The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Thursday issued a special report on smallmouth bass fish kills in the lower Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay watershed concluding, “Although the mystery of what is causing smallmouth bass deaths and illnesses is not yet fully solved, scientists know enough to guide policy makers to move ahead with these basic steps.”

John Arway, Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission, commended the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Thursday for issuing a report on smallmouth bass issues in the Susquehanna River and other rivers and streams in the Bay watershed.  He said--

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wednesday announced it has reached a settlement with CONSOL Energy, Inc. to restore Duke Lake at Ryerson Station State Park in Greene County, as well as add 506 acres to the park.

DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board Tuesday gave the Department of Environmental Protection its recommendation to go ahead with proposed changes to drilling regulations in Chapter 78 required by Act 13 of 2011.

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--

Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), Majority Chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, held two public hearings this week on legislation he is sponsoring that would expand, and make permanent, the consumer protections provided in the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code.

The week of May 5-11, 2013, will be recognized as "Drinking Water Week" in Pennsylvania, following passage Wednesday of House Resolution 271, authored by Rep. Ron Miller (R- York), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

For all of us involved in the PA Growing Greener Coalition, every day is Earth Day.

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday they will host an auction June 12, for the sale and purchase of nutrient credits in the Susquehanna and Potomac watersheds.

Pennsylvania American Water announced Wednesday eight watershed initiatives across the state have earned financial support through the company’s 2013 Environmental Grant Program.

Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday announced the investment of $91 million in 22 non-point source, drinking water and wastewater projects in 20 counties through the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

The Spring issue of the Estuary News is now available from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay invites municipalities from Cumberland County to a workshop on MS4 stormwater workshop on May 17 at the Lower Allen Township Building in Camp Hill.  The cost of the workshop is $10.  Click Here for a flyer on the event.

The Little Conestoga Partnership has announced two RFQs related to a new stormwater incentives program being launched in the Little Conestoga watershed in Lancaster County.  The deadline for responding is May 9. 

Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. President Steve Tagert was surprised Wednesday with a “Special Recognition” Award from the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Water Works Association at its annual meeting luncheon in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Water industry professionals from Pennsylvania American Water led sessions on a number of critical industry topics at the 65th Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Section of the American Water Works Association.

Marcellus Shale Coalition CEO Kathryn Klaber issued the following statement regarding the 43rd annual Earth Day on April 22:

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday a new location for an open house and public hearing on Wednesday, May 1, to discuss a proposed air quality plan approval for MarkWest Liberty Midstream and Resources LLC to install and begin temporary operation of new equipment at its Smith Compressor Station.

The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Pennsylvania General Energy Co. LLC of Warren, Warren County, $125,500 for two separate sets of violations in Lycoming County during 2012 and 2011.

A Marcellus Shale gas well site got a little bit greener thanks to CONSOL Energy, the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County and the Game Commission. 

The U.S. Geological Survey released a special study of satellite imagery this week which attempted to quantify landscape disturbance related to natural gas extraction-- both conventional and unconventional (Marcellus Shale) in Allegheny and Susquehanna counties between 2004 and 2010.

PPL Electric Utilities reminds customers this Arbor Day that planting the right tree in the right place is important to help eliminate future conflicts with power lines that could lead to outages.

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things through service. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership.

As part of a nationwide effort to support local initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, the PA Beverage Association today announced a $5,000 contribution to “Green Up to Grow Up Pittsburgh.”

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful rewarded six schools participating in the Litter Free School Zone program with $1,500 dollars in cash prizes. 

Here's your chance to rid your home of old or unwanted hazardous chemicals and be sure they are properly disposed in Centre County.

Colleges, K-12 schools, nonprofits and local governments will advance their recycling efforts this summer thanks to a significant grant made possible by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful took the opportunity during an enforcement session at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors' 91st Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show to announced a new pilot grant program using surveillance cameras to help curb illegal dumping.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful encourages Pennsylvania youth to apply for the Keep America Beautiful National Youth Advisory Council.  Applications will be accepted through May 17. Application must be submitted online.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will award approximately $4 million in grants to 20 communities across the country to assist with planning for cleanup and reuse of Brownfields properties.

The Wildlands Conservancy announced Tuesday a conservation easement on 28 acres of high-value woodland, field and stream habitat in Moore Township, Northampton County.

The Heritage Conservancy in Bucks County is hosting this 24-hour event to discover and document the various plant and animal life living in Bristol Marsh Preserve on May 18.  Join us at this groundbreaking event!

Gov. Tom Corbett Monday announced he is awarding $334,074 in environmental education grants to 92 schools, universities, non-profit organizations and conservation districts across Pennsylvania.

Gov. Tom Corbett Tuesday announced the U.S. Department of Education has selected four Pennsylvania schools for the national 2013 Green Ribbon Schools Award, plus one school district for the District Sustainability Award.

The Department of Public Welfare is offering $200,000 in mini-grants to child care centers to work toward achieving higher quality environmental health standards.  Applications are due August 1.

Creek Connections at Allegheny College is again offering its Creek Camp Program, an environmental science, hands-on, residential camp for students in 9th and 10th grade at their campus in Meadville, Crawford County, in two summer sessions--  June 23-28 and July 7-12.

The PA Biomass Energy Association is pleased to have been selected as one of 92 schools, universities, non-profit organizations and conservation districts across the state to receive an Environmental Education grant from the Department of Environmental Protection.

The Open Road Media Project Monday released a brand new video on Rachel Carson and her contributions to the modern environmental movement.

Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries Thursday announced the launch of the company’s new sustainability vision, values and goals issued in the 2012 PPG Corporate Sustainability Report.

Chatham University’s School of Sustainability and the Environment is now accepting applications for its new 16-month Executive Master in Sustainability Leadership program for professionals looking to strengthen their ability to advance sustainability in a range of professional settings.

This Earth Day, Stroud Water Research Center announced its Moorhead Environmental Complex has achieved LEED Platinum, the highest level of certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Gov. Tom Corbett broke ground Wednesday for Penn State University’s new Center for Building Energy Science at The Navy Yard, showcasing multiple energy saving technologies.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites code enforcement officials, builders, contractors and designers to a May 9 training workshop in Chester County, on the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.

Drivers of electric vehicles will soon be able to recharge at select locations along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Turnpike Commission announced Tuesday it expects to open electric-vehicle charging stations at four of its service plazas this summer.

In recognition of the development and successful implementation of the bald eagle monitoring and management plan during its expansion project, PPL Holtwood on Tuesday  received an Outstanding Steward of America’s Waters award from the National Hydropower Association.

The Department of Environmental Protection and Game Commission Thursday invited students, teachers and non-formal educators to tune in for the annual Peregrine falcon banding event during a live webcast on May 21.

From the middle of April until the end of May, some 125 species of birds will migrate through or over the Wissahickon Valley in Montgomery County. Some will remain to nest in the varied habitats available here.

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice of opportunity to bid on abandoned oil and gas well plugging project in Warren County and a mine reclamation project in Clinton County.

The PA Environmental Council is seeking candidates for its Director of Water Programs position in Southeast PA.  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--

The Environmental Quality Board published a notice formally accepting a petition for study relating to redesignating Cranberry Creek in Monroe County from High Quality to Exceptional Value.

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.