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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
January 31, 2005
(1/28/2005)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 01/31/05
* Green Plans Blossom in Harrisburg
Spring came early to Harrisburg this week with the blossoming of several proposals on environmental spending.
* House Republicans Propose Green PA Plan, Rendell Says It’s Positive Step
House Republicans, led by the Montgomery County Delegation, this week announced its Green PA program, a 28-year, $2 billion proposal that if passed and approved by voters, will represent the single largest investment of its kind in environmental health in state history.
* Green Ribbon Commission Hears More Testimony on Environmental Needs
Members of the bipartisan Green Ribbon Commission heard testimony this week from organizations involved in open space preservation, abandoned mine reclamation and on the infrastructure needs of the Fish and Boat and Game Commissions.
* House Appoints Members of Environmental Resources Committee
The House adopted its rules and appointed members to its standing committees this week, including the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
* Environmental Synopsis Features Invasive Species, RecycleBank, New York Trash
The 2005 inaugural issue of the Environmental Synopsis published by the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee this week contains a “potpourri” of issues, as chairman Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) described it.
* Comments Invited on Guidance to Implement Energy Portfolio Standards
The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting public comments through February 11 on guidance it developed to implement the Advanced Energy Portfolio Standards Act.
* ‘Green Highway’ Certification Promoted By Transportation, EPA Region III
The Federal Highway Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 3 office in Philadelphia are cooperating on a new “Green Highway” initiative that will certify highway projects as sustainable and environmentally sound.
* Penn State Offering Workshops on Stream Health, Runoff Pollution Potential
Penn State’s Department of Metrology is offering a series of workshops in May designed to introduce a new web-based tool for assessing stream health and potential impacts from runoff.
* Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop
Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop Offered in Baltimore
* Comments Due to EPA on TMDLs in PA and Crossing into Delaware
EPA Region 3 published public notices recently on the availability of three Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reports. These TMDLs address impairments including bacteria, mercury from atmospheric deposition, and excessive nutrients and sediment from nonpoint sources in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
* Watch for Details Coming Soon on the 2005 Great PA Cleanup!
Want to part of some great? Watch for details on how your group can be part of the 2005 Great PA Cleanup in April. Look back at the 2004 Great PA Cleanup for an idea of what you can do.
* Wetlands Grants Available
North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grants Available
* Adult Male Peregrine Falcon Will Not Be Released Into Wild
From the Department of Environmental Protection this week: the adult male peregrine is recovering nicely and is expected to be just fine. However, he will not be released back to the wild.
* Game Commission Adds 1,150 Acres in Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Dauphin
The Pennsylvania Game Commissioners this week approved four land transactions that will increase the State Game Lands (SGL) system by nearly 1,150 acres, including the creation of a new SGL in Clarion County. Other transactions were approved in Dauphin, Centre and Clearfield counties.
* Case Study: Roofing System Gives Londonderry School Extra Green Credit
The Londonderry School in Harrisburg, recently opened its doors at its new facility ushering in a new era of environmentally friendly considerations in school design.
* EPA’s List of Most Energy Efficient Buildings Nears 2000
Almost 2000 of the nation’s most energy efficient buildings have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR rating, saving an estimated $200 million annually and reducing approximately six billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions of 500,000 cars. The buildings qualifying as ENERGY STAR use about 40 percent less energy without compromising comfort or services.
* Applications Now Being Accepted for Heritage Parks Grants
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced this week it is accepting applications for FY 2005-06 Heritage Park Program grants. The deadline for applications is May 20.
* DCNR Adds Rivers to Conservation Registry
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources formally added portions of the Middle Delaware River in Northampton and Bucks counties and Sewickley Creek Watershed in Westmoreland County to the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry this week. The official notice was published in the PA Bulletin January 29.
* DCNR Appoints Williamson, Dunn, Leslie to New Positions
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) this week announced the appointment of three of its staff to new positions within the agency.
* Watch Punxsutawney Phil's Weather Prediction Live Online Feb. 2
Not going to be in Punxsutawney on February 2? You can again join the festivities surrounding Punxsutawney Phil's world-renowned end-of-winter forecast online at VisitPA.com from 7 to 7:15 a.m.
* Quick Clips
A selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state: Winter Elk Watching, Breathe Easier, Recycling Awards, Land Use Honors, Farmland Preservation
* Feature: How to Clean 3 Miles of Stream Banks-- Let Eagle Scouts Lead the Way!
Robin Orris, Executive Director, of the PA CleanWays Chapter in Jefferson County, wrote the Digest recently to tell us how they organized the cleanup of three miles of stream banks in and around Brookville. It was a great effort by lots of partners and a real family affair!
* Opinion: Using Pennsylvania’s “Citizen Capital” To Cleanup Our Abandoned Mine Legacy
By Bruce Golden, Regional Coordinator, Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
* Watershed NewsClips
A selection of NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state.
* Regulations
Environmental Quality Board notice it accepted a stream redesignation petition, plus links to the PA Bulletin for this week.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
DCNR notice of additions to Rivers Conservation Registry and other news on new guidance.
* Calendar of Events
Lots of NEW meetings, workshops, conferences, plus links to other calendars.

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