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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
August 20, 2007
(8/17/2007)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 8/20/07
* PA’s York Team Wins 2nd Place in International Envirothon Competition
A five-member team of high school students from Northern High School in York County took second place honors at the International 2007 Canon Envirothon.
* PA Envirothon Alumni? Tell How the Envirothon Helped You!
The Pennsylvania Envirothon Board of Directors wants to hear from students who participated in the Envirothon to ask how that experience impacted on your interests, education and career choice.
* Video Blog - Buzz at Ag Progress Days Is About New $10 Million Farm Conservation Tax Credits
Penn State’s annual Ag Progress Days this week attracted thousands of people, but the buzz at this year’s event was the new $10 million farm conservation tax credit program approved in July called REAP.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House have no meetings scheduled on environmental topics.
* Environmental Synopsis Newsletter by Joint Conservation Committee Now Online
The August issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee is now online.
* Nathan Renaudin Wins PA CleanWays’ Sue Wiseman Scholarship
PA CleanWays announced Nathan David Renaudin from Mapplewood Senior High School, Crawford County is the recipient of the 2007 Sue Wiseman Scholarship.
* Nearly 140,000 Volunteers Pick Up Trash in 2007 Great Pa Cleanup
Nearly 140,000 volunteers from every county in Pennsylvania worked together to pick up a record 7.4 million pounds of trash from an unprecedented 4,100 communities between March and May during this year’s Great PA Cleanup.
* DEP Declares Drought Watch in 58 Counties, Governor Urges Federal Aid
The Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch for 58 Pennsylvania counties as precipitation deficits continue to mount and groundwater levels fall in many areas of the state. Gov. Rendell this week urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide low-interest emergency loans to farmers in 22 counties suffering crop damage.
* 'Project Ripple' Educates Students on the Impact of Water Quality
To help keep water clean and safe, Penn State Public Broadcasting launched Project Ripple in three central Pennsylvania school districts as part of its educational services.
* Susquehanna River Symposium, Film Premiere Set for September 28-29
The Bucknell Environmental Center, Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies and Geisinger Center for Health Research are sponsoring the second annual Susquehanna River Symposium that will include the premiere of the third in a series of documentaries on the Upper Susquehanna by WVIA-TV.
* McCoy-Linn Dam Removal Begins on Spring Creek, Centre County
Demolition of the McCoy-Linn Dam, an aging 14-foot high, 150-feet long structure that creates a 16-acre stagnating effect on Spring Creek, began last week near the confluence of Spring Creek and Bald Eagle Creek in Centre County.
* Attorney General Distributes More Than $25,000 to Benefit Environmental Projects
Four non-profit organizations received contributions totaling $25,000 as part of a settlement negotiated by the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Section to help support environmental programs and services in Northumberland County.
* Applications to Support Integrated Pest Management Programs Due September 7
The Northeastern IPM Center is launching the Green-Blue Grants Program to promote clean water through residential integrated pest management and local education programs supported by grants of up to $2,500.
* Codorus Creek Watershed Project Proposals Are Due September 15
The York County Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for projects in the Codorus Creek Watershed. Applications are due September 15.
* DEP Invites Information on Stream Redesignation Reviews, Withdraws a TMDL
The Department of Environmental Protection has invited interested watershed groups and others with technical information on water quality in several watersheds across the state for which it is doing a stream redesignation evaluation.
* Reminder: Presentation Proposals Due for 2008 Keystone Coldwater Conference
Proposals are now being accepted for presentations and posters for the 2008 Keystone Coldwater Conference on February 22-23 with the theme, “Headwater Ecosystems: Protection, Management and Research.”
* Water, Wastewater Certification Courses, Water Incident Training Available
Water and wastewater plant operators can take advantage of several upcoming training opportunities from the Penn State Environmental Training Center and the PA Section - American Water Works Association detailed below.
* Villanova Hosts 2007 Stormwater Management Symposium in October
Villanova University is again hosting the 2007 Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Symposium on October 17-18.
* DCNR Opens Applications for Deer Management Program to Save Forests
To more effectively manage Pennsylvania’s white-tailed deer population and reduce crop and forestland damage, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has added more than 941,000 acres to Game Commission’s Deer Management Assistance Program, or DMAP.
* Ducks Unlimited Holds Waterfowl & Outdoor Expo September 15-16
Looking for something exciting for the entire family to do in September? The 26th Annual Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl & Outdoor Expo will be held in Linesville, Pennsylvania, September 15-16.
* Wild Resource Conservation Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Symposium
The Wild Resource Conservation Program will hold a special Symposium to celebrate the program’s 25th Anniversary at the Indiantown Gap Community Club in Annville on September 27-28.
* Czarnecki Appointed Director of the Wild Resource Conservation Program
Gregory J. Czarnecki, the former director of the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, has been named executive director of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wild Resource Conservation Program.
* $214,000 to Improve Recreational Opportunities in Clarion River Corridor
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced $214,000 in grants to support the Clarion River Recreation Assessment -- a partnership project in Elk, Forest, Jefferson and Clarion counties.
* Submit a Presentation Proposal for the 2008 PA Land Conservation Conference
Proposals are now being accepted for workshops and roundtables for the 2008 PA Land Conservation Conference which will be held March 4-5 in Malvern, Chester County.
* 1st Annual Susquehanna Greenways and Trails Workshop September 12
Join the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership for its first Greenways and Trails Workshop on September 12.
* 50 Farms, 5,000 Acres Added to Farmland Preservation Program
The Farmland Preservation Board approved the investment of $18.6 million to preserve 4,934 acres of farmland in 17 counties, including two farms in Lancaster County – the first to be preserved under a unique county-and-non-profit partnership.
* Electricity Savings Set New Record During Heat Wave in PJM Interconnection
Consumer reductions in the use of electricity, known as demand response, set a record in PJM Interconnection during a power supply emergency the week of August 6.
* Electric Power Generation Association Hires Terrance Fitzpatrick
The Electric Power Generation Association announced that Public Utility Commissioner Terrance J. Fitzpatrick will be joining the Association as General Counsel effective September 4.
* PUC Releases Summer Edition of the ‘Keystone Connection’ Report
The Public Utility Commission released the summer edition of the Keystone Connection report. The quarterly report provides information about important developments in the electric, natural gas, transportation, telecommunications and water markets under the PUC’s jurisdiction.
* Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority Wins 2007 Excellence Award
The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority was awarded the Solid Waste Association of North America Bronze Excellence in Solid Waste Management Award in the Special Waste division for the success of its Household Hazardous Waste program.
* Precoat Metals Commits to Reduce Waste and Chemical Use
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mid-Atlantic region recognized Precoat Metals in McKeesport, Pa., for committing to reduce waste and manufacture more environmentally-sound products.
* $1 Million Available for Small Businesses Energy Efficiency, Pollution Prevention
The Department of Environmental Protection announced it is now accepting applications for $1 million to fund energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects under the Small Business Advantage Grant Program.
* $6 Million in Recycling Performance Grants Awarded, New Applications Due Oct. 1
The Department of Environmental Protection this week awarded $6 million in 2005 recycling performance grants to 285 municipalities and counties. DEP also announced applications for 2006 recycling performance grants are due October 1.
* Philadelphia Eagles Partner With Recycled Paper Products Firm
The Philadelphia Eagles announced a new corporate partnership with paper-products manufacturer SCA Americas that provides paper products made from 100 percent recycled fibers that are EcoLogo certified.
* New Director, Federal Office of Surface Mining, Hails from Pittsburgh
Brent Wahlquist was recently confirmed as Director of the federal Office of Surface Mining, who served as director of OSM’s Applachian Region in Pittsburgh overseeing the agency’s programs in a seven-state area since 2002.
* Help Wanted -- PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture seeks a director of Southeast Programs. Interviews will start September 7.
* Book Review - Penn State Professor Focuses on 'Ecolution' and 'Ecolutionaries'
A Penn State Harrisburg faculty member has not only co-authored a book tying sound environmental decisions to business profitability, he's also had a hand in creating new words to describe the effort and those who embrace it.
* Opinion - More Than One Option for Funding Hazardous Sites Cleanup
By Brian J. Hill, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
* 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 Independent Regulatory Review Commission published comments on the Environmental Quality Board proposed Interstate Clean Air Rule.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published a revised list of companies certified to perform radon-related activities (Pa Bulletin page 4487) and a final guidance on coal and mineral mining inspections.
* 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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