Saturday evening, Senate and House Republicans and Gov. Corbett announced they reached agreement on a $28.3 billion state spending plan, slightly less than the Governor’s $28.4 billion proposed budget.  The agreed-to budget represents a 2.3 percent increase in spending over the current year budget.

The House Transportation Committee Thursday voted to amend and send Senate Bill 1 (Rafferty-R- Montgomery) to the full House for debate, said Rep. Dick Hess (R-Bedford), Majority Chair of the Committee.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Tuesday honored the leadership and conservation achievements of Bradford County Conservation District Manager Mike Lovegreen by recognizing his lifetime achievements with the CBF 2013 Conservationist of the Year Award.

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 were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

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

On Friday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee amended and reported out Senate Bill 555 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) which would establish a Health Advisory Panel on Shale Gas Extraction and Natural Gas Use.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Thursday held a public hearing to discuss issues related to natural gas royalty payments from Marcellus Shale development, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Committee.

On Thursday, Gov. Tom Corbett wrote to the Delaware River Basin Commission expressing his "frustration and disappointment" over the failure of the Commission to finalize its regulations on Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Monday held its quarterly business meeting in Harrisburg, Pa. Among its actions, SRBC:

Gov. Tom Corbett Friday issued the following statement in response to the announcement Horsehead Corporation has extended its land-option agreement with Shell Chemical LP for a site near Monaca, Beaver County, for a period of six months.

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to consider proposed changes to Chapter 78 oil and gas well drilling fee regulations at its July 16 meeting.  It is the only regulation on the agenda.

Registration for the 12th Annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration will open on July 1 for the Network Cruise and June 28 for the Imagination Cruise for students.  The Celebration will be held on September 19.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Thursday wrote to the Chairs of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to oppose House Bill 1565 (Hahn-R-Northampton) which would eliminate riparian buffers as one method of complying with regulations designed to protect High Quality and Exceptional Value streams.

LandStudies, Inc. from Lititz, Lancaster County, opened a new webpage on its Healthy Watersheds Tour initiative.

Data collection for a survey of cropland, in the Chesapeake Bay watershed of Pennsylvania, to determine the extent of conservation tillage practices, is almost complete.

The polls are now open to vote for your favorite spokesdogs to become Philadelphia’s only spokesanimals-- excluding Swoop, the Phillie Phanatic, and Barkevious the turkey, of course.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday notified the public that Crystal Spring, a Berks County water vendor, is selling drinking water that has not been monitored for contaminants and poses a potential health risk to those who consume it.

Gov. Tom Corbett Friday visited DuBois, Clearfield County and flew over several neighboring western Pennsylvania communities in Jefferson and Clinton counties that were damaged by Thursday's serious storms.

The Citizens Advisory Council to the Department of Environmental Protection will hear a presentation on a recent review of Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Management Program by the STRONGER group (State Review of Oil and Natural Gas Environmental Regulations) at its July 16 meeting.

The Northeast PA Environmental Partnership is now accepting nominations for its 2013 Partnership Awards, the Nineteenth Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award and the 2013 Emerging Environmental Leader Award until July 15.  Click Here for details on how to make nominations.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has awarded surveillance cameras to six western Pennsylvania organizations to aid in their efforts to curb illegal dumping.  Grant recipients are in Allegheny, Armstrong, Blair, Clearfield, and Elk Counties.

Keep America Beautiful and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced the availability of the 2013 Graffiti Hurts Grant Program, designed to assist communities in augmenting their local graffiti prevention activities.

Gov. Tom Corbett Friday announced the Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $1.65 million in Mine Map Grants to seven recipients, including six of the state’s universities.

FirstEnergy Corp. is offering education grants of up to $500 for creative classroom projects planned for the 2013-2014 school year.  Applications are due September 16.

Gov. Tom Corbett and the Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday reminded residents and small businesses of the nearly $3 million in rebates remaining before the agency’s Sunshine Solar Program ends December 31 or when funds are exhausted.    

Gov. Tom Corbett and the Department of Environmental Protection reminded residents Thursday $3,000 rebates are still available for the purchase of large-battery system plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (EVs).

Gov. Tom Corbett issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s climate change announcement:

Covanta Energy Corporation, a world leader in sustainable waste management and renewable energy, congratulates President Barack Obama and his administration on the announced Climate Action Plan.

The 2012 Annual Report from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is now available.  Click Here to read your copy.

Looking to spend some time outdoors, but don't know where to go?  A new offering from the Game Commission might hold the answer.

Families and friends visiting Pennsylvania’s popular outdoor spots over the July 4 holiday can enjoy a day of free fishing, thanks to the Fish and Boat Commission.

Visit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Berks County, on July 13 and enjoy a full day of free education programs in honor of the grand re-opening of the not-for-profit’s newly expanded Irma Broun-Kahn Education Building.

DCNR Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry Ellen Ferretti will serve as the acting secretary of the department following the resignation of Rick Allan June 13.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of an opportunity to bid on a project in Blue Knob State Park in Bedford County (PA Bulletin page 3517).

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 - June 29, 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.