On November 7, the Department of Health confirmed there has been a 6th death from West Nile Virus this season, this one occurring in Dauphin County.  There have been 100 human cases of West Nile Virus identified this year.

November 6 was a good night in Pennsylvania for Democrats with Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Senator Bob Casey both easily winning the statewide races. Click Here for detailed results.

On November 8, Commonwealth Court reported a memorandum opinion that turns back a challenge to special exception permits granted by a township for unconventional natural gas drilling based on concerns about the storage of drilling wastewater and alleged violations of the state’s Environmental Rights Amendment.

As the celebration of the 2018 PA River of the Year-- the Loyalsock Creek--  winds down, residents of and visitors to the watershed are invited to gather one last time to show their Loyalsock Love.

The Pennsylvania Steelhead Association recently honored the Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Fish & Boat Commission, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and the Lake Erie Region Conservancy for their efforts to conserve, restore, and provide access to some of Erie County's important lands and waterways.

Kelly Gutshall, President of Lititz-based LandStudies, is the recipient of Penn State University’s 2018 Arts and Architecture Alumni Award for Landscape Architecture.

On November 7, the PA Horticultural Society recognized the Blue Ribbon and the Gardens of Distinction winners in the 2018 PHS Gardening and Greening Contest.

On November 13, DEP Citizens Advisory Council and DEP’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board will hold a joint meeting to explore opportunities to work on issues together.

On November 28 the Philadelphia Bar Association and the PA Environmental Council will host A Call To The Bar: Lawyers For Common Sense On Climate Change Program at the Philadelphia Bar Association offices, 11th Floor Conference Center, 1101 Market Street from Noon to 2:15.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday Fall Foliage Report said despite repetitive rain and wind events throughout the Commonwealth, nice color remains in parts of the state.

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--

On November 8, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale released separate performance audits of the Susquehanna River and Delaware River basin commissions that emphasize the need for better accountability and transparency.

By: Len Lichvar, District Manager, Somerset Conservation District

Berks Nature recently issued its 10-year report on the State of the Environment in Berks County which revisits environmental indicators and tracks recommendations in its first report 10 years ago.

The Allegheny Land Trust and the University of Pittsburgh's Western PA Regional Data Center this week made available to the public and groups in the City Of Pittsburgh a new interactive Urban Greenprint property information tool to help plan and collaborate on green space projects.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Wildlife Habitat Council are now accepting applications for the 2019 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program which will award approximately $1.7 million in grants nationwide.  The deadline for applications is January 31.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay will host a Tale Of Two Townships Stormwater Management Workshop on November 27 at the Londonderry Township Building, 783 S. Geyers Church Road in Middletown, Dauphin County from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Penn State Environment and Natural Resources Institute will host a Water Insights Seminar on November 16 on Sustainable and Resilient Management of Stormwater In Urban Landscapes.

Streams across the Monroe County are cleaner and healthier thanks to countless volunteers with Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited.

The Luzerne County-based Earth Conservancy is seeking recruits for the 2019 Environmental Workforce Training Program.  Three information sessions will be held November 8, 15 and 29.

The York County Watershed Steward Program is now accepting applications for new members.  An information session for potential new members will be held on November 19.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is now accepting signups from schools and other organizations for its student and adult Chesapeake Bay Field Education Programs.  The deadline for applications is November 30.

On November 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Lincoln University in Philadelphia signed a renewed memorandum of understanding to work together to enhance research, teaching, outreach, career development, and stewardship in the environmental sciences at Lincoln University.

The Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County recently hosted an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) group focusing on water resource management.

The PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture will host the 28th Pennsylvania Sustainable Agriculture Conference at the Lancaster County Convention Center, Lancaster on February 6-9.

Pennsylvania farmers and processors seeking organic certification can receive financial assistance through the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program and the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Program.

By: Kelly Jedrzejewski, Penn State News

On November 7, Gov. Tom Wolf notified farmland owners in Philadelphia and Delaware counties that they are eligible to receive disaster relief funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The PA Section of the American Water Works Association and PaWARN will host the 3rd Annual Security and Risk Management Symposium on November 29 at the Doubletree By Hilton Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard in Monroeville, Allegheny County from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On November 10, the Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed revisions to its Management Of Fill Policy (DEP ID: 258-2182-773 - existing).  Comments are due January 8.

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority Friday reported Penn State fans recycled 114,000 pounds of plastic and glass bottles and metal cans at the first 5 home football games this season.

On November 5, the departments of Environmental Protection, Conservation and Natural Resources, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and General Services joined representatives of Geisinger unveiled a newly installed prescription drug take-back box in the lobby of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.

Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on November 17 at the Westmoreland Recycling Center, 113 Innovative Lane in Latrobe from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

On November 10, the Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Maintenance Plan for the Delaware County nonattaiment Area for fine particulate matter.

On November 5, the Department of Environmental Protection advised residents to inspect and assess home heating oil tanks before the upcoming heating season to avoid leaks or spills that can be prevented.

On November 10, the Public Utility Commission published notice in the PA Bulletin inviting comments on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the PUC’s regulations that address the Consumer Advisory Council in an effort to better enable the CAC to more effectively carry out its mission to advise the PUC on matters related to the protection of consumer interests.

The PA League of Women Voters and Pitt's Graduate School of Public Health will host the 2018 Shale and Public Health Conference on November 14 at the University of Pittsburgh University Club, 123 University Place in Pittsburgh from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

On November 7, the Public Utility Commission webcast the first meeting of the PA One Call Underground Utility Damage Prevention Committee.

On November 6, as part of its 16th year of “Prepare Now” education efforts, the Public Utility Commission urged utilities to help Pennsylvania consumers who may struggle with the cost of cold-weather energy bills.

On November 8, the Public Utility Commission adopted a final policy statement on third-party electric vehicle (EV) charging stations designed to reduce regulatory uncertainty, provide greater clarity and consistency among electric distribution companies (EDCs), and promote increased investment in EV charging infrastructure in the state.

On November 8, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded more than $2.6 million in grant funding to municipalities and businesses statewide for 16 clean energy vehicle projects that will help improve air quality and public health statewide.

On November 9, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded over $610,000 in grant funding to four school districts for clean energy vehicle projects that will help improve air quality and public health and save the schools thousands in costs.

The West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund will host a funding workshop on November 13 at Arnold Palmer’s Latrobe Country Club, 346 Arnold Palmer Drive in Westmoreland County from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The In Case You Missed It In October newsletter from the PA Environmental Council is now available featuring stories on--

On November 9, the Historical & Museum Commission announced it is now accepting Historical Marker nominations from individuals, public agencies and private organizations.  The deadline for nomination is December 1.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced investments in recreation projects in Clinton, Lancaster, Mercer, Philadelphia and Westmoreland counties.

On November 9, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of State Parks announced a public meeting will be held on November 15 for park visitors and residents living near Beltzville State Park in Carbon County to discuss the operation of the park on high-visitation days.

High school students from four southeastern Pennsylvania counties will put their computer science skills on display November 9 as they compete in the Spotted Lanternfly Hackathon, a STEM-related initiative that invites students in grades 9-12 to design an app to easily track, detect, identify and access information about the invasive species.

By: Annie Socci, Foundation For Sustainable Forests

On October 31, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced an additional mile of forested frontage along the Casselman River across from the Great Allegheny Passage Trail in Somerset County is now protected and open to the public.

The Morris Arboretum is hosting a Designing Native and Ecological Plant Communities Workshop on November 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 100 E. Northwestern Avenue in Philadelphia.

Most of the presentations from the 11th Eastern Native Grass Symposium in Erie are now available online, according to Ernst Conservation Seeds based in Crawford County.  The presentations include--

Delaware County-based Natural Lands is now accepting applications for its Force Of Nature Volunteer Program training covering a variety of land management, habitat restoration, native plant gardening, event support, outreach and ambassadorship topics.  The deadline for applications is November 30.

Dr. Eli Drannon Buskirk, 74, founder of the Paxton Creek Watershed and Education Association in Dauphin County, passed away on October 14 at his home in Crescent City, California.

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

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

CLICK HERE to View or Print the entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 82 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.

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