Bill Chain, Agriculture Program Manager, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

On October 24, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA unveiled a new program designed for educational and conservation partners to connect students and teachers in Lancaster County to fun and meaningful learning opportunities outdoors.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet on October 28 to consider House Bill 374 (Everett-R-Lycoming) to establish the Keystone Tree Fund.  The bill allows driver and vehicle license owners to add $3.00 to those fees to support DCNR riparian buffer and tree planting programs starting in July 2020.

Here’s a quick summary of the environmental bills moved recently by today’s Republicans.  Just looking at the short descriptions of each bill gives you a good picture of the environmental policies promoted by today’s Republicans*--

On October 21, the Senate passed Senate Bill 790 (Scarnati-R- Jefferson) by a vote of 26 to 23 which sets environmental protection standards for conventional (not Shale gas) oil and gas well drilling and legalizes the road dumping of drilling wastewater from conventional wells.

By David Kinney, Trout Unlimited Eastern Policy Director

On October 22, the Senate Republican Policy Committee held a workshop on conservative approaches to renewable energy featuring the PA Conservative Energy Forum which urged Republicans to take ownership of clean and renewable energy development.

Republicans on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee took action to report several bills out of Committee that will slow down DEP’s permit review process and narrow the grounds of public appeals of DEP permits to the Environmental Hearing Board.

On October 22, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee unanimously reported out Senate Resolution 191 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne, Yaw-R-Lycoming) urging Congress to reauthorize the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fee which is the primary source of funding for Pennsylvania’s abandoned mine reclamation program (sponsor summary).

On October 23, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee unanimously reported out bills to restrict some uses of PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams and using local funds to clean up PFAS contamination.  The bills include--

On October 22, the Senate voted  27 to 22 to pass  Senate Bill 398 (Gordner-R- Columbia) which would amend the Regulatory Review Act to prohibit agencies from publishing a statement letting the public know why they are proposing new or amended regulations when they are asking the public for comments.

On October 22, the Wolf Administration announced the interagency GreenGov Council will begin its analysis of state agencies’ energy saving and sustainability strategies, taking steps towards fulfilling the climate change goals laid out in Gov. Wolf’s executive order.

The PA Organization For Watersheds and Rivers is now accepting nominations for the 2020 River of the Year Award.  The deadline for submissions is November 15.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is offering free, in-person grant workshops at six locations across Pennsylvania during November for the preparation of 2020 Community Conservation Partnership Grant applications.

On October 24, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its fifth Fall Foliage Report with regional comments on factors influencing foliage changes.

Mel and Marc Lewis of Hillsgrove, Sullivan County were recipients of the 2019 Joseph T. Rothrock Conservationist of the Year Award presented at the Pennsylvania Forestry Association’s Annual Symposium at the Toftrees Resort in State College on September 27.

Long-time public servant and conservation leader Walter N. Peechatka passed away on Saturday, October 19. 

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 October 22, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee unanimously amended and reported out Senate Bill 694 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) allowing for the accounting of natural gas production across longer Shale gas laterals.

On October 22, Sen Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Lori Mizgorski (R-Allegheny) introduced legislation in the House and Senate to establish the PA Local Solar Program to support localized renewable energy projects.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing October 28 on the broad topic of “Pennsylvania CO2 and climate.”

The House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a hearing November 1 on climate change and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative at the Haverford Township Administration Building, 1014 Darby Road in Havertown, Delaware County starting at 10:00 a.m.

By Andy McAllister, Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation

On October 23, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s remarks about energy production and the Paris Climate Agreement: 

On October 22, Attorney General Josh Shapiro and 22 other Attorneys General filed formal legal comments opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule that would unlawfully curtail state authority under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act.

On October 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has approved and helped fund Pennsylvania’s plans for nearly $200 million in water infrastructure projects that includes $40.7 million for drinking water infrastructure and $159 million for wastewater treatment infrastructure.

On October 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it has worked with Department of Environmental Protection to ensure local communities have flexibility in planning and implementing local solutions to address stormwater runoff in Pennsylvania.

On October 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Region announced it is offering free compliance assistance to smaller water and wastewater treatment facilities in five states and the District of Columbia to help improve water quality protection throughout the mid-Atlantic, including Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for Brownfields Multipurpose Assessment and Cleanup Loans And Grants.  The deadline for applications is December 3.  

On October 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $300,000 Brownfields Assessment grant to Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. The grant will support revitalization for priority Brownfields sites across the City, including those that may be in Opportunity Zones.

On October 25, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $200,000 Brownfields grant to the nonprofit organization Auberle based in McKeesport, Allegheny County.

On October 24, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined Northeastern School District officials and a host of partners for the kickoff of a streamside forest buffer planting at the Shallow Brook Intermediate School in York County to improve the water quality of Hartman Run, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.

Penn State Extension will host a Landscape and Green Infrastructure Analysis and Planning Workshop on December 12 in Lancaster where participants will learn about using trees for Green Infrastructure Planning and how to create land cover maps using satellite imagery – turning images into useful data

On October 22, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded more than $430,000 in grants for 11 projects to protect and restore the state’s eastern coastal zone along the Delaware Estuary.

On October 22, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded more than $264,000 in grants to protect and restore the Lake Erie Coastal Zone.

On November 12, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will hold a public meeting to receive comments as part of its performance evaluation of DEP’s Coastal Resources Management Program.  (formal notice)

Westminster College and the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition have issued a call for student participants for the 2019 Student Symposium On The Environment to be held on December 5 at Westminster College in Wilmington, Lawrence County.

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

On October 22, the Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting and hearing on November 18, 2019, to provide an update on its investigation of the Easton Road PFOA/PFOS Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Site and to receive comments on its proposed response action of whole-house filtration systems in Doylestown Township, Bucks County.

On October 23, Gov. Tom Wolf announced $3.4 million in funding to support 7  projects funded by the Industrial Sites Reuse Program to clean up former industrial sites in Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Dauphin, Lehigh, and York counties to prepare them for use as parks, and business and residential properties.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a hearing [if needed] on December 4 on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for International Metals Reclamation Company located in Ellwood City, Lawrence County. (Oct. 26 PA Bulletin, page 6400)

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a hearing [if needed] on December 17 for the RACT II Air Quality Plan for Allegheny & Tsingshan Stainless located in Midland Borough, Beaver County. (Oct. 26 PA Bulletin, page 6399)

On October 23, the Public Utility Commission welcomed Ralph Yanora, from Northeastern Pennsylvania, to the PUC. The Commission thanked Gov. Tom Wolf, who nominated Yanora to serve a five-year term on the PUC, along with the Senate for its support of his nomination.

On October 23, the Drive Electric PA Coalition joined the interagency GreenGov Council to showcase electric and hybrid vehicles that reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and preserve the environment during a Ride & Drive Event at the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.

Penn State Extension will hold another in its series of public meetings on the spotted lanternfly at Mt. Airy United Fellowship Church, 701 W. Johnston Street in Philadelphia starting from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Penn State Extension is dedicated to delivering research-based information and resources to serve you and your community and urban forestry needs. Please help us by giving us your feedback about your interests in topics and educational resources around community and urban forestry.

The PA Park Maintenance Institute is seeking proposals for a start-up sales and marketing campaign.  The deadline for proposals is November 18.

The Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy highlights November activities and programs, including--

M&T Bank recently awarded Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County a $5,000 grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation to support the world-famous Sanctuary and its premier weekend program, Raptors Up Close!.

On October 23, the Game Commission advised motorists to slow down and stay alert with deer becoming increasingly active  and daylight-saving time ending soon which will put more vehicles on the road during the hours when deer move most.

On October 23, the Game Commission announced it would be expanding Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area 4 to cover most of Lancaster County in 2020.

With a rare mosquito-transmitted virus documented in Pennsylvania this year, the Game Commission is encouraging hunters and others who spend time outdoors to take precautions against mosquito bites and report to the agency any dead or strange-acting wild animals they believe to have been infected.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for a Public Relations and Outreach Coordinator position.  The deadline for applications is November 4.

Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, a volunteer training and service organization in Pennsylvania, is searching for a talented Communications and Development Associate to support its media relations, social media and website communications, and resource development activities to promote and advance a volunteer service-learning program devoted to natural resource conservation in communities throughout Pennsylvania.

Trout Unlimited is seeking qualified candidates for the position of  Mid-Atlantic Policy Director to advance TU’s mission to conserve, protect, and restore trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds by leading campaigns that engage TU members and other stakeholders as advocates for conservation. 

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 100 page 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.

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