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.

While PA Environment Digest’s priority is to highlight positive examples of environmental and energy leadership, 2022 is an election year which demands accountability to voters.

NOTICE!  PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Is Your Story Being Told?

In 2021, passage of the federal American Rescue Plan in March and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November made historic, long-term investments in cleaning up Pennsylvania’s environment.

The second half of the 2021-22 legislative session gets underway January 4 and with it the opportunity to pass some good environmental and energy bills.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Current List Of Oil And Gas Waste Facilities identifies 84 municipalities in 13 counties where conventional oil and gas wastewater is disposed of by road spreading.

The 2021 Student Symposium on the Environment was held on December 2nd and was once again hosted by Westminster College at the McKelvey Campus Center in Lawrence County and co-organized with the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition.

By Rachael Marques, Watershed Specialist, Pike Conservation District

By Rachael Marques, Watershed Specialist, Pike Conservation District

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting the public to submit water quality data as part of stream evaluations for Angelica Creek in Berks County and Saltlick Run in Clearfield County.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a January 26 virtual hearing on the coal mining activities and NPDES Water Quality permits for the LCT Energy, LP Rustic Ridge #1 Mine in Fayette and Westmoreland counties (PA Bulletin, page 96).

On December 30, Gov. Tom Wolf announced an investment of $70 million for 317 projects across Pennsylvania that will revitalize communities, create new recreational opportunities, and conserve natural spaces. 

A first-of-its-kind major conservation initiative across northern Pennsylvania will protect and improve 1,675 acres of habitat for wildlife, human recreation and water quality.

Immense resources are required to protect and restore wetland habitats. To get the most return on those resources for waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited often tackles projects near large, established wetland complexes.

On December 23, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources wrote to the Maryland Air National Guard asking for a full Environmental Impact Statement and an extension of the public comment period and a transparent public outreach process on their proposed low-level combat training flights over the PA Wilds in Cameron, Clinton, Elk, McKean, Potter and Tioga counties.

In November, the Society of American Foresters recently named David Jackson, a forest resources educator with Penn State Extension, as a 2021 Presidential Field Forester Award recipient. He was honored at the virtual SAF National Convention, Nov. 3-6.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is scheduled to hold a February 1 hearing on proposed Wild Resource Conservation Program funding for FY 2021-22.  (formal notice)

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

A regional observance of Anthracite Mining Heritage Month will take place during January 2022.  A variety of programs will be featured in various cities: Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazleton, Plymouth, Nanticoke, Pittston, Lansford, and Port Griffith.  

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is now accepting registrations for the March 21-22 Virtual Annual Conference and in-person regional events on March 23.

Kick off the New Year by taking part in a free one-hour webinar providing practical tips for simplifying life.

By Devan George, Pike Conservation District

The Fish and Boat Commission's Lake Habitat and Stream Habitat Sections are seeking qualified candidates to fill three Seasonal Fisheries Biologist Aide Positions based in Bellefonte, Centre County.

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 28, the Department of Human Services announced the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) designed to help Pennsylvanians maintain access to drinking and wastewater service will begin accepting applications on January 4.

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.  Registration Open!

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.