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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
December 13, 2021 Issue #908
(12/13/2021)
* 35 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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.

* All Articles & NewsClips In This Week’s Digest By Topic

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

* Sunoco/Mariner East Pipeline To Pay $4 Million In Damages And Restore Lake At Marsh Creek State Park Polluted By A Spill In Chester County

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.

* DEP Invites Comments On Mariner East Pipeline Erosion & Sedimentation Renewal Permits For Rights Of Way In 15 Counties

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.

* Guest Essay: Acid Mine Drainage Treatment A Vital Component Of National Infrastructure

By Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project Board Of Directors

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Blacklick Creek AMD Treatment Facility, Cambria & Indiana Counties

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 PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council Meets Dec. 16 On Road Spreading Of Conventional Drilling Wastewater, Other Issues

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.

* Now On Demand: Videos From 2021 Shale Gas & Public Health Conference; Including Preliminary Results Of A Penn State Study On Health Risks From Road Spreading Conventional 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.

* Evangelical Environmental Network Disappointed In Final DEP Draft Reg. To Reduce Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations

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.

* Bay Journal: Massive Aid On Way To Plug Pollution From Oil, Gas Wells In Bipartisan Federal Infrastructure Act

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* FracTracker Alliance, Halt The Harm Network To Honor 4 With Sentinel Awards At Dec. 9 Program

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.

* Penn State: Switch From Coal To Natural Gas Reducing Sulfur Dioxide Emissions, Can Improve Water Quality In Some Streams

By By Francisco Tutella, Penn State News

* Citizens Voice Editorial: Gas Industry Has Succeeded Coal & Railroad Industries In Making PA General Assembly A Nearly Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

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

* Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Allowance Prices Jump To $13 From $9.30 In September

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.

* Guest Essay: Why We Must Focus On Climate-Friendly Manufacturing

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

* Guest Essay: COP26 Shines A Light On The End Of Fossil Fuels

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

* Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership, Alliance For Chesapeake Bay Now Have NRCS-PA Funding Available For Priority Watersheds In 14 PA Bay Counties

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.

* Available On Demand: Presentations From PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Statewide Conference For Watershed Organizations

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

* Stroud Water Research Center Named Winner Of 2021 Amazon Web Services Imagine Grant For Nonprofits

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.

* DEP Invites Comments On Draft Stream Evaluation Report Covering 85 Class A Wild Trout Waters In 31 Counties

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.

* Delaware River Basin Commissioners Celebrates 60 Years Of Managing, Protecting & Improving the Basin’s Water Resources

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.

* DEP Now Accepting Applications For County Recycling Coordinator Grants

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)

* DCNR Seeks Members For A New Next Gen Council To Increase Participation And Diversity Of Perspectives In State Parks, Forest Programs

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.

* Gov. Wolf Announces $10 Million For The Codorus Greenway Project In York City

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.

* PA Recreation & Park Society Now Accepting Nominations For 2022 Awards

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.

* Dec. 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam Now Available From PA Parks & Forests Foundation

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

* Metka Family Partners With Natural Lands To Save 26 Acres Near French Creek State Park, Berks County

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.

* New Mineral Named For Carnegie Museum Of Natural History Scientist Dr. Travis Olds

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.

* Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District - Agriculture Resource Conservationist

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.

* Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

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

* Deadline Extended! Call For Presenters - Joint Keystone Coldwater Conference & American Fisheries Society Meeting Feb. 25-26

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 Hosts Dec. 29 Water Cooler Talk: Pennsylvania Flood Risk With Climate Change

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.

* Citizen Science: Upper Delaware BioBlitz Identified More Than 700 Species Of Plants & Wildlife

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.

* PA Resources Council To Host Dec. 13 Webinar On Recycling & Waste Reduction

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

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation Offering On Demand Videos On Health Benefits Of Outdoor Recreation

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

* Appalachian Chapter Of Audubon Society: Hog Island Audubon Camp Scholarship For Students Ages 14-17

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.

* Group Against Smog & Pollution Dec. 15 Webinar: Making The Connection - The Link Between Pollution & Mental Illness

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.

* News From PA House & Senate

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

* The Feds

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

* EPA Awards Clean Diesel Grants To Reduce Diesel Emissions At The Port Of Philadelphia

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

* 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.

* PA Bulletin

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

* 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.

* Keystone Coldwater Conference + PA Chapter Of American Fisheries Society Feb. 25-26

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.

* 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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