Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 26, 2007
(3/23/2007)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 3/26/07
* Over 150 Attend Lancaster Town Meeting on Proposal to Encourage Farm BMPs
Pennsylvania has been blessed with beautiful streams and rivers, but as a result of pollution more than 500 miles of Lancaster County waterways are on the nation’s ‘dirty waters’ list. But more than 150 people braved rain to attend a town meeting on March 22 in Lancaster to see how they could help.
* Video Blog - Go Wild! With Native Plants As You Plan Your Next Landscaping Project
Using native plants in your next landscaping project does not have to be boring and drab. Learn how you can go wild from Frank Felbaum, native plant consultant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
* Online Training - March 28 Webcast on Internet Tools for Watershed Management
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Watershed Academy will sponsor a free webcast on Key EPA Internet Tools for Watershed Management on March 28 at 1:00 p.m..
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate will be in session the week of March 26, but the House is on break until April 16, except for committee meetings.
* Senate Committee to Consider Nomination of McGinty as Secretary of DEP
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on March 27 on the nomination of Kathleen McGinty as Secretary for Environmental Protection.
* House/Senate Local Government Committees Hear Local Government Priorities
The Senate and House Local Government Committees this week held a joint “State of Our Governments” hearing for representatives of local government groups to outline their legislative priorities for the year, including environmental issues.
* Proposed Legislation Would Allow Temporary Moratoriums on Development
To help municipalities be in a better position to manage development and land use concerns, state Reps. Bob Freeman (D-Northampton) and Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks) are introducing legislation that would allow municipalities to impose a temporary moratorium on development when they are in the process of rewriting their land use ordinances.
* PECO Takes Action Early To Meet Renewable Energy Requirements
PECO this week took the first steps in fulfilling the ambitious Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards requirements enacted in 2004, through a petition filed with the Public Utility Commission.
* EPA Announces 2007 Energy Star Award Winners, 4 From PA
This week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave out its 2007 ENERGY STAR Awards recognizing businesses and organizations, including four in Pennsylvania, for their outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.
* $185 Million in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency Grants, Loans Available
The U.S. Department of Agricultures has announced the availability of $176.5 million in loan guarantees and $11.4 million in grants to support investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements by agricultural producers and small businesses.
* Free Alternative and Renewable Energy Educator Workshops May, June
A series of four free workshops for educators entitled Introductory Alternative and Renewable Energy will be held in May and June co-sponsored by PPL Corp., Penn State University, McKeever Environmental Learning Center and the Department of Environmental Protection.
* $150,000 Air Pollution Technology Grant to Northampton Community College
The Department of Environmental Protection this week awarded a $150,000 grant to the Electrotechnology Application Center at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Northampton County.
* York Town Meeting on Funding Farm BMPs Set For March 28
On March 28, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will sponsor a town hall meeting in York to discuss how Pennsylvania can encourage farmers to install best management practices on farms through the proposed Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP).
* Agricultural Producers, Landowners Invited to March 27 CREP Workshop
Agricultural producers and landowners are invited to a workshop on the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program hosted by Crawford and Erie county FSA, NRCS, Western PA Conservancy, and Conservation District offices.
* Capital RC&D Council Sponsors Carbon Sequestration Workshop April 10
The Capital RC&D Council is sponsoring a workshop for Mid-Atlantic RC&D Council Coordinators, members and partners to learn more about the carbon trading market, as well as to hear about what several RC&D Councils have done to develop their potential as service providers/aggregators to their constituents.
* Pennsylvania USDA-NRCS Receives $1.4 million to Protect Farmlands
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Craig Derickson has announced the availability of nearly $1.4 million to protect farmland in Pennsylvania through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program in fiscal year 2007.
* DRBC Announces March 27 Hearings on Proposed Plan for New York City Water
The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold two hearings on March 27 to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed Flexible Flow Management Plan for operation of the three New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs.
* Keystone Stream Team -- Call-for-Reviewers
The Keystone Stream Team Guidelines Revision Workgroup is seeking assistance from Watershed Association members in their revision of the Natural Stream Channel Design Guidelines for Pennsylvania Waterways.
* Extensive DCNR Study of Forest Vegetation Shows Deer Exacting Heavy Toll
Preliminary findings from ongoing, extensive state forest studies of the effect of white-tailed deer populations on woodland regeneration show habitat damage is the heaviest in the north central and Pocono Mountains areas of the state, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said this week.
* Comment Period Extended for Upper and Little Schuylkill River TMDL Plans
The Department of Environmental Protection published notices extending the comment periods on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan for the Upper Schuylkill Watershed and the Little Schuykill Watershed.
* Stocked Trout Study Gives Glimpse Into Fish Residency
Anglers counting down the days to the opening of trout season and their first crack at the bigger trout being stocked this year by the Fish and Boat Commission can count on finding fish.
* Westmoreland County Earth Day Celebration April 21 St. Vincent College
More than 80 organizations are participating in Westmoreland County’s Earth Day celebration at St. Vincent’s College on April 21 from noon until 5:00 p.m.
* Public/Private Partnership Results in New Elk Visitors Center in Benezette
Gov. Rendell this week announced a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation that will create the largest elk watching and conservation education center in the eastern United States in Benezette Township, Elk County.
* PennDOT Seeks Volunteers to Expand Roadside Cleanup Effort
PennDOT is expanding its already successful adopt-a-highway program and is calling on volunteers to participate in this year's "Great Pennsylvania Cleanup" on April 21.
* Task Force Being Organized on Connecting People to Nature
One outcome of the Governor's Outdoor Conference this week was the announcement by Gov. Rendell that he is appointing a task force to organize and coordinate five statewide public meetings to present findings from the conference and solicit additional ideas and recommendations about keeping people connected to nature.
* Devin Fester, Columbia County, Winner of Youth Hunter Essay Contest
Devin D. Fester, of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, is headed for summer school and, unlike most youngsters facing that task, he just can't wait to get started. Fester, 16, is the grand-prize winner of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's 2006 Youth Hunter Education Essay Contest.
* Youth Hunter Education Council Sponsors Education Challenge June 23
The Pennsylvania Youth Hunter Education Challenge Council, with the support of the Game Commission, will hold the 22nd Pennsylvania Youth Hunter Education Challenge on June 23, at Scotia Range on State Game Land 176, just outside State College, Centre County.
* Air & Waste Mgmt. Assn. Offers Environmental Ed Resources, Eassy Contest
The Pittsburgh-based Air & Waste Management Association is offering its award-winning Environmental Education Resource Guides and other environmental learning tools to K-12 classrooms -- a perfect science curriculum addition for Earth Week studies.
* Dan Griffiths Appointed to DEP Energy Post
DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty this week announced the appointment of Dan Griffiths as the director of DEP's Bureau of Energy, Innovations and Technology Deployment in the Office of Energy and Technology Deployment.
* Help Wanted –Western PA Conservancy, Countryside Conservancy
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is seeking an inventory ecologist and the Countryside Conservancy is looking to hire a land protection specialist. Here are the details:
* Feature - Time is Right for Bluebird Boxes to Sprout, Box Kits Available
Despite winter's cold grip on the weather, Game Commission officials note that nesting activities begin early for the eastern bluebird, a member of the thrush family and a voracious insect eater that can bring a splash of color and a lyrical song to many homesteads.
* 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 Environmental Quality Board published proposed changes to the Air Quality Program concerning the streamlining of the permit process for construction, modification and reactivation of sources.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Public Utility Commission published formal notice of its statement of policy on default electric service in retail markets related to the transition to a competitive marketplace and a notice implementing new requirements on infrastructure security.
* 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.

Previous PA Environment Digests