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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
October 27, 2008
(10/24/2008)
CLICK HERE To Print This Week's PA Environment Digest
* Acting DEP Secretary Hanger Urges Voters To Support Clean Water Referendum Nov. 4
Without repairs and upgrades to its water treatment systems, Pennsylvanians will see the quality of their drinking water compromised, the state’s top environmental official cautioned this week at two events designed to promote the Clean Water referendum on the November 4 ballot.
* Chesapeake Bay Foundation Urges Voters To Vote Yes on Clean Water Referendum
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is urging all Pennsylvanians to vote for clean water this November 4th by voting "YES" to the Water and Sewer Improvement Referendum.

* Special Election Videos - Two More Candidates Profiled In www.iConservePA.org Special Election
Here are short profiles of candidates in the Elect to Conserve special election sponsored by the www.iConservePA.org website.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule
The Senate and House committee schedules and floor calenders are listed here--
* October Environmental Synopsis Features Waste Tire Recycling Update
The October issue of Environmental Synopsis newsletter published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee includes an update on waste tire recycling.
* In Memoriam - Friends, Colleagues Mourn Sen. James Rhoades
Friends and colleagues from both sides of the aisle this week mourned the loss of seven-term Sen. James Rhoades (R-Schuylkill), who died last Saturday of injuries from an automobile accident.
* Westmoreland Conservation District Dinner Honors Outstanding Conservationists November 14
The Westmoreland County Conservation District will recognize outstanding conservationists at their November 14 awards banquet at the Westmoreland County Club in Export, Pa.
* DEP Invites Comments on TMDL Watershed Plans
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plans in two watersheds in Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
* TreeVitalize Partners To Plant 1 Million Trees Statewide Over 5 Years
Building on the success of TreeVitalize in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is launching a statewide tree planting program in metropolitan areas, with a goal of planting one million trees over the next five years.
* WITF-FM, DCNR, Lancaster County Parks Support TreeVitalize With ‘WITF Woodland’
Public broadcasting station WITF in Harrisburg and a partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation combined to create a opportunity for supports of WITF-FM to plant trees with their donations in Lancaster County.

* Game Commission Board Approves Additional Urban Deer Management Option
Continuing to implement recommendations of its Urban Deer Management Plan, the Board of Game Commissioners this week gave final approval to a regulatory change to allow homeowners associations and nonprofit land-holding organizations to apply for a Deer Control Permit under the same process provided for political subdivisions, such as boroughs and townships.

* Six State Wildlife Grants Approved By Game Commission
The Board of Game Commissioners this week approved six projects that will study or help species of concern in Pennsylvania funded from an allocation provided by the State Wildlife Grants Program, administered through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal Aid Program.

* Groundbreaking Held For Nature Inn At Bald Eagle State Park
Construction of the first nature inn in the Pennsylvania State Park system is underway after a groundbreaking ceremony this week at Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County.

* Game Commission Uses Growing Greener II Monies to Improve Shooting Ranges
Benefiting from Growing Greener II monies, Game Commission officials this week announced the agency is nearing completion of its first major overhaul of public shooting ranges on State Game Lands, as it seeks to address lead remediation, repairs and safety issues.

* Game Commission Approves Land Donations, Mineral Leases
The Game Commission Board this week approved a series of mineral leases, mine reclamation projects and land donations. Here are the details--

* DCNR Secretary Meets With Hunting Groups On Access To State Parks, Forests
DCNR Secretary Michael DiBeradinis met with hunting groups on September 16 inviting them to tell him how membersenjoy State Parks and forestlands and how DCNR can improve on that experience.

* PUC Solicits Comments On Implementation Plan for House Bill 2200
The Public Utility Commission is seeking comments in order to initiate the first phase of the commission’s implementation plan for House Bill 2200 (George-D-Clearfield) signed into law as Act 129.

* Energy Development Authority OKs Nearly $12 Million In Alternative Energy Project Funding
The PA Energy Development Authority this week announced the investment of nearly $12 million in alternative clean energy projects that will create at least 1,200 full- and part-time jobs and attract nearly $118 million in private investment.
* PUC Releases Agenda For November 6 Hearing On Wholesale Electricity Markets
The Public Utility Commission this week released the final agenda for a special public hearing scheduled for November 6, to discuss the current and future wholesale electricity markets.
* Electric Power Generation Association Urges Gov. Rendell, Legislature to Support Competition
The Electric Power Generation Association has joined other businesses in urging Gov. Rendell and state lawmakers to reject any extension of the rate caps on retail electricity prices.
* Labor & Industry Awards Grants To Expand Green Jobs Programs In Southeast, Southwest
The Department of Labor and Industry this week awarded two grants to support efforts to build and sustain green energy systems and a skilled workforce in Southeast and Southwest Pennsylvania.
* DEP Accepting Applications For Biodiesel Production Incentive Payments
The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for biodiesel production incentive grants. Applications are due November 14.
* Agriculture Tourism Website Announced, Update To Agriculture Education Resources
The Department of Agriculture this week announced a new agriculture tourism Keystone Country website and an update to its Marketplace for the Mind agriculture education website.
* Educators' Workshop To Focus On Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch, Kittatinny Ridge October 29
On October 29, Audubon Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Game Commission and the Department of Education, will host a free workshop entitled, "Migration throught the Kittatinny Ridge."
* Game Commission 2009 Calendar Now On Sale
As Pennsylvanians plan for the holiday gift-giving season, the Game Commission unveiled its 2009 calendar which features dramatic wildlife photos and a wealth of information on hunting activities in the Commonwealth
* DEP Invites Homeowners To Open House On Mine Subsidence Insurance In Allegheny County
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting homeowners to a special open house in Allegheny County to learn more about state-sponsored mine subsidence insurance.
* Spotlight - It's Hawk Watching Season! Time To Get Out!
As the days become crisp and the fall colors emerge, our eyes are drawn to the skies to watch for those captivating birds-of-prey as they migrate along Pennsylvania's ridges.
* Feature - Hammer Creek: In Harm's Way
By Ad Crable, Save The Bay Magazine, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
* 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 Agriculture published final certification regulations for odor management technicians for farm operations.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of voluntary climate change registries accepted by the agency.(See PA Environment Digest 10/6/08) DEP also published a proposed general permit for small flow treatment systems for comment and announced a schedule for Sewage Enforcement Officers certification exams.
* 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 EnvironmentDigest- DHess@CrisciAssociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com.
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited
PA Environment Digestis a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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