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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
July 30, 2012
(7/30/2012)
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* Court Strikes Down Drilling Law Limit On Local Zoning, Corbett Appeals

Commonwealth Court Thursday struck down provisions of the Marcellus Shale Drilling law enacted in February which would have further restricted the application of local zoning to drilling operations and a provision requiring DEP to issue waivers to setback requirements of the state Oil and Gas Act.

* Corbett Issues Order Requiring DEP To Implement Permit Decision Guarantee Program

Gov. Corbett Tuesday issued Executive Order 2012-11, which requires the Department of Environmental Protection to immediately begin assessing how best to make timely permitting decisions.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

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

* July Environmental Synopsis Newsletter Now Available

The Joint Legislative Air And Water Pollution and Conservation Committee Monday published the July issue of its Environmental Synopsis newsletter.

* EPA Completes Drinking Water Sampling In Dimock, No Further Action Required

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it has completed its sampling of private drinking water wells in Dimock, Pa.

* DEP Launches 1-Year Marcellus Shale Air Monitoring Study In Southwest PA

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Monday it has started a long-term, one-year air monitoring study of Marcellus Shale development.

* EPA Fines Talisman Energy $62K For Violations At Natural Gas Facilities

Talisman Energy USA Inc. will pay a $62,457 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous chemical reporting requirements at 52 hydraulic fracturing facilities throughout Pennsylvania that include natural gas well sites and compressor stations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday.

* Recycling Plastic Liners From Drilling Sites Drives New Business

The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center, Inc. announced the formation of a new business partnership to collect and recycle plastic well pad liners from gas drilling sites in the Marcellus Shale region.

* Lt. Gov. Cawley Says Marcellus Shale Creating Jobs In Blair

Marcellus Shale natural gas is helping to create family-sustaining jobs in Blair County and across Pennsylvania, Lt. Governor Jim Cawley said during a tour of New Pig Corporation in Tipton this week.

* U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Introduces Bill To Help PA Develop Natural Gas Jobs

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) Wednesday introduced the STATE Natural Gas Act to help Pennsylvania develop the growing natural gas industry and create jobs.

* Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Seeks Award Nominations

Ensuring that community efforts to protect and improve the local environment are publicly acknowledged, The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is looking for a few good people, projects and organizations to recognize with an Environmental Award.

* Infill Philadelphia: Soak It Up! (Stormwater That Is) Call For Entries

Got a great green project that can soak up stormwater and serve as a model for creating engaging, healthy, and visually-appealing urban places? Submit it for the upcoming Infill Philadelphia: Soak It Up! Precedent Exhibition.

* Volunteers Needed August 22-25 For Perkiomen Watershed Stormwater Basin Planting

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is seeking volunteers for a stormwater basin planting August 22-25 and the Vineyards Community, 1230 James Road, Pennsburg, Montgomery County.  Click Here for this special event.

* Penn State Extension: Pond And Lake Water Quality

During this hot summer, residents of lake communities and private pond owners are enjoying swimming, boating and fishing in the lake or pond. Your enjoyment of the pond or lake depends on maintaining the water quality of the pond or lake.

* DEP To Begin Air Quality Forecasting In 8 Additional Regions

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday it will begin forecasting on August 1 for ozone for eight additional areas across the state, which will help to protect residents who have health concerns that could be worsened by poor air quality.

* Shenango, Inc. Settles Air, Water Pollution Violations With EPA, PA, Allegheny County

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Allegheny County Health Department have reached a settlement with Shenango Inc. resolving alleged air and water pollution violations at the company’s coke manufacturing plant on Neville Island, Allegheny County, Pa.

* Berks Property Once Slated For Development Becomes Nature Preserve

Natural Lands Trust Tuesday announced it has preserved 168 acres in Robeson Township, Berks County. The property, now known as Green Hills Preserve, provides crucial habitat for wildlife including a species considered to be critically endangered, the highest risk category assigned for wild species.

* Friends Of The Wissahickon Awarded Two Grants For Sustainable Trails Initiative

The Friends of the Wissahickon has been awarded grants from REI and the McLean Contributionship for two Sustainable Trails Initiative projects.

* DCNR Celebrates Revitalization of South Philadelphia Park

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials joined Philadelphia representatives and The Friends of Dickinson Square Park Wednesday in a celebration of wide-ranging renovations at the historic Dickinson Square Park in the Pennsport area of South Philadelphia.

* Corbett Tours Western PA On 3-Day Kayak Trip

Gov. Corbett Monday began a three-day kayak tour through Western Pennsylvania to promote Pennsylvania’s vast natural resources and array of recreational opportunities.

* PA Wilds Artisan Trail Announces New Artisans, Trail Sites

The Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Trail held a jury session at the Ridgway Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center last spring.  We are proud to announce the artists whose scores earned them membership in this unique network of artisans and the new trail sites that will populate the PA Wilds Artisan Trail map.

* Nature’s Greatest Airshow Begins August 15 At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Some call the annual Autumn Hawk Watch at the world-famous Hawk Mountain Sanctuary “one of the greatest spectacles of nature.”

* DCNR Sets August 30 Hearing On Wild Resource Conservation Program Grants

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will hold a hearing August 30 on Wild Resource Conservation Program grant applications submitted for the FY 2012-13 grant round. (formal notice)

* DEP Opportunity To Bid On Projects In Butler, Clarion, Somerset, Westmoreland Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on mine reclamation projects in Butler, Clarion, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.

* Grants & Awards

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

* Budget/Quecreek/Quick Clips

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - July 28, 2012

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* Stories Invited

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

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

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