The independent Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday unanimously approved the text of a letter to Senate and House Appropriations Committee Chairs expressing serious concerns about current funding levels at the Department of Environmental Protection saying, in part, “consistent cuts to DEP over the last 2 decades has reached an unsustainable level.”

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA is urging all Pennsylvania residents to contact their state House and Senate members to urge them to invest in clean water.

The House Appropriations Committee will hold budget hearings Monday, February 27 for the Department of Environmental Protection (10:00) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (1:00).  Click Here to watch hearings live.

Acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell announced a series of senior staff changes late Thursday in an internal email to agency employees.  The changes included--

The Environmental Hearing Board Thursday denied a second request for a temporary supercedeas and an expedited hearing by environmental advocacy groups appealing DEP’s issuance of 20 permits for Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 natural gas liquids pipeline.

The Altoona Mirror reported on February 19 the Public Utility Commission is facing a major decision on whether to reverse the flow of the Buckeye Laurel Pipeline that runs between the Philadelphia area and Midwest refineries.

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

Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) Thursday announced he has reintroduced legislation-- Senate Bill 431 (not yet online, Senate Bill 973 last session)-- to reduce littering across Pennsylvania by increasing fines for the offense.

President Trump Friday issued another Executive Order affecting federal regulations requiring each agency to establish Regulatory Reform Task Forces to evaluate existing regulations to identify costly, unneeded and unnecessary regulations.

The committee organizing the 2017 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference is now accepting presentation proposals.  The deadline for submissions is March 21.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Pennsylvania Executive Director Harry Campbell issued the following statement after CBF joined 500 other organizations nationwide, in signing a letter urging congressional leaders on the Congressional Budget and Appropriations committees to reject calls for cuts to federal Farm Bill programs.

The Jennings Environmental Education Center in Butler County is again hosting the Experiencing Your Environment Through Conservation (EYE Con) Camp for students entering grades 10 through 12 on June 19 to 22.

The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership will host a Get Your Feet Wet! Teacher Workshop on March 9 at the Cheltenham Elementary School, 7853 Front Street, Cheltenham, Montgomery County from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation 2017 Save the Bay Photo Contest is now accepting entries through March 24.

Radnor Township, Delaware County is organizing a unique Stream and Stormwater Photography Volunteer Project on March 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Radnor High School, 130 King of Prussia Road, Villanova, PA in Room 150.

Students at Fishtown’s Alexander Adaire School were joined Tuesday by Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent, The School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Council President Darrell Clarke, and other dignitaries to kick off construction of a new green schoolyard designed for the school and the community it serves.

The Allegheny Watershed Alliance and the Allegheny County Conservation District are excited to announce the launch of the Allegheny Chapter of the Senior Environment Corps (SEC).

Melting snow, heavy spring rains and flooding can wash out unpaved driveways, farm lanes, and access roads.

The PA Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Community and Economic Development Tuesday announced the award of grants to six communities to acquire homes in order to avoid future losses from events such as flooding or sinkholes.

The PA Emergency Management Agency Friday posted the winning student videos in its ReadyPA.org Severe Weather Public Service Announcement Contest.  The winners include--

The Department of Environmental Protection hosted a public meeting February 22 to discuss the partial breach project of the Broomall Lake Dam located on 3rd Street in Media Borough, Delaware County.

The Delaware River Basin Commission Thursday announced plans to take several actions to recognize improved water quality in the Delaware River Estuary and to formally review the designated aquatic life uses and water quality criteria necessary to support these uses in the estuary.

The PA Resources Council Thursday presented its second annual Zero Waste Awards to 10 Pittsburgh-area organizations in recognition of their commitment to adopting sustainable environmental practices and diverting waste through recycling, compost and reuse.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Thursday announced Aaron Semasko has joined the team to help facilitate the Illegal Dump Free PA initiative across the state. 

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and local affiliates working in 14 Pennsylvania counties earned national recognition from Keep America Beautiful at its national conference recently.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting and hearing on February 28 regarding DEP’s Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act proposed response at the CBS Vanport/Vanport Township Municipal Authority sites in Vanport Township, Beaver County.

Department of Environmental Protection held a public information meeting on February 22 from at the New Castle City Building to inform the public about a municipal waste transfer station permit application submitted by Covanta Environmental Solutions, LLC.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the February 25 PA Bulletin seeking public comments on a proposed regulation repealing the low-RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure) gasoline requirement in the seven county Pittsburgh Region.

“Urban agriculture” isn’t a well-known concept, but Sara Touey (photo) plans to change that.

Starting in fall 2017, Penn State will launch a new program for students who are interested in helping the cities of today support the world of tomorrow.

The Stonycreek Conemaugh River Improvement Project will be awarding a $500 student scholarship to a worthy student for the academic year.  The deadline to submit applications is March 30.

FirstEnergy Corp. announced Friday the two units at its coal-fired Bruce Mansfield Power Plant in Shippingport, Beaver County are expected to restart early next week following a short out-of-service period that began mid-February.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced the comment period for two general permits relating to methane emissions control have been extended until June 5.  (formal notice)

DEP published notice in the February 25 PA Bulletin granting Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Gray’s Landing Lock and Dam 12-megawatt hydroelectric project (page 1224) and the Point Marion Lock and Dam 5-megawatt hydroelectric project (page 1229) both on the Monongahela River in Greene and Fayette counties.

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the first statewide solar energy planning meeting will be held in Harrisburg on March 2.

The PA Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, held its annual meeting in Harrisburg Thursday to update Commonwealth agencies and other interested groups on activities of the regional Sustainable Energy Funds.

The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship is now taking nominations for the Champions of the Wilds Awards. The deadline for nominations is March 27.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Wednesday announced it will participate in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, presented by Highmark Health, in Harrisburg on May 20 at Harrisburg Area Community College.

The February 22 DCNR Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring stories on--

At a time of political change, one thing is clear and consistent: Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since 1994, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy has been doing just that for the people of the Upper Delaware River region.

The Game Commission is now accepting orders for its Seedlings For Schools Program which provides tree seedlings to classrooms so students can plant them as part of projects to improve wildlife habitat.

The William Penn Foundation Wednesday announced it has named Shawn McCaney as Executive Director effective March 1, 2017.

Lancaster County-based LandStudies, Inc. is now accepting applications to fill a Water Resources Design Professional position.            

PA American Water is seeking qualified candidates to fill a part-time Community Public Relations Representative position based in Scranton.   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 Environmental Quality Board published notice in the February 25 PA Bulletin seeking comments on a proposed regulation eliminating the low-RVP summer gasoline requirement in the Pittsburgh Region.  Three public hearings are scheduled in the notice for March 28 (Pittsburgh), March 29 (Norristown) and March 30 (Harrisburg).

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.

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PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.