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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
January 1, 2007
(12/29/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 1/1/07
* Be Inspired! Ways You Can Make A Difference, Not Just a Headline
As we begin a new year, it’s a great time to look back on 2006 and highlight the award winning performances, the feature stories and video blogs we did in the Digest on people taking positive actions to protect and enhance our environment.
* DCNR Publishes 2007 Calendar Featuring Scenes From State Parks, Forests
For the first time ever, Pennsylvania State Parks has created a calendar and this year is offering it for free downloading.
* Video Blog - Paul Zeph Talks About the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program
Paul Zeph, Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program with the Department of Environmental Program, provides an introduction to the program and how you can become involved.
* Video Blog - Be Inspired - In Their Own Words – Video Blog Postings in 2006
Nothing is more effective in communicating a message than listening to enthusiastic, knowledgeable people talk about how they’ve cleaned up their watershed, community, company, farm or abandoned mine site.
* Senate, House Leaders Promising Reform in How They Do Business
A bipartisan announcement by Senate Leadership this week announced a series of rule changes expected to be adopted after the Senate convenes on January 2 that will make major changes in the way the Senate does business.
* Be Inspired -- By These Award Winning Performances from 2006
If you are looking for inspiration to protect and restore in your watershed, “green-up” your company, your community or your school, look at what these award winners did in 2006!
* DEP Finalizes Stormwater BMP Manual, Nutrient/Sediment Trading Policy
The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice in the PA Bulletin December 30 saying it has finalized the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual and its policy for trading nutrient reduction credits.
* Comments Invited on TMDL for Laborde Branch Watershed, Clearfield County
The Department of Environmental Protection has invited public comments on a proposed total maximum daily load (TMDL) plan for the Laborde Branch Watershed in Clearfield County. (PA Bulletin pg. 7998)
* 2007 New Year’s Resolutions for Improved Water Quality in Pennsylvania
With over 83,000 miles of streams and rivers, Pennsylvania is blessed with an abundance of fresh water. But not all of that water is suitable for consumption nor is it able to support the fish and aquatic life that depend on it. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is working with citizens across the state to change that.
* A New Year’s Resolution Every Pennsylvania Angler Should Make
With the dawning of a New Year, there’s one resolution that every Pennsylvania angler should make: a promise to pass on the fishing tradition, according to Dr. Douglas Austin, Executive Director of the Fish and Boat Commission.
* Attorney General Announces Appeals in Two ACRE Farming Restriction Cases
Attorney General Tom Corbett this week announced he has appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court two lawsuits that were filed in June, which challenged municipal ordinances in Berks and Chester counties, alleging that they unfairly and illegally restricted normal agriculture operations.
* Energy Harvest Initiative Again Featured at 2007 Pennsylvania Farm Show
The 2007 Pennsylvania Farm Show (January 6-13) in Harrisburg will again feature Pennsylvania’s advances in agricultural renewable energy in a special Energy Harvest Exhibit again this year.
* CHEMSWEEP Provides Free Pesticide Disposal in 18 Counties During 2007
Agricultural businesses and residents of 18 Pennsylvania counties will be able to safely and easily dispose of unwanted pesticides through the CHEMSWEEP Program in 2007 the Department of Agriculture announced this week.
* AIA Invites Top Ten Green Projects Nominations
The American Institute of Architects is seeking nominations for its annual international Top Ten Green Projects competition. Applications are due January 19.
* Green Building Alliance Kicks Off 2007 with Green Buildings 101
The Green Building Alliance will kick off 2007 with a series of education programs of interest to building contractors, architects, building managers and homeowners. Here are the details:
* January is Radon Awareness Month, Test To Be Sure
Radon, a naturally occurring colorless and odorless radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America, just behind cigarette smoking and January is set aside each year to educate people of its dangers.
* Air Quality Advisory Committee Set to Review Final New Source, Clean Air Rules
DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on January 4 to consider draft final New Source Review regulation and draft Clean Air Interstate Rule.
* DEP Offers Workshop on Revisions to Continuous Source Monitoring Manual
The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a series of workshops for owners or operators of sources utilizing Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems, to provide an introduction of Revision 8 of the Continuous Source Monitoring Manual.
* Exelon Nuclear Plants Boost Pennsylvania Economy By $229 Million Annually
A new study shows that Exelon Nuclear’s three generating plants in Pennsylvania increased the state’s economic output by more than $229 million in 2004. This figure does not include the value of the electricity the plants produce.
* DEP Publishes Notice of Advisory Committee, Board Meetings in 2007
The Department of Environmental Protection published its annual schedule of advisory committee and board meetings for calendar year 2007 in the December 30 PA Bulletin.
* Help Wanted: ClearWater Conservancy Water Resources Coordinator
ClearWater Conservancy, a nonprofit conservation organization based in Centre County, is seeking a Water Resources Coordinator to manage the Spring Creek Watershed’s Water Resources Monitoring Program.
* Transition - Remembering “Doc” Fritchey of Trout Unlimited – 1907-2006
“Doc” Fritchey, as he was known to many, passed away on August 18 as a result of complications after experiencing a fall in June which fractured his hip.
* Feature - Bethlehem Brownfields Environmental Honor Has Special Meaning for Bossert
As Chief Counsel for the Department of Environment Protection, Terry R. Bossert, Esq., was determined to help the state become a national model for innovative brownfields development.
* Feature - Be Inspired – Digest Features Highlight Wildlife, Good Works, Cutting Edge Ideas
The frequent Features articles in the PA Environment Digest in 2006 highlighted a variety of issues related to wildlife management, environmental protection and restoration and the good works of many trying out cutting edge ideas.
* 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 Department of Environmental Protection published notice of environmental laboratory accreditation proficiency test study requirements and its scheduled of advisory committee meetings for 2007.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice it has available the final version of its Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, the final policy on Trading of Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Credits and a draft policy on Combined Sewer Overflows. Here are the details.
* 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 .
* We Have a New Name, New Office Address for the New Year!
We start the new year with a new firm name— Crisci Associates —and a new office address-- 204 State Street – right down from the Capitol steps.
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.

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