By B.J. Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

On December 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of former DEP Deputy Secretary Dana Aunkst as the new Director of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.

The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee is scheduled to meet on December 17 and are likely to discuss a more refined set of workgroup recommendations for strategies to achieve watershed cleanup goals in Pennsylvania.

On December 10, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the award of nearly $1 million in grants to support the planting of multi-functional stream buffers.

On December 11, Public Utility Commission Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth Barnes denied a petition by residents of Chester and Delaware counties to prevent the operation of a interim “workaround” that would start the shipment of natural gas liquids through the 1930s era Mariner East 1 and other pipelines until the Mariner East 2 Pipeline is finished.

On December 13, the PUC’s Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement proposed a $225,000 penalty for violations of federal pipeline safety regulations resulting from an April 1, 2017 leak of 840 gallons of ethane and propane from Sunoco’s Mariner East 1 Pipeline near Morgantown in Berks County.

On December 13, DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee discussed a draft regulation outline to set limits on volatile organic compound emissions-- with the “co-benefit” of reducing methane emissions-- from existing gas well sites, pumps, storage and other equipment at oil and gas facilities.

The U.S. Postal Service announced its upcoming 2019 Forever Stamp Series, which will feature wild and scenic rivers across the country -- including Pennsylvania’s Clarion River.

On December 10, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership released a new economic study that found outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, including hunting and fishing, generated $26.9 billion in 2016-- that’s $2.2 billion more than the construction industry.

On December 12, the Department of Agriculture encouraged businesses to obtain the required Spotted Lanternfly permit to ensure they are complying with the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine orders.

By Maureen Burnham, PA Forestry Association

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Congressman Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne) and local author Caroline Jones celebrated the launch of their children’s book, We Saved the Bees and the Butterflies at the Barnes and Noble in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The Department of Environmental Protection published the 2019 advisory committee, certification and rulemaking and other board meeting schedules and agency contacts in the December 15 PA Bulletin (page 7708).  The committees include--

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 Appropriations Committee budget hearing schedule is now available. The schedule follows for general budget, environmental and energy-related programs--

Congress gave final approval to the 2018 federal Farm Bill that groups like the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation say contains wins for ag conservation, but it also contains “serious shortcomings.”  The President is expected to sign the bill.

On December 12, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to declare a disaster in Bradford, Columbia, Delaware, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Susquehanna counties after significant flood damage to homes and businesses was sustained from severe storms between August 10–15.

On December 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers proposed to change the definition of “waters of the United States” to clarify federal authority under the federal Clean Water Act.

The LandStudies’ project along Kurtz Run in Lancaster County shows promise as an example of how floodplain restoration can result in improvement of hyporheic exchange within the system and how that improvement can benefit the health of the system.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is working with local partners and residents in Butler and Armstrong counties to conduct a 10-year update to the Buffalo Creek Watershed Conservation Plan.

Small farms and agricultural nonprofits looking to fund environmental sustainability projects to reduce water and power use, increase pollinators, improve soil health, promote natural pest control, or extend their growing season can now apply at no cost for a 2019 Small Farms, Big Impact Grant from The FruitGuys Community Fund.

The State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers published notice in the December 15 PA Bulletin announcing the 2019 examination scheduled for local sewage enforcement officers.

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office is now accepting applications for FY19 Chesapeake Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program. A total of roughly $700,000, subject to appropriations, may be available to fund three to seven new projects.

At its December 6 meeting, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission  adopted a resolution urging the federal government to provide its fair share of financial support to the National Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program which provides the data used by the Susquehanna Flood Warning System.

On December 11, the Department of Environmental Protection posted an online FY 2017-18 annual report for the state Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program, Land Recycling, and other waste site remediation programs highlighting actions taken under the programs.

On December 14, Keep PA Beautiful announced two individuals were cited for illegal dumping by the City of Arnold in Westmoreland County with the help of its Surveillance Camera Loan Program.

The PA Resources Council, Zero Waste Pennsylvania and the Green Building Alliance will host the True Zero Waste Symposium for businesses or institutions on February 21 in Pittsburgh from 8:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently recognized the Philadelphia Department of Prisons with a national award from the 2018 Food Recovery Challenge Program and gave regional awards to Giant Foods Stores and the University of Pittsburgh.

A regional observance of Anthracite Mining Heritage Month will take place during January featuring programs in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Pittston, Port Griffith, Plymouth, Dallas, Wyoming, and Ashley. 

By Matthew Carroll, Penn State News

On December 12, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin and Department of Environmental Protection Executive Deputy Secretary Ramez Ziadeh joined local leaders to break ground on a new solar array in Bedford, Bedford County.

The Emerging Erie 2030 District will host an Energy Efficiency Workshop on December 20 at the UPMC Hamot Magee Women’s Hospital at 118 East 2nd Street in Erie from 3:00 to 4:30.

Although climate change may be more evident in some places, such as the Arctic, no place is considered immune to its effects.

Did you know the Pennsylvania Geological Survey has an extensive library at the office in Middletown? It continues to add to its collection, which is open to the public for use.

On December 13, the PA Agricultural Land Preservation Board took action to preserve 1,974 additional acres on 28 farms in 14 counties through the state’s nation-leading farmland preservation program. 

By Ellis Giacomelli

The Winter issue of the Conserve magazine published by the Western PA Conservancy celebrates the 125th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests featuring articles on--

On December 11, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the award of nearly $100,000 in grants to support two ATV trail riding projects.  The projects are in these counties--

The following Good Natured Pennsylvanians article appeared in the December 13 DCNR Resource newsletter.

The Pike County Tick Borne Diseases Task Force recently received a gift of 100 tick keys from the Hemlock Farms Conservancy.

Gather on a winter’s night for warm community and great films by joining the Foundation For Sustainable Forests and the French Creek Valley Conservancy at the Woods & Waters Film Series.  The dates include--

On December 10, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, The Conservation Fund, Berks Nature, and the Game Commission have partnered to conserve vital acreage for migratory birds, announcing plans to protect and improve more than 77 acres of farmland located in the shadow of the Kittatinny Ridge in Berks County.

On December 11, Penn State President Eric Barron announced the University is investigating ways to conserve land it owns roughly between Whitehall Road and Rothrock State Forest at Musser Gap, in Ferguson Township just outside of the University Park campus in Centre County.

As a result of recent litigation, the PA Land Trust Association is inviting comments on proposed changes to a section of the Model Grant Of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants language.

The December 13 Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now available featuring articles on--

By Len Lichvar, Former District 4 Commissioner

The Harrisburg-based Appalachian Audubon Society Chapter is now accepting applications for scholarships for the summer Hog Island Youth Coastal Maine Bird Studies Program for students ages 14 to 17.  The deadline for applications is January 25.

John G. Waffenschmidt, 63, Vice President of Environmental Science and Community Affairs for Covanta passed away on December 5 at this home in Blauvelt, NY.

On December 12, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced new leadership on its Board of Directors with Brad Mallory serving as Chairman; Tina Molski, Vice-Chair; Jim Grace, Treasurer; and Mary Soderberg, Secretary.

Londonderry Township in Dauphin County is seeking qualified candidates to fill a MS4 Environmental Specialist position to manage its MS4 Stormwater Pollution Reduction Program.  Click Here for a detailed job description and how to apply.  Deadline for applications November 30.

The Department of Agriculture is seeking qualified candidates for a Plant Inspection Program Specialist Position which will serve as the PA Governor’s Invasive Species Council Coordinator.

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 81 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 proud to be a sponsor of the 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference to be held in Pittsburgh on September 8-11.

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