The final 2012 Integrated Waters report the Department of Environmental Protection submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday reported nearly 20 percent or 16,599 miles of streams in Pennsylvania do not meet federal water quality standards.  67,972 miles meet water quality standards.

DEP Secretary Mike Krancer announced Monday DEP has submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency its final 2012 Integrated Waters report, a biannual assessment of the state’s rivers and streams required by the federal Clean Water Act.

Budget Secretary Charles Zogby Monday told the Pennsylvania Press Club the Corbett Administration’s top priority for this year’s budget will be pension reform, but quickly listed transportation funding and liquor privatization as important.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for grants under the Act 13 Marcellus Legacy Fund Programs covering abandoned mine drainage abatement and treatment, watershed restoration and protection, water quality data, greenways, trails and recreation and orphan and abandoned well plugging programs.

The Monongahela River, flowing through Green, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, has been named Pennsylvania’s 2013 River of the Year following public, online voting across the state.

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 House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets February 4 to consider House Bill 34 (Harper-R-Montgomery) which would set green building standards for state-owned or state-leased buildings.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, is seeking support for a legislative proposal that will study the potential for increased residential, commercial and industrial natural gas infrastructure extension in Pennsylvania.

At the February 5 Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting, Michelle Tate from DEP’s Policy Office is on the agenda to lead a discussion of the agency’s draft Permit Review Process Public Participation Policy.

Farmers in Chester and Lancaster counties are eligible for special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) grants to reduce nutrient runoff.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for water supply and wastewater infrastructure projects under the PennWorks Program.  The deadline for applications is June 28 and the Authority is scheduled to act on the applications September 17.

The Foundation for PA Watersheds is now accepting applications for watershed restoration grants.  Letters of interest are due on February 8.  Applications are due March 22. 

The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds Monday announced the PA Watersheds Conference will be held April 5-6 at the Nittany Lion Inn, State College.

The 12th annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration will be held on September 19 and its theme will be “Working Together for Clean Water.”

A recent land acquisition will continue the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s longstanding focus on protecting French Creek and conserving land in the watershed.

Droughts occur periodically over much of the United States. In Pennsylvania, severe droughts have occurred more frequently over the past two decades. During droughts, water supplies often become critically low.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission has scheduled two public hearings on February 14 to accept comments. The first hearing is on 22 water withdrawal and consumptive use project applications and the other is on proposed rulemaking regarding how SRBC will regulate water withdrawals from smaller watersheds (known as headwater areas) and handle emergency certificates. (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection’s DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board will hold a meeting on February 20 to consider proposed changes to Marcellus Shale drilling regulations required by Act 13 of 2012. (formal notice)

A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found concerns about fracking and drilling were far down the list of issues that worry Pennsylvania voters.  Just 2 percent thought it was the most important issue facing the state.  Just 1 percent felt energy and gasoline prices were a concern.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition Thursday published Recommended Practices for Water Pipelines, the sixth in a series of guidance documents aimed at further enhancing the safe development of natural gas across the Appalachian basin.

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday it has finalized revisions to a general permit for natural gas-fired engines and equipment at compressor stations, which help move gas from well sites into transmission pipelines.

A RAND study published in the Environmental Research Letters Journal estimates air emissions from natural gas drilling and infrastructure caused from $7.2 million to $32 million in damage a in Pennsylvania in 2011.  The study concluded--

The Governor’s Office published its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda listing regulations various agencies have under development on February 2 (PA Bulletin page 765)      

The Environmental Quality Board published proposed increases in the Title V Air Quality Permit fees for public comment in the February 2 PA Bulletin.

Applications are now being accepted for the 19th annual Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp being held June 16 –21 at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Cumberland County.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy seeks youth ages 14-17 and teachers to serve as adult mentors for an educational program focusing on wildlife conservation and leadership development.

The Friends of the Wissahickon announced the winners of its  2012 Photo Contest at a reception at The Cedars House in Wissahickon Valley Park on January 23 in Montgomery County.

Keep America Beautiful and The Coca-Cola Foundation Monday announced a call for applications for the 2013 Coca-Cola/KAB Recycling Bin Grant Program, a program designed to expand and support recycling in communities across America.

During the first 10 weeks of the "CANS FOR PETS" recycling campaign, animal lovers in Western PA recycled more than 6,500 aluminum pet food cans, and raised several hundred dollars to aid homeless animals, according to the PA Resources Council.

PA Resources Council East will kick-off its Spring schedule of e-waste collections on March 2nd in Edgmont Township, Delaware County.  The events are more than just compliance with the "Covered Device Recycling Act of 2010."

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice setting April 1 as the deadline for submitting reimbursement applications under the Host Municipality Inspector Program for municipal and hazardous waste inspectors. Click Here for applications and instructions.

The PA Resources Council Friday announced the winners of the 27th Annual Lens on Litter Contest.   Photo here is by student Anthony Sidari, Hazel Township, entitled “Roadside Ring Toss.”

Applications for the 2013 Mine Map Grant Program are now available from the Department of Environmental Protection.  The deadline for applications is March 15. (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $239,809 in grants to help 32 small businesses across Pennsylvania invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications under its Alternative and Clean Energy Program for activities to promote the utilization, development and construction of alternative and clean energy projects, infrastructure associated with compressed natural gas and liquified natural gas fueling stations, plus energy efficiency and energy conservation projects in the state.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for funding under its High Performance Building Program to assist with the construction or renovation of high performance green buildings.

PA Resources Council's PECO Smart Ideas Energy Education Team will be on-site at Philadelphia area Home Shows in February to answer questions about energy conservation and  efficiency and to demonstrate how making SMALL changes can have BIG impacts on electric use.

As part of recent upgrades to its website, the Public Utility Commission created PAGasSwitch, a natural gas shopping tool for Pennsylvania consumers--  PAGasSwitch.

The Game Commission Board approved a series of oil and gas, coal and other mineral leases, land exchanges and other agreements at their meeting Wednesday.  Click Here for a summary of those actions.  Click Here for a summary of several other land-related actions.

Congress recently renewed a 2006 incentive that enables family farmers and other landowners to get a significant tax benefit for donating a conservation easement on their land, according to the Western PA Conservancy.

Scientists from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy published a note in a botanical journal detailing how they discovered a plant that had never been recorded in the state.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has named Harry Campbell Director of its Pennsylvania Office located in Harrisburg.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is seeking candidates for the position of senior scientist for its Pennsylvania Office in Harrisburg.  Deadline for applications February 22. Click Here for details.

The Chartiers Creek Watershed Association in Washington County is looking to fill a paid internship position.  Closing date is April 1 for applications.  Contact Emilie Cooper Rzotkiewicz by email to:  ecooper@alleghenylandtrust.org for more information.

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--

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of proposed fee increases covering Title V Air Quality Permits.

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.