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Remember the Wild Resource Conservation Fund at Tax Time
By Sara Nicholas, Wild Resource Conservation Program
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Online Video - Student Video Highlights Amphibians, Penn State’s Environmental Strategy
A story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this week highlighted the work of Slippery Rock Area High School student Alex Petridis and his video project exploring the world of amphibians and reptiles.
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Online Training - EPA Webcast on TMDL Implementation, Nutrient Trading February 21
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Watershed Academy will sponsor a webcast on Implementing TMDLs and Trading through the National Estuary Program February 21 starting at 1:00.
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On the Agenda/Bills Moving/Bills Introduced
Here are some upcoming activities by Senate and House Committees….
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Weather Postpones State Senate, House Committee Hearings
Central Pennsylvania’s first big snow of the winter disrupted not only driving, but Committee activities planned for this week.
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Specter, Casey & Holden Convince OMB to Fund Coal-to-Diesel Plant
U.S Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, along with Congressman Tim Holden, announced this week the Administration has reversed its decision to rescind a $100 million grant for a coal-to-diesel plant in Schuylkill County.
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Estimating the Economic Value of Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Projects
For the latest round of Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Grants, the Department of Environmental Protection is asking applicants to estimate the economic value and employment to be generated by a project, in addition to the most important value – how much they will cleanup the environment.
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DEP to Hold Growing Greener Application Workshop in Harrisburg February 27
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold an informational session on February 27 to answer questions on the 2007 Growing Greener I & II grant application process and schedule.
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New Grant Pays for Monitoring AMD Treatment Systems
The FACTS Grant Program "Funding AMD Chemistry in Treatment Systems" will provide chemical analyses to monitor passive abandoned mine drainage treatment systems and will ease the financial burden on cash-strapped grassroots watershed organizations that have accepted the responsibility of maintaining passive treatment systems.
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Five Watershed Restoration Success Stories Posted, Including Manatawny Creek
Five new stories focusing on restoring nonpoint source impaired streams were posted on the Section 319 Nonpoint Soure Success Story webpage, including Manatawny Creek in Montgomery County.
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Hearing on Bernhart Creek Watershed TMDL Set for February 21
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. February 21, in Berks County to give residents a chance to comment on the health and future of the Bernhart Creek Watershed.
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EPA Invites Comments on Four PA TMDL Watershed Plans
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting public comments on four Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) watershed plans in Pennsylvania.
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West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium III April 27-28
The third annual West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposoim will be held on April 27 and 28 at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport.
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Westmoreland District Offers Stormwater Design Roundtable in March
Engineers, municipal officials, and others who plan, build or review stormwater management systems should be sure to bring their calculators to this year’s annual design roundtable hosted by the Westmoreland Conservation District, because they’ll have a chance to put them to work.
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Chesapeake Bay Community Partner Award Nominations Due May 31
The Chesapeake Bay Partner Community Awards Program is now accepting applications from local governments to earn recognition as a Chesapeake Bay Partner community member.
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Low Impact Development Recognition Award Nominations Due March 9
The Low Impact Development Awards Program is now accepting nominations to recognize developments across the country that use the LID design philosophy to manage stormwater in ways that maintain or restore the natural hydrologic functions of a site and protect its natural resources.
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Northeast Pennsylvania Forest Landowners Conference Set for March 17
Keystone College will host the 2007 Northeast Pennsylvania Forest Landowner Conference on March 17 in Wilkes-Barre.
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Wildlands Conservancy Schedules Native Plant Sale in May
Wildlands Conservancy announced this week its annual Native Plant Marketplace will be held May 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13 at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary.
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DEP Dedicates Solar Power System At DEP Southeast Regional Office
The Department of Environmental Protection this week dedicated a 4.8-kilowatt solar power system on the roof of DEP’s Southeast Regional Office Building in Norristown that will conserve electricity and provide emergency power to critical systems that protect public health and safety.
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Philadelphia Housing Authority to Build ENERGY STAR Homes
The Philadelphia Housing Authority set an example for developers of affordable housing this week when it marked completion of 60 homes certified to the federal ENERGY STAR standard – and broke ground to begin construction on 125 more.
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PennDOT Adopts Compost Specs, Have Your Compost Pre-Approved
The Department of Transportation adopted the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standard Specifications entitled, “Compost for Erosion/Sediment Control - Compost Blanket and Filter Berms” into PennDOT’s Construction Publication 408, effective April 2.
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Farm Composting Subject of Rodale Institute Workshop February 20
The Rodale Institute, along with LandStudies, Inc., Wenger's Feed Mill, Inc., Terra-Gro, Inc., TeamAg, Inc. and the Department of Environmental Protection, will hold a “Composting: Turning Excess Farm Nutrients into Valuable Resources” workshop on February 20.
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PA CleanWays Accepting Applications for Sue Wiseman Scholarships
PA CleanWays is now accepting applications for the Sue Wiseman Scholarship, an annual $1,000 scholarship that honors a youth who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to the environment.
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Winter Trout Stocking Schedule Announced By Fish & Boat Commission
The Fish and Boat Commission is stocking longer, heavier adult trout in 2007 and for those interested in “where” and “when” those fish will be released, a comprehensive stocking list is now available online.
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Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state…
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Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
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Regulations
The Department of Environmental Protection, Delaware River Basin Commission, Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission all published proposed regulatory revisions. Here are the details…
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of proposed changes to the Coastal Zone Management Program.
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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
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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 .
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Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.
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