Two and a half years ago-- January 24, 2017-- the bipartisan Pennsylvania members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission dramatically wrote to all members of the Senate and House to spotlight the need for many more resources to address water pollution cleanup obligations across the state.

On June 10, the Senate Appropriations Committee amended and reported out the costly Senate Bill 575 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) would establish a taxpayer funded procurement program for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions needed to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed pollution reduction goals.

On June 11, the House unanimously voted to pass House Bill 374 (Everett-R- Lycoming) establishing the Keystone Tree Fund to support tree planting programs by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Growing Greener Coalition has issued a call to action urging the public to contact their legislators to protect existing sources of community-based environmental restoration and recreation project funding--

On June 11, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation issued this call to action on state budget funding--

On June 12, DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council wrote to leadership in the Senate and House and Gov. Wolf urging them not to take money from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation and Environmental Stewardship funds to pay operating expenses for DCNR.

Writers, romantics, and nature lovers have long recognized the value of natural spaces to the mind and spirit.

By: Rachel Kester, Project Coordinator, Trout Unlimited PA Coldwater Habitat Program

On June 12, Rodale Institute, along with the state Department of Agriculture and Jaindl Farms, announced Rodale Institute’s new farmer consulting services and other initiatives throughout Pennsylvania that aim to expand organic agriculture in the state.

On June 13, the Public Utility Commission considered two separate rulemaking proposals related to pipeline operations in Pennsylvania  seeking comment on issues addressing both pipeline safety regulations and periodic financial reporting by pipeline public utilities.

On June 13, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation released a new report-- Environmental and Social Costs of Natural Gas Pipeline Development in the Delaware River Basin--  that attempts to quantify some of the most significant impacts and costs of natural gas pipeline projects in the watershed.

On June 12, the PA Environmental Defense Foundation submitted comments to DCNR advising the agency a proposal to replace over 138 acres of State Forest land lost to natural gas drilling with land in Chester County does not meet its obligations as a public trustee under the state’s Environmental Rights Amendment.

On June 14, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale met with members of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and thanked them for adopting the recommendations made in his recent audit of the agency.

On June 13, the PA Environmental Council held its 49th Environmental Partnership dinner to recognize 2 individuals with the Curtin Winsor Award and a project with a Special Places Award.

On June 12, the House unanimously passed House Resolution 385 (Matzie-D-Allegheny) designating the week of June 17 to 23 as Pollinator Week in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary).

On October 2, 2018, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held a hearing on the interrelationship between invasive plant species on our landscapes and the loss of native plants, and the negative impact of those changes on pollinators-- bees, butterflies, other insects, birds-- and on us.

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--

On June 11, Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) introduced Senate Bill 705 to authorize community solar projects which allow neighbors, businesses, farms, and other community members to directly participate in and receive the benefits from a solar project connected to their local electric distribution company’s grid.

On June 14, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron) introduced House Bill 1635 to regulate conventional oil and gas drilling like they were in 1984 when the first oil and gas act was passed.

On June 14, Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) introduced Senate Bill 763 to make compiling a report on subsidence damage to homes and businesses, water supplies and streams caused by underground coal mining optional under the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act.

On June 12, the Senate Transportation Committee approved and reported out a package of bills making significant changes to the state’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program that would directed DEP and PennDOT to take unlawful actions.

On June 11, the House Finance Committee approved and reported 2 of the 8 bills making up the House Republican Energize PA natural gas use subsidy bills, largely along party lines, Republicans supporting.

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, advised religious groups with water supplies regulated by DEP not to let them on their property to protect their First Amendment rights.

On June 19 the House Environmental Resources and Energy and Local Government Committees will hold a hearing on the local impacts of MS4 Stormwater Pollution Reduction Requirements.

By Robert Hughes, Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation

On June 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notified the Allegheny County Health Department it was extending the low-RVP gasoline waiver until July 1 because repairs have not been completed to the Buckeye Laurel Pipeline.  The original waiver was due to expire on June 17.

DEP’s Agricultural Advisory Board is scheduled to meet June 20 on a series of initiatives including the proposed General Permit for projects of less than 5 acres and a new soil erosion and sediment control manual for agricultural operations.

WikiWatershed®, a web toolkit designed by Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County and partners to help users advance knowledge and stewardship of freshwater, and its flagship tool, Model My Watershed®, have received another award: the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of Greater Philadelphia’s Excellence in Green Stormwater Infrastructure Award for Technological Innovation.

By Ryan Davis, Chesapeake Forests Program Manager, PA Office

The Sustainable Community Development Network of Southwestern Pennsylvania will host a webinar anyone can join June 18 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Leveraging Watershed Groups To Improve Water Quality and Support MS4 Stormwater Pollution Reduction Programs.

By Kyle Steffish, RiverStewards

The Open Space Institute Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund is now accepting applications for grants to ensure clean water through support of land protection and improved land use planning as part of the broader Delaware River Watershed Initiative supported by the William Penn Foundation.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 15 PA Bulletin announcing the Western PA Conservancy will undertake a project to treat abandoned mine drainage and reclaim abandoned mine land in Jay Township, Elk County under the Environmental Good Samaritan Program.  (PA Bulletin, page 3157)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 15 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on an abandoned mine reclamation project in Plum Borough, Allegheny County.

On June 15, more than 500 volunteers participated in the 30th annual River Sweep from 8 a.m. to noon in Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland  counties. Volunteers at 11 cleanup sites, picked up more than 40 tons of trash and more than 260 tires. 

On June 10, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful reminded groups across the state applications for 2019 Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania Grants are due June 28.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Municipality of Norristown in Montgomery County will host a How To Make Brownfields Projects Successful Information Session on June 21 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 West Lafayette Street in Norristown.

On June 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority have agreed to pay $8.4 million for the agency’s past and future cleanup costs at a portion of the Lower Darby Creek Area Superfund Site, located in both Darby Township, Delaware County, and the City of Philadelphia, just north of the Philadelphia International Airport.

On June 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Bemis Company, Inc. has agreed to pay a $78,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its plastic bag manufacturing facility in West Hazleton, Luzerne County.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public information session and hearing July 17 on Specialty Granules LLC’s application to renew the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for its Pitts Quarry, located in Hamiltonban Township, Adams County.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the June 15 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed policy statement designed to strengthen consumer protections for Customer Assistance Program (CAP) customers participating in the state’s retail electric market.

On June 13, the Public Utility Commission approved a settlement with Astral Energy LLC following an informal investigation into the company’s customer enrollment practices as a licensed electric generation supplier (EGS) in Pennsylvania.

On June 13, the Public Utility Commission highlighted the 20th Anniversary of The Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act, which gave residential and business customers the ability to purchase gas from independent suppliers.

The Department of Human Services published notice in the June 15 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the FY 2019-20 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program proposed Plan.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Driving PA Forward Ocean-Going Vessel Shorepower Grants.  The deadline for applications is October 30. (formal notice)

On June 13, Public Utility Commission approved a filing by UGI Utilities – Electric Division, as part of a continuing statewide effort to help remove potential barriers and uncertainty surrounding the deployment of third-party electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance and its partners will hold the Pennsylvania Energy Efficiency Conference September 26-27 at the Hilton in Harrisburg.

Take a tour of Pittsburgh's green buildings from a slightly different angle by joining the Green Building Alliance Kayak Tour on June 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on June 25 to begin a discussion of the next Climate Action Plan Update and hear presentations on and discuss a variety of climate-related initiatives.

On June 13, Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Land Preservation Board took action to preserve 47 farms covering 3,561 acres in 21 counties.

On June 12, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced the Foster Hill Farm, the former Milford, Pike County home of local businessman, philanthropist, and restaurateur Dick Snyder, has been bequeathed to the Conversancy.

On June 11, Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards joined Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Bureau of State Parks officials in the dedication of two major improvements to the D&L Trail in Bucks County.

Have you ever driven over a bridge or paddled down a Pennsylvania river and stared at the islands...wondering what's on them, or even who owns them? Did you ever wish that you could explore them?

Sal Fulginiti, a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture employee, spends his free time hiking and helping to maintain the natural areas that he likes to explore, including trails and state parks across the state.

The 2020 State Park Calendar is now available from the  PA Parks and Forests Foundation, a 10 x 13-inch, deluxe 12-month wall calendar that has a full page per month and features beautiful images from across the state.

The June 12 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring these articles--

By Jayson K. Harper, PhD, Penn State Professor Of Agricultural Economics

Registration is now open for the national American Chestnut Foundation  Fall Meeting to be held October 19 in Gettysburg at the Wyndham Gettysburg, 95 Presidential Circle, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

On June 4, the Game Commission provided an update on its efforts to control the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and elk.  Although some of the information was covered in news articles, hunting licenses go on sale June 17 and information in the complete announcement will be helpful to hunters--

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

On June 29-30, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host its first Youth Trail Weekend dedicated to providing opportunities for teenagers to experience and volunteer on the Mountain.

On June 12, the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation announced FirstEnergy, parent company of West Penn Power, provided a $5,000 grant to the Foundation to support the development of the Wildlife Center in Centre County.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy has Adult Mentor positions available for its bass field school on June 17-22 at the Krislund Camp & Conference Center in Centre County and the brook trout focused summer field school July 22-27 located in Clinton County. 

The PA Association of Conservation Districts is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Agricultural Conservation Technician to be based in Lebanon.

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 118 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.