The Northeast Pennsylvania Environmental Partners Tuesday announced the recipients of the Environmental Partnership Awards for 2015 who will be honored at the 25th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment on October 29 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort, Wilkes-Barre.

In conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection, the PA Coal Alliance  recognized four Pennsylvania coal companies for eleven sites totaling 850 acres of reclaimed abandoned mine lands on September 4.

The Westmoreland Conservation District presented two awards for outstanding conservation service at a ceremony on September 9, at an open-house-type reception, which runs from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the District’s location on Donohoe Road.

Wednesday, DEP Secretary John Quigley said he expects the agency to submit its version of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet EPA’s Clean Power Climate Plan requirements on time in September 2016 without asking for an extension.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council has added a presentation on the final RACT for major sources air quality regulation to its September 15 meeting agenda.

The Senate and House Republicans told their respective Caucuses Friday they are preparing a limited stopgap budget proposal to provide school districts, human service agencies and nonprofits with some level of funding in General Fund, Education Code and Fiscal Code bills.

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  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--

The August edition of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring articles on--

The Delaware River Watershed Restoration Program will be the theme of the September episode of “Environmental Focus,” the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s monthly half-hour television talk show airing on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) September 13 at 4 p.m.

Bucknell University will host the 10th Susquehanna River Symposium, "The River, Its Landscapes, and Our Lives" November 13-14 at the Elaine Langone Center in Lewisburg, Union County. 

The public is encouraged to get involved in the Watershed Alliance of York’s 2015 Watershed Weekend! September 26-27.

Do you have a passion for conserving our natural resources? This September, in Southcentral PA, Penn State Extension is offering a rare opportunity for you. Two “Watershed Decisions” workshops will be held, free of charge, for anyone interested in learning how to teach others about preserving local water resources.

The Kettle Creek Watershed Association is now in the middle of replacing a culvert on Cross Fork Creek Road in Abbott Township, Potter County, to allow for easier aquatic organism passage.  (See photo by Carol Hyde.)

The September 8 issue of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring stories on--

September marks the four year anniversary of heavy rainfall and flooding across the region from remnants of Tropical Storm Irene and Lee.

The PA Association of Environmental Educators have issued a call for presenters for its 2016 annual conference to be held March 14-16 at The Inn at Pocono Manor in Pocono Manor, Monroe County.  The theme will be “Breaking Bad, Creating New.”

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program is now accepting nominations for middle and high school students in grades 5 to 12 to recognize community volunteer work, including on environmental projects.  The deadline for nominations is November 3.

Local affiliates of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful serving Butler, Cambria, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lawrence, Mercer, Mifflin and Perry counties are gearing up to hold their annual special collection events.

Volunteers are needed for upcoming cleanup day on September 12 along French Creek (Cochranton, Crawford County), September 12, 15 and 15 along the Conewago Creek (Warren, Warren County) and on September 19 along the Allegheny River (Tidioute area, Warren County).

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday invited the public to join them and partners to clean up and improve the Lake Erie watershed by participating in the Pennsylvania Lake Erie International Coastal Cleanup on September 19, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.

The Pennsylvania State Police will accept unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs September 12, as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced the award of $800,000 in brownfields grants: $400,000 to the Municipality of Norristown and $400,000 to the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority. 

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public information session regarding the Powderly Creek Northeast Underground Mine Fire Reclamation Project in Carbondale, Lackawanna County.

At a federal hearing on a proposed Stream Protection Rule in Pittsburgh on Thursday, the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement heard testimony from the PA Coal Alliance, coal operators, environmental engineers and businesses who testified against a new OSM Stream Protection Rule.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals will hold their annual conference May 11-13 in State College.  Stay tuned for more information.

The Department of Environmental Protection and West Nile Programs across the state announced mosquito spray dates in the coming week.  They include--

Twenty-one local municipalities and nonprofits are seeing green thanks to $160,000 in grant funding from PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program.
            Part of PECO’s ongoing efforts to support environmental initiatives across southeastern Pennsylvania, PECO Green Region provides grants to projects focusing on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation.

CSX has agreed to donate 130 acres of undeveloped land in southwestern Pennsylvania to the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance, a not-for-profit organization formed to establish a memorial trail to link the memorial sites at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Flight 93 National Memorial.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Trails Advisory Committee Thursday announced the release of the 2014 Annual Trail Report that highlights the efforts of the many individuals and organizations that make Pennsylvania’s trails a world-class destination for out-of-state as well as international visitors.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday announced that the department will hold an open house on September 22 to begin to talk with local residents about plans for the future of Ryerson Station State Park in Greene County.

The September 9 edition of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

Natural Lands Trust in Southeast PA is now accepting applications for its Force of Nature volunteer training program.  The registration deadline is November 1.

Berks County has another township under quarantine due to the Spotted Lanternfly. The invasive insect, which was new to the United States last fall, continues to impact the county.

The PA Parks & Forests Foundation, in partnership with the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania, invites you to participate in a two-day training on conducting an ADA Accessibility Survey for facilities on September 22-23 at the Kings Gap Environmental Center in Newville, Cumberland County.

The Friends of the Wissahickon, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, are offering a variety of programs and special events in September.  Click Here for all the details.

By Dr. James R. Grace

Those looking to gain perspective into Pennsylvania’s wildlife, habitat and hunting heritage will have several opportunities in the coming weeks to take one or more tours being offered by the Game Commission.

The National Wild Turkey Federation and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. Thursday announced a new partnership that promotes forest management for the benefit of the nation’s forests and wildlife.

We all remember where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001, but the employees of the Department of Environmental Protection remember better than most because they played a key role in the responding to the Somerset County crash site of Flight 93.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is seeking candidates for a Pennsylvania-based Director of Development to expand financial support for CBF’s programs and activities in Pennsylvania.  Applications are due September 21.  Click Here for all the details.

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

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

The Department of Environmental Protection published a formal notice in the September 12 PA Bulletin establishing a comment period on the EPA Clean Power Climate Plan and notice of public listening sessions.

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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.

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