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Christmas Holiday Mystery Solved! 2007 Improve Your Habitat Calendar Online
Ever wonder how they get that big Christmas tree in the Capitol Rotunda every year?
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Recycle Your Christmas Tree Into Mulch, Wildlife Habitat, Feeding Station
You can recycle your real Christmas tree at many locations around the state or in your own backyard. For example, on January 13 you can take your tree to Construction Junction in Pittsburgh and have it turned into mulch!
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Video Blog - Visit the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Audubon, PA
Looking for a unique place to visit over the holidays? Try the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove in Montgomery County.
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See & Hear - EPA's Watershed Academy Sponsors Land Use/Water Resource Protection Webcast
On January 17 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Watershed Academy will sponsor a free webcast on “Local Land use Decision-Makers on Water Resource Protection.”
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2006 Legislative Accomplishments on Environmental Issues
2006 was a busy year for the General Assembly on environmental issues. Here’s a rundown on the major bills and resolutions that saw final action during the year--
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Sen. Mary Jo White Outlines Environmental Priorities for 2007 Session
Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, outlined the Committee’s recent accomplishments and her priorities for the coming legislative session.
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Mid-Year Budget Review - Slowing Economy Hurts Revenue, Big Bills Ahead
At his mid-year budget briefing this week, Budget Secretary Michael Masch said state revenue projections were pretty much in line with actual collections, but a slowing economy is making itself felt.
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Casey Highlights Environmental Accomplishments as State Treasurer
In a year-end press conference this week, State Treasurer and U.S. Senator-elect Bob Casey highlight several environmental programs among his accomplishments as Treasurer.
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Joint Committee Makes Recommendations on Kilbuck Township Landslide
The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee made three recommendations this week as a result of its November 2 public hearing into the Kilbuck Township landslide in Allegheny County, according to Committee Chair Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango).
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December Environmental Synopsis Newsletter Now Online
The December issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter, published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, is now available online.
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Legislation Approved to Create Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Trail
Last week the U.S. Congress passed and this week President Bush signed into law legislation to authorize the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the nation’s first national water trail.
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National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Announces Delaware Estuary Grants
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation this week announced $793,500 in grant awards to 22 local nonprofit organizations and governments to fund conservation projects under the Delaware Estuary Watershed Grants Program.
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Five-Star Restoration Matching Grant Applications Due March 9
The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a new partner, Southern Company, are soliciting applications for the Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program.
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USDA Announces Sign-Up for 2007 State Conservation Innovation Grants
U.S.D.A. announced it is soliciting proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants from states to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
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DEP Inviting Comments on 5 TMDL Plans 4 Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on five Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plans in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties. They include:
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Environment-Friendly Driving Surface Aggregate OK’d By PennDOT
The State Conservation Commission and the Department of Transportation announced that Driving Surface Aggregate is now approved for Liquid Fuel Tax Funds expenditure to rebuild local roads.
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EPA Sharpens Focus on Ecological Benefits of Regulations
What benefits do people actually derive from clean air, water and land? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken a step toward answering this question with the release this week of its Ecological Benefits Assessment Strategic Plan.
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New Proposed EPA Rule May Increase Water Quality Permit Fees In PA
A proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule would provide a financial incentive to states to use higher National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit fee to support clean water permit programs.
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Parks & Forest Foundation Award Nominations Due January 25
The PA Parks and Forest Foundation is now accepting nominations for its awards which recognize the outstanding service, programs and places which remind us of the exemplary work being done in parks and forests, by both staff and volunteers.
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Recent EHB Ruling Makes Some DEP Letters Appealable Actions
In a major reversal of long-standing precedent, the Environmental Hearing Board issued an opinion in Redbank Municipal Authority v. Department of Environmental Protection that held a letter from DEP advising the Authority that it owed stipulated penalties under the terms of a preexisting Consent Order and Agreement was an appealable action.
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Great Green America Fest Set for July 13-15 in Mount Hope
On July 13-15 the First Annual Great Green America Fest is scheduled to take place at Mount Hope Winery, in Lancaster County.
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PUC Report Shows 16,051 Homes Without Heat Services, Fewer Than Last Year
With about 16,051 households entering the winter season without heat-related utility service, the Public Utility Commission is urging those consumers to know their rights and contact their utilities for help now. About 17,400 consumers were without service this time last year.
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Penn State to Get 20+ Percent of Electric Through Renewable Sources
Penn State University this week awarded contracts to meet more than 20 percent of its electrical energy needs through renewable energy sources for the next five years.
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PUC Says Electric Distribution Companies Own Alternative Energy Credits
The Public Utility Commission this week ruled that alternative energy credits included in power purchase agreements entered into prior to the passage of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act belong to the electric distribution companies and electric generation suppliers.
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Agriculture Department Warns About Emerald Ash Borer
The Department of Agriculture this week warned Pennsylvania property owners about Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle that damages ash trees and has caused quarantines to be imposed in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland and Michigan.
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Intern Wanted: Bowman’s Hill Preserve Offers Summer Internship
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is offering a paid summer internship to qualified applicants wishing to learn about native plants and public gardens.
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Feature - Citizen Scientists Join In Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count
The National Audubon Society’s longest-running wintertime tradition, the annual Christmas Bird Count, will take place throughout the Americas from December 14 to January 5.
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Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state…
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Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
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Regulations
The Department of Environmental Protection published proposed revisions to the Altoona and Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area Implementation Plan. The Environmental Quality Board published proposed regulations on landfill proximity to airports. The Fish and Boat Commission published proposed regulations protecting reptiles and amphibians and a list of what it considers native reptiles and amphibians.
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Technical Guidance & Permits
No new technical guidance was published this week.
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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
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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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Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.
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04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
