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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
January 7, 2008
(1/4/2008)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 1/7/08
* DCNR Secretary DiBerardinis Recaps Accomplishments for 2007
In a special issue of the Resource online newsletter, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis listed DCNR’s accomplishments for 2007 saying the year was “strangely productive.”
* “Improve Your Habitat” 2008 Calendar, Others Available
Crisci Associates is again this year offering a free “Improve Your Habitat In 2008” Calendar. Download it now. (For best results, print the first page on photo paper.)
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House floor Calendars for January 14—
* Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant Applications Due February 29
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is now accepting proposals under its Chesapeake Bay Small Watersheds Grant Program. Interested applicants can participate in a pre-application webcast to learn more about applying on January 23.
* Register Now for February 22-23 Keystone Coldwater Conference
The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited is pleased to announce that registration is now available for the 2008 Keystone Coldwater Conference with the theme, “Headwaters Ecosystems: Protection, Management and Research,” being held in State College on February 22-23.
* Keystone Farm Show Features Workshop on Farm Productivity, REAP Tax Credits
Agricultural producers are invited to an informative program on ways to improve farm profitability through conservation at the Keystone Farm Show in the Pennsylvania Room at the York Fairgrounds (Pennsylvania Room Building #7) on January 9 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
* Meetings on REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program During Farm Show
Farmers can learn more about the Resource Enhancement and Protection tax credit program at two separate meetings that will be hosted by the State Conservation Commission during the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show.
* PA Farm Show Offers Learning Stations, Biofuels Exhibit January 5-12
Petting an alpaca, meeting a dairy princess and identifying unusual products that contain wood are just a few of the things visitors to the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show can do at 11 hands-on learning stations designed to teach visitors about agriculture, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said this week.
* New DEP Farm Show Exhibit Teaches Individuals How to Reduce Carbon Footprint
The nearly 500,000 visitors to the Pennsylvania Farm Show will learn how individuals can take simple measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the growing threat of climate change.
* PA Supreme Court Decision Upholds Land Preservation Rights
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last week overturned a lower court decision allowing the Ephrata Area School District to build a road on farmland preserved with a conservation easement.
* Fisher Farm Permanently Protected in Centre County
The Heritage Conservancy of Doylestown and ClearWater Conservancy announced they have signed a conservation easement with Barbara and John Fisher of Patton Township, Centre County, permanently protecting 197 acres of scenic and environmentally important property.
* EPA Launches New Water Protection Indicators Webpage
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Water Protection Program uses the environmental indicators tool to measure progress in reaching its goals toward water quality improvements.
* Professional Seminars, Water Symposium Announced By Professional Geologists
The PA Council of Professional Geologists has announced professional development and training programs as well as the 2008 Water Symposium hosted by PCPG
* Sewage Enforcement Officers Hold Annual Meeting February 24-25
The PA Association of Sewage Enforcement Officers will hold its annual conference on February 24-25 at the Holiday Inn in Grantville.
* January is Radon Action Month, Pennsylvanians Urged to Test Homes for Radon
The Department of Environmental Protection urges all Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon, a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
* Rendell Announces Pennsylvania Joins Suit Against EPA Greenhouse Gas Ruling
Gov. Rendell said this week that Pennsylvania is joining a multi-state lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a goal of allowing states to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
* Chester County Food Waste Composting Workshop Set for February 28
The Chester County Solid Waste Authority is sponsoring a Food Waste Composting Workshop on February 28 in Room 149 at the Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, Pa.
* Springside School Receives Coca Cola, RecycleBank Grants
Through its Green Schools Program, Coca Cola and RecycleBank of Philadelphia awarded grants to Springside School in Philadelphia to support two exciting projects which will generate creative thinking about current environmental challenges.
* Applications Due for Community Action for Renewed Environment Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting grant applications for its Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program.
* Environmentalist to Discuss Building the Green Economy February 21
Noted environmental leader, civil rights attorney and public speaker Van Jones will talk about a national "green-collar jobs" initiative at a presentation February 21 at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.
* Citizens Bank Offer New Energy Efficiency Loans To Help Homeowners
Citizens Bank announced this week it is offering a new Energy Efficiency Loan to help low-to-moderate income homeowners make their homes more energy efficient.
* DEP, EPA Offer Training on Hospital Energy Management January 30
A free hands-on training session designed especially for acute care and children's hospitals, as well as medical office building managers who would like to improve energy usage will be held on January 30 in Philadelphia.
* EPA Outlines Sustainable Skylines Clean Air Program Project in Philadelphia
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff explored the potential for a Sustainable Skylines project in Philadelphia at a meeting hosted by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
* Game Commission Drafting Rules To Control Wild Boars Destroying Habitat
In response to a recent state Supreme Court ruling, Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe this week directed staff to begin developing regulations to allow the incidental taking of wild boars during certain hunting seasons.
* Help Wanted -- Delaware River Basin Commission
The Delaware River Basin Commission is accepting applications for a full-time Water Resources/Civil Engineer in the Project Review Section of its Water Resources Management Branch.
* Spotlight - Cleaning Up Chesapeake Bay Will Improve Pennsylvania Waterways First
By Matthew Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
* Opinion - 2008---A Time to Look at the Future of Pennsylvania’s Infrastructure
By Arthur Holst, Ph.D., Governmental Affairs Manager, Philadelphia Water Department
* Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for grants and financial assistance as well as nominations for awards and other recognition programs. NEW means from last week—
* 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
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of final-form rulemaking proposed mine reclamation fees and bond forfeiture. The Independent Regulatory Review Commission published comments on proposed changes to Safe Drinking Water regulations.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
No new policy guidance was published this week.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW indicates new from last week. 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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