The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday approved Pennsylvania’s 2012 final list of impaired waters without listing the lower Susquehanna River as impaired.  The lower Susquehanna listing was changed from unimpaired to having insufficient water quality data to make a determination as recommended by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued this statement following the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s 2012 Impaired Waters List--

John Arway, Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission, issued this statement on EPA's decision not to list the lower Susquehanna River as impaired:

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 Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday overwhelmingly approved Senate Bill 1 (Rafferty- R-Montgomery), a comprehensive transportation funding plan which raises about $2.5 billion in annual funding by FY 2017-18, according to Sen. John Rafferty, Majority Chair of the Committee.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on May 15 to consider bills changing the anti-degradation requirements for evaluating onlot septic system permits, a bill authorizing funding for stormwater management and nonpoint source projects and a resolution on a federal forest products issue.

The National Association of Water Companies, Pennsylvania Chapter Tuesday recognized Erik A. Ross with its James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence.

The Department of Environment Protection celebrated National Drinking Water Week from May 5 to 11 by encouraging all Pennsylvanians to learn how to better protect and conserve their water.

Are you 55 years or older, live in Lackawanna County and want to become involved in protecting our resources and educating the public on the natural world? If so, the Lackawanna County Senior Environment Corps wants you.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will award between $8 million and $10 million late this summer in grants from its Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund for projects that restore habitat and improve water quality in the Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.

Meet Shirley Stark, a homeowner from Lemoyne, Pa in this new video by StormwaterPA website. Shirley's plan to transform a typical suburban yard of turf grass into an English country garden took a whole new direction when she discovered the impacts her plans could have on local waterways.

The May issue of the Chesapeake Bay Journal is now available online.

By Paul Swartz, Executive Director, Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Friday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal partners, announced that the Urban Waters Federal Partnership is adding 11 new locations.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County, and members of the Little Conestoga Partnership will host a Rain Garden and Clean Water Landscaping Workshop on May 18 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Wheatland Middle School, 919 Hamilton Park Dr., Lancaster.

The Mifflin County Conservation District is sponsoring a Silvopasture Field Dat on June 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Wahler Farm, 1384 Sugar Valley Road, McVeytown, Pa.

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Friday Camp Hill Borough, Cumberland County, has signed a $140,000 consent order and agreement with DEP to address unauthorized and unreported sewage discharges that happened from 2011 to 2013.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting and hearing on May 21 to outline its plan to clean up contamination in an unnamed tributary flowing through Conestoga Pines Park in the City of Lancaster, Lancaster County.

The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful inaugural Great American Cleanup of PA video contest deadline is fast approaching on May 24th. 

The PA Association of Environmental Educators announced a Facebook page has been posted for the Pennsylvania Project Learning Tree.

DEP Citizens Advisory Council will hear a presentation at its May 22 meeting on how the Department of Environmental Protection considers endangered and threatened species impacts identified in the PA Natural Diversity Inventory in its permit reviews.

The Public Utility Commission Tuesday released its report providing detailed information about and action items related to Hurricane Sandy.

Gov. Corbett Wednesday announced Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to advance clean, alternative and renewable energy sources with the investment of more than $9.6 million in 13 projects in 11 counties by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Gov. Tom Corbett, joined by company executives including CEO Jim Spencer, Friday toured Pittsburgh-based EverPower Wind Holdings, Inc. and discussed how Pennsylvania’s diverse energy portfolio is attracting innovation across all sectors and continuing to add jobs to the state’s growing economy.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites code enforcement officials, builders, contractors and designers to a May 21 training workshop in Moon Township, Allegheny County, on the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.

On May 7, the Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center, an initiative that identifies and helps commercialize technologies that enhance responsible stewardship of the environment while creating jobs in the Commonwealth, announced the three $25,000 winners of their Innovation Contest--

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy cordially invites you to attend the 2013 Conservationist of the Year Award Reception honoring CPC Board Member, William Forrey, the former Director of the Bureau of State Parks, at the Ironmaster's Mansion on May 18. 

On June 1 the Friends of the Wissahickon in Montgomery County will once again join in a nationwide effort to raise awareness of and care for the trails in Wissahickon Valley Park with the help of REI Conshohocken.

The fuel tanker explosion that has closed a stretch of Interstate 81 near Harrisburg on Thursday also caused about 2,000 gallons of spilled diesel fuel to flow into a nearby wetlands, prompting a rapid response to contain and clean up the spill, and rescue affected wildlife.

As part of PPL’s support for wildlife habitat around Lake Wallenpaupack, Kipp Island in Pike County will be unavailable for recreational activities through the end of July to protect a bald eagle nesting area.

A bipartisan amendment sponsored by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to help prevent the invasion of Asian carp in the Ohio River basin took a big step toward becoming law Thursday and will be included in a broader water resources development bill.

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program is hosting two aquatic invasive species identification workshops designed to help field biologists and agency field staff use the new Pennsylvania Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species to quickly and accurately identify new AIS infestations.

Join the Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program and the Delaware Highlands Conservancy for a Native Plants Walk on June 8 at the Beaver Run Hunting and Fishing Club property in Dingmans Ferry, PA from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Berks County, will host its annual Native Plant Sale Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and May 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Visitor Center.

Performance Systems Development, an energy efficiency consulting firm, is seeking candidates to fill the position of Program Development Analyst to help design, implement and evaluate energy efficiency opportunities. The position will be based in Chestnut Hill, 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--

DEP’s Board of Coal Mine Safety published notice of proposed changes to regulations dealing with the maintenance of incombustible content of rock dust for public comment.

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.