There are 17 new stories in this week’s PA Environment Digest that show the leadership of watershed groups, wildlife groups, farmers, state agencies, a legislator, volunteers, environmental and energy groups and a multi-year effort with many partners to clean up a river.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will host the world premier of A River Reborn, a documentary about the cleanup of the Little Conemaugh River in Cambria County, on April 8 from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.

By Will Parson, Chesapeake Bay Program

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Trout Unlimited have collaborated on a series of videos on conservation projects that benefit hunters and anglers that are powered by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

On March 29, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited is pleased to announce that twelve grants totaling $70,000 have been awarded to conservation organizations across Pennsylvania through the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s Coldwater Conservation Grant Program.

Claire Jantz is a founding member and Chair of the Friends of Michaux State Forest, working with DCNR to protect more than 85,500 acres of public land.

There’s now a way to donate to planting trees along streams and in communities!

From March 16, 2020 to March 30, 2021 Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

More than 50 years ago, Franklin L. Kury, newly elected to Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, drafted and championed an Environmental Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

The natural land and forests is Pennsylvania’s namesake feature. Recreation on and enjoyment of public natural lands including state parks and forests, drives the state economy and keeps Pennsylvanians physically and emotionally healthy.

Join the PA Parks and Forests Foundation as we welcome Samuel Black, Director of the African American Program at the Senator John Heinz History Center to a virtual presentation about the From Slavery to Freedom Exhibit on April 5 starting at Noon.

Preliminary design concept options for the Hazelwood Green Riverfront in Pittsburgh will be formally unveiled after a months-long community involvement process at a virtual public meeting on April 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources posts daily statewide Wildlife Danger maps to help educate the public to the potential danger from wildfires.

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

The PA Environmental Resource Consortium, City of Harrisburg, Environmental Advisory Committee, and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are hosting an Environmental Justice in Pennsylvania event, to be held virtually on April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Join First Lady Frances Wolf and the Game Commission on April 22-- Earth Day--from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for a virtual Governor’s Residence Earth Day Celebration.

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] If you’re looking for a good paying, but temporary job, the Senate and House leadership last week advertised the position of Chair of the PA Legislative Reapportionment Commission is available, if you like drawing maps, working with numbers and can sit through endless, mind-numbing political debates.

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--

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

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold an informational meeting April 7 on “Pennsylvania’s forests and forest products.”

On March 29, The four caucus floor leaders-- Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Mifflin), Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), and House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia)--  announced they are seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as the chair of the 2021 PA Legislative Reapportionment Commission.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced plans last week to introduce legislation to prevent the state from supporting any solar energy projects using an foreign made or assembled components. Read more here.

On March 31, President Biden came to Pittsburgh to announce his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan he called a once-in-a-generation investment in America.  Republicans up and down the ticket called it a “Trojan horse” for tax hikes.  Read more here.

On March 31, the Environmental Council of the States wrote a letter to the Chair of the U.S. House Appropriations Interior & Environment Subcommittee to outline principles that should be incorporated in any federal legislation promoting lifecycle product stewardship.

On March 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered ViaClean Technologies, operating in Philadelphia, to stop marketing the pesticide BioProtect RTU with claims that it is effective against surfaces from public health related pathogens such as the coronavirus.

Last week, the National Association of Conservation Districts awarded grants to support six county conservation districts in Pennsylvania.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA reminded landowners the next deadline for NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program applications to be considered for funding this year is May 7, 2021.

The Department of Environmental Protection will host a fifth round of public meetings of Regional Water Resource Committees to help get input into the 2022 State Water Plan Update.  Read more here.

The Penn State College of Agriculture will host another in its series of College Connections webinars on May 19 featuring Water Quality Partnerships - The Ripple Effect from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation and its partners are seeking volunteers for a tree planting April 17 in Centralia, Columbia County starting at 10:00 a.m.

By John Zakransky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is hosting two workshop series for residents of the Buffalo Creek Watershed in Armstrong, Butler, and Allegheny Counties. 

With every morning smelling like spring in the lead-up to Earth Day on April 22, wouldn’t you like to get outside and play?

Grab your phone or your camera and send the Susquehanna River Greenway Partnership your best shot in the 10th Annual Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest: Treasured Towns and Landscapes of the Susquehanna.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is now accepting applications for a new grant program to support the collection and reporting of water level data in groundwater production wells. The deadline for applications is June 30.

The Public Utility Commission invites comments on a proposed rulemaking addressing the replacement of consumer-owned lead service lines and damaged wastewater service laterals (DWSL) and the recovery of associated costs.  (PA Bulletin, page 1802)

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act and CERCLA settlement agreement for the Metal Bank Superfund site in Philadelphia that includes a payment of $950,000 for natural resource damage restoration. (PA Bulletin, page 1888)

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for County Recycling Coordinator and Certified Host Municipality Inspector Grants.

Mark your 2021 calendar now for dates to drop off a wide variety of materials – ranging from computers and tires to household chemicals and smoke detectors – at upcoming collection events in western Pennsylvania sponsored by the PA Resources Council and its partners.

The PA Resources Council will host online conservation workshops on recycling and waste reduction, backyard composting and watershed awareness and rain barrels.

Schools can keep their school grounds litter free with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Litter Free School Zone.

On March 26, DEP, PennDOT, DCNR and Keep PA Beautiful hosted a Don't Trash Pennsylvania  online discussion designed to increase Pennsylvanians’ knowledge of litter’s negative impacts; what state agencies are doing about it and ways everyone can help.

The Department of Human Services announced it is extending the deadline to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program until April 30.  It had been set to close on April 9.

The Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller encourages individuals and families who pay rent and are at risk of eviction or loss of utility service to apply for help through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

On March 31, the Department of Environmental Protection announced $2,400,969 in Driving PA Forward grants to cleaner fuel transportation projects that will take 62 older diesel vehicles off the road to help improve air quality in many communities.

On March 29, a broad coalition of organizations announced their support for a new bill introduced by Sen. Daniel Laughlin (R-Erie) and Sen. Art Haywood (D-Montgomery) that would help Pennsylvania recover from the economic hardship of the pandemic by harnessing the power of solar and other renewable energies.

The Clean Air Council announced the 2021 Run for Clean Air, presented by Toyota Hybrids, will be held on April 17. For the second year, the race will be virtual, allowing runners to participate from anywhere!

By the Greening Mountainhome Project

The April 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

By: Gregory Lenahan, Deputy Digital Director

Six different organizations and agencies have a variety of intern and full and part time positions to fill.

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 69 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.

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.