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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
December 1, 2008
(11/29/2008)
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* Consider Holiday Gifts That Help Conservation, Protect Pennsylvania's Environment
If you're looking for a gift that will bring a smile to someone's face this holiday season and help conserve our natural resources, cleanup abandoned mine discharges, improve recreation facilities and restore wildlife habitat, here are a few suggestions. Or you could get someone another tie.
* Video Blog - DEP Norristown Office Good Example Of Integrated Green Building Design
Integrated green design strategies the save energy, reduce water use, take advantage of mass transit and help restore downtown areas where used to construct the DEP Southeast Regional Office in Norristown.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
The 2007-08 legislative session ended formally on November 30 and the General Assembly will not be back in session until January 6. The Senate did release its 2009 schedule--

* On The Governor's Desk
The following bills of interest were given final approval and now go to the Governor for his action--
* PMAA Says Report on Costs To Meet Chesapeake Bay Shows Significant Challenge Ahead
The Joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report last week that estimated the cost of wastewater systems meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup requirements in Pennsylvania at $1.4 billion puts to rest the more than three year controversy over the cost to ratepayers.
* Zebra Mussel Found On Susquehanna River At Conowingo Dam In Maryland
Environmental Protection and Fish and Boat Commission officials have confirmed the discovery of a zebra mussel at the Conowingo Hydroelectric Dam in Maryland; the first time the Driessena polymorpha has been found in the lower Susquehanna River.
* PA Watershed Restoration and Land Conservation Success Stories
PA Environment Digest likes to share stories of people and organizations across Pennsylvania working to restore and protect Pennsylvania's environment. In this issue we bring you 10 different success stories from all across the Commonwealth courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Foundationand the PA Land Trust Association. The stories include:
* Success: WPC and Partners Remove Dams by Hand to Protect Surrounding Landscape
With an even mixture of mud, sweat and determination, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and its partners removed two large dams near the headwaters of Bear Run this past August.
* Success: Like-Minded Organizations Align to Protect Allegheny Watersheds
Protecting and restoring the watersheds of the half-million acre Allegheny National Forest is a daunting challenge – and one that requires more resources than any single conservation organization can provide.
* Success: Stopping a Significant Pollution Source at Little Mahoning Creek
Pollution from runoff is responsible for a surprising 88 percent of all damaged streams in Pennsylvania, with sediment and dust from dirt and gravel roads topping the list of major contributors.
* Success: Scott Peiffer, Local Landscaper Extraordinaire
Scott Peiffer is a landscaper. But he's also in the business of planting the seeds of environmental action in young minds.

* Success: A Tale of Tree-Lined Streams and Vexing Voles
In his crusade to plant thousands of trees along streams in Pennsylvania, Dave Wise expected all kinds of obstacles.

* Success: Adventure Lit - Exploring the Bay by Book--and Boat
No Child Left Inside isn't just for kids.
* Success: Wissahickon Watershed: A Ribbon Of Blue, A Ribbon Of Green
One by one, the fields and farms of Ellen Lea's childhood are disappearing.
* Success: Conserving Montandon Marsh In Northumberland County
In the 1970s, when Tony Markunas bought a piece of Montandon Marsh, he didn't see the wetland. He didn't even know what a wetland really was. "I didn't know how interesting and valuable wetlands are," he said.
* Success: Oasis In The City, Greening Philadelphia
James Taylor wakes at 4 a.m., crosses his street of tidy row homes, and opens the gate to Glenwood Green Acres. Four acres of green purpose meet his pale gray eyes.
* Success: Conservation Design - Melding Conservation and Development
When Denise and Greg Bayley sit in their backyard, they are surrounded with quiet and a 50-acre apple orchard.
* DRBC Expected To Withdraw Proposed Flexible Flow Management Program Rules
Delaware River Basin Commission Executive Director Carol R. Collier announced this week the agency is expected to withdraw its proposed regulations to codify the Flexible Flow Management Program at its public meeting on December 10. (see formal notice for other issues)
* DEP Soliciting Comments On TMDL Watershed Plans In Four Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection this week invited comments on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) water quality plans for watersheds in four counties: Clarion, Columbia, Fayette and Luzerne. The watersheds include:
* Green Savings Start at Home by Going Blue With WaterSense
If you want to "go blue," you are not just limited to WaterSense labeled products for your home. Going blue for a whole home is now a reality with the first WaterSense labeled new home in Chapel Hill, N.C.
* Alliance Landfills' Camp Kestrel Wins International Education Award
Alliance Landfillfs Camp Kestrel Habitat Workshop series has been named the Wildlife Habitat Councilfs 2008 Corporate Lands for Learning Project of the Year.
* Springside School Worm Composting Project Gets Boost
Weaver's Way recently gave Springside School a grant last year to purchase vermiculture (worms) and a sign for the composting program in the Lower School grades.
* Seeking Good Ideas: EPA Environmental Education Grants Available
The call is going out to educators, education institutions, public/state environmental agencies and non-profit organizations the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking applications for Environmental Education Grants for fiscal year 2009.
* DCNR Sets 2009 Workshops For Community Conservation Partnership Grants
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in partnership with the PA Recreation and Park Society, has scheduled a series of eight grant workshops for the Community Conservation Partnership Grant Program called, "Development an Excellent Project."

* Value Of Recycled Materials Plunge Causing Financial Problems For Recycling Programs
The value of recycled newsprint, office paper, cardboard, metals and plastics have all crashed in the Northeast over the last few months, according to David Biddle of the Greater Philadelphia Commercial Recycling Council.
* 2009 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards Nominees Sought
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and seven other regional organizations announced they are now accepting nominations for the 2009 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards for businesses, individuals, academic institutions, community groups and government agencies from the greater Philadelphia region.

* Attorney General Says Some Heating Fuel Contracts Allow Price Cuts
Attorney General Tom Corbett this week cautioned Pennsylvania consumers to carefully review their options concerning any long-term heating fuel contracts they may have authorized.

* Pittsburgh's Environmental Leadership Days December 3
Discover how to go green this holiday season and enjoy a more sustainable, eco-friendly holiday by being part of Environmental Leadership Days on December 3 at Fifth Avenue Place in downtown Pittsburgh.
* 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—
* Quick Clips
Herefs 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 the proposed Safe Drinking Water Groundwater rule for comment. The State Conservation Commission published final-form regulations on facility odor management. The Public Utility Commission published formal notice of implementing procedures for net metering and interconnection and an Interim Procedural Order for Act 129 on energy conservation,
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of fee increase for commercial activity agreements by the Bureau of Forestry. DEP published a proposed policy change for landfill permitting criteria and rescinded a policy related to drinking water laboratory reporting.
* Calendar of 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
* Stories Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions toPA Environment Digest-DHess@CrisciAssociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com.
* Guide To The PA Environment Digest Family Of Websites
Crisci Associates is pleased to provide our clients and the public with the latest, most comprehensive news on environmental issues, legislation and accomplishments through a family of websites. Sign up now to get the latest news, whether you want it daily, weekly or in video form--
* 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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