Pennsylvania will have to double and triple its efforts to install agricultural best management practices if the Commonwealth is to meet the milestone commitments it set by the end of 2011 to cleanup our rivers and streams, according to a new report issued by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation this week.

Members of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Environmental Resources and Energy Committees this week held an informational meeting on efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a federal court-ordered Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan for the entire Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold initial discussions with stakeholders on the development of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan required by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed TMDL on March 31.

Get your news on Pennsylvania environmental issues any way you want from Crisci Associates--

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

The following bill went to Gov. Rendell for his action this week--

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

The House this week gave final approval to House Bill 689 (Drucker-D-Chester) to provide incentives for school districts to construct cleaner and more efficient schools by a vote of 106-85.

The House Local Government Committee held a hearing this week on legislation-- House Bill 1237 (O'Neill-R-Bucks) and House Bill 2085 (Adolph-R-Delaware)-- further restricting outdoor advertising.

Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware) introduced Senate Bill 1282 this week to help heating oil customers reduce their heating costs by requiring a much cleaner burning heating oil that will burn more efficiently and reduce furnace maintenance costs.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets on March 24 to consider House Bill 2235 (Vitali-D-Delaware) which would impose a five year moratorium on leasing more State Forest land for natural gas drilling along with these other bills--

The March issue of Environmental Synopsis published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee features an overview of Marcellus Shale natural gas issues in the Commonwealth.

PA Environment Digest publishes announcements of energy and environmental proposals by Gubernatorial candidates as they become available.  Here are two proposals from Republican candidates Tom Corbett and Sam Rohrer.

As part of this week’s National Flood Safety Awareness Week, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and NOAA’s National Weather Service announced five counties in southern tier New York and northern tier Pennsylvania will receive road signs alerting drivers to turn around when roads are flooded.  

This year we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, the nationwide teach-in that kick-started many of the major environmental programs we have today. In this section each week the PA Environment Digest will highlight upcoming Earth Day events.  Submit your events for this page to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

The Alleghenies will host several special events during April and May.

The Department of Transportation is encouraging Pennsylvanians to help beautify the state by participating in "Pick It Up PA Days" from April 17 through May 1.

On April 24 Scott Weidensaul, noted Pennsylvania autor and naturalist, will receive the first John James Audubon Center Award at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Montgomery County.

WITF-FM Smart Talk March 15 talked with Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary John Quigley about threats to Pennsylvania's publicly-owned State Forest land including Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling, climate change and more. Click here to listen to the program.

Fire has always been a powerful force in Pennsylvania's forests, and with the recent work of Nature Conservancy scientists, prescribed fire is now an important land management tool used across the state to reduce the risk of wildfires, manage habitats and protect rare ecological communities.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has published a proposal to exchange 4.1 acres of Swatara State Park, Lebanon County, for 11.9 acres from a private landowner.  The public has until April 22 to comment on the plan. 

As the 2010 trout season opens next month, Pennsylvanians are reminded that fishing is a fantastic way to enjoy the state’s great outdoors and get some exercise with friends and family. It is also important to remember that fresh trout and other fish can be an important part of a healthy, balanced diet.

The Western PA Association of Energy Engineers is sponsoring a Job Fair on March 30 at the Radisson Hotel-Greentree from 4 to 7 p.m.

Early autumn has come to Luzerne County’s Nescopeck State Park: a forest once cloaked in green anonymity now shouts its bold independence. Reflections of scarlet red and burnt orange now dance on the pond waters before you. The air is crisp, wafting mixed scents of leaf mold and evergreen. You breathe deep, savor the bucolic beauty, and wonder if nature ever could improve on such a spot.

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice of water withdrawals and other projects approved at its recent meeting.

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

Send your stories, photos and videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.