Here are 35 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--

On December 6, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell announced the Commonwealth has reached a settlement with Sunoco Pipeline, L.P., ​that will require the company to dredge Ranger Cove in the 535-acre lake at Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County, as well as pay $4 million for natural resource damages, which will be used to restore and improve visitor experiences at the park, and a $341,000 civil penalty for permit violations.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the December 11 PA Bulletin (PA Bulletin, page 7783) inviting public comments on Erosion and Sedimentation permit renewal applications for the Mariner East Pipeline covering rights of way segments in 15 counties.

By Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project Board Of Directors

DEP published notice in the December 11 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on the Blacklick Creek Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Facility in Cambria and Indiana counties.

DCED’s PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on December 16 to, among other issues, hear an update on issues related to road spreading of conventional oil and gas drilling wastewater.

Videos of the presentations made at the November Shale Gas & Public Health Conference hosted by the PA League Of Women Voters and University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

The York County-based Evangelical Environmental Network released this statement from Rev. Mitchell C. Hescox, President & CEO, on DEP draft final regulation to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The FracTracker Alliance and Halt the Harm Network will honor four environmental justice advocates with Community Sentinel Awards for Environmental Stewardship during a December 9 virtual awards program from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

By By Francisco Tutella, Penn State News

This editorial first appeared in the Citizens Voice on December 9, 2021--

On December 3, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative announced its 54th auction of carbon dioxide allowances resulted in an average carbon price of $13 and generated $351 million for states to reinvest in strategic programs, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, direct bill assistance, and GHG abatement programs.

By Lori Brennan, The Nature Conservancy-PA & Lorraine Faccenda, LaFarge Whitehall Cement Plant

By Dr. Keith E. Peterman, York College Of Pennsylvania

The Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership NRCS RCPP project sponsored by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has funding available for Land Management activities in multiple priority watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Pennsylvania within multiple counties.

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers has made available presentations from the 2021 Statewide Conference for Watershed Organizations held in November.

On December 6, Chester County-based Stroud Water Research Center announced it has been selected as a winner of the 2021 Amazon Web Services (AWS) Imagine Grant, a public grant opportunity open to registered nonprofit organizations in the United States who are using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 11 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a draft stream evaluation report covering 85 streams and stream segments in 31 counties classified by the Fish and Boat Commission as Class A Wild Trout Waters.

On December 8, the Delaware River Basin Commission’s 60th anniversary and its accomplishments over the years were recognized during its fourth-quarter public business meeting, held Wednesday.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for County Recycling Coordinator Grants under Section 903 of Act 101.  The deadline to apply is May 2.  (formal notice)

On December 9, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the department is seeking applicants for its new Next Gen Council, which has a goal to increase public participation and diversity at state parks and forests by gathering input from a diverse group of engaged individuals.

On December 6, Gov. Tom Wolf was joined by Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D-York), Kevin Schreiber, CEO, York County Economic Alliance, and Jeff Vermeulen, Assistant Vice President for External Relations with York College to announce $10 million in state support for the first phase of the Codorus Greenway project through the City of York.

The PA Recreation and Park Society is now accepting nominations for its Recognition and Awards Program to recognize individuals, agencies, boards and commissions for their efforts to advance community recreation and park services.

The December 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

Natural Lands has added nearly 26 acres of forest to French Creek State Park. The properties were at high risk of development—which would have removed intact forest habitat required by migratory songbirds and other wildlife.

On December 7, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History announced the naming of the new mineral-- Oldsite-- after Dr. Travis Olds, the museum’s Assistant Curator of Minerals.

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking qualified individuals to fill the position of to assist landowners with needs determinations, design, layout and installation of agricultural best management practices.

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

The PA Council of Trout Unlimited and Coldwater Heritage Partnership Program have issued a call for presenters for the February 25-26 Joint Keystone Goldwater Fisheries Conference and PA Chapter of the American Fisheries Society meeting in State College.

Penn State Extension will host another in its Water Cooler Talk series December 29 on Pennsylvania Flood Risk With Climate Change from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The results of the 2021 Upper Delaware BioBlitz are in! Seven teams of scientists and amateur naturalists visited a 65+ acre property in Northern Wayne County over the course of the year to gather information on plant and wildlife species.

The PA Resources Council will host a free Recycling and Waste Reduction Webinar on December 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Improving your health and well-being can be as simple as getting outdoors to enjoy Pennsylvania’s parks and forests. 

The Harrisburg-based Appalachian Chapter of the Audubon Society now accepting applications for a scholarship for students ages 14-17 to Audubon's Hog Island Camp in Maine.  The deadline for applications is January 21.

The Pittsburgh-based Group Against Smog and Pollution will host a December 15 webinar-- Making The Connection - The Link Between Pollution & Mental Illness-- from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

On December 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded two grants in Pennsylvania to reduce diesel emissions.  The grants included--

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 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.