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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 13, 2006
(3/10/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 3/13/06
* 450 Watershed Enthusiasts Gather to Renew Commitment, “Feel the Power”
Over the last two weeks over 450 people attended the Coldwater Conference and the Schuylkill Watershed Congress (story in this Digest) to talk about how they can do more to restore and protect their watersheds.
* On the Senate, House Agenda/Action This Week
The Senate and House are in session the week of March 13. Here’s the rundown of what’s on the calendars and in committees—
* February Synopsis Features Summary of Oil and Gas Recommendations
The February Environmental Synopsis published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee features a summary of recommendations from the Committee’s recent report on oil and gas leasing operations in Pennsylvania.
* Nearly 200 Attend Schuylkill Watershed Congress, Focus on Habitat Restoration
The 2006 Schuylkill River Watershed Congress last week attracted nearly 200 participants eager to learn more about how they can protect and restore their watersheds.
* Applications Due May 1 for Fishing and Aquatic Education Programs
The Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting applications for the Fishing and Aquatic Education Grant Program. The deadline for applications is May 1.
* Applications Due for Game, Fish & Boat Commissions' Landowner Habitat Projects
Applications are due May 31 for the Fish and Boat and Game Commissions’ Landowner Incentive Program to fund high-priority habitat conservation projects for endangered, threatened and at-risk species across Pennsylvania.
* 2006 Watershed Snapshot to be Held April 21-30
The 2006 Watershed Snapshot will be held from April 21 to 30. Join volunteers from across the Commonwealth as they survey the health of Pennsylvania's watersheds.
* SRBC Hosts Panel Discussion on West Branch Susquehanna River Issues
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is hosting a special panel discussion on issues in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Williamsport on March 15. The discussion is part of the Commission’s regularly quarterly meeting.
* Expedition Susquehanna to Take Unique Journey in June, Your Help Invited
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Future Farmers of America are partnering to launch Expedition Susquehanna from June 18 to July 18 that will journey 444 miles from the headwaters of the Susquehanna in New York to the CBF headquarters on the Bay in Maryland.
* Schedule Your 2006 Pennsylvania River Sojourn Now
From May 6 to August 27 you can join an educational canoe or boat trip on one of 12 sojourns scheduled for this year around Pennsylvania.
* CBF and Partners Hosting Stormwater Workshops In Cumberland County
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association are sponsoring a series of three stormwater workshops on March 20, 27 and April 3 in Cumberland County.
* 2006 Ohio River Basin River Sweep Set for June 17, Volunteers Wanted
Volunteers are needed for River Sweep 2006, scheduled for June 17 along the shoreline of the Ohio, Allegheny, Monongahela, Beaver, Kanawha, and Kentucky rivers and other tributaries.
* Water: An Endangered Resource Documentary to Air on Pittsburgh’s WQED
WQED Pittsburgh has announced that the documentary, “Water: An Endangered Resource” is scheduled to air on April 23 at 5:00 p.m. on Channel 13 (WQED) in Pittsburgh.
* Pennsylvania Helps Lead Nation With 73 Energy Star Buildings
Across the U.S., more than 2,500 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings, representing 482 million square feet, earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR for superior energy and environmental performance through 2005, including 73 in Pennsylvania.
* Bucks County Brownfield Site of Gamesa Wind Energy Manufacturing Facilities
Gov. Rendell this week announced the Spanish wind-energy company Gamesa Corp. is expanding operations in Pennsylvania by investing another $34 million to open three new modern manufacturing centers on 20-plus acres of U.S. Steel’s former Fairless Hills industrial site in Bucks County.
* One of DEP’s Best Kept Secrets - Air Program’s Operational Flexibility Provisions
The Department of Environmental Protection has found that many regulatory provisions in the Air Quality Program that offer operational flexibility are underutilized by the regulated community.
* DEP Revises Priorities, Deadline for Solid Waste-Resource Recovery Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection this week published revised priorities and a deadline of June 5 for submitting grant applications under the Solid Waste Resource Recovery Grant Program.
* PA Center for Environmental Education March Newsletter
The March issue of the EE Connections newsletter from the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education is now available online. Here’s a rundown on stories this month--
* 2006 Preservation Pennsylvania Partnerships Conference May 18-19
Preservation Pennsylvania is sponsoring its annual Preservation Pennsylvania Partnerships Conference in Franklin, Venango County on May 18-19.
* Reminders – 2006 Clean Energy Expo, Getting Beyond 10 Percent Renewable Energy
Two renewable and clean energy conferences are coming up – PA Clean Energy Expo on March 31 to April 1 in State College and Getting Beyond 10 Percent on May 25 in Harrisburg.
* Hawk Watch Set for April 15 at Erie Bluffs State Park
The Presque Isle Audubon Chapter and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are co-sponsoring a hawk watch for April 15 at Erie Bluffs State Park, Girard Township, Erie County.
* Help Wanted – Venture Outdoors Looking for Executive Director
Venture Outdoors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about outdoor recreation in Western Pennsylvania, is seeking an Executive Director.
* See & Hear - Backyard Wetland Conservation Webcasts in March, April by Izaak Walton League
Join the Izaak Walton League for two live webcasts this spring that will help you conserve wetlands and provide a home for wildlife while creating beautiful landscaping for your home, office or schoolyard.
* Feature - Mine Water Could Help Provide Make Up Water in Susquehanna Basin Drought
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection are looking at the potential of treated mine water to provide make up water for agricultural operations in times of drought.
* Feature - Annual Migration of Snow Geese, Tundra Swans Delights Visitors at Middle Creek
Snow geese by the tens of thousands have been converging on the Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on the Lebanon/Lancaster county line; their arrival is proof positive of spring's approach.
* Feature - Chase Away Those Bluebird Blues, By Joe Kosack, Game Commission
Eastern bluebirds have long been the displaced darlings of Pennsylvania's spring, as well as the poster bird for what can go wrong when people introduce non-native species to a new area.
* 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
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of Laboratory Accreditation Proficiency Test Study Requirements.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of a proposed General Air Quality Permit for Dry Abrasive Blasting Operations.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. 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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