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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
January 9, 2006
(1/6/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 1/9/06
* Condolences to the Families, Rescuers Involved in West Virginia Mine Accident
Coal miners have a special bond, whether they’re in Pennsylvania, Wyoming or China. That’s why the deaths this week in the Sago Mine in West Virginia hit all of us with any connection to coal mining, and especially the Quecreek Mine Rescue, very hard.
* Senate Sets Hearing on Deep Mine Safety Legislation
The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee has scheduled a hearing on legislation to improve safety in underground coal mines for January 31. An agenda of witnesses will be forthcoming.
* Senate Committee Meets on Trib. Strategy, Federal AML Funding, EHB Nominee
The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee will meet on January 24 to consider the re-appointment of the Honorable Michael L. Krancer to the Environmental Hearing Board and resolutions on the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy and federal funding for abandoned mine cleanup.
* House Committee Sets Meeting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled a meeting on January 11 to discuss greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
* Updated - Senate/House Set Tentative Budget Hearing Schedule
The Governor’s Budget Address and Senate and House Appropriations Committee hearings on agency budget proposals for 2006-07 are just around the corner. Here’s the tentative schedule right now—
* Environmental Synopsis Features Forestry Task Force, Stormwater, MTBE Issues
The December issue of the Environmental Synopsis published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee features an article on the upcoming work of the Forestry Task Force by chairman Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango).
* CHEMSWEEP Offers Free, Safe Way to Dispose of Pesticide Products
Agribusinesses throughout Pennsylvania can safely dispose of unwanted pesticide products through the Department of Agriculture's CHEMSWEEP Program, the only free, safe and legal way to dispose of waste pesticides.
* New Commercial Manure Hauler/Broker Certification to Take Effect
The Department of Agriculture reminded commercial manure haulers and brokers that new certification requirements will take effect February 26.
* Pennsylvania Farm Show Offsets CO2 Through Local Methane Project
This year's Pennsylvania Farm Show will offset its total carbon emissions by purchasing energy from a Pennsylvania family dairy farm methane energy project operated by NativeEnergy. You can do your part too at the Farm Show through the CoolDriver program.
* PA Farm Bureau Hosts Alternative Energy Forum at Farm Show
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau will host an alternative energy forum at the Farm Show in Harrisburg on January 12.
* Renewable Agricultural Energy Council Outlines Projects
The Governor’s Renewable Agricultural Energy Council outlined a series of projects it would like to undertake this year as well as organized into six subcommittees.
* PA Capacity to Produce BioDiesel Could be at 40 Million Gallons by End of 2006
The Department of Agriculture this week said two biodiesel plans are making final preparations to produce their products -- Keystone BioFuels in Shiremanstown and Agra Biofuels LLC in Middletown.
* Water Resources Education Network Grant Applications Due April 3
The Water Resources Education Network of the League of Women Voters is now accepting applications for source water and watershed protection grants of up to $5,000 per project through April 3.
* EPA Publishes Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week published a draft version of its Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans for public comment.
* DEP Publishes Final TMDLs for 62 Watersheds in 25 Counties

* Fish & Boat Commission Accepting Applications for Boating Facilities Grants
The Fish and Boat Commission is encouraging county and municipal governments interested in the planning, acquisition, development, expansion, or rehabilitation of public boating facilities to apply for funding through the Boating Facility Grant Program.
* Susquehanna Smallmouth Bass Symposium January 21
The Fish and Boat Commission is inviting anglers and others with an interest in the management of smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna River to a free public meeting beginning at 1 p.m. January 21 at agency’s headquarters, 1601 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg.
* Invasive Species Program Set for March 15 at Shippensburg University
“Containing Invasives: Closing Pandora” is the theme for the March 15 annual environmental conference sponsored by DCNR’s Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center and Shippensburg University.
* Manufactured Soils Conference February 22-23 in State College
The Professional Recyclers of PA and the Penn State Cooperative Extension Service are holding the fourth annual Pennsylvania Manufactured Soils Conference in State College on February 22 and 23.
* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Publishes Winter Newsletter
The Citizens Advisory Council to the Department of Environmental Protection this week published its winter 2005 newsletter.
* Fish and Boat Commission Looking for Board of Director Candidates
The Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation this week announced it is looking for a qualified candidate to serve on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's District 6 board of directors, which is comprised of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.
* Feature - Urban Oasis: The Overbrook Environmental Education Center

By Linda Dottor, Community Design Collaborative

* Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state.
* Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
* Regulations
No new regulations published this week.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection this week published a notice extending the comment period on a proposed policy on the reuse of treated wastewater.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
* Stories Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com .

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