Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
January 25, 2021 Issue #865
(1/25/2021)
* In Memoriam: Patrick Solano, Senior Counselor, 51st Senator, Ambassador, Veteran, Gentlemen

On Saturday, sad news came that Pat Solano passed away at the age of 95 in Luzerne County.  Read more here.

* 6 New Stories - What REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership Looks Like In PA

The first six articles in this week’s PA Environment Digest  profile the conservation and environmental leadership demonstrated by 26 counties, an agricultural equipment manufacturer,  a water resource agency, a farm family, small towns and a public employee.

* 26 More Counties Take The Lead In Developing Local Clean Water Action Plans In PA Portion Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed

On January 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has awarded approximately $1 million in grants to support 26 counties in the upper half of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in developing Countywide Clean Water Action Plans to improve local water quality.

* CNH Industrial-New Holland Ag Partners With Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay On Riparian Buffer Project In Lancaster County

On January 15, CNH Industrial’s New Holland, Lancaster County site announced a special partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to establish a riparian buffer along the stream on the grounds of New Holland’s North American headquarters.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission To Mark 50th Anniversary Of Basin Compact In 2021

This year marks the Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s 50th anniversary. The effective date of the Susquehanna River Basin Compact, which authorized the creation of the Commission, was January 23, 1971.

* Miller Family, Mountain Watershed Assn. Partner To Protect 21 Acres Of Land In Fayette County

On January 20, the Mountain Watershed Association announced it has received a donation of a twenty-one-acre stretch of undeveloped land along the Indian Creek Valley Trail in Fayette County to be incorporated into the friendly hiking and biking path.

* Susquehanna Greenway Partnership: Small Communities Becoming More Desirable In COVID Pandemic

COVID-19 was the juggernaut of 2020. Not only did it fundamentally transform our daily lives, but it also shifted where we work, how we educate, and what we do with our spare time.

* DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Joe Graci, Fmr DCNR Director Of Legislative Affairs

Joe Graci is a former DCNR Director of Legislative Affairs who spent many years significantly involved in legislation that affected conservation and recreation in Pennsylvania.

* $178 Million Invested In 14 Water Infrastructure Projects In 11 Counties By PennVEST

On January 20, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the investment of $178 million in loans and grants for 14 water infrastructure projects in 11 counties.

* PA State Team Guiding The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Meets Jan. 26 To Hear Update On State, County Water Cleanup Efforts

The PA State Team helping to guide the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on January 26 to hear an update from state agencies and counties about Pennsylvania’s water quality cleanup efforts in the Pennsylvania portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

* DEP, Partners Provide Progress Report On First Phase Of Chesapeake Bay Implementation Plan To EPA; New DEP Guide To Permitting For Watershed Projects

On January 15, the Department of Environmental Protection and its state and local partners provided a report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the first phase of the PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan progress.

* Bay Journal: Can Chesapeake Bay Region Dredge Its Way Out Of Conowingo Dam Problem?

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* DEP To Release Initial Version Of Chapter 102 Erosion & Sedimentation ePermitting System

On January 21, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is finalizing development and testing of an ePermitting system for Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation permit applications for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities.

* DEP Works Thru Pandemic: 674 More Permits, 1,597 More Inspections Since Last Week

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

* DEP Cancels 2021 Recycling Implementation Grant Round Because General Assembly Took $50 Million From Recycling Fund To Balance State Budget

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 23 PA Bulletin cancelling the 2021 round of Section 902 Recycling Implementation Grants due to a lack of money in the Recycling Fund.  (formal notice)

* Keep PA Beautiful: Registration Now Open For Pick Up PA Community Cleanup Initiative

On January 21, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced registration is now open for the 2021 Pick Up Pennsylvania, a community improvement initiative.

* DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Community Park, Recreation, Conservation, Rivers, Riparian Buffer Grants

On January 19, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced grant applications are now being accepted for recreation and conservation projects in communities across Pennsylvania.  The deadline for applications is April 14.

* Start Applying For DCNR ATV, Snowmobile Project Grants Feb. 1

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will be accepting applications for ATV and Snowmobile Project Grants from February 1 to March 31.  (formal notice)

* Applications Now Being Accepted For PA Sojourn Grants By PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers

On January 19, the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers announced it is now accepting applications for 2021 PA River Sojourn Grants.  The deadline for applications is March 15.

* DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council To Hear Presentations On Historic Park, Forest Visitation Numbers, PA Wilds Jan. 27

DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council will meet virtually January 27 to hear presentations on the historically high visitation numbers to Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.  (formal notice)

* DCNR Blog: State Parks, Forests Offer Abundance Of Activities During Winter Months

With many people still limiting their indoor activities due to COVID-19, Pennsylvania state parks and forests continue to offer access to outdoor activities -- even during the winter months.

* DEP Blog: Helping Eels And Mussels Is Improving Water Quality In The Susquehanna River And Chesapeake Bay

By Gregory Lenahan, DEP Deputy Digital Director

* Get Ready! Groundhog Day And Punxsutawney Phil Are Right Around The Corner On Feb. 2

Pennsylvania’s largest mid-winter celebration is right around the corner!  February 2 is Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob in Jefferson County with Punxsutawney Phil, but with a twist.  This year it will be virtual.

* PA Capitol & COVID Weekly Report: Republicans Push Constitutional Amendments; Not Rehashing The 2020 Election

[ Because In Politics, Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] Although neither the Senate and House were in voting session last week, Republicans took action to keep legislation to limit emergencies declared by a Governor to 21 days on track for a final vote so it can be on the May Primary election ballot.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule [Updated] /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--

* Senate Republicans Add Bills To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing, Shield Violators From Enforcement To Environmental Agenda

On January 20, Senate Republicans reintroduced legislation again this session allowing the General Assembly to kill final regulations by doing nothing-- Senate Bill 32 (Phillips-Hill-R-York)-- and a bill creating a new bureaucracy to shield violators from enforcement-- Senate Bill 29 (Phillips-Hill-R-York).

* Senate Republicans Want To Mandate Private Contractor Permit Reviews, Eliminating DEP’s Review On Behalf Of The Public

On January 20, Senate Republicans introduced Senate Bill 28 (Phillips-Hill-R-York)  that requires all state agencies to establish a program to require the review of permit applications by private contractors for applications that have been “delayed,” eliminating agency review of permit applications on behalf of the public and adding more state bureaucracy and cost on taxpayers.

* CBF Sues EPA For Failing To Protect Chesapeake Bay Watershed Residents And Bay From Particulate Pollution

On January 19, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and environmental and public health partners sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for refusing to strengthen air quality limits for small, airborne particles (known as particulate matter).

* Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Songs Of The Susquehanna River Project Entries Due Jan. 31

By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

* Feb. 3 Webinar: Managing Polluted Runoff In Southeastern PA

The PA Environmental Council, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership and Conservation Voters of PA will host a February 3 Webinar on Managing Polluted Runoff In Southeastern PA from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

* PA Organization For Watershed & Rivers Hosts 3-Part Engagement In Local Government Decision Making For Community Watershed Groups Webinars

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers will host a three-part Meaningful Engagement in Local Government Decision Making for Community Watershed Organizations series if webinars on February 11, 18 and March 4 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

* Applications Now Being Accepted For Next Penn State Extension Master Well Owner Course

By Bryan Swistock, Water Resources Coordinator

* Registration Open! Delaware Estuary Science & Environment Summit; DRBC Climate Change Forum March 1-3

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is now accepting registrations for the 2021 virtual Delaware Estuary Science and Environment Summit to be held March 1-3.

* PA Sea Grant Hosts 4-Part Webinar Series On Bluff Recession Research & Science For PA Portion Of Lake Erie Shoreline

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program will hold a four-part series of webinars starting January 29 to highlight recent research and science on bluff recession along the Pennsylvania portion of Lake Erie shoreline.

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Mine Reclamation Projects In Cambria, Clearfield Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of the opportunity to bid on mine reclamation projects in Cambria and Clearfield counties in the January 23 PA Bulletin.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Virtual Hearing Feb. 4, Business Meeting March 12

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a telephonic public hearing February 4 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. on proposed water withdrawal requests and to accept comments on its 2021 Update of its Comprehensive Plan For Water Resources. (formal notice)

* Wildlife Leadership Academy Accepting Nominations For Student Conservation Ambassadors Program

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is currently seeking referrals of motivated students ages 14 to 17 to become Certified Conservation Ambassadors.

* PPL Foundation Student Scholarship Program To Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion In Energy-Focused Careers

On January 21, PPL Foundation announced the launch of the Powering a Brighter Future Scholarship Program to advance diversity, equity and inclusion and attract more women and minorities to careers that will help shape our energy future.

* PA Resources Council Hosts 5 Online Backyard Composting, Recycling Workshops In February

The PA Resources Council will host five backyard composting and a recycling and waste reduction online workshops in February.

* DEP Lunchtime Live Jan. 25 On Facebook: How To Test Your Home For Radon

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a Lunchtime Live program on January 25 at Noon on How To Test Your Home For Radon

* DEP Renews General Permits For 27 Facilities In 5 Counties To Process/Reuse Oil & Gas Drilling Waste

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the January 23 PA Bulletin renewing General Permits for the processing and/or reuse of oil and gas well drilling waste at 27 facilities in 5 counties under General Permit WMGR123. (starting on PA Bulletin page 468)

* Local Schools To Be Featured In Feb. 2 Cumberland Valley Climate Action Planning Online Forum

The Center for Sustainability Education at Dickinson College and the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University, will host the final online event in their series of community forums on Climate Action Planning on February 2 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. for the public, community groups and agencies in the Cumberland Valley.

* PennTAP Jan. 28 Webinar: Getting 50001 Ready For Energy Efficiency

Penn State's PA Technical Assistance Program will host a January 28 webinar on Getting 50001 Read For Energy Efficiency from 11:00 a.m. to Noon.

* Earth Conservancy Hosts Feb. 11 Virtual Public Meeting On Potential Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area In Luzerne County

The Earth Conservancy will host a February 11 virtual public meeting on a potential Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Newport Township, Luzerne County from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

* Jan. 22 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The January 22 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District Educational Outreach & Insect Management Assistant

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Educational Outreach and Insect Management Assistant.

* Environment & Energy NewsClips

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

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

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

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