Farmers, communities, local governments, authorities, businesses and local, regional and state conservation and environmental agencies have been the target of unprecedented cuts in state funding to improve the environment over the last decade. 

Jill Whitcomb, DEP’s new Chesapeake Bay Office Director, said she is looking forward to using the high level of energy and stakeholder buy-in generated in developing Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan to move quickly on implementation.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund is now accepting applications for Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants.  The deadline for pre-proposals is February 28.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority starts accepting applications February 1 for grants funded by Act 13 drilling impact fees for watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage abatement, baseline water quality data, orphaned or abandoned well plugging, sewage facilities, flood mitigation programs and recreation.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the January 25 PA Bulletin that the Act 13 drilling impact fee will drop by $5,000 for each horizontal unconventional well for Calendar year 2019 compared to 2018.

DEP’s Agricultural Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on January 27 and the Water Resources Advisory Committee on January 30 to discuss several water quality fee packages and changes Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Encroachment regulations.

On January 21, the Environmental Quality Board approved final regulations putting in place an increase in the oil and gas drilling permit fees and lowering the sulfur content of heating oil.

On January 21, DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council recommended DEP move forward with the final Air Quality Permit Fee Increase regulation.

By Marci Mowery, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn reminded local governments and recreation and conservation organizations grant applications are now being accepted for recreation and conservation projects.  The deadline to apply is April 22.

On January 21, The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it will outline proposed changes to its internal policy on ATV trails on state forest lands at the January 22 Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council meeting to begin the public comment process.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is now accepting entries to the Parks and Forests Thru The Seasons Photo Contest.  Submissions are due September 8.

Pia van de Venne is a founding member and current president of the Friends of Murrysville Parks in Westmoreland County.

Farmer Mike Kurek of Susquehanna Orchards in Delta, York County and his agronomist, Tim Hushon of The Mill, were selected to be part of an elite group representing 4R Nutrient Stewardship as part of The Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Advocate Program.

The Penn State Ag Council, comprised of organizations, groups, and businesses that represent a strategic agricultural or related interest in Pennsylvania, recently recognized the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund with a Leadership In Action Award.

On January 21, Keep PA Beautiful honored four volunteers nominated by local affiliates for their outstanding efforts of local volunteers for their dedication, commitment and exceptional contributions to keeping Pennsylvania beautiful.

As the full House prepares for a final vote on Senate Bill 790 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) reducing the environmental protections from conventional oil and gas drilling, Berks Gas Truth sent a letter to members of the General Assembly and Gov. Wolf saying 195 organizations and 1,655 individuals have expressed their opposition to the bill.

In response to a January 21 Rolling Stone article on the health and environmental effects of oil and gas drilling wastewater, Earthworks' Research and Policy Analyst Melissa Troutman issued this statement--

On January 22, the PA Supreme Court issued an opinion overturning the April 2018 PA Superior Court ruling finding Southwestern Energy drilling company trespassed on the property of Susquehanna County landowners by taking natural gas from an adjacent property without permission through its unconventional drilling operations.

On January 29, the Senate Transportation and Environmental Resources and Energy Committees are scheduled to hold a joint hearing on the impacts of the cap-and-invest program being developed by the northeast Transportation Climate Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On January 21, the departments of Health and Education announced a Student Lyme Disease Art Competition - Don’t Let A Tick Make You Sick - open to children in first through sixth grades to raise awareness of ticks and Lyme disease.  Entries are due by March 6.

A new website has been launched to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day in Pennsylvania-- Earth Day 50 PA.

We can solve problems. Even big ones.

This is the first in a series of articles recounting the history of the PA Environmental Council from PEC’s 50th Anniversary webpage.

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with a special family concert on February 22 at Miller Symphony Hall 23, N. 6th Street in Allentown at 2:00 p.m.

Because Everything In Politics Is Connected To Everything Else: The announcement Thursday that Republican House Speaker Mike Turzai (Allegheny County) would not seek re-election caught Harrisburg by surprise last week.

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--

A little-noticed House Judiciary Committee hearing in December brought together conservative and liberal lawmakers on the issue of how to prevent lawsuits that have the objective of preventing free speech and discouraging public participation-- so called SLAPP suits.

On January 22, Republicans on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to send a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission recommending they disapprove the final EQB Triennial Water Quality Standards/ Stream Redesignation Regulation.

Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) announced his appointment as Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

On February 4, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 915 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which sets standards for the application of fertilizer to turf, provides for the certification of professional fertilizer applicators and for labeling and an education program (sponsor summary).

By John R. Lake, Agronomist

On January 23, Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA), U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), and state and local elected officials welcomed recent progress on legislation in the U.S. House to provide Northeastern Pennsylvania with long-term federal funding for the clean-up of the more than 100 remaining unreclaimed abandoned mine land (AML) sites in the region.

On January 22, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced he was joining 10 other Attorneys General and plaintiffs from Lancaster County, in filing an amicus brief supporting a challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission practice that routinely allows construction to proceed on FERC-approved pipelines by the use of “tolling orders” before challengers can appeal these decisions in court.

On January 17, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, PennFuture and other environmental organizations, represented by Earthjustice, filed an amicus brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to challenge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s use of tolling orders.

On January 21, Attorney General Josh Shapiro joined Attorneys General from three other states to oppose the rollback of EPA regulations on the disposal of ash from coal-fired power plants.

On January 23, at an event at the US Army Corp of Engineers’ Pittsburgh District Office, EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio, USACE Deputy Commander Jon Klink, and Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) celebrated the release of the final rule defining Waters of the U.S.

PA American Water is now accepting applications for its 2020 Environmental Grant Program.  Applications are due March 31.

Registration is now open for the 2020 Watershed Congress Along The Schuylkill to be held March 14 at the Pottstown Campus of Montgomery County Community College.

The January issue of the Catalyst Newsletter is now available from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition featuring the 2019 accomplishments of the Coalition, its partners and volunteers. Among the accomplishments are--

Elected officials from the Pocono region and their staff gathered January 17 for a Monroe County stream tour spearheaded by PennFuture, Sierra Club Pennsylvania, Brodhead Watershed Association and the Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited on behalf of the Our Pocono Waters Campaign.

Penn State Extension is seeking proposals for presentations at the October 1 Dive Deeper Water Education Summit in Harrisburg.  February 28 is the deadline for submissions

If you are interested in learning more about the proper management of private water wells, springs and cisterns and you are willing to share what you learn with others, the Penn State Master Well Owner Program may be for you! 

By Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator York County

By Sara LaJeunesse, Penn State News

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting registrations for its 2020 Annual Conference -- 35 Years Of Connecting The Keystone-- at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in State College.

The Northeast Recycling Council will hold its Spring Conference - Rebooting Recycling -- on April 20-21 in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

The Department of Environmental Protection and Philadelphia Air Management Services will hold hearings [if needed] on RACT II Air Quality Plans for facilities in Butler County and Philadelphia.

On January 22, the Commonwealth Financing Authority announced the approval of four Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) grants totalling $2.3 million to support the extension of natural gas pipeline service to households and businesses in Chester, Monroe, and Northampton counties.

Join the Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program for a Building Energy Re-Tuning and Operations Conference on March 3 for managers and employees overseeing the success of school and municipality building energy performance.

Join the Green Building Alliance, Erie County, City of Erie and 14 member property owners on February 27 to celebrate the formal launch of the Erie 2030 District.

By Sara LaJeunesse, Penn State News

The PA Chapter of The Nature Conservancy recently issued its report on Pennsylvania Accomplishments in 2019 highlighting its work to preserve land, restore the environment, work with landowners and educate the public with the help of its many partners and volunteers.

The Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy recently highlighted programs and activities coming up in February, including--

The January 24 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The January 22 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation will hold its 3rd Annual Wildlife Gala on April 3 at The Nittany Lion Inn, 200 West Park Avenue in State College starting at 5:00 p.m.

DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks released its annual Cavity-Nesting Trails Summary Report, which shows that 50 state parks monitored 2,041 boxes and fledged a total of 7,848 birds through the dedicated work of volunteers and staff in 2019.

The Delaware County-based Brandywine Conservancy is seeking candidates for an internship with its Easement Management Program.

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 145 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.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 28-29 in State College.  Registration is now open.  Click Here for more.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit March 11 & 12 in Altoona.  Registration is now open.  Click Here for more.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 24-25 in State College.  Click Here for more - Call For Presentations.

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