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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
April 3, 2006
(3/31/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 4/3/06
* More Environmental Groups Express Concern About Environmental Funding
The number of environmental groups expressing concern publicly and privately about environmental funding cuts and diversions in the proposed 2006-07 state budget increased this week.
* On the Senate, House Agenda/Bills Moving
The Senate and House are in session the week of April 3. Here’s the rundown of what’s on the calendars and in committees—
* Farmers Working to Protect Chesapeake Bay Recognized
The Rohrer Family of “R”-Farm in Strasburg, Lancaster County; Mike and Donna Olsyn of Columbia Cross Roads, Bradford County; and Charles “Boots” Hubler of Morrisdale, Clearfield County; were selected to receive the 2006 Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award.
* PA American Water Environmental Grant Applications Due April 19
Pennsylvania American Water is accepting applications for its Environmental Grant Program until April l9.
* USDA Grants for Fish and Wildlife Habitat Improvement Tools
The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service announced it is accepting applications for its Fish & Wildlife Conservation Grants Program to develop and evaluate technological tools for fish and wildlife habitat improvements.
* TMDLs for Alder Run Watershed, a Second Tributary Proposed in Clearfield
The Department of Environmental Protection is asking for comments on proposed Total Maximum Discharge Limit plans for a tributary to the West Branch of the Susquehanna and Alder Run Watershed in Clearfield County.
* DEP, Corps Set Hearing on Proposed Inflatable Dam at Wilkes-Barre
The Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have set a May 1 public hearing to gather comments on a proposed inflatable dam at Wilkes-Barre.
* DEP Engineering Services Program Helps Small Water Systems
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Small Drinking Water Systems Engineering Services Program recently helped two systems resolve problems and improve service to meet the needs of their customers.
* With Spring Flood Season's Return, Consumers Urged to Seek Flood Insurance
The Insurance Department this week reminded Pennsylvanians of the importance of having flood insurance to protect homes and businesses.
* Rep. Bruce Smith Proposes Hunting License Fee Increase for 2007
Rep. Bruce Smith (R-York/Cumberland), the Chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, announced legislation this week to increase revenues to the Pennsylvania Game Commission through an increase in hunting license fees.
* Harrisburg Falcon on Schedule With First Eggs, Watch 2 Other Nests
The female Peregrine falcon nesting on the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg laid her first egg of the season last weekend, right on schedule.
* Invasive Weed Species Management Fact Sheets Available Online
The Pennsylvania Roadside Research Project now has available a variety of fact sheets on invasive weed species ready to download.
* Allegheny PA CleanWays Offers Cleanup Training to Support Great PA Cleanup
As part of the 2006 Great PA Cleanup, PA CleanWays of Allegheny County, Inc. will lead a large-scale land/riverfront clean-up in South Pittsburgh and will provide assistance to individuals to coordinate a clean-up effort in their respective communities.
* State, Lebanon County Celebrate 10,000 Acres of Farmland Preserved
The Lebanon County Agricultural Land Preservation Board, Conservation District and the County Commissioners, along with the Department of Agriculture, celebrated the county's milestone of preserving 10,000 acres of farmland.
* Penn State Ag Scientists Tout Alternative Energy Sources at Expo
Converting agricultural commodities into energy can help the environment, reduce the country's reliance on foreign oil and open new markets for farmers where all themes of displays by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences at the Clean Air Expo 2006.
* FirstEnergy Buys Power from Largest Wind Farm Project in PA
FirstEnergy Corp. this week announced that it has entered into a 23-year agreement to purchase 80 megawatts (MW) of wind power from the Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm, a new wind power generation project being developed near Altoona, Pennsylvania, by Gamesa Energy USA.
* Applications for EPA Grants for Truck Fuel Conservation Technology Due May 15
To help promote energy efficiency and protect the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making up to $350,000 available to evaluate energy saving and emission reduction technologies for long haul trucks.
* DCNR Offers Mini-Workshops on Grant Writing
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has scheduled three mini-workshops to help individuals apply for grants under the Community Conservation Partnerships Grant Program.
* Workshops on Funding Municipal Recreation Programs, Land Use Set in May
The PA State Association of Township Supervisors One Source Training Program is hosting a series of workshops on funding municipal recreation and parks programs and an introduction to land use planning around the state over the next few months.
* PA-AWWA's 58th Annual Conference April 25-27
The PA-American Water Works Association Conference, one of the season’s premier water events, will be held in Hershey April 25-27.
* Yellow Breeches Creek Water Trail Public Meeting May 3
The Cumberland County Planning Commission and the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association are hosting a public meeting on May 3 to introduce the Yellow Breeches Water Trail Project.
* EPA’s March Watershed News Features Leads on Funding, Training and More
The March issue of Watershed News published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now available.
* See & Hear - Echoes Through Penn’s Woods – How Pennsylvania’s Environment Has Changed
It may be hard to believe, but Pennsylvania’s hillsides were once stripped bare of trees, Presque Isle Bay in Erie was so full of algae you couldn’t row a boat through it and air pollution was so thick in one steel valley it killed people.
* Feature - Project Dedicated that Raises Rainbow Trout in Treated Mine Drainage
Over 225 members and partners of the Toby Creek Watershed Association formally dedicated the completed Blue Valley Mine Drainage Treatment and Fish Culture Station last weekend in Brandy Camp, Elk County.
* Feature - Along Mill Creek, Amish Do The Right Thing, By Ad Crable, Lancaster New Era
Along Mill Creek, Amish do the right thing.
* 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.
* Watershed Awareness Month Activities
This special Calendar section is devoted to activities going on in and around Watershed Awareness Month in May. If you have events to add, send them to: DHess@crisciassociates.com.
* Regulations
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of Nitrogen Oxide Trading Allocation for 2006,
* Technical Guidance & Permits
No new guidance documents were published this week.
* 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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