Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 29, 2021 Issue #874
(3/29/2021)
* 16 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

There are 16 new stories in this week’s PA Environment Digest that show the leadership of townships, watershed groups, conservation districts, farm groups, state agencies, wildlife groups, a law firm, a film production company and a federal agency..

* Bay Journal: Floodplain Restoration Earns Dover Twp., York County Its Dream Park

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Cub Scouts Help Improve Streambank While Learning About Erosion Issues From Snyder County Conservation District

By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

* Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Provides Updates On Rehab Of 2 Passive Mine Drainage Treatment Systems In Butler County

The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition provided updates on projects to rehab two passive mine drainage treatment systems that are more than 20 years old in Butler County in their most recent newsletter.

* Federal Court Grants Request For 16 PA Senate Democrats To Intervene In PA Senate Republican Caucus Legal Challenge To Delaware River Basin Commission Natural Gas Fracking Ban

Federal Court has granted the motion of 16 PA Senate Democratic Caucus members filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit brought by the entire PA Senate Republican Caucus to overturn the ban on natural gas fracking adopted by the Delaware River Basin Commission, according to the Bucks County Courier Times.  Read more here.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Releases Proposed Rule, Groundwater Review Policies For Comment, Including New Pre-Drilling Well Site Review Policy

On March 26, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission released a proposed rulemaking and three related groundwater review policies for public comment.

* Gov. Wolf Announces Major Commitment To Solar Energy To Supply Nearly 50% Of State Government's Electricity Needs

On March 22, Gov. Wolf announced it will buy electricity produced from seven new solar energy facilities in six counties which will produce nearly 50 percent of the electricity used by state government.

* 7 Out Of 10 PA Voters Are Concerned About Climate Change Impacting Their Children, Grandchildren

On March 25, a new poll found 73 percent of Pennsylvania voters are concerned about the future negative impacts of climate change on their children and grandchildren, and also want state government to support communities financially (70 percent) who may be impacted by the change to cleaner energy sources.

* DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 745 More Permits, 1,887 More Inspections Since Last Week

From March 16, 2020 to March 23, 2021 Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

* USGS Releases First-Of-Its-Kind Sampling Data For 33 PFAS Compounds, Including PFOS+PFOA In PA Surface Waters

On March 18, the USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection, released data from a 2019 project that sampled surface waters for Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS)  compounds across Pennsylvania.

* DEP Issues Discharge Permit With PFAS Limits To Montgomery County Air National Guard Base

On March 24, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) limits to the Biddle Air National Guard Base (ANGB), formerly known as the Horsham Air Guard Station (HAGS), in Horsham Township, Montgomery County.

* DEP, EPA, DOJ Reach $1.9 Million Agreement With Chesapeake Appalachia For Failure To Identify, Protect Wetlands At 76 Gas Well Drilling Sites

On March 24, the Department of Environment Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice executed a landmark Consent Decree with Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC to resolve Chesapeake’s violations of the federal Clean Water Act and the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and Dam Safety and Encroachments Act associated with the failure to identify and protect wetlands at 76 oil and gas well sites in Pennsylvania.

* Wildlife For Everyone Awards 5 Scholarships To Conservation-Focused Students

The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation recently awarded scholarships to five students from four Pennsylvania schools to support them in their respective wildlife and natural resource-related fields.

* DCNR Announces Return Of Outdoor Programming, Volunteer Work, Raising Capacity Limits At State Parks, Forests April 4

On March 26, in line with Gov. Wolf’s latest orders intended to prevent the spread and mitigate the impacts of COVID, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced an upcoming return of outdoors programming at state parks and expansion of occupancy limits within park and state forest buildings effective Sunday, April 4. 

* DCNR Blog: Forested Stream Buffers Grow Clean Water And Local Businesses

In its simplest sense, DCNR’s Forest Buffer Program seeks to improve water quality by planting greenery along streams and rivers. But so much more goes into this widening effort than growing new trees, shrubs, and grasses.

* Mom & Pop Shop Success Linked To Proximity To PA State Parks & Forests; Mom & Pop Business Owners Day March 29

If you are one of the more than 40 million annual visitors to Pennsylvania’s State Parks and State Forests, then you know the importance of the many small businesses in and around our public lands.

* Wild Excellence Films Releases Documentary About ‘The Last Prairie’ At Jennings Environmental Ed Center In Butler County

On March 21, Wild Excellence Films announced the release of their latest film-- The Last Prairie. The documentary features the rare ecosystem at Jennings Environmental Education Center in Slippery Rock, Butler County, part of the state park system.

* By Avoiding Ticks You Can Avoid Lyme Disease, Other Serious Illnesses; DEP Tick, Mosquito Surveillance Typically Starts In April

On March 22, the departments of Health, DCNR and DEP reminded Pennsylvania residents and visitors to avoid ticks by taking precautions when spending time outdoors as the weather warms.

* Sign Up Now For PA Master Naturalist Training This Fall In 7 Counties

Ever thought about becoming a PA Master Naturalist?  Training courses are now forming in Armstrong, Centre, Chester (southern), Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Westmoreland Counties counties this fall.

* Nominations Now Being Accepted For Regional Women In Conservation Awards From Northeast

PennFuture is now accepting nominations for regional Women In Conservation Awards from Northeast Pennsylvania.  The deadline is May 8.

* Feature- Remembering The Accident At Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant As Next Steps Are Taken To Decommission The Damaged Unit 2

Forty-two years ago on March 28, Pennsylvanians woke up to a much different world too -- the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Dauphin County.

* PA Capitol & COVID Weekly Report: No In-Person School, No State Money; Election Help Plea - Again

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] In a major policy shift, House Republicans Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) announced Wednesday he would work to require school districts, community colleges, technical schools and universities to return to in-person instruction as a condition of receiving state funding.  Read more here.

* Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week

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

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule [Updated]/Bills Introduced

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--

* Senate Committee Unanimously Reports Out Bill To Control Overuse Of Fertilizer On Turf

On March 23, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee unanimously voted to report out Senate Bill 251 (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.

* Senate Committee OKs Bill To Encourage Development Of Clean Vehicle Infrastructure- Electric, Natural Gas, Hydrogen

On March 23, the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee unanimously reported out Senate Bill 435-- encouraging the development of clean transportation infrastructure to support electric, natural gas and hydrogen vehicles.

* Sen. Scavello Reintroduces Legislation To Enable Community Solar Projects

On March 23, Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) reintroduces legislation-- Senate Bill 472--  to authorize community solar projects in Pennsylvania. 

* Sen. Yaw Bill Creates New Program To Pay For On-Farm Conservation Measures - If Funded; 2 Other Proposals Would Use Federal COVID Relief Monies To Fund Clean Water Projects

On March 22, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, reintroduced bipartisan legislation-- Senate Bill 465-- creating a new program to help pay for on-farm conservation measures, if it’s funded.

* Senate Committee Sets State Of The Chesapeake Bay Information Meeting April 6

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to have an informational meeting April 6 on the state of the Chesapeake Bay.

* NRCS-PA Hosts Webinar April 13 On Conservation Assistance Available For Urban Farming

NRCS-PA is hosting a webinar April 13 to learn about cost sharing for conservation practices, agricultural loans, and grants available to urban farmers from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

* EPA Checking Up On PA Dentists To Ensure Compliance With Rules To Reduce Mercury-Containing Amalgam Waste

On March 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is contacting dental offices throughout Pennsylvania via email and the U.S Postal Service to ensure compliance with the Dental Amalgam Rule that requires dentists to conduct best management practices to reduce mercury-containing amalgam waste from entering wastewater treatment systems.

* Penn State Extension Invites Your Response To Survey To Assess COVID Impacts On Stormwater Activities And Budgets

By Andy Yencha, Extension Educator

* PA County Conservation Districts Seek Farmers In Ohio, Delaware Watersheds For Farmer Focus Groups

The PA Association of Conservation Districts is working with Water Words That Work to offer another round of farmer focus groups throughout the Pennsylvania portion of the Delaware and Ohio Watersheds as part of CREP (PA Crop Reserve Enhancement Program) Office outreach.

* PA Sustainable Agriculture Hosts April 2 Webinar On Unearthing Soil Trends - Insights From Our Study Of 100+ Farms

The PA Sustainable Agriculture Association will host an April 2 webinar On Unearthing Soil Trends - Insights From Our Study Of 100+ Farms from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

* Penn State Becomes Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Consortium Partner

By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center

* Penn State Master Well Owner Network Hosts Special Private Water Supply Education & Testing Webinar Series

By Bryan Swistock, Extension Water Resources Coordinator

* Penn State Extension: 8-Part Wednesday Water Webinars Start April 14 To Discuss Private Drinking Water Supply Issues

By Danielle Rhea, Extension Educator

* Penn State Extension: A Closer Look At Vernal Pools: Unique Wetland Environments

By Jodi Sulpizio, York County Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

* DEP Invites Comments On Proposed TMDL Plan For Watershed In Huntingdon County

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Plan for the Little Trough Creek subwatershed in Huntingdon County.  (PA Bulletin 1744)

* DEP Notice Of Opportunity To Bid On 2 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Projects In Washington County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of bids to be accepted for two mine reclamation projects in Smith Township, Washington County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1744)

* PA Resources Council April Schedule Of Glass Recycling Collection Events In Allegheny, Mercer Counties

The Pennsylvania Resources Council Traveling Glass Recycling Program – which serves residents living in municipalities no longer accepting glass in curbside recycling collection – provides a free recycling service to residents that rotates through a variety of locations in western Pennsylvania.

* April 14 Webinar - What Is RGGI And Why Should PA Participate? Hosted By Washington & Jefferson College

Pennsylvania’s move to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will be explored during the Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management’s latest webinar on April 14 starting at 11:00 a.m.

* Brodhead Watershed Assn. Hosts Online Native Plant Sale Now Thru May 21 In Monroe County

Brodhead Watershed Association is hosting an online Native Plant Sale, with ordering now through May 21 and curbside pickup of the plants on June 5, in Tannersville, Monroe County.

* Washington & Jefferson College Renews Level I Accreditation From ArbNet Accreditation Program And The Morton Arboretum

Washington & Jefferson College in Washington County has earned renewal of its Level I Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum.

* Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Assists Brandywine Conservancy In Preserving 577 Acres In Chester County As A Public Nature Preserve

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is pleased to have represented and assisted Brandywine Conservancy in acquiring and preserving over 577 acres of land in Lower Oxford and West Nottingham Townships, Chester County.  Read more here.

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation Launches New, Dynamic Website

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation launched an updated website to help the public stay informed and involved with what's happening in and to state parks and forests.

* March 26 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The March 26 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* Wildlife For Everyone: Soaring Eagle Wetland Hosts Unique Opportunity For Anglers In Centre County

This year, a special opportunity awaits anglers in central Pennsylvania. The nearly one-mile section of Bald Eagle Creek that runs through the Soaring Eagle Wetland, located between Port Matilda and Julian in  Centre County, allows anglers a chance to catch bigger trout (14-20 inches in length) using any tackle type (bait, lure and fly).

* Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Partners Host Virtual Wild About Raptors Workshop Series For Educators

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Penn State's Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, the Department of Environmental Protection, Game Commission, and the Motus Tracking System to create this free Wild About Raptors Workshop series in May and June.

* Intern/Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy Preserve Steward; Preserve Stewardship Intern

The Brandywine Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates for Preserve Stewardship Intern and Preserve Steward II positions.

* 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 76 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.

* Supporting Member PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers; 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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