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Finalists Announced for 2007 Western PA Environmental Awards
The ten finalists for the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards, co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Dominion, were announced this week. The winners will be announced at an awards banquet on June 7 in Pittsburgh.
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Online Video - Pittsburgh, Harrisburg Falcon Nests Alive With Activity, Watch May 24 Banding
Right now is prime time for watching the Peregrine Falcons nesting in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg because the chicks (eyases) have hatched and their parents are trying to keep up with their ravenous appetites.
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On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and Senate return to voting session May 21 and here’s what’s on the agenda--
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Energy Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles on House Committee Agenda
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets May 23 to consider legislation on energy efficiency, hybrid vehicles and mercury. The bills include:
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Coldwater Heritage Partnership Announces 2007 Grant Awards
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership recently announced that over $35,000 in grants have been awarded to local organizations to protect and conserve Pennsylvania’s coldwater stream habitats.
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2007 Lehigh River of the Year Poster Now Available
The Lehigh has been named the Pennsylvania’s “2007 River of the Year” by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and to help celebrate that even a full color poster of the river is available.
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USDA Accepting Bids for Stream Restoration Work in Northeast
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced it will advertise and bid federal contracts for emergency stream restoration work in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The work will be done to repair damage to homes, businesses, or utilities along streams that have been affected by the June 2006 flooding.
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New Month by Month Landowner Guide to Buffer Success Now Available
A new Landowner Guide to Buffer Success is now available on how to plant, maintain and enhance the effectiveness of forested stream buffers to improve water quality.
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Feature - Farmer's Conservation Efforts Pay Dividends: Healthier Soil and Cleaner Streams
By Kelly Donaldson, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
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Good Maintenance, Monitoring Key to Passive Mine Drainage Treatment Systems
The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition performs routine maintenance and monitoring activities on 18 passive acid mine drainage treatment systems in their watershed.
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DEP Issues Final TMDL for Bernhart Creek, Berks County
The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice (PaB 2348) this week on the availability of the final Total Maximum Daily Load Plan for Bernhart Creek, Berks County.
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Walnut Creek Watershed Study Available For Public Review May 23
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public information session on the comprehensive Walnut Creek Watershed assessment on May 23 in Erie.
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Free Stormwater Management Workshops Set in Lackawanna County
Two free seminars entitled, “Stormwater Management – Building Sustainable Communities,” will be held June 5 in Clarks Summit and June 20 at the Lackawanna College Environmental Institute Building.
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Dr. Edward Chun Named to Senior Environment Corps, Wins Recognition
The Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement announced this week the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps has strengthened its volunteer technical and training leadership by contracting with Dr. Edward Chun, an original volunteer with the Center in the Park Senior Environment Corps.
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Fish for Free Days Set for May 26, June 3 By Fish and Boat Commission
Have a little free time on your hands? Grab a friend or family member and try some free fishing. Thanks to the Fish and Boat Commission the only thing you’ll have to spend is some quality time together.
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Audubon PA Urges Landowners to Use DMAP Program to Balance Deer/Habitat
Audubon Pennsylvania is encouraging landowners to take advantage of the Game Commission’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) to help control deer herds on their property and restore and maintain the health of Pennsylvania’s forests.
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Game Commission Advises Motorists to Watch for Deer
Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe urged motorists to stay alert and slow down when driving after dusk and before dawn to reduce their risk of colliding with a white-tailed deer.
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Parks and Recreation Foundation Award Winners Honored
The Parks and Recreation Foundation held their first annual awards program to honor individuals, groups and organizations doing outstanding work to support Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests.
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Wildlife for Everyone Foundation Saves Critical Waterfowl Habitat at Pymatuning
Many wetlands impoundments at the Game Commission's Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area were constructed in the early 1960s, and have served wildlife well for over 45 years.
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Game Commission Provides Wildlife Workshops for Teachers in June
With summer recess for schools just around the corner, the Game Commission this week announced a pair of wildlife education workshops for educators and scout and youth group leaders this summer.
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Reminder: Students Invited to Apply for Wildlife Leadership Adventure Programs
The Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education will hold two Wildlife Leadership Adventure Programs on deer and grouse this July for students 14 – 17.
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Wildlands Conservancy Holds Workshop on Tax Incentives for Preserving Land
The Wildlands Conservancy will host a Tax Incentive Workshop May 23 on the limited-time tax incentives now available to landowners who preserve their property during 2007.
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Take a Hike! June 2 at Hickory Run State Park
Get out on the trail to celebrate National Trails Day and PA Hiking Week by participating in the June 2 Hickory Run State Park hike in Carbon County.
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DCNR Celebrates Opening of Rock Run ATV, Snowmobile Site on Former Mine
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week helped open the Rock Run Recreation Area in Cambria and Clearfield counties as the future direction of ATV and snowmobile trails in Pennsylvania.
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Westmoreland’s GreenForge Building to Become Even Greener
On May 19, members of the Westmoreland Conservation District, the Botanical Society of Westmoreland County, and other conservation-minded volunteers will be planting a large variety of Pennsylvania- native plants around Westmoreland County’s premier rehabilitated green building, GreenForge.
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Sustainable Energy Fund Helps Borough Save Energy with LED Traffic Signals
An innovative turnkey energy partnership between the Borough of Hamburg, Berks County and The Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern Pennsylvania will save the municipality 30,600 Kw hours of electricity, or approximately $2,700 a year.
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Reminder: Energy Efficiency Workshop for Local Officials Set for May 24
Local officials are invited to a May 24 Energy Efficience Workshop at the Westmoreland County Conservation District Education Center in Greensburg.
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Dr. Song Named Director of Penn State's Energy Institute
Dr. Chunshan Song, professor of fuel science, department of energy and geo-environmental engineering, has been appointed director of Penn State's Energy Institute effective immediately.
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EPA Awards Brownfields Grants, Including 6 in Pennsylvania
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded over $71 million in brownfields grants to help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, including six grants for Pennsylvania projects.
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DEP’s Updated Air Monitoring Network Plan Available for Comment
The Department of Environmental Protection’s updated Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan is now available for public comment.
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EPA Sponsors Waste-Free Lunch at Mechanicsburg Middle School
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sponsored a waste-free lunch at the Mechanicsburg Middle School in Cumberland County where students prepared a lunch using reusable lunch bags, reusable containers and recyclable bottles.
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DEP Seeks Members for Environmental Justice Advisory Board in Northeast
Individuals from northeastern Pennsylvania who want to make sure that the state’s environmental decisions are made without the influence of race, color, national origin or income are invited to become a candidate for the Environmental Justice Advisory Board under the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Environmental Advocate.
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Help Wanted -- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay seeks a qualified person to coordinate the Chesapeake Bay Program Local Government Advisory Committee and to provide education, outreach, and coordination of stormwater management, low impact development and habitat restoration activities.
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Spotlight - Electric Transmission Line Siting Highlighted at Land Conservation Conference
The 5th Annual Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference attracted 320 attendees from across the Commonwealth and focused on some very serious issues impacting conservation.
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Feature - The Spotted Sandpiper
By Patrick McShea, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
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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
Find links here for the results of the May 16 Environmental Quality Board meeting. The EQB also published final New Source Review Air Quality regulations. The Department of Environmental Protection also published proposed revisions to the Southeast air quality plans. Details below…
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection posts pilot plan for Air Quality Permit and Plan Approval Applications goes online.
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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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