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Final Budget Includes REAP Tax Credit, But Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fall Issue
(Updated July 17) It took more than a week after the Senate, House and the Governor declared a budget deal to put it in writing and the final result includes the REAP conservation tax credit, but not funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program. Other issues were pushed back to the fall.
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Senate, House Take Action on REAP Farm Conservation Program Legislation
Both the House and Senate passed slightly different versions of the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) that would give farmers tax credits for installing conservation practices.
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Environmental Groups Oppose Taking Keystone Fund Monies
The Pennsylvania Alliance for Restoration and Conservation, a coalition of conservation, sportsmens and parks organizations, was joined by a bipartisan group of House members and representatives of libraries to oppose part of the budget agreement that would take $40 million annually from the Keystone Recreation, Parks and Conservation Fund to support the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund over the next two years.
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On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House are scheduled to be in voting session the next few days because of unresolved budget issues, so Calendars and Committee schedules are in a state of “flux.” Here’s what we know as of the close of business July 13…
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On the Governor’s Desk
The following bills reached the Governor’s Desk so far this week…
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Senate/House Bills Moving
Here’s a summary of Senate and House bills moving this week as of the close of business July 13. Some of the descriptions show just how fast legislation moves in and out of committee this time of year…
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PA Conservation Districts Endorse Bill Updating District Law
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, this week announced its endorsement and support of Senate Bill 1020 (Wonderling-R-Montgomery) which recodifies and updates Act 217, the law creating Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.
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Senate Takes Steps to Make State Statues Available Online
As part of its effort to make state government more transparent, the Senate changed its rules to require the placement of Pennsylvania’s acts and statutes on the Internet, according to Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), the Senate's Majority Policy Chairman.
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Federal Farm Bill Includes Increase in Conservation Funding for Chesapeake Bay
The 2007 federal Farm Bill, which will be considered by the House Agriculture Committee next week, includes unprecedented, targeted conservation funding for the Chesapeake Bay Region. That funding is critical to the health of local farms, and water quality in rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
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Conservation Districts Receive Education, Pollution Prevention Grants
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts this week announced the recipients of the 2007-2008 Chesapeake Bay Educational and Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Mini-Grants.
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Pennsylvania Celebrates July as Lake Awareness Month
Pennsylvania Lake Management Society worked with Gov. Rendell on a proclamation designing July as Pennsylvania Lakes Awareness Month.
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Rodale Institute to Host Organic No-Till Farming Field Day July 20
The Rodale Institute will hold a one-day field day workshop titled, "Organic No-Till: Reducing the Environmental and Economic Costs of Farming" from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 20 at its Experimental Farm in Kutztown, Berks County.
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Harrisburg Chamber Helps Preserve Cumberland County Farm
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC announced this week it is providing the financing to Scott & Richelle Trayer to purchase 105 acres of farmland in New Hopewell Township, Cumberland County. The Trayers are starting part-time farming operations on the property and preserving the land for agricultural use.
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2007 Statewide Conference on Abandoned Mine Reclamation Set for July 20-21
There’s still time to make plans to attend Pennsylvania’s premier conference on abandoned mine reclamation and acid mine drainage cleanup to be held on State College on July 20-21.
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COALS Cleans Up Future Giants Despair Park in Luzerne County
Work was recently completed on a cleanup of the future Giants Despair Park in Laurel Run Borough, Luzerne County, through the Cleanup Our American Lands and Streams or COALS program, sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
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Gov. Rendell Names Members of Outdoor Conference Task Force
Gov. Rendell this week named 17 members to the task force that will develop key recommendations to help keep people connected to nature through a new Outdoor Conference Task Force.
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Game Commission Seeks Citizen Advisory Committee Volunteers
The Game Commission is calling for nominations of citizens and volunteers willing to participate in one of five Citizen Advisory Committees to help gather input related to the deer management goal of minimizing deer-human conflicts in five Wildlife Management Units in 2008.
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DCNR Seeking Members for Recreational Trails Advisory Board
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is accepting nominations through August 24 for three new appointments to the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Advisory Board.
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Largest Recycled Glass Sand Mound in Pennsylvania Proposed
The Moselem Springs Golf Club, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center and Ludgate Engineering Corp., announced the construction of a new, state-of-the-art on-lot wastewater treatment system.
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Pennsylvania’s Climate May Feel Like Alabama According to New Climate Report
If heat-trapping emissions are not significantly curtailed, global warming will substantially change critical aspects of the Northeast's character and economy, according to a new report by the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment, a two-year collaboration between the Union of Concerned Scientists and a team of more than 50 scientists and economists.
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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 Environmental Quality Board this published proposed changes to hazardous waste regulations for public comments which are due September 12, a formal notice extending the CAIR permit application deadline (PA Bulletin 3330) and an updated list of those certified to perform radon-related activities (PA Bulletin 3330).
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection this week published final guidance on the Coal Mining Applicant Violator System.
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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
