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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Jan. 26, 2009
(1/23/2009)
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* Gov. Rendell Raises Budget Deficit Estimate to $2.3 Billion, More Cuts, Layoffs Coming
Gov. Rendell this week said his latest estimate of the state budget shortfall for the current fiscal year is $2.3 billion, $400 million more than his last estimate. He also said layoffs or unpaid furloughs will be part of his next budget proposal.
* Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show Announces Winners Of Conservation Achievement Awards
The winners of three Achievement Awards for Conservation, Youth Mentoring and Humanitarianism were announced by the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show this week. All three winners are from Pennsylvania.

* Video Blog - Lebanon Low Impact Development Highlighted By Stormwater PA
The Village at Springbrook Farms development in Lebanon County is a good example of what is possible when a township that takes a long term view works with a developer willing to innovate.

* Online Video - Feel The Power Of Energy Conservation At DEP's Farm Show Display
Julie Stone from the Department of Environmental Protection talks about the "Feel the Power of Energy Conservation" exhibit at the just completed Pennsylvania Farm Show with a reporter from the York Dispatch. (Click here to see the article.)  Watch the video online.
* Video Blog - Audubon PA Christmas Bird Count A Success In Philadelphia
Keith Russell, Audubon PA Ornithologist, talks about the just completed 109th Christmas Bird Count in Philadelphia. Watch the video online.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule
The next scheduled voting session day is January 26 for the Senate and House members.
* PA Environment Digest Upcoming Events Listing Updated With DEP Committee Meetings
The online PA Environment Digest Upcoming Events month by month schedule has been updated with all the Department of Environmental Protection's advisory committee meetings for 2009.
* Joint Conservation Committee Publishes January Environmental Synopsis
The January issue of Environmental Synopsis is now available online from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.
* Total Dissolved Solids In Monongahela River Drop After Limits Imposed On Drillers
The Department of Environmental Protection confirmed this week levels of total dissolved solids, or TDS, in the Monongahela River have dropped and remain well below state and federal guidelines. In October, DEP told wastewater plants to no longer accept wastewater from natural gas drilling operations for treatment.

* The Nature Conservancy Investing In Nature Business Awards
The PA Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is now accepting nominations for a new Investing In Nature Awards Program to recognize the exemplary initiatives by businesses in Pennsylvania which take significant measures to achieve tangible, lasting conservation results.

* State Conservation Commission OKs Guidelines For Selling REAP Tax Credits
The State Conservation Commission this week approved revised guidelines and the application for the sale or transfer of the Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credits (REAP) for farm conservation projects.

* American Farmland Trust Releases 9 for 09 Farm, Food Policy Recommendations
American Farmland Trust has issued nine farm and food policy recommendations to help guide the Obama administration towards implementing a progressive farm, food, energy and environment agenda.

* YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Receives $500,000 Grant For New Hill YMCA Roof
McAuley Ministries, the new grant-making arm of the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, has given out its first grant... and the recipient is the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. The $500,000 grant will help fund the construction of a green rooftop terrace for the new Thelma Lovette YMCA in the Hill District.

* Entries Due In Annual PA American Water Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest
Pennsylvania American Water is now accepting entries for its Seventh Annual Protect Our Watersheds Art Contest.The deadline for submissions is February 20.

* PA Lake Management Society Conference Set For February 25-26
The PA Lake Management Society will hold its annual conference, this year with the theme of "Looking Beyond the Water's Edge," on February 25-26 in State College.

* Ecosystem Based Management: The Chesapeake And Other Systems, March 22-25
On March 22-25 in Baltimore a special conference will be convened on Ecosystem Based Management: The Chesapeake And Other Systems.

* Lehigh Valley Water Suppliers HydroMania 2009 Set For May 14
Lehigh Valley Water Suppliers and their partners will again be sponsoring HydroMania, an educational program for third and fourth grade students at Cedar Crest College in Allentown.

* Save The Date: PA Chapter-American Water Works Association Conference, Training Schedule
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Water Works Association will hold its annual conference in Pittsburgh May 5-7. The Chapter has also released its schedule of training workshops for the coming months.

* Lardner's Point Park To Receive Delaware River Restoration Funding
Lardner's Point Park in Philadelphia is set to receive $500,000 in funding to clean up its industrial shoreline, restore public access and create natural habitat as a result of the Delaware River Athos Oil Spill Mitigation Project.

* First Statewide Environmental Justice Conference Set For April 26-28, Scholarships Available
Pennsylvania’s first Statewide Environmental Justice Conference will be held April 26-28 in Harrisburg. Scholarships are available for Pennsylvania residents and members of grassroots and community organizations in environmental justice areas to promote attendance.

* Green Building Council Announces Green Product Innovation Grant Awards
The Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh this week announced a total of $240,000 in Product Innovation Grants for five Pennsylvania projects that seek to develop and introduce new and enhanced green building products.

* Product Innovation Grant Applications Now Being Accepted By Green Building Alliance
he Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh is now accepting applications for Product Innovation Grants. Applications are due April 3. In addition, GBA will also accept Idea Forms for comment submitted by February 20.

* Green$ense - Beyond Buildings Conference Set For March 31
The Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh will hold the 2009 Green$ense Conference on March 31 in Pittsburgh, this year with the theme, "Beyond Buildings."

* PA Chamber Environmental and Energy Conference And Trade Show April 7-8
The PA Chamber of Business and Industry will host its annual Environmental and Energy Conference and Trade Show in Lancaster on April 7-8.

* NRC Seeks Comments on Draft Environmental Report for Three Mile Island 1 License Renewal
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will solicit public comments at two meetings on January 28 regarding its preliminary conclusion that there are no environmental impacts that would preclude a 20-year extension of the operating license for the Three Mile Island 1 nuclear power plant.

* First Wind Energy Annual Report Issued By Game Commission
As Pennsylvania and the nation seek alternative sources of energy, the Game Commission has released its first annual report on the results of the voluntary agreement between the agency and 20 wind energy companies who have vowed to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts on wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth.

* Game Commission Restricts Take Of Feral Swine In Five Counties To Allow Trapping

* Final Phase Of Point-Of-Sale License System For Game Commission Underway
Expressing growing optimism, Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe this week announced the agency was taking final steps this week to fully implement its electronic license sale system, commonly referred to as "point-of-sale."

* Ecologists, Economists Call on Congress To Protect Pennsylvania Wilderness
More than 50 scientists and researchers with intimate knowledge of Pennsylvania's flora, fauna, and ecosystems have signed a letter to the state's Congressional delegation endorsing the Citizens' Wilderness Proposal for Pennsylvania¹s Allegheny National Forest.

* Governor's Advisory Council Seeks Candidates To Fill Fish and Boat Commission Slot
The Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation is seeking qualified candidates to fill an upcoming vacancy on the board of the Fish and Boat Commission in District One, which includes Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence, Venango, Butler, Warren, Forest and Clarion counties.

* Help Wanted: Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
The ClearWater Conservancyi s seeking individuals to fill three positions related to the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in State College.

* Spotlight - Bluebird Nesting Boxes On Sale At Game Commission Headquarters
If you are interested in helping wildlife in your own backyard, beginning January 26, the Game Commission will be selling bluebird nesting boxes at its Harrisburg headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue.

* Feature - White-Nose Syndrome Surfaces In Pennsylvania
By Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, Game Commission

* 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 Environmental Quality Board met on January 20 and approved a final regulation implementing the Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards and a measure to recind the final-omitted rulemaking repealing the state's Clean Air Interstate Rule.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
No new 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.
* Guide To The PA Environment Digest Family Of Websites
Crisci Associates is pleased to provide our clients and the public with the latest, most comprehensive news on environmental issues, legislation and accomplishments through a family of websites. Sign up now to get the latest news, whether you want it daily, weekly or in video form--
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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