan Webinar Recordings Available

This past fall, DCNR hosted several webinars about DCNR’s recreation and conservation grants, and Pennsylvania’s new outdoor recreation plan -- Recreation for All.

* Gov. Wolf Vetoes Republican Bill Rolling Back Environmental Protection Standards For Conventional Oil & Gas Drilling

On November 25, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed Senate Bill 790 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) that would significantly reduce requirements for protecting the environment from conventional oil and gas drilling.

* Independent Fiscal Office Reports 3rd Quarter Natural Gas Production Increased 2%, Price Declined By 42.4% Over Last 18 Months

On November 24, the Independent Fiscal Office reported third quarter natural gas production increased by 2 percent over the third quarter of 2019, but the price of natural gas in Pennsylvania fell by 42.4 percent over the last 18 months.

* DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 686 More Permits, 2,052 More Inspections Since Last Week

From March 16 to November 24 Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

* PA Capitol & COVID Weekly Report: Signed Budget, PennDOT Out Of Money, COVID Surges

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] Last Monday, without any fanfare, Gov. Wolf Monday signed the finished FY 2020-21 state budget bills into law-- Senate Bill 1350 (Browne-R- Lehigh) - General Fund budget and House Bill 2536 (James-R-Venango) - Fiscal Code-- that fellow state Democrats are saying does not address a wide range of important issues, including using available federal funds to provide additional aid to workers and businesses impacted by the COVID pandemic.  Read more here.

* 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--

* Bay Journal: EPA Fights Lawsuit Forcing It To Act On Pennsylvania, NY Cleanup Plans

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* EPA Awards PA $4.8 Million For Section 319 Grants To Cleanup Water Quality Across The State

On November 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $4,846,500 grant to the Department of Environmental Protection to improve water quality in rivers and streams throughout the commonwealth.

* Rodale Institute Hosts Dec. 5 Online Panel Discussion On Whether Regenerative Organic Agriculture Can Reverse Climate Change

On December 5, Berks County-based Rodale Institute and partners Kiss The Ground will host an online panel discussion on Climate Change and the Soil Carbon Solution, a Conservation with Farmers, Scientists, Brands and Policymakers from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. on World Soil Day.

* PA Park Maintenance Institute Hosts Online Benefits Of Including Green Stormwater Infrastructure Into Parks & Recreation Facilities Shop Talk Dec. 3

The PA Park Maintenance Institute will host an online Benefits of Incorporating Green Infrastructure Into Parks And Recreation Facilities Shop Talk program on December 3 from 12: 30 to 1:30 p.m.

* Trout Unlimited: Protecting Streams From Assessment Through Regulation

By Jennifer Orr-Greene, TU Eastern Policy Director

* New Watershed-Friendly Property Certification Now Available From Penn State Extension

By Meagan Louise Hopkins-Doeer, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, Chester & Delaware Counties

* Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program Accepting Applications For 2021; Jan. 20 Open House

By Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, York County

* Cumberland County Master Watershed Stewards Offer Training; Open Houses Set For Jan. 13 & 19

The Cumberland County Penn State Extension is accepting applications for its second class of Cumberland County Master Watershed Stewards.  Applications are due January 31.

* Riparian Buffer Professionals Available + New Training Opportunities In PA; DCNR Buffer Workforce Survey

By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center

* Master Watershed Stewards In York County Plant Riparian Forest Buffer In Park

By Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, York County

* Storm Drain Art Brings Awareness To Stormwater Pollution In The City Of York

By Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, York County

* Master Watershed Stewards From 4 Counties Help Purge Plastic From The Susquehanna River

By Casey Clauser, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, Dauphin, Lebanon & Lancaster Counties

* Master Watershed Steward Program Invites You To Support A Local Watershed Steward Now And During Dec. 1 Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday on December 1 is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

* Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Partners With Butler Chapter North Country Trail Assn. On Trail Repair; Mine Water Treatment System Rehab

The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition is partnering with the Butler Chapter of the North Country Trail Association to make repairs to bridges and trail segments in Butler County. 

* Trout Unlimited Offers Online STREAM Girls Outdoor Ed For COVID Times Training For Girl Scouts Program Dec. 3

Trout Unlimited will host online STREAM Girls Outdoor Ed For COVID Times Training on December 3 starting at 8:00 p.m. as part of its Girl Scout STREAM Girls Program.

* Westminster College To Hold Virtual Student Symposium On The Environment Nov. 30 - Dec. 2

The Center for the Environment at Westminster College in Lawrence County and the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition will co-host a virtual Student Symposium On The Environment November 30 to December 2 to showcase research posters, oral presentations and artwork on the environment by high school through graduate school students.

* PAEE: Meaningful Watershed Education Experience In PA Accepting Nominations For 2 Award Programs

The MWEE Partner of Excellence and the MWEE School of Excellence Award are two annual awards intended to celebrate outstanding support of and/or implementation of the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) in Pennsylvania.

* PA Sea Grant Program Now Accepting Applications For A Fellowship In Population & Ecosystem Dynamics And Marine Resource Economics

The National Sea Grant College Program and the National Marine Fisheries Service are inviting applications to the PA Sea Grant Program to support a Ph.D. graduate fellowship in two specific areas-- population and ecosystem dynamics and marine resource economics.

* Centre County Collects 58,800 Pounds Of Household Hazardous Waste In Weekend Event

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority hosted a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event last weekend that collected 58,800 pounds of material.

* Carbon, Monroe, Pike Counties Hold Dec. 5 NARCAN Drive-Through Event And Drug Take-Back Day

The Carbon, Monroe, Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission; the Pike County Substance Abuse Task Force; Hope for Pike; and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office will hold a free NARCAN Drive-Through Event and Drug Take-Back Day on December 5, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, behind the Pike County Administration Building, 506 Broad Street, in Milford, PA.

* PA Resources Council Offers Backyard Composting, Recycling & Waste Reduction Conservation Workshops In December

The PA Resources Council will offer online Backyard Composting and Recycling & Waste Reduction conservation workshops in December.

* PA Resources Council Board Members Offer To Double Dec. 1 Giving Tuesday Donations

On November 25, the PA Resources Council board members announced they will match every donation dollar for dollar made to PRC on Giving Tuesday - December 1 up to $5,000.

* PennTAP Helps Beverage Bottling Plant Save Over $168,000 In Water, Wastewater Costs Per Year

This is just one of many examples of how the Penn State Technical Assistance Program has helped manufacturers and business cut environmental and energy costs--

* Iconic Philly Met Uses C-PACE Financing For $6 Million In Energy Efficiency Investments

On November 24, the Philadelphia Energy Authority, Enhanced Capital and EB Realty Management, owners of The Met, announced today the financial close of the first project in Pennsylvania to retroactively use Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing.

* Bay Journal: Hope For Hemlocks: New Tactics Found To Fight Deadly Woolly Adelgid Pest

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Western PA Conservancy Protects 173 Acres Of Farmland, Forestland In Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland County

The Western PA Conservancy recently announced the purchase of an easement to permanently protect and limit development on a 173-acre forested property in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County.

* Western PA Conservancy Protects 35 Acre Wetland In French Creek Watershed, Erie County

The Western PA Conservancy recently announced the permanent protection of a 35-acre wetland and forested area within the French Creek watershed in Waterford Township, Erie County.

* Nov. 27 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The November 27 Take Five Fridays With Pam from the Parks and Forests Foundation features these articles--

* Become A Friend Of South Mountain Partnership For Dec. 1 Giving Tuesday

As you give thanks this November and wrap up your holiday shopping in December, consider supporting the South Mountain Partnership through a membership or donation to the Friends of the South Mountain Partnership serving Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties on Giving December 1.

* Online Contributions To Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Will Be Matched By Jessie Ball duPont Fund

On November 25, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County announced online contributions to the Sanctuary will be matched by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund up to $25,000 now through December 31.

* Environment & Energy NewsClips

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

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

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

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* 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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