The Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday to the Citizens Advisory Council the agency will be updating each of the three major public participation policies in the department covering consideration of individual permits, regulatory and policy development and environmental justice.

On his first day in office Wednesday, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale notified the head of the  Department of Environmental Protection that a performance audit of water programs related to the development of the state’s shale gas reserves would begin next week.

Gov. Tom Corbett Friday announced PennDOT has identified more than $50 million in savings through its Next Generation initiative that involves modernizing operations, expanding inter-agency efficiencies and becoming a better business partner.

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

The House adopted House Resolution 19 (Micozzie-R-Delaware) Monday appointing members to each of the standing committees.  Some key committee assignments include:

Senate Democrats Monday formally appointed members to each standing committee rounding out committee assignments for the new session.  Click Here for all committee assignments.  Here are some key committees--

The House Appropriations Committee Monday released its hearing schedule on the FY 2013-14 budget proposal--

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets January 23 to consider legislation on oil and gas well royalties and rights, authorizing PennVEST to fund stormwater and non-point source projects and a bill to provide independent counsel to the Environmental Quality Board.  The bills include--

The importance of biological parameters as indications of the health of the river is highlighted in the State of the Susquehanna Report, but the principles are applicable to any stream or river.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is currently accepting applications from eligible high school seniors for the "Delaware Highlands Conservancy/Yeaman Scholarship" in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship has been awarded annually since 2004 to a student planning to pursue a field in environmental studies in college.

The PA Section of the American Water Works Association is now accepting applications for its 2013 David A. Long Scholarship.  The deadline for applications is February 8.

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is now accepting registration for its 2013 annual conference to be held March 15-16 in Bushkill, Pa.  The theme this year is “Climbing the Summit of Environmental Education.”

Nature Abounds, a national non-profit headquartered in Central Pennsylvania, is seeking sponsoring organizations for the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps. 

The PA Sea Grant Program now has available the Aquatic Invasive Species Field Guide for Pennsylvania designed to help identify new AIS infestations, and to help slow or stop their spread in Pennsylvania.

The Manada Conservancy and Derry Township in Dauphin County are hosting a presentation on February 7 on using native plants to create sustainable landscapes at the Hershey/Derry Township Historical Society, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey starting at 7:00 p.m.

For the ninth consecutive year, PennDOT has been presented with the national Partner Award for its continued support of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania.

The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania are now accepting early bird registration for its annual Recycling and Organics Conferences on July 24-26 in Wilkes-Barre.

Butler County residents will have fourteen opportunities in 2013 to recycle their electronics and properly dispose of household hazardous waste.

The Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting and hearing on, January 28 to hear input about Tri-County Landfill Inc’s proposal to expand its municipal waste landfill operations in Pine and Liberty townships, Mercer County.

The Department of Environmental Protection is reminding consumers and businesses that on January 24, they will no longer be able to throw away their electronic devices with their trash.

The Department of Community and Economic Development approved eight projects today through the Municipal Assistance Program to improve local emergency services, assist municipal planning and support community partnerships.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Tuesday announced the acquisition of 207 acres in Luzerne County that serve as an important buffer to Lackawanna State Forest and have long been popular with hunters, hikers and other outdoors enthusiasts.

The deadline for joining the Montgomery County Friends of the Wissahickon Trail Ambassador Program is January 25. Sign up now for the winter training session for this popular volunteer program.

Private forest landowners could benefit by receiving the quarterly Forest Leaves newsletter published by Penn State Extension. 

The Game Commission Thursday unveiled a redesigned and expanded birding and bird conservation section on its website to help it better communicate the importance of wild birds to the millions who visit the website annually.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s new “DEP at Home” exhibit was awarded “Best Educational Exhibit” during the 97th Pennsylvania Farm Show.

PPL Electric Utilities filed a request Tuesday with the Public Utility Commission to implement a distribution system improvement charge to recover costs associated with new capital investments, under a state law that was signed in early 2012.

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Monday hosted a press conference urging the General Assembly and the Governor to take action on the climate change issue.

The Manada Conservancy in Dauphin County is seeking candidates to fill a part-time office assistant position.  Click Here for details.

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

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

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

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

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

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - January 19, 2013

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 links to 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.