On July 24, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it executed a Consent Order and Agreement with CNX Gas Company LLC and CNX Midstream Partners, LP, which includes a $310,000 civil penalty to address violations that occurred during and following pipeline construction in Washington County.

On July 22, following a Grand Jury investigation, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the Office of Attorney General is formally charging National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation and subcontractor Southeast Directional Drilling with environmental crimes committed in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

On July 22, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the investment of $66 million in 11 drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects across nine counties.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On July 23, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the award of two service contract offers, one for drinking water lead testing in schools and child care facilities and the other for the development of the Center for Water Quality Excellence for nutrient and sediment pollution reduction.

On July 22, the Lancaster Clean Water Partners provided an update on its initiatives to implement the county's Clean Water Action Plan, including buffer installations, locating sites for conservation practices and monitoring local water quality.

The Lancaster Conservancy and many partners will hold their annual Lancaster Water Week education and action events from August 7 -15.

The Department of Environmental Protection Chesapeake Bay Office now has a new monthly newsletter to showcase progress and updates on the statewide Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan and local partners’ Countywide Action Plans.

On July 23, the PA Association of Conservation Districts/ State Conservation Commission’s virtual 73nd Joint Annual Conference recognized conservation leaders from across the state.

On July 23, the PA Association of Conservation Districts announced the winners of the 2020 “Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators” statewide student poster contest.

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, watershed groups, nonprofits, and other volunteers across Pennsylvania are currently out in the field collecting water samples to complete the 2020 Statewide Passive Treatment Snapshot.

The Environmental Quality Board published a proposed regulation to adopt a manganese water quality toxic substances standard that is protective of public health in the July 25 PA Bulletin for public comment.

On July 22, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority reported the most recent round of drinking water testing found a lead level of 5.1 ppb, well below the 15 ppb EPA action level.

On July 21, the Environmental Quality Board approved the final regulation increasing Air Quality Program permit fees and proposed changes to the Chapter 105 Waterways Management Permitting Program.

From March 16 to July 21, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

On July 21, DEP told the Citizens Advisory Council decisions about the process for decommissioning the damaged Unit 2 at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant are still being considered by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, according to David Allard, Director of the Bureau of Radiation Protection.

By Gregory Lenahan, DEP Deputy Digital Director

On July 23, Pennsylvania reported its first probable human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in 2020 has been detected in a Potter County resident. Samples are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing.

The PA Land Trust Association recently released its 2019 Biennial Census Report which highlights these accomplishments of land trusts in Pennsylvania between 2010 and 2019--

On July 20, the Heritage Conservancy announced the Quakertown Swamp recently received the designation as a “Wetland of Distinction” by the Society of Wetland Scientists, currently making it one of only two areas in Pennsylvania to receive this recognition.

On July 22, DCNR reported to the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council it received a notification from the Maryland National Guard in August of 2019 saying they were preparing an environmental assessment for a proposed very low-level flight training area over six counties the Pennsylvania Wilds.

On July 24, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a number of operational changes are being made at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County to address safety related to overcrowding that is occurring on weekends and when the weather is favorable.

On July 25, a second 20-person wildfire crew from DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry will leave from Moshannon State Forest headquarters in Clearfield County, this time to make a 40-hour drive to fight wildfires in northern California.

Carol Loeffler is a professor of biology at Dickinson College, where she focuses on the biology and ecology of rare plant species; and the impacts of deer and other herbivores on forest vegetation.

On July 22, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 310-107 to approve the Great American Outdoors Act, which would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and make critical investments in our national park system, state and local public lands.

The Senate State Government Committee heard from state and county election officials last week on the changes they recommend to make sure the November election comes off without a hitch.

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

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-- 

In a statement on July 26, ICF International, Inc., a consultant used by DEP to evaluate the impact of its proposal to reduce carbon pollution from power plants compatible with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, said it had no knowledge of and did not give permission for its name to be used in a letter supporting the proposal.

Terrie Morgan-Beseck of the Citizens Voice reported July 26 Senators Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) have requested to withdraw from supporting the federal lawsuit by Wayne County landowners challenging the Delaware River Basin Commission’s natural gas drilling moratorium.

On July 24, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation praised the U.S. House of Representatives for adding $5.5 million to EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program in the fiscal year 2021 Interior- Environment appropriations bill by a vote of 224-189.

Local officials in Chesapeake Bay Watershed coastal areas will be better able to identify the best locations for their top environmental projects with an online tool under development through an EPA partnership.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is supporting the development and expansion of forest markets by awarding eight grants totaling nearly $1.45 million through the agency’s Wood Education and Resource Center, including two grants in Pennsylvania

Construction of the SR89 passive treatment system was completed last September 2019 making it the newest system in the Slippery Rock Creek Watershed in Butler County.

The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation recently sponsored Americorps VISTA Volunteer, Kyle Argenziano for the next year through July 2021, with a partnership between Americorps VISTA and the Stewards Individual Placement Program (SIPP).

On July 22, Pennsylvania Sea Grant joins the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Sea Grant College Program in announcing the finalists for the 2021 class of the Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program.

By: James Grazio, DEP Great Lakes Biologist, and Shelby Clark, Coastal Resources Coordinator, DEP Northwest Regional Office

By Andy Yencha, Penn State Extension Renewable Natural Resources Educator

By Julianne Schieffer, Penn State Extension Regional Urban Forester

Last week, Penn State Extension published a series of helpful articles for water well and cistern owners on several important topics: Testing & Treating PFAS Contamination, How To Decide What To Test Your Well Water For, a Catalog Of Resources For Well, Spring & Cistern Owners a schedule of free water well webinars.

The Climate Change Advisory Committee to the Delaware River Basin Commission will hold its inaugural meeting on August 4 starting at 1:00.

On July 22, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding toured Harrisburg’s Wesley Garden with volunteers and gardeners, discussing the important role community gardens play in providing access to fresh, healthy food for communities affected by food apartheid.

On July 14, volunteers pulled weeds, laid mulch, repaired benches, picked up litter and planted flowers at Harrisburg's Heart of the Community Garden, all while wearing masks and gloves and practicing physical distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

On July 24, the PA Resources Council announced the August schedule for the Traveling Glass Recycling Program events in Western Pennsylvania sponsored by Owens-Illinois, Inc. and CAP Glass.

On July 22, the PA Resources Council announced a series of five webinars covering backyard composting, watershed/rain barrel and recycling/waste reduction in July.

On July 24, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has received notice from Elcon Recycling Services, LLC that it no longer intends to proceed with its proposed hazardous waste treatment facility in Falls Township, Bucks County and will therefore be withdrawing its applications currently under review by DEP.

On July 23, the Public Utility Commission announced the PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee issued a total of 82 disciplinary actions, including $80,750 in penalties, against 50 underground facility owners, excavators and project owners for violations of the PA One Call Law.

The final Environmental Quality Board regulation reducing the sulfur content of heating oil from 500 ppm to 15 ppm was published as final in the July 25 PA Bulletin.

On July 20, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of more than $2.1 million in 2019 Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants to 18 cleaner fuel vehicle projects statewide that will help improve air quality and public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for the Small Business Advantage Grant Program to support energy efficiency, pollution prevention or farm and natural resource conservation projects by small businesses.  (formal notice)

The PA Energy Development Authority is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on August 4 to discuss the Authority’s 2020 Energy Development Plan and the restart of a new grant solicitation round.

On July 20, the Philadelphia Energy Authority, Twain Financial Partners and SHIFT Capital closed the first project in Pennsylvania to use Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing.

On July 20, the Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support organization based in Wayne County announced the Highlights Foundation will soon be powered by the sun.

On July 20, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the award of $591,975 in federally funded grants to support local volunteer fire companies to help them fight wildfires across the state.

As water temperatures rise during the summer, the risk for harmful algal blooms (HABs) to occur increases. The typical season for these blooms is the middle of June to late August; however, it can extend through the fall months.

On July 23, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced completion of a major dam restoration project and other improvements at Pecks Pond, a highly popular waterway in Porter Township, Pike County.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will be accepting applications for ATV or Snowmobile Trail Projects and Programs from August 3 to September 30.  (formal notice)

The PA Land Trust Association is now accepting presentation proposals for the virtual Western PA Land Conservation Summit to be held November 12-13.

The PA Environmental Council, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, has issued a Request For Proposals for facilitating and drafting a strategic plan for the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape.

The American Battlefield Trust and North American Land Trust have launched a fundraising campaign to protect a key portion of one of the critical battles on our journey to independence, Brinton Run Preserve on the Brandywine Battlefield.

DCNR is partnering with Delaware Canal 21, a Point Pleasant-based nonprofit and the Bucks and Northampton County governments to investigate sustainable ways to ensure maintenance of the 60-mile long Delaware Canal and towpath.

The Brodhead Watershed Association has organized a scavenger hunt for adults and elementary-aged children at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Stroudsburg in Monroe County.

On July 20, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced it will hold a virtual fundraising auction to support land and water conservation in the Upper Delaware River region.

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

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

On July 22, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Game Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released a draft State Lands Habitat Conservation Plan for Bats  to conserve federally protected Indiana and northern long-eared bats on nearly 4 million acres of state-managed lands. 

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

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

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 103 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 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference will now be held on October 28-29 in State College.

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