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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, July 20, 2015
(7/20/2015)
* CBF: Milestone Assessment Finds PA Falling Short Of Its Water Cleanup Commitments

An assessment of key practices that Pennsylvania is relying on to reduce pollution in local waterways found that implementation was significantly off track to meet the goals that the Commonwealth set.

* EPA Notifies DEP It Will Act If PA Does Not Make Progress On Clean Water Goals

Nicholas DiPasquale, Director of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office, sent a letter to the Department of Environmental Protection on May 4 reminding DEP his office can take action to assure Pennsylvania’s nutrient and sediment reduction goals are met if Pennsylvania does not act.

* 12 Maryland Legislators Urge EPA To Force PA To Meet Clean Water Commitments

On April 21 a bipartisan group of 12 members of the Maryland House of Delegates wrote to EPA Region III Administrator Shawn Garvin urging him to use his authority to force Pennsylvania to meet its Chesapeake Bay cleanup commitments.

* Pennsylvania Has 530 Days To Meet 2017 Clean Water Milestones

Pennsylvania has 530 days (as of July 20) to put the best management practices on the ground needed to eliminate 10 million pounds of nitrogen and 212 million pounds of sediment from going into our rivers and streams to meet the 2017 Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.

* Citizens Advisory Council Meeting Features Chesapeake Bay, Act 54 Report Comments

The July 21 meeting of DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council features an evaluation of how Pennsylvania is meeting its Chesapeake Bay Watershed cleanup commitments and a discussion to finalize the Council’s comments on DEP’s Act 54 report on the impact of underground coal mining.

* Greek Bailout, Iran Nuclear Deal OK’d, But Still No Progress On State Budget

While negotiators this week successfully concluded a debt bailout plan for Greece and a nuclear weapons control agreement with Iran and six other world powers, Senate and House Republicans and Gov. Wolf failed to make any progress on negotiating a new state budget, a liquor privatization deal or a pension bailout.

* 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[Updated]/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/House Bills Moving

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

* Senate Committee OKs Resolutions On Anthracite Coal, Forestry Task Force

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Monday reported out resolutions relating to anthracite coal and creating a Forestry Task Force.  The bills include--

* DEP To Webcast July 22 Pipeline Task Force Meeting Live

The Department of Environmental Protection will webcast the July 22 meeting of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force meeting starting at 1:00.  Click Here to join the webcast.

* S.O.S. - Save Our Susquehanna! Campaign Contributions Approach $10,000

At is quarterly business meeting this week, the Fish and Boat Commission elected new officers, approved the acquisition of property in Erie County, added waters to the list of wild trout streams, endorsed legislation which would extend certain health benefits to waterways conservation officers, and provided the public with an update on the S.O.S. – Save Our Susquehanna! Campaign.

* Sojourn Marks Conewango Creek’s PA River Of The Year Designation

Fun on the Conewango Creek flowing through northern Warren County drew paddlers and other outdoors enthusiasts to a celebration on July 11 marking the rebounding waterway’s designation as Pennsylvania’s River of the Year for 2015.

* Yellow Breeches Watershed Landscape Makeover Challenge

The Yellow Breeches Watershed Association in Cumberland County is inviting entries for its Creek Friendly Landscape Makeover Challenge to highlight landowner efforts to reduce stormwater runoff, plant native species of plants and stream buffers and minimize use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.

* PA Water Works Assn. Hosts Upcoming Conference, Training Opportunities

The PA Section of the American Water Works Association will host a variety of training sessions in August starting with its annual Conference on August 2 in State College, a webinar on setting water rates August 11, a program on harmful algae blooms and workplace violence August 21 and much more.  Click Here for the complete schedule.

* KPB, Partners Hold Illegal Dumping Surveillance Meeting July 28 In Windber

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is partnering with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and Lift Johnstown to hold an informational meeting July 28 in Windber, Somerset County on Illegal Dump Free PA, a program that provides community resources to fight illegal dumping in Pennsylvania, for stakeholders in Cambria, Somerset and Bedford Counties.

* PROP Hosts Zero Waste Workshop On July 28 In Harrisburg

The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania will host a Leading The Way To Zero Waste workshop on July 28 at the Best Western Premier in Harrisburg starting at noon.  The workshop features Gary Liss, a leading advocate of zero waste in the United States.

* Centre County PA Festival Of The Arts Recycles 2,200 Pounds

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority Wednesday reported approximately 2,200 pounds of organics and recyclable material were collected during the four day Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts

* Sustainable Pittsburgh Launches Sustainable Restaurant Program

The Pittsburgh region’s restaurant industry now has another seat at the table for advancing quality of life and competitiveness. 

* Renmatix In PA Recognized By EPA With Green Chemistry Challenge Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday announced it is recognizing landmark green chemistry technologies developed by industrial pioneers and leading scientists that turn climate risk and other environmental problems into business opportunities, spurring innovation and economic development.

* 13th Anniversary Of Quecreek Mine Rescue In Somerset

On July 24, 2002 miners broke through into an abandoned, water-filled mine flooding the Quecreek Mine with over 150 million gallons of water.  Nine miners scrambled to safety, but nine were trapped in a pocket of air in the dark, cold, water filled mine. 

* Cumberland County Mosquito Spraying Set For July 20

The Cumberland County West Nile Program will be conducting an ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operation to reduce high populations of nuisance mosquitoes on July 20 in parts of Silver Spring Township.

* DCNR Secretary Addresses Students On Environmental Careers

It was the one question her entire audience wanted to ask: “How did you pick an environmental career?”

* Environmental Coalition Urges Gov. Wolf To Prevent Drilling In Loyalsock State Forest

With hundreds of thousands of citizens enjoying Pennsylvania’s public lands this summer season, the Save the Loyalsock Coalition is urging Gov. Tom Wolf to use his power to prevent gas drilling on the at-risk Clarence Moore Lands of the Loyalsock State Forest in Bradford, Lycoming and Sullivan counties, which are not protected by the Governor's recent moratorium on new leases.

* Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape Mini-Grant Success Stories

The Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape has been implementing a mini-grant program within the Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape for the last few years thanks to funding provided by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

* North Branch Land Trust Protects 3,053 Acres In Luzerne County

The North Branch Land Trust, working in partnership with the property owner Earth Conservancy and DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and Bureau of Forestry, recently closed on the purchase of the 3,053-acre Mocanaqua Highlands.

* PA Wilds Artisan Trail Make Brand Work For You Workshops Coming Up!

The PA Wilds Artisan Trail will be holding free Make the Brand Work for You Workshops on July 22 at the Forest Folk School in Tionesta starting at 4:30 p.m. and on July 29 starting at 6:00 p.m. at Black Moshannon State Park in Centre County.

* Agriculture Expands Spotted Lanternfly Surveillance To Lehigh, Montgomery Counties

As Department of Agriculture Monday announced it is expanding its Spotted Lanternfly surveillance efforts to neighboring Lehigh and Montgomery counties. While there is no indication the pest has spread, officials believe this is a prudent, precautionary measure.

* July 15 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

The July 15 issue of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

* Colleen DeLong Joins ClearWater Conservancy As Land Stewardship Assistant

Colleen Delong has joined ClearWater Conservancy in Centre County as its land stewardship assistant.

* Help Wanted: DEP: Director Bureau Of Deep Mine Safety

The Department of Environmental Protection is now seeking candidates to fill the position of Director of the Bureau of Deep Mine Safety.  Applications will be accepted until August 11.   Click Here for a copy of the formal announcement and details on applying.

* 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 - July 18, 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.

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