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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
January 4, 2010
(1/4/2010)
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* What We Do In 2010 Is More Important Than What Happened In 2009
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Pennsylvanian and Anthropologist Margaret Mead.

* Be Inspired By Those Recognized For Their Good Works For The Environment In 2009

* Success Stories Mark 10th Anniversary Of Growing Greener Program
This year we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the award-winning Growing Greener Program which was signed into law on December 15, 1999. Gov. Tom Ridge and the General Assembly created the original five year, nearly $645 million Growing Greener Program which continues to be the largest single investment in cleaning up and restoring the environment in Pennsylvania's history.
* 2009, The Reclamation Year In Review

* Videos Show How Pennsylvanians Protect The Environment In Their Own Words
Online videos from all around Pennsylvania feature watershed, business, local government and nonprofit leaders talking about how they work to restore and protect the Commonwealth's environment in a powerful form-- their own words. Here are just a few of those featured in 2009--

* Special Features Put Spotlight On Environmental Conservation During 2009
Special articles in the PA Environment Digest during 2009 put the spotlight on groups, individuals and businesses providing environmental leadership by example throughout Pennsylvania or highlighted important environmental issues. Here are a few of the many we published last year--

* Bills On Prescribed Burning, Appalachian Trail, Brownfields Reach Governor's Desk In 2009
During 2009 legislation on brownfields, protecting the Appalachian Trail, the Capital Greenbelt and adopting prescribed burning requirements reached the Governor's desk and became law--

* Lots Of Environmental Bills Await Action In Senate, House In 2010
Dozens of Senate and House bills and other issues remain in Committee or on the Calendars for action covering topics as varied as recycling fees, water infrastructure, green buildings, biofuels, alternative energy and the box turtle. Here is a sampling of the pending bills and issues--

* Get Daily Updates On PA Environment Daily Blog, Twitter

* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

Here's the latest session schedule, Senate and House Calendars and Committee schedules--

* EPA Outlines Framework For Holding States Accountable For Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

* 2010 May Mark Key Turnaround In Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

* Restoration Of Wallace Run, Centre County, Underway
The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation this week reported a restoration plan was developed to restore and stabilize 1000 feet of Wallace Run, an approved trout stream, located in Centre County.

* State Agencies Issue Updated Fish Consumption Advisories For 2010

* Public Meeting On Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling Set For January 19 In Media

* SRBC Seeks Qualified Contractors For Aquatic Resource Surveys
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is seeking qualified contractors to perform aquatic resource surveys on selected stream reaches within the Susquehanna River Basin.

* DEP Publishes Final Baseline Water Withdrawal Numbers For Lake Erie Basin
The Department of Environmental Protection this week published final baseline water withdrawal, consumptive use and diversion numbers for the Lake Erie basin.

* IRRC Submits Extensive Comments On Proposed Erosion Control Regulation Changes
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission this week approved 28 pages of comments on the proposed revision of erosion and sedimentation control regulations creating a permit-by-rule program for oil and gas well drilling, requiring a riparian buffer in certain circumstances and extending permit requirements to smaller developments.

* Five Schools Compete In GreenSylvania Recycling Competition
Five high schools in northcentral Pennsylvania recently competed in the GreenSylvania School Recycling Competition.

* EPA Honors Lehigh Valley Health Network With Trailblazer Award
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 Administrator Shawn M. Garvin this week recognized Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley Health Network with EPA's Trailblazer Award for reducing the organization's environmental footprint in a sustainable and economical way.

* Applications Due For EPA Environmental Community Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making $2 million available in 2010 to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment Program.

* EPA Releases Annual Enforcement Results, Mapping Tool
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released enforcement results for fiscal year 2009, and has a new web-based tool and interactive map that allows the public to get information by location about the enforcement actions taken at approximately 4,600 facilities.

* January PA Center For Environmental Education Newsletter Now Online
The January issue of the EE Connections newsletter from the PA Center for Environmental Education is now available online. This month's newsletter highlights these stories:

* Rendell Announces Next Step In Mid-Atlantic Agreement On Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Gov. Rendell has signed a memorandum of understanding with 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states committing to a regional effort to develop a comprehensive, regional low carbon fuel standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels.

* PA Chamber Applauds Court’s Decision To Strike Down Unnecessary State Mercury Rule
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry this week applauded a state Supreme Court decision to throw out Pennsylvania’s costly and unnecessary mercury regulation rule.

* Game Commission Posts Strategic Plan On Website
Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe this week said the agency has posted its new Strategic Plan on its website.

* DEP Website Undergoes Changes
If you haven't visited the Department of Environmental Protection website lately, you will see some changes. Be prepared for some birthing pains as the new format and links gets established.

* 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’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state--

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips
Here's a selection of NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling--

* Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

* 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 to PA Environment Digest - DHess@CrisciAssociates.com. 

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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