This editorial first appeared on May 8 at Inquirer.com--

On May 5, Republicans on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation-- House Bill 2004-- which would reallocate monies from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund used to support local recreation and conservation projects statewide.

On May 4, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to oppose House Bill 2004 (Ortitay-R-Allegheny) reallocating the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund monies.

On May 4, the PA Environmental Council sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to oppose House Bill 2004 (Ortitay-R-Allegheny) reallocating the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund monies.

On May 4, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, a national coalition of 60 hunting, angling, conservation, and outdoor industry organizations, expressed their strong opposition to legislation-- House Bill 2004--  to reallocate monies in the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund at a time when it would disrupt a conservation program with a proven record of success.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation, along with partners PA Forestry Association and the PA Recreation and Park Society, have launched a new website-- Protect Our Parks and Forests-- focusing on the more than $1 billion in maintenance, safety and infrastructure needs in Pennsylvania’s State Parks and Forests.

By Len Lichvar, District Manager, Somerset Conservation District

On May 8, Gov. Tom Wolf announced 13 Pennsylvania counties will move to the Yellow Phase of reopening at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 15.

From March 16 to May 5, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

On May 8, the departments of Environmental Protection and Health encouraged owners and operators of dormant buildings to flush building water systems as businesses in counties enter the Yellow Phase of the state’s reopening plan.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is reopening some State Park and Forest facilities in Yellow Phase areas consistent with Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 reopening plan.

The Newport Township Police Department and the Department of Conservation and Natural collaborate on an enforcement action involving 40 ATV riders illegally riding and littering on private land and in Pinchot State Forest in Luzerne County.

By: Ashley Schalleur - Environmental Protection Compliance Specialist, Southeast Regional Office, Jillian Gallagher - Air Quality Environmental Group Manager, SERO, and John Repetz - Community Relations Coordinator, Southcentral Regional Office

By Virginia Cain, Community Relations Coordinator, and Rob Fogel, Local Government Liaison, DEP Southeast Regional Office

By: Megan Lehman, Community Relations Coordinator, North-central Regional Office

By: Tom Decker, Community Relations Coordinator, DEP Northwest Regional Office

In the first statewide poll of its kind since the COVID-19 crisis began, likely Pennsylvania voters – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – overwhelmingly-- 89 percent-- report that environmental policies that promote clean air are important to them.

Forty-eight Republicans and ten Democratic members of the 203-member House signed a letter to Gov. Wolf urging him to suspend his efforts to adopt a regional carbon pollution reduction program covering power plants known as RGGI.

On May 7, DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee took no position on DEP's proposed carbon pollution reduction regulation covering power plants.

On May 4, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Inflection Energy, a natural gas company, has entered a plea for its role in the 2017 wastewater spill in Loyalsock Creek located in Lycoming County, and will pay $40,000 to conservation groups in the area.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers invites watershed associations and other groups involved in watershed restoration efforts to fill out a survey to better understand your needs.

By Tali MacArthur, Watersheds Program Manager, PA Environmental Council

The Governor’s Office posted an update to the Regulatory Agenda which includes an agency-by-agency listing of regulations in development by state agencies in the May 9 PA Bulletin (PA Bulletin page 2481).

Just after Gov. Wolf announced 13 more counties would be moving to the Yellow Phase of reopening on Friday and releasing the related business guidance, lawmakers and county officials were showing signs of what one media outlet called a “mutiny” against his shutdown order.

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-- 

The May newsletter is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring articles on--

On May 6, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA announced the availability of up to $5 million for wetland mitigation banks. Applications are due July 6.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA office will host a virtual information session on the PA Conservation Innovation Grant program May 21 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

On May 8, the National Organic Coalition and Organic Farmers Association [sponsored by the Rodale Institute in Berks County] called on Congress on May 7 to include provisions in the next coronavirus relief package to help organic farmers, farmworkers, retailers, certifiers, and other businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced eight Pennsylvania communities have been selected to receive a total of $3.7 million to assess and clean up contaminated properties under the agency’s Brownfields program.

On May 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the 2019 winners of the National WasteWise Awards. Peace Dining Corporation of Philadelphia received an honorable mention in the Large Business Category.

The Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for Agricultural Research Project proposal grants on a variety of priority topics including the spotted lanternfly, pollinator protection, climate resilience, water quality program, renewable energy, and others.

The Department published notice in the May 9 PA Bulletin announcing it has finalized the Alternate Onlot Sewage Pretreatment Technology Verification Policy (TVP) [DEP ID: 385-2208-003].

DEP’s State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers has published a revised certification examination schedule for local sewage enforcement officers in the May 9 PA Bulletin.

The Weekly Farmer Forums hosted by the PA Sustainable Agriculture Association continue on May 14 with a discussion of how farmers and markets can work together to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture is now accepting presentation proposals for its 30th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference to be held February 3-6 in Lancaster.  The deadline for submissions is June 15.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is hosting a virtual stream study on its Facebook and Instagram pages.

On May 4, the Public Utility Commission  highlighted May 3 through May 9 as “Drinking Water Week” in the Commonwealth as part of an ongoing effort to increase awareness about the importance of water and water conservation.

On May 7, the Delaware River Basin Commission announced the members of its Advisory Committee on Climate Change, which was established by the Commission in December 2019.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission YouTube Channel is now featuring the first of a three part series on the Billmeyer Quarry Water Storage Project in Lancaster County.

The Environmental Quality Board holds a virtual meeting May 19 to consider a proposed regulation to remove Stage II vapor controls at gasoline and add vapor leak monitoring requirements for small gasoline storage tanks.

The PUC’s PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee is scheduled to hold a telephonic meeting on May 12 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

On May 7, utilizing the latest technology and coordinating with front-line community partners, the Public Utility Commission continues to educate utility customers about their rights and responsibilities, assistance programs, and available resources – during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as during the recovery period that will follow.

On May 8, Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling announced  its new recycling drop-off center at 355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road in Greensburg will open to the public on May 11 at Noon.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 9 PA Bulletin it is reopening the administrative record to document the response costs at the Kwiatkowski Landfill site in Hickory Township, Lawrence County. (PA Bulletin page 2469)

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In April is now available featuring articles on--

The South Mountain Partnership will hold its 2020 Spring Partnership meeting on June 5 via webinar from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

If you’re going stir-crazy or just need a smile to brighten your day, the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum Of Art in Chester County has you covered on engaging virtual content to keep you entertained and feeling inspired during this trying time of quarantine.

Dauphin County-based Manada Conservancy is now making available the Ecological Gardening Reap What You Sow! online program on native plants available for viewing at any time. 

Wildwood Park and the Olewine Nature Center in Dauphin County will host a Kids Discover: Pollinators Program on the county Facebook page May 30.

By Jeffrey S. Graybill, Penn State Extension Educator, Agronomy

The May 8  Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring articles on-

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Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

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