A bipartisan vote of 70 Republicans and 32 Democrats Tuesday was enough to pass a Tax Code bill-- House Bill 542 (Thomas-D- Philadelphia)-- another attempt at putting a revenue package on the Governor’s desk to support the $31.9 billion General Fund budget the General Assembly passed in June.

The House Wednesday concurred in Senate amendments to the Administrative Code bill that is part of the Senate budget package-- House Bill 118 (Kaufer-R-Luzerne).  The action sends the bill to the Governor for his action.

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Thursday introduced Senate Resolution 226 to require the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to do an independent performance evaluation of DEP’s Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sedimentation) and Chapter 105 (Water Obstruction and Encroachment) permit programs.

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

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

Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

The House Wednesday gave final approval to Senate Bill 242 (Baker-R-Luzerne) adding unconventional and larger conventional natural gas gathering lines to the PA One Call utility safety program. 

The House Finance Committee Wednesday amended and voted 16 to 9 to report out House Bill 1401 (DiGirolamo-R-Bucks) which amends the Tax Code to impose a sliding scale natural gas severance tax, in addition to the Act 13 drilling impact fee, on natural gas production.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday amended and reported out legislation which makes a program to fund Chesapeake Bay nutrient pollution reductions optional for communities.

The House Commerce Committee reported out House Bill 1237 (Keefer-R-York) which amends the Regulatory Review Act requiring the General Assembly to specifically approve “economically significant” final regulations approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

The Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees Wednesday held a joint hearing on the impact of the Spotted Lanternfly in quarantine areas in Eastern Pennsylvania reporting that 1,462 properties have infestations so far.

Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) Thursday introduced legislation-- Senate Bill 805-- to allow large commercial and industrial electricity users to opt-out of the Act 129 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program.

The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee has scheduled a meeting for October 23 to consider Senate Bill 935 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) which would limit the term of the Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission to eight years.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Senate Bill 800 (Alloway-R-Franklin) to create a new Waste Electronic Equipment Recover Act to replace the 2010 Covered Device Recycling Act that provides for the collection and recycling of electronics waste.

The Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee is scheduled to meet on October 24 to consider Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna) would authorize local governments to create energy improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects by commercial and industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs (sponsor summary).

The Senate Consumer Affairs & Professional Licensure Committee is scheduled to meet on October 24 to consider Senate Resolution 227 (Aument-R-Lancaster) urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to quickly implement policies to ensure baseload electricity generation (like coal and nuclear) are compensated for all the positive attributes they provide to the electric system (sponsor summary).

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on lead exposure and mitigation October 30 in Pittston, Luzerne County.

Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced funding for an Abandoned Mine Land project to construct a public waterline to serve 148 homes and businesses with public drinking water.

The Montour Run Watershed Association Monday announced it has been selected to receive a $100,000 grant by the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation which will allow the MRWA to perform necessary maintenance on its passive water treatment systems.

Department of Environmental Protection Executive Deputy Secretary Ramez Ziadeh and Northcentral Regional Director Marcus Kohl Thursday toured a recently completed restoration project funded through the Growing Greener program at Camp Victory, a nonprofit camp providing services to children with special needs, in Millville, Columbia County.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Friday joined partners in a visit to Camp Michaux in the Michaux State Forest in Cumberland County to view a project to restore Tom’s Run to its historic location.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Friday announced it was awarded a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Grant for $750,000 to help plant forested buffers along streams to improve water quality.

The Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County recently entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office and Pennsylvania partners to improve and expand environmental literacy and watershed education and stewardship among Pennsylvania K-12 students and educators.

Bloomsburg University in Columbia County is partnering with Chesapeake Conservancy to restore the health of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.

By Emma Stone, Junior, Carlisle High School, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Blog

By Patrick Starr, Executive Vice President Southeast Region, PEC

Alyssa Harden isn’t in the military, but she is serving our nation.  In fact she’s one of more than 80,000 citizens who are volunteering their time, energy, and talents in service to America through a program called AmeriCorps at the Westmoreland County Conservation District.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is seeking volunteers to support a 21-acre reforestation project in Sarver, Butler County on November 18 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

The 2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference has extended its call for presentation proposals and posters through October 27. The Conference will be held in State College on February 23-24.

The September issue of the Watershed Science Bulletin from the Center for Watershed Protection is now available featuring four perspectives on the primary drivers of stream restoration, design approaches and techniques and restoration potential.

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority Wednesday approved $74.7 million in loans and $16.9  million in grants for 15 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and nonpoint sources projects in 12 counties.

Aqua America, including Aqua Pennsylvania, is encouraging customers to be mindful of potential sources of lead in drinking water during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 22 – 28.

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and the PA Housing Finance Agency are expanding a program intended to help homeowners with repairs and connections to septic and sewer systems.

DEP Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs Ramez Ziadeh told the Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday the agency will have new procedures for handling applications for the PAG-02 NPDES  General Permit covering stormwater discharges from construction activities starting December 8.

The DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on October 25 to discuss a new proposed PAG-01 General Permit covering erosion and sedimentation from small projects and a proposal to increase water quality permit review fees.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of proposed changes to Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards under the Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards for public review in the October 21 PA Bulletin (starting on page 6609) and giving notice of three public hearings.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 21 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a revised Chapter 16 Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy and giving notice of three public hearings on the changes.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the October 21 PA Bulletin of proposed changes to its Access To Records [Right-To-Know] Policy for public comment and notice of a November 2 public hearing in Harrisburg.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tuesday announced a comment response document is now available for the F.J. Sayers Dam and Reservoir Study responding to comments received during an August 30 workshop and associated comment period.

The PA Biomass Energy Association and the Philadelphia Water Department will host a Biogas, Food Waste Recycling, CHP and Wastewater Treatment in Philadelphia Workshop on October 24 at the Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant with Biogas Co-gen Facility, 3899 Richmond Street in Philadelphia from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Keep PA Beautiful reported Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful, Keep Juniata County Beautiful, PA CleanWays of Mifflin County, and Keep Perry County Beautiful collected 4,326 tires as part of their annual Tire War, a friendly competition to compete for the most tires collected.

Department of Environmental Protection Friday issued a warning to the public not to dispose of old or recycled tires at Nationwide Tire Recycling, Inc. in Duryea, Luzerne County.

Keep America Beautiful and the National Association of Convenience Stores have partnered to produce the new resource, “Being a Good Neighbor: A Guide to Reducing Litter, Managing Trash and Encouraging Recycling.”

The PA Resources Council and PA American Water are hosting 3 Drug Take-Back Day Events in Allegheny County on October 28 as part of the U.S Drug Enforcement Agency National Drug Take-Back Day initiative.

The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation and its partners will hold the 4th Annual Centralia Clean Up on October 21 in Centralia, Columbia County starting at 9:00 a.m.

With key infrastructure elements and land remediation at or near completion at the 178-acre Almono site in Hazelwood, Allegheny County elected officials, community leaders and Almono LLC Project Director Rebecca Flora gathered October 13 to announce a new name for the site - “Hazelwood Green.”

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of final Radiological Health and Radon Certification Fee increases in the October 21 PA Bulletin.

The Environmental Quality Board Tuesday approved for public comment proposed permit review fee increases for the Noncoal (mineral) Mining Program and updates to the Storage Tank regulations required by recent federal changes.

The PA Aggregates and Concrete Association Monday issued the following statement on proposed DEP permit fee increases to be considered at the Environmental Quality Board meeting Tuesday--

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it will hold a public hearing November 2 on permits related to the proposed Birdsboro Power LLC natural gas power generation facility. (formal notices Oct. 21 PA Bulletin, page 6562)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 21 PA Bulletin (page 6563) it has issued the final Section 401 State Water Quality Certification for the Equitrans Natural Gas Pipeline Replacement Project for 5 miles of 12-inch pipeline in Greene County.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of a November 20 public hearing (if requested) on the proposed RACT II Air Quality Emissions Control Plan for Foam Fabricators in South Centre Township, Columbia County.  (formal notice Oct. 21 PA Bulletin page 6561)

Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) was joined Tuesday by fellow legislators and dozens of residents from Chester and Delaware counties in calling for stronger safety measures on pipeline routes and during pipeline construction.

The DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on November 1 to discuss the Area of Review, Water Supply Replacement and Deep Coal Mining/Gas Drilling technical guidance needed to implement the Chapter 78a regulations.

The PA Emergency Management Agency and Department of Community and Economic Development Tuesday announced the first round of buyouts for residents impacted by sinkholes along 14th Street in the City of Harrisburg are underway.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh has created a display of LiveWall green walls to showcase vertical gardening as an option for growing local produce in urban areas.

On October 12, the PA Agricultural Land Preservation Board voted to permanently preserve 3,620 acres on 44 farms for agricultural production.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reported Tuesday Pennsylvania has mobilized eight 20-person crews so far this year to fight wildfires in California, Montana and other states, marking it as one of the busiest in the history of the Wildland Fire Crew Program.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday issued its latest Fall Foliage Report showing the time to see fall foliage in many areas of the state at its peak is slipping away.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Tuesday reminded Pennsylvanians that the online survey about planning for the future of state parks will close at the end of this month.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday announced it is rescheduling public meetings planned to review a study under way in Sproul State Forest to address feasibility of closing a trail gap and determining the best way to connect the Bloody Skillet and Whiskey Springs ATV trail systems, near Renovo, Clinton County.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is now accepting applications for 2018 Canoe Access Development Fund Grants, which supports projects that will improve canoe and kayak access to the region’s waterways.

The PA Recreation and Park Society and DCNR are hosting two Get Outdoors PA Regional Summits on November 2 in Lehigh County and November 13 in Montour County.

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy and other partners are hosting a Love Your Park Fall Service Day on November 4 in Philadelphia.

The October 18 edition of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

On October 16 an unmanned Russian supply ship successfully docked at the International Space Station. Along with supplies for the astronauts aboard, the ship delivered the new antenna that will help reduce the cost of tracking raptors globally from more than $4000 a unit to less than $600.

Trout Unlimited is seeking volunteers to conduct a trout spawning site survey on several streams in the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County on November 12 starting at 9:30 a.m.

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Wednesday announced it is seeking qualified candidates to fill an upcoming vacancy on the board of the Fish and Boat Commission from the Fourth District, which includes Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and Somerset counties.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 21 PA Bulletin of the opportunity to bid on mine reclamation projects in Fayette County and Schuylkill County.

The PA Technical Assistance Program, housed within Penn State’s Outreach and Online Education organization, is seeking an experienced Technical Adviser that brings the combination of technical training and business development skills to the organization.

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 of final Radiological Health and Radon Certification Fee increases in the October 21 PA Bulletin.

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 88 pages long.

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 23-24 in State College.  Join PA Environment Digest in sponsoring this worthwhile Conference.

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