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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
December 18, 2006
(12/15/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 12/18/06
* Rendell Year-End Interviews Highlight Alternative Fuels, Health Care Reform
Gov. Rendell’s year-end interviews this week highlighted the priorities he expects to work on in 2007, including the need to do more to promote alternative fuels, health care reform and reforming the structure and way the General Assembly and government works.
* Washington County District Recognizes 6 With Conservation Awards (Video Blog)
The Washington County Conservation District Board of Directors this week recognized six individuals, organizations and a retiring director during their annual conservation awards luncheon.
* Passing of Gov. Ray Shafer, Environmental Accomplishments Celebrated
Gov. Ray Shafer (R), who served as Pennsylvania’s Governor from 1967 to 1971 passed away this week from complications caused by a stroke.
* Congress Passes Reauthorization of Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fee
Pennsylvania will receive nearly $1.5 billion in federal funding from an account created to help states reclaim Abandoned Mine Lands thanks to legislation passed by the U.S. Congress before it adjourned.
* Training to be Held on New Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual
The Department of Environmental Protection will be conducting five, two-day training sessions on the new Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, a technical reference guide of planning concepts and design standards that satisfy Pennsylvania’s stormwater management requirements when properly tailored and applied locally.
* Change: Stormwater Conference Now Set for April 5-6 in State College
Stormwater professionals, developers, municipal officials, conservation professionals and watershed stakeholders are invited to a statewide Stormwater Conference which is now set for April 5-6 in State College. It had been scheduled for February 15-16.
* New Monitoring Matters Newsletter Available for Citizen Water Monitors
The new issue of Monitoring Matters features articles on riparian forest buffers, the CREP Program, examples of great stream bank fencing projects, upcoming grant opportunities and a recap of 2006 for volunteer water monitors.
* Drop in Acid Rain Altering Appalachian Stream Water Quality
Appalachian hardwood forests may be getting a respite from acid rain but data from a long-term ecological study of stream chemistry suggests that the drop in acid rain may be changing biological activity in the ecosystem and hiking dissolved carbon dioxide in forest streams.
* DEP Recognizes Several Winners of the 2005 Environmental Excellence Awards
In several events across the state this week, the Department of Environmental Protection recognized winners of the 2005 Governor Awards for Environmental Excellence, which were awarded in 2006.
* First Tenants Move Into Westmoreland’s GreenForge Building
After four long years of standing empty, a former business- incubator building along the Donohoe Road in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, is again becoming a vital part of the community as its first new tenants – the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development organization – settle in.
* Students Invited to Apply for 2007 Environmental Community Service Award
Middle and high schools in the Delaware Valley are encouraged to apply for the Second Annual Environmental Community Service Award.
* PCEE December Environmental Education Connections Newsletter Online
The December issue of EE Connections newsletter from the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education is now available online. The highlights from this month’s issue include—
* Pennsylvania Preserves 6,854 More Acres of Farmland
The Farmland Preservation Board this week announced the preservation of 6,854 more acres of farmland on 69 farms.
* Feature - Allegheny-Butler Senior Environment Corps Protects Pine Creek Watershed
A team of senior volunteers, under the umbrella of the Allegheny-Butler Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps is playing a major role in assessing, protecting, and restoring the Pine Creek Watershed. The watershed covers 67.3 square miles and parts of 14 municipalities.
* Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state…
* Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
* Regulations
The Public Utility Commission published the final rulemaking covering net metering and interconnection standards under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards. The Fish and Boat Commission published notice of proposed changes to the list of Class A Wild Trout Waters.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice correcting an earlier final guidance document on continuous air monitoring as well as a final policy on treatment of groundwater.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
* Stories Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com .
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.

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