Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti Wednesday announced the department will seek public comment once a draft Surface Development Management Agreement has been negotiated to protect the natural and recreational resources of a 25,000-acre tract known as the Clarence Moore lands in the Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County.

On Wednesday, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released more details on how it plans to go about leasing additional State Forest and State Park lands for “non-surface disturbance” natural gas development.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council will be hosting a one day policy conference on September 17 in Harrisburg featuring dialog on key environmental issues in the Commonwealth.

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.

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

Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) and House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) Thursday cancelled voting session set for August 4, 5 and 6 in the House saying public pension reform and a bill dealing primarily with the Philadelphia school district will be voted in September.

Senate Republican leaders this week began exploring their options for challenging the line item vetoes of legislative initiatives in the Fiscal Code bill they say may violate the state’s constitution.

Pennsylvania collected $2.2 billion in General Fund revenue in July, the first month of the 2014-15 fiscal year, Secretary of Revenue Daniel Meuser reported Friday.

The July edition of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

The Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission Monday called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help identify the factors contributing to the poor health of the Susquehanna River and begin taking steps to improve the river’s condition “before it becomes too late to repair the damage.”

Bucknell University will host the 9th Susquehanna River Symposium on November 21-22 at the Elaine Langone Center in Lewisburg, Union County. 

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Summer Update newsletter is now available featuring a report on how Pennsylvania is doing in meeting its water pollution cleanup milestones and an update from Harry Campbell, PA Office Director, on a new initiative to educate and engage local officials in Pennsylvania in the watershed cleanup effort.  Click Here to read this edition.

The August Chesapeake Currents newsletter is now available from the Chesapeake Bay Program.

Bookmark the Chesapeake Bay Journal to keep up-to-date on the latest from the Chesapeake Bay cleanup program.

The Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program will begin accepting applications for completed projects on August 4 and for both proposed and completed projects August 25.

The Brodhead Watershed Association in Monroe County invites everyone to join them for the annual River Ramble on August 10 from 1-4 p.m., at the ForEvergreen Nature Preserve in Analomink. There will be entertaining activities for the whole family.

The July edition of The Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition which features an article on the 16th Annual PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference in June.  The Slippery Rock Creek Watershed is in portions of Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer and Venango counties.

The Keep PA Beautiful Litter Free School Zone Program is designed to encourage students to keep their school grounds litter-free and to raise public awareness regarding litter via a Litter Free School Zone sign to be displayed outside the school.

Approximately 4,000 pounds of recyclables were collected during the four-day Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, a tenfold increase over 2013, in Centre County.

The July issue of Keep PA Beautiful’s Beautiful Resources newsletter is now available.  Articles highlight the upcoming KPB report on recommendations to reduce illegal dumping to be released in September, details on the upcoming Litter Free School Zone Program for this year and much more.  Click Here to read this edition.

Gov. Corbett Wednesday rallied on behalf of working families in Pennsylvania’s energy sector. Joined at the Rally to Support American Energy in Pittsburgh by West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Ohio Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, Gov. Corbett criticized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent proposed rule for power plant emissions reduction, which could result in significant job loss in Pennsylvania.

On Thursday, Vince Brisini, DEP Deputy Secretary for Waste, Air, Radiation and Remediation testified on EPA’s proposed rule, offering Pennsylvania’s plan for how cleaner air, lower energy prices and more jobs can be achieved through a responsible plan for emissions reduction that recognizes Pennsylvania’s diverse energy resources.

Gov. Tom Corbett Monday announced the Foreign Direct Investment Association named Pennsylvania the 2014 FDI Destination of the Future for Energy Intensive Industries for actively implementing strategies to support foreign direct investment in the energy sector.  

The Public Utility Commission Monday reminded consumers saving money on electricity can be as simple as enrolling in the Commission’s Electric Choice Standard Offer Program. The program was recognized last week by Gov. Tom Corbett as the year’s “Best Customer Service Innovation” at the 2014 Innovation Expo.

PPL Corporation announced Thursday that its Pennsylvania utility, PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, is proposing to build a major new regional transmission line that would make electric service more reliable and enhance the security of the electric grid while reducing the cost of electricity for consumers.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition Tuesday released the results of its annual workforce survey. The findings – based on 2013 data – were provided by a large majority of MSC member companies, representing nearly 95 percent of Pennsylvania’s shale production.

The Department of Environmental Protection reported this week over 100 samples of mosquitoes and dead birds in nearly two dozen counties were positive for West Nile Virus prompting an increase in spraying operations.

Lt. Governor Jim Cawley Monday joined Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti in announcing the department and the newly created Presque Isle Light Station organization have reached an agreement for a public/private effort to renovate and eventually open to the public the historic lighthouse at Presque Isle State Park in Erie.

Lt. Governor Jim Cawley visited Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County Tuesday to announce a $250,000 grant through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that will revitalize an existing trail connecting the amphitheater with the rest of the property, and making it accessible for people with disabilities.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti Thursday announced  work will begin in August now that contracts have been awarded for the construction of a new park office/visitor center at Kinzua Bridge State Park, McKean County.

Putting her pedals behind her message, PA Parks and Forest Foundation President Marci Mowery is cycling to support the foundation’s work for state parks and forests with a Ohiopyle State Park to Point State Park ride.

The Manada Conservancy presents a special program for kids and adults on August 21 called Crickets and Katydids with naturalist Steve Rannels who will take participants on a journey into their world.

The Berks County Conservation District will be accepting applicants for the position of Assistant District Executive starting August 7 through August 29.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Harrisburg office is looking to fill the position of Staff Scientist who will do critical technical analysis, summary, and translation of diverse and complex scientific issues, with a focus on issues related to surface and groundwater quality, into CBF positions on policy, regulation, legislation, and for general advocacy.

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 NewsClips 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 DEP Board of Coal Mine Safety published proposed regulations setting standards for surface mining facilities for comment (PA Bulletin, page 5191).

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 The Entire PA Environment Digest.

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.