Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, June 1, 2015
(6/1/2015)
* Gov. Wolf Creates Task Force On Pipelines, Seeks Volunteers

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the formation of a task force to help Commonwealth agencies, the natural gas industry, and communities across the state collaborate more effectively as thousands of miles of pipelines are being proposed to transport natural gas and related byproducts to markets from gas wells throughout the Commonwealth.

* Countdown Begins To June 30 Deadline For New State Budget

With the June 30 deadline to have a new state budget, the House next week will begin the process of considering amendments to House Bill 1192 (Adolph-R-Delaware), the House GOP version of a very basic General Fund budget.

* DEP Revises Policy On Developing Technical Guidance, Invites Comments, Launches New Comment Tool

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 30 PA Bulletin it has significantly revised a technical guidance describing how it will develop and invite public input into the development of all technical guidance published by the agency.

* PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Let us join your Circle.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s 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--

* Senate Committees Hold June 1 Hearing On Severance Tax Proposals, Watch Live

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Finance Committees will hold a hearing June 1 on natural gas severance tax proposals.

* Senate Confirmation Hearing For John Quigley At DEP June 2, Watch Live

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for John Quigley, Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, on June 2 starting at 9:30.

* May Environmental Synopsis Available From Joint Conservation Committee

The May issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring stories on--

* 27 Pennsylvania Counties Remain In Drought Watch

Despite the recent precipitation events, the Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday said it is maintaining a drought watch for 27 counties across Pennsylvania because parts of the state have below-average groundwater and in some areas surface water levels.

* TreeVitalize Watershed Grant Applications In Southeast PA Due Sept. 18

Applications for TreeVitalize Watershed Grants in five Southeastern PA counties are due September 18.  The grants may be used for planting trees along stream corridors, adjacent upland areas, headwaters and naturalized stormwater basins.

* Work Begins To Reclaim Hazardous Abandoned Mine Land In Luzerne County

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation Wednesday announced work is set to begin next month to reclaim abandoned mine lands in Hazle Township, Luzerne County that are classified as a significant health and safety hazard under the federal Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program. 

* DEP To Begin Drilling Work At Mine Fire In Carbon County

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation Friday announced work will begin next week to determine the extent and intensity of the Jeansville Mine fire; located on both active and abandoned mine lands in Banks Township, Carbon County and Hazle Township, Luzerne County.

* Training Helps Emergency Responders Prepare For Spills Along Schuylkill

Department of Environmental Protection emergency responders joined their counterparts from the Fish and Boat Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Montgomery County on May 21 for oil containment training on the Schuylkill River in Upper Providence Township.

* Final EPA Waters Of The U.S. Rule Issued, Little Impact In PA Expected

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army finalized the Clean Water Rule Wednesday to clearly protect from pollution and degradation the streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources.

* May 26 Watershed Winds Newsletter Available From Penn State Extension

The May 26 Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring stories on--

* Milton Authority’s Innovative Wastewater Plant Featured At International Conference

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. recently exhibited its wastewater to energy project for the Milton Regional Sewer Authority in Northumberland County at the Rural Development Conference in Memphis, Tennessee.

* 2 More PA Drinking Water Facilities Receive Presidents Award

Two more Pennsylvania facilities have been awarded the national Partnership for Safe Water Presidents Award for optimal water treatment.

* May 28 DEP News Now Available

The May 28 edition of the DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

* Keep PA Beautiful: Cambria County Man Convicted Of Illegal Dumping

On May 14, William John Caddy, 38, from Johnstown was found guilty of illegally dumping shingles, buckets, cement and other debris on Hohan Avenue/Kingston Lake Trail in Middle Taylor Township by the Honorable Mary Ann Zanghi.

* DEP Hosts 2nd Public Meeting On Keystone Landfill June 15, Lackawanna County

The Department of Environmental Protection will host a second public meeting regarding Keystone Sanitary Landfill’s permit application to expand its facility located in Dunmore and Throop Boroughs in Lackawanna County.

* PA Resources Council ReuseFest June 13 In Allegheny County

Clean out the garage…the basement…the overflowing closets throughout the house because the region’s fourth annual large-scale collection of materials to be reused by local nonprofits will take place on June 13 in Allison Park, Allegheny County.

* 20,000th Student Visits ClearWater Conservancy’s Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

ClearWater Conservancy celebrated its 20,000th student visit to Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in Centre County under the conservancy’s Connections program this spring.

* DEP Staff Help Students Learn About Water Quality At Hydromania

Staff from the Department of Environmental Protection’s  Bethlehem and Pocono district offices took part in Hydromania hosted by the Lehigh Valley Water Suppliers, Inc. on May 14 at Cedar Crest College in Allentown.  This is the 15th year of the event.

* PA Alliance For Geographic Education Newsletter Now Available

The Summer edition of the PA Alliance for Geographic Education newsletter is now available featuring articles on--

* PUC Offers Tips To Beat The Heat With Twitter #WaysToStayCool

As the weather forecast shows heat and humidity in Pennsylvania this week, the Public Utility Commission Tuesday reminded consumers to conserve energy with Twitter #WaysToStayCool.

* Small Business Grants Awarded For Pollution Prevention, Energy Conservation

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced nearly 140 businesses across Pennsylvania will soon install energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects by using Small Business Advantage Grants provided by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This year, DEP awarded more than $980,000 to 139 small businesses.

* West Nile Virus-Carrying Samples Detected In York, Centre Counties

The Departments of Environmental Protection and Health Friday report the confirmation of the first 2015 detections of West Nile Virus from a mosquito sample that was collected on May 22 in Springettsbury Township, York County and a bird found May 26 in Harris Township, Centre County.

* Dept. Of Health Launches Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign

Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy Tuesday reminded Pennsylvanians that that they should take the proper precautions to protect themselves against Lyme disease as the summer outdoor season begins.

* Part Of Laurel Hill State Park Included In Old Growth Forest Network

Officials at Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County Thursday celebrated its forest heritage by recognizing the Hemlock Natural Area at the park as part of the Old Growth Forest Network, and re-dedicating the newly renovated Kooser Mountain Fire Tower. Both are important features in the Laurel Highlands landscape.

* Nearly 100 Hikes Planned To Showcase PA’s Trails, Walkways May 30-June 7

New and experienced hikers can pick their pace and path through Pennsylvania’s bountiful outdoors in one of nearly 100 organized hikes across the state during Hiking Week 2015, which steps off May 30.

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation: June Is Get Outdoors PA Month

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation wants you to know June is Get Outdoors PA Month and a good time to explore Pennsylvania’s many outdoor recreation opportunities and share your outdoor experiences, photos and more with PPFF.

* 3 Young Peregrine Falcons Banded In Harrisburg, Video Available Online

State environmental officials participated in the annual banding of the young peregrine falcons born this season on the ledge of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg on May 21. 

* Game Commission: Do Not Disturb Young Wildlife

The leaves are green, the flowers are in bloom and, once again, a new generation of wildlife is making its arrival.

* Brodhead Watershed Assn Hosts Intro To Fly Fishing June 28

Learn about fly fishing from experts hosted by the Brodhead Watershed Association while enjoying a beautiful afternoon on the Brodhead – a creek known for its clean-water trout fishing in Monroe County.

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Reclamation Projects In Fayette, Tioga Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of the opportunity to bid on a mine subsidence control project in Fayette County and a mine reclamation project in Tioga County.

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

* 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.

* Environmental NewsClips - All Topics

Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - May 30, 2015

* 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.

Previous PA Environment Digests