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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
August 5, 2019 Issue #788
(8/5/2019)
* Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition!

On August 2, Pennsylvania's Envirothon team from Carmichaels Area High School in Greene County took third place out of 53 teams from the United States, Canada and China competing in the 2019 NCF Envirothon at North Carolina State University!

* Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12

The Green Building Alliance will honor five winners of the 2019 Emerald Evening Gala Awards on September 12 in Pittsburgh.

* EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Reuse Of Croydon TCE Superfund Site, Bucks County

On August 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented Heritage Conservancy in Southern Bucks County with its Excellence in Site Reuse Award for outstanding work in the reuse of the Croydon TCE Superfund Site.

* PEDF Says Commonwealth Court Ruling On State Forest Drilling Revenue Transfers Ignores PA Supreme Court Decision

On July 29, Commonwealth Court issued a ruling saying about $135.3 million of State Forest gas drilling money transferred by the General Assembly from DCNR’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund to the state General Fund in 2009 was part of the trust determined to exist in the 2017 PA Supreme Court ruling applying the public trust provisions of the Environmental Rights Amendment.

* Gov. Wolf Announces Redevelopment Assistance Project Grants, Including $30.4 Million For 20 Environmental, Recreation, Energy Projects

On August 1, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of Round 1 of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Projects Grants for this year funded under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program

* DCNR: How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs In McKean Conservation Area, Erie County

On August 1, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and other DCNR officials toured the McKean Conservation Area in McKean Township, Erie County and discussed how the Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan could help address green infrastructure needs in the state.

* Bay Journal: Brunner Island Power Plant In York County To Stop Coal Ash Pollution, Pay $1 Million Fine To DEP

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* DEP Reports Mosquitoes Have Tested Positive For West Nile Virus In 2 More Counties Bringing Season Total To 17

On August 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced mosquitoes in Scranton, Lackawanna County and East Buffalo township, Union County have tested positive for West Nile Virus bringing the total this season to 17.

* Dept. Of Agriculture Offering Spotted Lanternfly Permit Classes In 14 Counties

On August 1, the Department of Agriculture announced it will offer Spotted Lanternfly permit classes throughout the 14-county quarantine zone. The classes will be held from August 15 through December 18.

* Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation

By Chris Ryer & Reginald Moore, City Of Baltimore

* Bay Journal: Ruth Patrick's Stream Research Broke Ground And A Glass Ceiling Or Two

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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--

* Trout Unlimited, Partners Push Congress To Support Mine Reclamation Fund Reauthorization

By David Kinney, Trout Unlimited Eastern Policy Director

* PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants

The PA Council of Trout Unlimited is pleased to announce the 2019 Forever Wild Grant winners-- 

* Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County

The Schuylkill Action Network will host a tour of Schuylkill River Restoration Fund restoration sites in Montgomery County on September 13.

* Brodhead Watershed Assn. Hosts Aug. 17 Snorkel Your Way Through Cherry Creek For Kids In Monroe County

The Brodhead Watershed Association invites school-age children and their parents to snorkel Cherry Creek on August 17 in Monroe County starting at 2:00 p.m.

* Pike Conservation District: The Importance Of High Quality And Exceptional Value Streams

By Rachel Posavetz, Watershed Specialist

* Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing Aug. 14, Business Meeting Sept. 11

The Delaware River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on water withdrawal requests on August 14 at the Commission’s office at 25 Cosey Road, West Trenton, New Jersey starting at 1:30 p.m.  (formal notice)

* Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat

By Judy Sittler, Spring Creek Chapter Trout Unlimited

* Eat Oysters At Participating Restaurants On National Oyster Weekend Aug. 2-5, Support Oyster Recovery In Chesapeake Bay

The Oyster Recovery Partnership is holding National Oyster Weekend August 2 to 5.  For every oyster sold at participating restaurants, the Partnership will receive 10 cents toward helping to plant oysters in sanctuary reefs in the Chesapeake Bay.

* Bay Journal: Scientists See Early Success In Breeding Effort To Help Save Chesapeake Logperch

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Capital RC&D Video Series Explores Benefits Of On-Farm Composting

Successful, on-farm composting is showcased in four new videos now available free on the Capital Resources Conservation and Development Area Council website.

* Rodale Institute Launches New Organic Research Center In California With Ventura Seed Company

On August 1, Berks County-based Rodale Institute announced it is partnering with Ventura Seed Company to the California Organic Research and Training Center in Camarillo, Ventura County.

* Construction Of SR89 Passive Mine Drainage Treatment System Has Begun In Washington Twp., Butler County

The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition is excited to report that construction of the SR89 passive system is underway in Washington Township, Butler county.

* August Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

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

* PA Recycling Markets Center: PA ReMaDe Conference - Advancing The Circular Economy Sept. 18-19 In Bethlehem

The PA Recycling Markets Center will host the PA ReMaDe Conference - Advancing Circular Economy September 18-19 in Bethlehem at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.

* PA Resources Council Holds First Reuse Fest In Erie Sept. 7 For Residents To Donate Used Items To Local Nonprofits

The PA Resources Council will hold its first Reuse Fest in Erie on September 7 to allow residents to donate gently used items to local nonprofit groups.

* PA Resources Council Hosts 3 More Allegheny County Pop-Up Glass Recycling Collection Events In August

The PA Resources Council will host three “pop-up” glass recycling collection events in August in response to the sudden removal of glass from many of the region’s residential curbside recycling programs.

* Reminder: DEP Accepts Applications Anytime For Municipal Waste Planning And Pollution Prevention Education Grants

The Department of Environmental Protection will accept applications for County Municipal Waste Planning and Pollution Prevention Education grants at any time during the year.

* DEP Signs $750,000 Penalty Agreement With PQ Corporation For Air Violations In Chester, Delaware County

On July 30, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has signed a Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty with PQ Corporation in the amount of $750,000 for air quality violations in the City of Chester, Delaware County for the period between July 2013 and December 2018.

* Wolf Awards $8.5 Million In Volkswagen Settlement Grants To Reduce Transportation Pollution

On August 1, Gov. Tom Wolf announced 34 cleaner energy transportation projects will receive $8,489,844 in Driving PA Forward grants and rebates.

* FirstEnergy Utility Companies, Nissan Partner On Electric Vehicle Rebates

FirstEnergy utility customers served by Med-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power can receive a $3,500 rebate of the price of a 2019 Nissan LEAF or a $2,500 rebate on a 2019 LEAF Plus electric vehicles.

* PennTAP Aug. 15 Webinar: Building Re-Tuning (BRT) To Save Energy

The Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program will host a webinar August 15 on Building Re-Tuning (BRT), Operating Your Building More Efficiently To Save Energy from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

* Reminder: KEEA PA Energy Efficiency Conference Sept. 26 & 27 In Harrisburg

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

* Penn State Extension: Aug. 21 Land Use Webinar To Focus On Pennsylvania's Solar Future

Penn State Extension will host another in its series of land use webinars on August 21, the one focused on Pennsylvania's solar energy future starting at 1:15.

* Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania?

By Georgia Mae Lively, Communications Intern, The Energy Co-op

* Call For Papers: MineXChange 2020 SME Annual Conference & Expo Feb. 23-26

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration has issued a call for papers for its MineXChange 2020 SME Annual Conference and Expo to be held February 23-26 in Phoenix, Arizona.  Proposals are due August 1.

* 150th Anniversary Commemoration Of Avondale Mine Disaster That Killed 110 In Luzerne County Set For Sept. 6-8

The 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the 1869 Avondale Mine Disaster that killed 110 miners in Plymouth Township, Luzerne County will be held September 6, 7 and 8.

* PA's Zippo Lighter Company To Fight Global Deforestation With Tree Planting Initiative

On July 30, Bradford-based Zippo lighter company launched a new "Fight Fire With Fire" tree planting program to combat the effects of global deforestation.

* Cumberland County Master Gardeners: Aug. 17-Meet The Butterflies; Aug. 20-Gardening With Nature

The Cumberland County Master Gardeners will host two programs on pollinators and gardening to reduce stormwater runoff--

* DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the August 3 PA Bulletin it is canceling the proposed land exchange with Charles Rosamilia and others in Greene and Leidy townships in Clinton County.

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet

On July 30, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation released a “My DCNR Ranger” learning adventure booklet, highlighting the important role played by rangers in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.

* Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Celebrate Successful Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail Stewardship Weekend

The Warren-based Friends of Allegheny Wilderness has been the formal adopting organization of the Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail in the Allegheny National Forest since their inception in 2001.

* Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11

Who was Gifford Pinchot and why is his birthday celebrated every year at Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike County?

* Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The August 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* Plan Your Trip Now To Hawk Mountain Sanctuary As It Soars Into Autumn With Kick-Off Events

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County invites visitors to watch and monitor the annual passage of raptor migrants as they move south during the Autumn Hawk Watch, held daily August 15 through December 15, at the Sanctuary’s famous North Lookout.

* Fish & Boat Commission Reports 200+ Fish Kill In Letort Spring Run, Cumberland County

On August 1, the Carlisle Sentinel reported 200+ trout were found dead July 31 in Letort Spring Run in Carlisle, Cumberland County due to what the Fish and Boat Commission is calling a suspected pollution event.

* Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager

The Keystone Trails Association, based in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Program Administrator/Office Manager.

* 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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* Stories Invited - About PA Environment Digest

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.

* Sponsor: 2019 PA/National Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference

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.

* Sponsor: 8th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference Oct. 15 In Bethlehem

PA Environment Digest is proud to be a sponsor of the 8th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference on October 15 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

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