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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, May 12, 2014
(5/12/2014)
* DEP Now Accepting Applications For Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Grants

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for watershed protection and restoration grants under the Growing Greener Plus Program.  The deadline for applications is July 11.  (formal notice)

* PA Environmental Council Q/A With Candidates For Governor On The Environment

Tuesday, May 20 is Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania!  To help inform this important election, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council invited all Republican and Democratic candidates on the ballot to share their views on the most challenging environmental issues facing the Commonwealth today.

* Sen. Stack Outlines Marcellus Shale Severance Tax, Gas Well Regulation Legislation

Senator and Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia) and former DEP Secretary John Hanger outlined new Marcellus Shale drilling legislation Tuesday they said will restore the trust in Pennsylvania’s environmental oversight and provide new revenue for schools and protection of natural resources.

* DEP Releases First-Ever Oil & Gas Annual Report, New Video

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday released the 2013 Oil and Gas Annual Report, along with a video highlighting the important work and professionalism of the dedicated members of DEP’s Oil and Gas Program staff

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Agenda: Natural Gas, Carbon Emissions, Water Quality

The agenda for the May 21 DEP Citizens Advisory Council includes presentations and discussion about the 2012 natural gas emissions inventory, DEP comments on EPA’s carbon emission reduction rule and the 2014 Water Quality Assessment Report.

* Add Us To Your Google+ Circle

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Just go to your Google+ page and search for DHess@CrisciAssociates.com, the email for the Digest Editor David Hess,  and let us join your Circle.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

* Bills On Governor's Desk

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

* Senate/House Bills Moving

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

* Vogel Bill To End Summer Gasoline In Pittsburgh At Some Point, Goes To Governor

The Senate concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 1037 (Vogel-R-Beaver) whose intent is to repeal the requirement for summer low-RVP gasoline in seven Western Pennsylvania counties from May 1 to September 15.  The bill now goes to the Governor for his action.

* House Bill Regulating Conventional, Marcellus Shale Wells Differently To Be Introduced

Reps. Martin Causer (R-Cameron), Kathy Rapp (R-Forest) and Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield) announced Wednesday they plan to introduce legislation to regulate conventional oil and gas well differently than Marcellus Shale wells.

* Senate, House Adjourn For May Primary, Will Not Return Until June 2

The Senate and House this week adjourned for the May 20 Primary Election and will not return to voting session until June 2.

* CBF-PA Hosts June Stormwater Webinars For Municipal Officials, Engineers

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA and the Center for Watershed Protection are offering two free webinars for Pennsylvania municipal officials and engineers on June 4 and 10.

* Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Sponsors Discover Canoe Trips In June, July, August

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA has three opportunities for the public to explore the Susquehanna River, Swatara Creek, and the Yellow Breeches Creek by canoe hosted through CBF’s Bay Discovery Program.

* Spring Bay Bound Newsletter Available From Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

The Spring issue of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA’s Bay Bound newsletter is now available.

* PennVEST Posts New Non-Point Source Financial Assistance Guidelines

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority has posted new guidelines for financial support for non-point source pollution control projects.  Click Here for details.

* Sewickley Creek Watershed Volunteers Stock Trout, Clean Stream Banks

Sewickley Creek Watershed Association partnered with the West Newton Sportsmen’s Association to stock trout in sections of Sewickley Creek in Westmoreland County that were once polluted from abandoned mine discharges. 

* iConservePA.org Video On Using Rain Barrels To Irrigate Your Garden

A video by iConservePA.org takes you through the process of planning, building and using a rain barrel water collection system to irrigate your garden and around the house.  Jim Tweardy, Assistant Park Manager at French Creek State Park, uses his own backyard system to illustrate.  Click Here to watch the video.

* DEP Celebrates Drinking Water Week, 30th Anniversary Of Safe Drinking Water Act

The Department of Environment Protection is celebrating National Drinking Water Week from May 4 to 10 by recognizing the 30th anniversary of the state Safe Drinking Water Act. 

* Rep. Godshall Honored By PA Chapter National Assn. Of Water Companies

The National Association of Water Companies, Pennsylvania Chapter Tuesday recognized State Rep. Robert W. Godshall (R-Montgomery), Majority Chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, with its James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence.

* PA American Water Announces Winners Of Stream Of Learning Scholarships

PA American Water Wednesday announced 10 students throughout Pennsylvania, including eight high school seniors from the Pittsburgh area, have been selected to receive Stream of Learning Scholarships.

* Winners Of Protect Our Watersheds Art Contest Announced By PA American Water

Two students from Spring-Ford School District earned the top spots in PA American Water’s 12th Annual “Protect Our Watersheds” Art Contest.

* DEP Postpones Hearings On Hilcorp Request For Gas Well Drilling Units

On May 2, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo determined that petitioning property owners have the right to be an official party to the Hilcorp Application for Gas Well Spacing Units Hearing proceedings in Lawrence and Mercer counties.

* EHB Upholds Local Recycling Payments As Part Of County Waste Planning RFP Process

The Environmental Hearing Board Monday upheld the imposition of recycling payments as part of an RFP process in Clearfield County by rejecting a request for summary judgment in a challenge brought by Waste Management, Inc. (EHB Docket No. 2013-033-L).

* Over 48,000 Pounds Of Household Hazardous Waste Collected In Centre County

Folks from 831 households took advantage of Centre County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program May 2-3 organized by the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority collected approximately 48,302 pounds of material. 

* York Waste Authority, Police Collect 2,650 Pounds Of Unwanted Medications

Twelve York County police departments currently partner with the York County Solid Waste Authority to host medication take-back boxes in their police department lobbies. Together, they have safely collected and disposed of a total of more than 1.2 tons of unused and expired medications since the start of the program in November, 2012.

* Professional Recyclers Of PA Invite Entries To 2014 Recycling Film Festival

The Professional Recyclers of PA are now accepting entries for their 2014 Recycling Film Festival held in conjunction with PROP’s annual conference in Washington, Pa July 23-25.

* Reminder: Enter Great American Cleanup of PA Video Contest To Win Cash Prizes

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is still accepting entries for their Great American Cleanup of PA Video Contest.  The deadline for entries is May 23.

* PA Coal Alliance Submits Comments To EPA On Federal Carbon Emission Standards

The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday in response to proposed emission standards affecting new coal-fired power plants, asserting that the standards would result in severe economic consequences and that the technology required has not been proven to reduce carbon emissions.

* PA Anthracite Section, Society Of Mining Engineers Celebrates 100th Anniversary In June

The American Institute of Mining Engineers was founded in 1871 by a group of 22 mining engineers (15 from Northeastern Pennsylvania) at a meeting at the Wyoming Valley Hotel on South River Street in Wilkes-Barre. 

* Caren Glotfelty Honored With 2014 PA Parks & Forests Legacy Award

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Tuesday recognized conservation leader Caren Glotfelty for her work to preserve Pennsylvania’s natural resources, promote outdoor recreation, and engage citizens on environmental issues and solutions, awarding the Pittsburgh resident its 2014 Cliff Jones Legacy Award.

* PA Land Trust Assn. Honors Lancaster County For Commitment To Land Preservation

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has honored Lancaster County with the 2014 Government Conservation Leadership Award for demonstrated leadership in the conservation of our special landscapes and critical natural resources.

* DCNR, Partners Unveil Get Outdoors PA To Connect Citizens To Recreation Events

Thousands of guided outdoor recreation events this year – from after work hikes to family fishing programs to night-time paddles – will connect people to enriching outdoor experiences through the newly expanded Get Outdoors PA program, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti announced Tuesday.

* State Agencies Announce Bike To Work Week, Bike Ride, Expo On May 16

Pennsylvania will join states across the nation in recognizing May 2014 as National Bike Month, as well as May 12 to 16 as Bike to Work Week, and May 16 as Bike to Work Day.

* Help Philadelphia Parks Alliance Improve Park & Open Space Programming

The Philadelphia Parks Alliance is excited to announce that, with support from the William Penn Foundation, the Alliance is researching park and public open space programming in Philadelphia and programming best practices from around the country.

* Western PA Conservancy Spring Conserve Magazine Now Available

The Western PA Conservancy’s Spring edition of Conserve magazine is now available featuring articles on birds and forest health, Bennett Branch Forest, Protecting the Clarion River, looking beyond trees for stormwater management and remembering Doc Blakeslee.

* Celebrity Native Plant Gardener Doug Tallamy To Visit Hawk Mountain May 17

Wildlife habitat may be shrinking, but author and Professor Doug Tallamy brings refreshing news: anyone with access to a patch of earth can make a difference.

* Pittsburgh Eagles May Be At Risk From Rat Poison At Recycling Center

Save Hays Eagles, Pittsburgh residents, the Game Commission, and eagle enthusiasts countrywide are extremely concerned of the very real danger facing the Pittsburgh bald eagles family.

* Pennsylvania Issues Updated Fish Consumption Advisories For 2014

State officials Friday released an updated list of fish consumption advisories for 2014 listing affected streams and lakes by river basin.

* Central PA Conservancy Dedicates Bailey’s Grove On May 18

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, in partnership with the Fish and Boat Commission, will hold a public event on May 18 at 1 p.m. to recognize the permanent protection of  27 acres and nearly a mile of riparian buffer along Clark’s Creek in Dauphin County accessible to the public for fishing and hiking.

* Help Wanted: Fish & Boat Commission Recruiting For New Conservation Officers

The Fish and Boat Commission Thursday announced it is recruiting a new class of Waterways Conservation Officers.

* Help Wanted: Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Conservation Coordinator

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is seeking candidate for a Conservation Coordinator to work at its headquarters in Schwenksville, Montgomery County. The deadline for applications is May 23.  Click Here for details.

* Opportunity To Bid On Mine Reclamation Projects In Clearfield, Schuylkill Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Clearfield County and a mine reclamation project in Schuylkill County (PA Bulletin page 2807).

* Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* Budget/Quick NewsClips

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

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

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

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Environmental Quality Board meets on May 21 and will consider a proposed regulation controlling VOC emissions from boat manufacturing and rulemaking petitions from the Clearfield Creek Watershed Association to upgrade 3 streams in Cambria County: Killbuck Run, Wyerough Run, and Beaverdam Run.  The meeting will be in Room 105 Rachel Carson Building starting at 9:00.

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

* Stories Invited

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.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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