Here are 32 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

Links to all the articles and NewsClips in this week’s PA Environment Digest by topic in one place--

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 16 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed new technical guidance on Notification Requirements for Spills, Discharges and Other Incidents That Threaten To Cause Pollution of the Waters of the Commonwealth as required by the state Clean Streams Law.  (DEP ID: 383-4200-003)

On October 13, the departments of Environmental Protection, Agriculture, and Health, along with the Fish and Boat Commission, announced a “Do Not Eat” advisory for all fish species caught in the Neshaminy Creek basin in Bucks and Montgomery counties due to extremely high levels of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS).

On October 12, the Protective Buffers PA Coalition launched an initiative to educate Pennsylvania residents and legislators about the importance of setting more protective setback distances from oil and gas drilling and infrastructure.

On September 10, David Hill of Hill Drilling and Chair of DCED's PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council, wrote to DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell criticizing the agency for working with Penn State University on independent studies on the effectiveness and environmental impacts of the road dumping of drilling wastewater that the Council had been aware of since August of 2020.

On October 12, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program partnership announced more than $10 million in grants for projects that will protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed.

On October 14, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of over $4.1 million to 13 projects statewide that will help communities restore impaired local watersheds funded by EPA’s Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program.

Green infrastructure has become a popular term. You may hear it often in conversations regarding flooding, public parks, stormwater runoff management, pollution, and erosion.

On November 6 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, Lancaster Cemetery and Northeast Neighbors United will celebrate with a community tree planting and clean up event at the Lancaster Cemetery.

On October 15, the Department of Agriculture announced the award of more than $2 million in grants to research ways of safely controlling spotted lantern flies, improving soil and water quality, protecting pollinators, eliminating invasive species and more.

By Harry Campbell, Science Policy & Advocacy Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

On October 14, Executive Director Andrew Dehoff announced that the Susquehanna River Basin Commission has approved more than $110,000 in grants for groundwater level monitoring projects across the Susquehanna Basin.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is now accepting nominations for its four annual award programs.  The deadline for nominations is November 1.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is seeking members to represent agriculture and industry on its Toxics Advisory Committee.

On October 14, Keep PA Beautiful announced the Spring Pick Up PA Cleanup Program involved  60,505 volunteers who picked up 2.2 million pounds of trash and planted 102,155 trees from March through May of 2021.

Need to get rid of tires or wheels from your car or truck?  The Independence Conservancy will hold its final community tire collection of 2021 at the Aliquippa Street Department, 1497 Kennedy Blvd., Aliquippa PA 15001 on Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, rain or shine.

Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support (SEEDS) of Northeastern Pennsylvania hosted the 10th Annual Free Book Swap on September 18 and 19 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.

The Department of Environmental Protection has extended the deadline for accepting applications for Section 902 Recycling Implementation Grants under Act 101 until October 29.  (formal notice)

On October 14, the Department of Environmental Protection presented a proposed regulation that would adopt California’s existing Zero Emission Vehicle Program that requires 22 percent of the new passenger and light duty vehicle fleets offered for sale in the state be zero emission vehicles starting in model year 2025.

On October 14, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University-- together with collaborators at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boise State University-- released a research study on how Southwestern Pennsylvania can thrive during the transition to a future with net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

On October 13, CONSOL Energy announced it is setting an interim goal to reduce its direct operating greenhouse gas emissions (referred to as scope 1 and scope 2 emissions) on an absolute basis by 50 percent over a five year period (or by the end of 2026), compared to 2019 baseline levels and measured as the rate of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) emitted.

The Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for Green Light - Go Grants, which, among other purposes, can fund replacement of traffic lights with LED bulbs.  The deadline for applications is January 14.  (formal notice)

On October 11, the First Street Foundation, the science and technology nonprofit that developed the First Street Foundation Flood Model and created Flood Factor, has released the first ever nationwide community level flood resilience report titled “The 3rd National Risk Assessment: Infrastructure on the Brink,” highlighting the flood risk over a 30 year period for every city and county across the conterminous United States.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a November 17 hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Homer City coal-fired power plant in Center Township, Indiana County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6558)

On October 12, the Department of Environmental Protection invited comments on the large noncoal surface mining permit application submitted by Three Rivers Aggregates, LLC, for a proposed surface coal mine located in New Beaver Borough, Lawrence County.

UPDATE: The gauge was found and had minor cosmetic damage but no radiological material was released.

On October 14, the Department of Agriculture announced it has protected another 1,999 acres on 21 farms in 13 counties through the state’s nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program.

DCNR's Conservation & Natural Resources Council will host another in its series of CNRAC Conversations on October 27 featuring a discussion of Economics and the Outdoors from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

By Emily Scott, Producer, Public News Service

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers will start accepting applications for the new Ohio River Basin Access Mini Grant Program for canoes and Kayaks on November 1.  The deadline for applications is December 15.

The Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting applications for Boating Facility Grants to support the planning, acquisition, development, expansion and rehabilitation of public boating facilities located on the waters of the Commonwealth.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is pleased to announce that the 144-acre Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, Berlin Township, Wayne County, PA is open to the public.

On October 14, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its third Fall Foliage Report that gives a preview of the leaf viewing season. 

On October 13, Officials from the state Departments of Transportation, Conservation and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and General Services highlighted a pilot project to pave part of a Ridley Creek State Park roadway with an asphalt and recycled plastic mixture in Delaware County.

The October 15 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

The 2021-2022 Pennsylvania State Parks Calendar is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

By: Tom Decker, Community Relations Coordinator, Northwest Regional Office

By Kelly Jedrzejewski, Penn State News

Cary Bohl and Kim Edward Miller have been appointed to the board of directors of the Westmoreland Land Trust.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's watershed conservation program, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, seeks a highly motivated, driven and well-organized individual to fill the position of Regional Watershed Forestry Specialist to help promote and coordinate riparian forest buffer and lawn conversion implementation efforts in Pennsylvania as a part of tight-knit team working in a fast-paced environment.

The Allegheny County-based Allegheny Land Trust is seeking qualified candidate to fill two full-time positions--

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

The latest Teaching Green environmental education newsletter from the Department of Environmental Protection features these articles and more--

The PA Forestry Association will hold a virtual Annual Symposium on November 2 and 4.  This special event is in place of the in-person Annual Symposium postponed after the sudden passing of Dr. Jim Finley.

Audubon Mid-Atlantic's newest resource for Pennsylvania is here, along with two updated companion publications.

The PA Interfaith Power & Light and the Jewish Earth Alliance will host an October 20 webinar on the federal Build Back Better Proposal starting at 6:00 p.m.

On October 26, the Manada Conservancy will host a Plants Rule!  Harvesting The Sun For Climate Change program at the Hershey Gardens Conservatory, 170 Hotel Road in Hershey, Dauphin County starting at 7:00 p.m.

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

The Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to meet on October 19 to consider Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which would limit the ability of communities to offer new and clean energy sources and energy efficiency programs by locking in the status quo, in particular natural gas.

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

On October 12, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan announced President Biden will appoint Adam Ortiz to become EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 3.

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

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

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the latest PA Bulletin--

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 proud sponsor of the 2021 Virtual PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference to be held October 27-28.  Click Here to register.

PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2021 Statewide Watershed Conference hosted by the PA Organization of Watersheds and Rivers on November 7-8, with special webinars on November 10-11.

PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2022 Joint Meeting of the Keystone Coldwater Conference and PA Chapter of the American Fisheries Society on February 25-26, 2022, at the Ramada Conference Center in State College.

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.