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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
November 27, 2006
(11/24/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 11/27/06
* Senate Elects Leaders for New Session, Hints At Priorities
Interim President Pro Tempore of the Senate Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) told his first news conference this week the new GOP Leadership team would be returning to Republican principles in its approach to issues next session, but did not outline a specific agenda.
* Video Blog - Dr. Crawford Talks About U.S.G.S. Study of Pharmaceuticals in PA Waters
Dr. J. Kent Crawford, Water Quality Specialist for the Pennsylvania Water Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey, was the guest presenter recently at an Environmental Forum hosted by the Joint Air & Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.
* Video Blog - Sen. Waugh Talks About Helping Farmers Reduce Nutrient, Sediment Runoff
Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York), 2005-06 Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, talks about farm stewardship and the proposed legislation creating the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) that would give farmers tax credits for the installation of practices that reduce nutrients and sediments going into our rivers and streams.
* Video Blog - Leader of State Brownfields Initiative Retires From Senate – Sen. Brightbill
Sen. David J. “Chip” Brightbill (R-Lebanon) retired this week from the Senate after 24 years of public service.
* Video Blog - Farmland Protection, Chesapeake Bay Advocate Retires From Senate – Sen. Wenger
Sen. Noah W. Wenger (R-Lancaster/Chester) retired this week after serving 30 years in the Senate and House of Pennsylvania.
* On the Governor’s Desk
These environmental bills received final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor’s desk for action—
* Action on Senate/House Bills
The House took action on these environmental bills this week…
* Warwick Twp., Lititz Run Watershed Alliance Receive Honors
Lititz Run Watershed Alliance and Warwick Township in Lancaster County were recognized with the Outstanding Achievement for Nutrient Reduction by Local Government Award by the Businesses for the Bay Program.
* Pennsylvania Farm Sends National Christmas Tree to Washington
This year's National Christmas Tree was harvested this week in Carbon County and will be delivered to the White House on November 27, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
* 2007 National Wetlands Awards Nominations Due December 15
Nominations for the 2007 National Wetlands Awards Program, which celebrates individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, innovation or excellence in wetlands conservation, are due December 15.
* New Online Watershed Course for Broadcast Meteorologists Available
A new on-line course, Watersheds: Connecting Weather to the Environment, provides a unique opportunity for American Meteorological Society Seal holders and certified broadcast meteorologists to learn more about watersheds and earn credit toward their continuing education requirements.
* See & Hear - Watershed Academy Webcast on Drinking Water and Watersheds
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Watershed Academy is sponsoring another in its series of free webcast seminars on November 29 called, "Integrating Drinking Water into Watershed Protection"
* Atlas Identifies Nearly 247,000 Acres of Land Conservation Needs in PA Highlands
The Appalachian Mountain Club, Highlands Coalition, and The Trust for Public Land this week released the “Pennsylvania Highlands Conservation Atlas,” a resource for prioritizing land conservation opportunities in the 1.4-million-acre Pennsylvania Highlands region.
* Elk Habitat To Be Added to Sproul State Forest
Nearly 1,400 acres of prime elk habitat is being added to Sproul State Forest in Clinton County. The land purchase will pave the way for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and DCNR to work with the Department of Environmental Protection and Trout Unlimited to clean up several acid mine discharges into Kettle Creek, a tributary of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
* Professor Reintroduces River Otter to Pennsylvania
Tom Serfass grew up in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania, and saw first-hand the impacts of sprawl development on the wildlife he loved. So it wasn’t surprising that he returned to the Ponoco region to begin one of the most successful reintroduction programs in the country—bringing the nearly extinct river otter back to a large swath of Pennsylvania.
* Invasive Species Plan Circulated for Final Review
The Governor’s Invasive Species Council is now circulating a final draft aquatic invasive species management plan for review and consideration by the Council, according to Sarah N. Whitney, Chair of the Council’s AIS Management Plan Committee.
* Workshop to Teach Church Personnel How to Save Energy in Harrisburg
The Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania will hold its second annual Energy Cost Reduction Workshop from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., December 2 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, 221 North Front St., in Harrisburg.
* LEED for Neighborhood Development
The U.S. Green Building Council, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Natural Resources Defense Council have come together to develop LEED for Neighborhood Development, a rating system that will integrate the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design.
* Fall Edition of EPA’s Land Revitalization Newsletter Now Online
The Fall edition of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Region's quarterly electronic newsletter Land Revitalization Update is now available online.
* Colleges, Universities Challenge Each Other in RecycleMania Competition
RecycleMania, a competition among colleges and universities to see which schools can collect the most recyclables over a 10-week period, is now inviting more schools to the competition.
* Allegheny County Sponsoring Environmental Poster Contest
The Allegheny County Health Department is sponsoring its eighth annual environmental poster contest for students in grades 6-8. The deadline for entries is February 16.
* Pennsylvania’s Firearms Deer Season Provides Suspense, Hunting Safety Tips
Anticipation is building and excitement will be in the air for the November 20 opening day of the upcoming deer firearms season - November 27 through December 9, but the Game Commission reminds hunters to hunt safely.
* Fishing Licenses Go On Sale December 1
The calendar may say otherwise, but for anglers the New Year is just days away. That's because 2007 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses go on sale December 1.
* Feature - French Creek Watershed, One of PA’s Last Great Places
Imagine vibrant waters where native fish break the surface to feed at first light, where dense forests line the banks of brooks and streams, where clear, cool waters rush over clusters of native freshwater mussels.
* 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 were published. Pennsylvania Bulletin – November 25, 2006
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published a final policy on determining reclamation bond amounts for coal refuse areas and a revised proposed policy on nutrient and sediment reduction credits. (See PA Bulletin November 25)
* 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 .
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.

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