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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
November 5, 2018 Issue #749
(11/5/2018)
* DEP Inspections Find Unreported Landslides On Right-Of-Way Of Newly Constructed Revolution Pipeline In Western PA, Compliance Order Issued

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday issued a field order to ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC requiring the operator to immediately stabilize disturbed areas, repair erosion control features, and stop all other earth moving activities associated with the Revolution Pipeline.

* Trout Unlimited Hosts Nov. 16 Webinar On Ecological Impacts Of Delaware River Basin Natural Gas Pipelines & New Interactive Map Tool

By David Kinney and Kurt Fesenmyer, Trout Unlimited

* Commonwealth Court Upholds Local Zoning Ordinance Allowing Drilling In All Districts As Long As They Meet Standards

Commonwealth Court Friday issued a decision upholding the zoning ordinance of Allegheny Township in Westmoreland County allowing oil and gas well drilling in all zoning districts as long as they satisfy standards to protect public health, safety and welfare.

* DEP Launches ePermitting For Oil & Gas Well Drilling, Related Erosion & Sedimentation Permit

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it has launched electronic permits for well drilling and erosion and sediment control at oil and gas sites to provide operators a more efficient and convenient permitting process and faster response from DEP.

* DEP: Pennsylvania Has Already Met Original 2030 CPP Greenhouse Gas Reductions

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday submitted formal comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on its plan to replace the current Clean Power Plant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel power plants.

* AG Shapiro, Philadelphia, Other States Say EPA’s Proposed Replacement For Clean Power Plan Unlawful

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the City of Philadelphia and a coalition of 26 other states, counties, and cities Thursday called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to abandon its proposed replacement to the Clean Power Plan.

* New Poll: PA Hunters, Anglers Support Robust Funding For Restoring Habitat, Water Quality, Growing Greener

Sportsmen and women on both sides of the aisle overwhelmingly want state decision-makers to ensure robust funding for conservation programs that improve, restore water quality and fish habitat, according to a new poll released Wednesday by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Public Opinion Strategies.

* PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee Meeting Nov. 20, Workgroup Meeting Schedule

The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee will meet on November 20 in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

* Local Officials Invited To 4 PA Chesapeake Bay Local Government Advisory Committee Roundtables In November

The Chesapeake Bay Local Government Advisory Committee is holding 4 roundtable discussions for local officials in Pennsylvania on November 9, 14, 15 and 16 to have an open discussion about obstacles and opportunities to protect and restore local streams.

* Somerset Conservation District Receives National Award For Lambert Run, Flight 93 Site Mine Drainage Treatment Project

The Courier Express Monday reported the Somerset County Conservation District was awarded a national Environmental Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance for its abandoned mine drainage abatement efforts in Lamberts Run Watershed.

* 108,638 Volunteers Picked Up Over 5 Million Pounds Of Trash During 2018 Great American Cleanup Of PA

Keep PA Beautiful Friday reported 108,638 volunteers participated in 5,362 events picking up over 5 million pounds of trash during the 2018 Great American Cleanup of PA, which ran from March 1 through the end of May.

* Be Part Of A Special Awards Celebration Nov. 15 As The PA Resources Council Recognizes Winners Of The 2018 Environmental Leadership Awards

The PA Resources Council will recognize the winners of the 2018 Environmental Leadership Awards-- Wawa, Philadelphia Media Network, LLC, Eldredge, Inc. and the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment, Chatham University at a special Awards Celebration on November 15 at Material Culture in Philadelphia.

* Centre County, Weis Markets, Trex Company Honor 5th Grade Student Poster Contest Winners On America Recycles Day, Nov. 15

The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, Weis Markets and Trex Company, Inc. Wednesday announced the winners of the “Healthy Kids, Healthy Earth” student poster contest. 

* PA Land Trust Assn. Accepting Nominations For 2019 Lifetime Leadership & Land Conservation Government Leadership Awards

The PA Land Trust Association is now accepting nominations for its 2019 Lifetime Leadership and Land Conservation Government Leadership Awards.

* DCNR Week 6: Fall Foliage Now At Its Most Vivid Colors Across Most Of PA

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday Fall Foliage Report said Pennsylvania is now experiencing the most vivid colors of foliage across wide areas of the state.

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

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--

* Gov. Wolf Requests Federal Aid For Severe Storms In August For 15 Counties

Gov. Tom Wolf Friday sent a letter to the president requesting federal disaster aid for multiple counties to pay for millions of dollars in damages caused by severe storms that brought heavy rainfall and severe flash flooding to parts of Pennsylvania from August 10 to 15, 2018.

* EPA Invites City Of Lancaster To Apply For $22 Million WIFIA Water Infrastructure Loan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday announced it is inviting the City of Lancaster to apply for $22 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan.   

* Local Stream Guardians Protect Bobs Creek In Bedford, Blair Counties

The following article appeared in the Fall Conserve Magazine published by the Western PA Conservancy--

* Citizen Science Brings Local Students To Katz Natural Area In Crawford County

The following article appeared in the Fall Conserve Magazine published by the Western PA Conservancy--

* Partnership Crosses State Lines In Bedford County To Protect Water Quality

The following article appeared in the Fall Conserve Magazine published by the Western PA Conservancy--

* November Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

The November issue of The Catalyst newsletter is now available from Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition featuring articles on--

* Feature: Meet The Master Watershed Stewards Who Are Saving Streams

By Diane Huskinson, Stroud Water Research Center

* Bay Journal: Restored Peters Creek In Lancaster County Lures Trout, Threatened Chesapeake Logperch

By: Donna Morelli, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Penn State Water Insights Seminar Nov. 9, Who Signs Up For Free Rain Gardens?

The Penn State Environment and Natural Resources Institute will host a Water Insights Seminar on November 9 on Who Signs Up For Free Rain Gardens from Noon to 1:00.

* Lacawac Sanctuary: Are Pocono Lakes On The Precipice Of An Ecological Tipping Point?

This article appeared in the Fall Notes From The Forest newsletter from the Lacawac Sanctuary Field Station and Environmental Education Center--

* DEP Now Accepting Applications For 2019 Environmental Education Grants, Webinar Nov. 15

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its 2019 Environmental Education Grants.  The deadline for applications is January 11.  (formal notice)

* Water Wiser Kids Nov. 10 Search For Stories Of The Forest At Nothstein Preserve In Monroe County

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host a Water Wiser Kids Stories of the Forest event on November 10 at the Nothstein Preserve in Paradise Township, Monroe County from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

* 25 PA Teachers Receive PPL Foundation Grants To Support Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Programs

Climate science research, 3D coral reefs, solar-powered robots and urban gardening experiments are just some of the innovative and forward-thinking projects students will be tackling throughout eastern and central Pennsylvania as a result of PPL Foundation’s Empowering Educators Grants.

* Call For Participants! Westminster College Student Symposium On The Environment Dec. 6, Lawrence County

The following story appeared in the November Catalyst newsletter from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition based in Butler County--

* Nov. 10 Clean Water Advocacy Workshop In Harrisburg

Trout Unlimited and PennFuture are hosting a Clean Water Advocacy Workshop on November 10 at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way in Harrisburg from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing Nov. 14, Meeting Dec. 12

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a hearing November 14 to take comments on a series of 25 water withdrawal requests and a business meeting on December 12 to consider those requests and other issues.  (formal notice)

* Groundbreaking At Hanover 9 Mine Reclamation Site For New Industrial Park In Luzerne County

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, along with NorthPoint Development Vice President of Economic Development Brent Miles, Thursday announced the potential for approximately 1,548 new jobs at a groundbreaking ceremony at the redeveloped Hanover 9 mine reclamation site co-located in the City of Nanticoke and Hanover Township in Luzerne County.

* Dec. 4 DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For East Penn Manufacturing, Berks County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing December 4 on the proposed RACT II Air Quality Plan for East Penn Manufacturing in Richmond Township, Berks County (Nov. 3 PA Bulletin, page 7013)

* DEP Hearing [If Needed] Dec. 11 On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Exelon Croydon Power Plant In Bucks County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing December 11 on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Exelon Croydon Power Plant in Bristol Township, Bucks County. (Nov. 3 PA Bulletin, page 7051)

* Dec. 11 DEP Hearing [If Needed] On Alternative RACT II Air Quality Plan For Arcelormittal Plate Company In Montgomery County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing December 11 on an Alternative RACT II Air Quality Plan for Arcelormittal Plate Company in Plymouth Township, Montgomery County. (Nov. 3 PA Bulletin, page 7050)

* Hearing Dec. 11 [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Monroe Energy Facility In Delaware County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing December 11 on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Monroe Energy Facility in Trainer Borough, Delaware County. (Nov. 3 PA Bulletin, page 70521)

* Families Can Apply Now For Low-Income Home Energy Assistance

The Department of Human Services is now accepting applications from families for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program grants.

* 2 Dec. 4 Hearings On 2 New Adelphia Natural Gas Pipeline Compressor Stations In Bucks, Delaware County

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled 2 public hearings on the Air Quality Permits needed for 2 new natural gas compressor stations on the Adelphia Pipeline in West Rockhill Township, Bucks County and Lower Chichester Township, Delaware County. (Nov. 3 PA Bulletin, page 7012)

* DEP Accepting Applications For FAST Act Alternative Fuels Corridor Infrastructure Grants Starting Nov. 9

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Alternative Fuels Corridor Infrastructure Grants under the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act for federally designated corridors.  Applications will be accepted between November 9 and February 8.  (formal notice)

* PennDOT Announces Opening Of 14th CNG Transit Fueling Station In Indiana County

The Department of Transportation Tuesday announced the opening of its 14th compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station at IndiGO-Indiana, 1657 Saltsburg Avenue in Indiana PA .

* Philadelphia City Council Bill Would Authorize Purchase Of Electricity From New 70-MW Solar Facility In Adams County

Legislation introduced Thursday in Philadelphia City Council would enable the City to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with a renewable energy developer to buy solar power.

* PJM Completes Fuel Security Study As Part Of Resilience Initiative, Results Confirm Grid Reliability

As part of PJM Interconnection’s ongoing initiative to assess the resilience of the electrical grid, Thursday released a summary of its study examining one critical element of grid resilience – fuel supply.

* CMU Mascaro Center For Sustainable Innovation 2019 Engineering Sustainability Conference April 7-9 In Pittsburgh

The Carnegie Mellon University's Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation will host the 2019 Engineering Sustainability Conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh April 7-9.

* State Forester Visits SCI Rockview To Tout Program Preparing Inmates For Careers In Tree Maintenance

Pennsylvania State Forester Ellen M. Shultzabarger this week visited State Correctional Institution Rockview in Centre County and met with prison officials and inmates enrolled in the facility’s Forestry Camp.

* Dedicated Volunteers Are Helping To Restore Toms Run Nature Reserve In Allegheny County

The following article appeared in the Fall Conserve Magazine published by the Western PA Conservancy--

* Western PA Conservancy Joins Partners To Protect Globally Rare Ecosystem In Chester, Delaware, Lancaster Counties

The following article appeared in the Fall Conserve Magazine published by the Western PA Conservancy--

* Using GIS: Changes In The Prairie At Jennings Environmental Center Over Time In Butler County

The following story appeared in the November Catalyst newsletter from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition based in Butler County--

* Western PA Conservancy Fall Conserve Magazine Reports On Local Conservation Efforts

The Western PA Conservancy’s Fall Conserve Magazine is now available featuring articles on--

* Brodhead Watershed Assn. Leavitt Branch Dry Dam Walk-And-Talk Tour Nov. 18, Monroe County

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host a Leavitt Branch Dry Dam Walk-And-Tour Tour on November 18 in Monroe County starting at 10:00 a.m.  The tour is part of the Get Outdoors Poconos series.

* Delaware Highlands Conservancy Green Lodging Partner: James Manning House, Bethany, Wayne County

The following story appeared in the Fall Delaware Highlands Conservancy Journal--

* DCNR Blog: College Student’s Journey Into An Environmental Conservation Career With The PA Outdoor Corps

By: Stanley M. Kaminsky, Crew Member, Wilkes-Barre 10-Month PA Outdoor Corps Crew

* Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Curt Weinhold, Dark Skies Photographer At Cherry Springs State Park

Thanks to Curt Weinhold, a dark skies photographer and frequent visitor to Cherry Springs State Park [Potter County], the importance of conserving Pennsylvania’s dark skies in the Pennsylvania Wilds just got a permanent reminder with the designation of 31 miles of PA Route 44 in Potter County as the “Highway to the Stars.”

* Fall Penn’s Stewards Newsletter Now Available From PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The Fall Penn’s Stewards newsletter is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring stories on--

* October 31 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

The October 31 issue of the Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now available featuring articles on--

* Game Commission Adds Quebec To Chronic Wasting Disease Endemic States/Provinces

The Game Commission published an updated Executive Order on Chronic Wasting Disease in deer in the November 3 PA Bulletin adding Quebec to the list of states and Canadian Provinces declared to be CWD-endemic areas.

* Game Commission: Deer Are On The Move, Motorists Use Caution

With deer becoming increasingly active, and daylight saving time soon to put more vehicles on the road during the hours when deer move most, the Game Commission is advising motorists to slow down and stay alert.

* Wildlife For Everyone Foundation Adds Three New Trustees To Board

The Wildlife For Everyone Foundation recently elected three new trustees to its Board of Directors-- Blair Soars, Carl Roe and Jerry Regan. The incoming trustees will serve three-year terms through 2021.

* Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District District Engineer Or Urban Resource Conservationist

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates for either a District Engineer or an urban Resource Conservationist and Team Leader position.

* 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.

* 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.

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

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