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Senate OKs Another Part of Fair Share Clean Water Plan, Budget Talks Continue
While there is no state budget settlement yet, the Senate this week unanimously approved Senate Bill 1341 (Musto-D-Luzerne) authorizing a $400 million bond issue voter referendum that includes provisions for funding nutrient reduction projects to help meet federal Clean Water Act mandates.
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Fair Share Plan Gathers More Support, And You Can Too, Go to Fair Share Website
The number of groups supporting the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Plan has now grown to 43 environmental, local government, business and sportsmens groups.
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Online Video Feature - Audubon PA’s Sarah Sargent Leads Volunteer Effort in Bird Banding
Sarah Sargent, Important Bird Area Coordinator for Audubon Pennsylvania, leads a group of volunteers as they band birds at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pa in this video story by the Erie Times.
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Online Video Feature - Stormwater Retrofit Project Helps Reduce Flooding, Recharges Groundwater
Liz Feinberg, Watershed Programs Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, takes viewers onsite in Rutledge Borough, Delaware County to a stormwater retrofit project under construction.
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On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House committee meeting schedules and floor Calendars will be in a state of flux due to the need to move budget bills and other legislation, but this is the snapshot we have at the moment--
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Senate/House Bills Moving
These bills of interest saw action in the House and Senate this week as of Friday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. Due to the volume of bills moving, additional details of action are included under listed bills, rather than individual stories—
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House Environmental Committee Considers Litter, Energy, Sludge Legislation
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meet several times this week for discussion on several bills and reported out legislation dealing with a subsidy for biodiesel production and reviewing the program for land application of sewage sludge.
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Delaware Estuary Watershed Grants Program Requests Proposals
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced a Request for Proposals for approximately $700,000 in funding under the Delaware Estuary Watershed Grants Program.
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Atlantic States Fisheries Commission Hearing on Shad Management Plan July 1
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has scheduled a public hearing on July 1 at 6 p.m. at the Fish and Boat Commission headquarters in Harrisburg to provide an update on the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for shad and river herring and to seek public comment on how the plan should be changed.
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Anglers Reminded to Report Tagged Smallmouth Bass To Help With Study
The Fish and Boat Commission is reminding anglers to report tagged smallmouth bass in order to help the agency with a population assessment on a section of the lower West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
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Major Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Facility Dedicated in Allegheny County
The Montour Run Watershed Association this week dedicated the North Fork Montour Run Restoration Facility in Allegheny County, the third of four major mine drainage treatment facilities funded in the watershed.
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Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Coal Mining Heritage Come Together At Conference
The Pennsylvania Statewide Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference celebrates its 10th consecutive year in 2008.
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Federal Appeals Court Makes Decision Favorable To Abandoned Mine Fund
Proponents of funding for abandoned mine reclamation breathed a sigh of relief last week following a court decision which protected the government's ability to collect a reclamation fee on exported coal.
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Reminder: West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium IV July 18-19
The fourth annual West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium will be held July 18-19 at the Nittany Lion Inn, State College and will be hosted by Trout Unlimited and the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition.
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Registration Deadline for Youghiogheny Sojourn Extended to July 3
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council this week announced the registration deadline for the Youghiogheny River Sojourn has been extended until July 3.
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EPA Proposes Standards for Water Efficient Homes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is promoting and enhancing the market for water efficient products through the WaterSense program and proposed water efficiency standards for homes.
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Pennsylvania Amphibians and Reptiles Teacher Workshop August 7-8
The Fish and Boat Commission and Stroud Water Research Center will be offering a two-day Pennsylvania Amphibians and Reptiles Workshop for teachers and other educators on August 7 and 8.
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To Eliminate Mosquitoes at Home: Dump It, Drain It, Treat It
After discovering the first positive mosquito sample of the year in Luzerne County, the Department of Environmental Protection and Luzerne County’s West Nile Virus program this week reminded residents of simple steps they can take to control mosquitoes in their own yards—an important effort in combating the spread of the West Nile virus.
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Westmoreland Pasture Management for Horse Owners Workshop Set For July 22
On July 22 the Westmoreland Conservation District, Penn State Cooperative Extension Westmoreland County, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Lindwood Farm are joining together to present a “Pasture Walk,” in which speakers and a visit to a local horse farm will give attendees specific examples of how to create safe and healthy horse pastures.
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Game Commission Approves Proposed Additional Urban Deer Management Options
The Game Commission this week took steps to propose additional strategies for controlling deer herds in more urban areas.
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Emerald Ash Borer Found in Mercer County, Citizens Urged To Take Precautions
Adult Emerald Ash Borers, invasive beetles that destroy ash trees, were identified in West Middlesex, Mercer County, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff announced this week.
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Game Commission Approves Revised Mine Reclamation Lease, Land Donations
The Board of Game Commissioners this week approved a change to the coal mining lease on State Game Lands in Lycoming County and accepted donations of land in Carbon, Indiana and Westmoreland counties.
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PennDOT Orders 10 Hybrid Buses From Azure Dynamics
Azure Dynamics Corporation, a leading developer of hybrid electric and electric powertrains for commercial vehicles, announced this week it has received an order from PennDOT for 10 hybrid buses with an option for 15 additional buses at a later date.
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DEP Accepting Applications for $500 Hybrid Vehicle Rebates
The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for a $500 rebate on the purchase or lease of hybrid vehicles under its Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rebate Program.
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PA Recycling Markets Center to Host Forum on Disposal Bans
The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center, in collaboration with the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, will host an Economic Development Forum on August 7 in Harrisburg.
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WPXI-TV Pittsburgh Presents “Going Green: Staying Safe” June 28
Did you know a dog could be a homeowner’s best defense against mold? Find out how a specially trained canine can help protect you from mycotoxins and other poisonous substances in the third segment of Channel 11’s “Going Green” series.
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Ronald Weaner Joins Game Commission Board
Ronald Weaner, of Biglerville, Adams County, was welcomed as the newest member of the Board of Game Commissioners at this week’s meeting, making this the first time since June of 2006 that the Board has been seated with its full complement of eight members.
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Help Wanted -- Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education
The Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education seeks a full-time Communications Coordinator to manage and develop the PCEE website, develop and coordinate online educational materials, manage databases and coordinate all PCEE technological and online resources.
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Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for grants and financial assistance as well as nominations for awards and other recognition programs. NEW means from last week—
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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
No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin – June 28, 2008
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published interim final guidance on increasing the capability of drinking water systems and the Department of Public Welfare made available for comment its Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Plan.
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW indicates new from last week. 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 Assn./PA Trout Unlimited
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.
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04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
