Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
February 22, 2021 Issue #869
(2/22/2021)
* Work The Problem, Cancel The Show: Environmental Funding Is About People, Not Numbers

The House and Senate are starting their annual hearings on environmental funding with DEP in the House on February 22.

* DEP Climate Advisory Committee Meets Feb. 23 On Draft, Final Climate Impact Assessment - Flooding Is Highest Risk Hazard PA Faces

DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on February 23 to hear a presentation on and discuss the draft, final 2021 Climate Impacts Assessment and an updated draft of the 2021 PA Climate Action Plan.

* 10 New Stories - What REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership Looks Like In PA

There are 10 new stories in this week’s PA Environment Digest that show the leadership of family farmers, a veteran, a hunting club, volunteers who recycle waste tires, a land trust, solar energy pioneers and bird lovers.

* Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Landowners Worked Together To Plant 1,500 In 2020 As Part Of Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership

By Laurie Crawford, Executive Director, Lebanon Valley Conservancy

* Members Of PA Veteran Farming Project Adopt Sustainable Farming Methods, Including Planting Forested Stream Buffers In Tioga, Wyoming Counties

by Susan Malandrino, Reserve & National Guard Magazine

* Family Farmers, Agriculture Partner To Protect 2,638 Acres Of Farmland On 30 Farms For The Future

On February 18, the Department of Agriculture announced it has partnered with farmers to protect 2,638 acres of farmland on 30 farms in 16 counties through the state's Farmland Preservation Program.

* Dry Hollow Hunting Club, ClearWater Conservancy Partner To Add Over 1,200 Acres To Rothrock State Forest In Centre, Huntingdon Counties

On February 17, the ClearWater Conservancy announced it has partnered with the Dry Hollow Hunting Club to add 1,271 acres of land in Huntingdon and Centre Counties to DCNR's Rothrock State Forest where it will be permanently conserved and accessible to the public.

* DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Mickayla Poland, Artist, Business Owner In PA Wilds

Mickayla Poland is an artist and business owner who uses her artistic talents to inform residents about waterways conservation in Pennsylvania.

* Keep PA Beautiful: Volunteers Across PA Collected Over 1 Million Waste Tires For Recycling, Proper Disposal

On February 17, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced volunteers with its affiliates and local partners have collected over one million scrap tires for recycling and proper disposal.

* PA Solar Center Recognizes 10 Solar Energy Leaders In Central PA

The Pennsylvania Solar Center presented 10 businesses, organizations, and municipalities in Central Pennsylvania with the first Lodestar Awards to recognize entities who are leading the way in investing in clean and renewable solar energy at a virtual event on February 11.

* Op-Ed: Climate Change And Clean Energy - A Veteran's Perspective

By Jay Breneman, U.S. Army Veteran, Iraq War

* DEP Chesapeake Bay Implementation Plan Update: 86% Of Phase 3 Milestones Are On Track

On February 19, the Department of Environmental Protection reported 86 percent of its Phase 3 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan milestones are on track.

* DCNR Blog: DCNR Grants Support, Water, Wildlife And People In PA's Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Chesapeake Bay is a big deal in Pennsylvania. Even though the bay is outside the state, about half of Pennsylvania sits within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

* CFA Accepting Applications For Act 13 Watershed Restoration, Mine Reclamation, Sewage, Flood Mitigation, Recreation Grants

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for grants funded by Act 13 drilling impact fees for watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage abatement, baseline water quality data, orphaned or abandoned well plugging, sewage facilities, flood mitigation programs and recreation.

* National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Accepting Applications For Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, is now accepting applications for 2021 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants.

* Delaware River Basin Commission Sets Feb. 25 Meeting On Final Rule Banning Certain Fracking Activities In Natural Gas Drilling

On February 17, the Delaware River Basin Commission announced it will hold a special virtual meeting February 25 to consider final action on a rule to ban certain hydraulic fracking activities related to natural gas drilling.

* Environmental Groups, DEP Agree To Open Public Comment Period On 49 Previously Approved Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment & Storage Facility Permits

On February 17, the Center for Coalfield Justice, Mountain Watershed Association, Clean Air Council, Environmental Integrity Project, Earthworks and PennFuture have reached an agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection to begin soliciting community input on 49 drilling wastewater storage and reuse permits issued under a General Permit known as WMGR123.

* Shale Gas Development In PA Increases Exposure Of Nearby Residents To Air Pollutants, Setback Policies Not Effective

By Matthew Carroll, Penn State News

* Songbirds' Reproductive Success Reduced By Natural Gas Pipeline Compressor Noise

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

* DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 702 More Permits, 1,696 More Inspections Since Last Week

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

* IRRC Recommends EQB Consider Adding More Environmental Protections To Carbon Pollution Reduction Reg. Covering Power Plants; Delay Implementation 1 Year

On February 16, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission submitted its comments to the Environmental Quality Board on the proposed regulation establishing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Program covering power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

* DEP Blog: Ten Tools Pennsylvania Is Using To Address Climate Change

By Deborah Klenotic, Deputy Communications Director

* DEP To Propose New Regulation To Require Automakers To Offer Electric Vehicles For Sale In Pennsylvania

On February 19, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is drafting new regulations, under the direction of Gov. Tom Wolf, to require automakers to offer electric vehicles for sale in Pennsylvania as part of its PA Clean Vehicles Program.

* DCNR Blog: Economic Impact: Buchanan Forest District HQ Brings Surrounding Woodlands To Life

It is named the Buchanan Forest District Resource Management Center. Here, visitors are invited to step inside to learn more about the outside world around them. To see, hear, and smell the countless species that live in the surrounding 71,000-acre Buchanan State Forest [in Bedford, Franklin and Fulton counties].

* South Mountain Partnership Announces 2021 Mini-Grant Recipients

As part of its 2021 Power of the Partnership Celebration, the South Mountain Partnership announced this year's recipients of four Mini-Grants designed to support and sustain the South Mountain Landscape’s natural, recreational and cultural resources.

* U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Game Commission, DCNR Finalize Bat Conservation Plan Covering 3.8 Million Acres Of State-Managed Lands

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Game Commission and DCNR's Bureaus of Forestry and State Parks recently finalized the State Lands Habitat Conservation Plan for Bats to conserve federally protected Indiana and northern long-eared bats on 3.8 million acres of state-managed lands.

* PA Society For Ornithology Announces Inaugural Breeding Bird Blitz For Conservation - June 18-21

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology is turning the passion of Pennsylvanians for watching and counting birds into funding for bird conservation with the launch of the Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation.

* Merger Creates Audubon Mid-Atlantic Uniting 26 Local Chapters, 150,000+ Members; Suzanne Biemiller Named Executive Director

On February 16, the National Audubon Society announced a strategic merger between two storied state programs-- Audubon Pennsylvania and Audubon Maryland-DC, introducing the Audubon Mid-Atlantic regional office.

* PA Capitol & COVID Weekly Report: Budget Season Begins, Another New Vaccine Plan, Tolling Bridges

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] Budget season kicked off in the House last week with the grim news-- no surprise-- the state will have to make up for a $2.5 to $3 billion structure deficit and at least $2 billion more in one-time income-- including federal COVID relief funds-- before they even tackle the FY 2021-22 budget.

* 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--

* House Democratic Policy Committee To Hold Hearings On Delaware River, Clean Energy Jobs, Environment & Infrastructure Budgets

The House Democratic Policy Committee is scheduled to hold three hearings this week on issues related to environment and energy.

* House Environmental Committee Holds 2nd Meeting Feb. 24 On Proposed Changes To Chapter 105 Regulations

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a second meeting February 24 on proposed changes to the Chapter 105 Waterways Management permits, one of the most basic permits all development must have.

* SBA Extends Deadline For Applying For Assistance For Homeowners, Businesses Affected By Tropical Storm Isaias In Berks, Philadelphia Counties

On February 18, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to extend the deadline for survivors of Tropical Storm Isaias to apply for low-interest loans from SBA until March 18, 2021.

* DEP Invites Comments On Alternative Restoration Plan For Hammer Creek Headwaters In Lebanon County, Upstream Of Speedwell Forge Lake

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 20 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Alternative Restoration Plan for the Hammer Creek Headwaters in Lebanon County.  (PA Bulletin, page 967)

* Dept. Of Health Seeks Focus Group Members To Discuss Private Water Wells; 13 County Water Supply Testing/Protection Webinars Set

By Stephanie Hasanali, Department of Health

* Registration Now Open For 2021 Virtual PA Groundwater Symposium May 6

By Bryan Swistock, Penn State Extension

* Allegheny County Master Watershed Stewards Prep For 3-Year Stream Assessment Project

By Mary Wilson, Allegheny County Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

* University Of Pittsburgh Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Featured Exploring The Nature Of Water In Western PA Program By Master Watershed Stewards

By Mary Wilson, Allegheny County Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

* 3-Part Webinar Series On Mapping Stormwater BMPs In Montgomery County Set For Feb. 24, March 2, 11

Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards in Montgomery County will host a three-part webinar series on Mapping Stormwater BMPs [Best Management Practices] in Montgomery County from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on February 24, March 2 and 11.

* Penn State Extension: Making Riparian Buffers Work For You Webinar March 19

Penn State Extension will host a March 19 webinar on Making Riparian Buffers Work for You from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

* PA American Water Accepting Entries For Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest

On February 19, PA American Water announced it is now accepting entries to the Protect Our Watershed Student Art Contest.  Entries are due April 23.

* Stroud Water Research Center Study Points To Warmer Streams As Threat To Mayflies, Not Oxygen Deprivation

New research by Stroud Water Research Center has disproved a common hypotheses for why mayflies, which are frequently used as indicators of stream health, display poorer growth when stream temperatures rise as a result of climate change or lack of tree shade.

* DCNR Warns Of Hazardous Conditions On State Forest Roads

On February 18, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn warned sustained cold temperatures and a string of snowstorms have left many state forest roads impassable and she urged motorists to stay off them until conditions improve.

* DCNR Accepting Comments On Proposed Land Exchange In Juniata County

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources invited comments on a proposed land exchange between the Mifflintown Municipal Authority and DCNR in Milford Township, Juniata County. (formal notice)

* Circuit Trails Coalition Calls On Philadelphia To Make Funding For Spring Garden Street Greenway Project A Priority

On February 17, the Circuit Trails Coalition is calling on the City of Philadelphia to make the Spring Garden Street Greenway Project a priority for funding.

* PA Forestry Assn. PA's Conservation Pioneers Video Now Available In Discovering PA's Forest Heritage Series

The PA Forestry Association, in cooperation with the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, is proud to bring you the second video in the Discovering PA’s Forest Heritage Series-- Pennsylvania Conservation Pioneers.

* Feb. 19 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The February 19 Take Five Fridays With Pam from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation is now available featuring articles on--

* Fish & Boat Commission Feb. 20 Virtual Fisheries Summit Presentations On Demand On YouTube Channel

The Fish and Boat Commission invited the public to participate in its 2021 Virtual Fisheries Summit February 20. The presentations for the event are posted on the Commission’s YouTube Channel

* Help Wanted: Wildlife Leadership Academy Field School Operations Coordinator

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is seeking qualified candidates for a seasonal (7 month) Field School Operations Coordinator at their Lock Haven office.

* 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.

* CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 79 page PA Environment Digest.

* 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.

* Riparian Forest Buffer Summit March 10-11

PA Environment Digest is proud to be a sponsor of the 2021 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit.  Registration now open!

* Supporting Member POWR, PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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