The funding picture for environmental programs in Gov. Corbett's proposed budget is not pretty, and they took hits like other parts of the budget, but not as dramatically as in the last two years. DEP and the Growing Greener Fund had the biggest reductions from already reduced levels.

Although Growing Greener has transformed Pennsylvania by empowering communities to protect working farms and special places, clean up rivers and streams, create and improve parks and trails, and revitalize cities and towns, there was no mention of any plan to refund the program in the proposed budget delivered to the General Assembly this week by Gov. Corbett.

An elderly man who attempted to drive through flood water covering a road was swept away by the current in Schuylkill County.

In a decision designed to minimize environmental impacts while maximizing revenues and enhancing benefits for all users of the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources, the Fish and Boat Commission this week approved the establishment of a non-developmental Natural Gas Leasing program and a Water Access program on properties it controls. 

Most commonly the cover crop used is a winter annual planted after fall harvest of a summer crop such as corn. During snow melt at the end of winter the conservation value of this practice really yields benefits.

Crabs, fishing, land use and pollution sources are frequently hot topics for researchers in the Chesapeake Bay area, but finding all the available information, especially remote sensing data, is frequently a chore.     

The Department of Environmental published notice inviting public comment on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Load plan for Beaverdam Creek Watershed in Adams County. (PA Bulletin page 1387)   A copy of the TMDL is available online.

This year the Wissahickon Watershed Volunteers is holding their first ever spring planting campaign-- Spring for Trees!  As Spring is once again upon us, they now ask for your help to further WRV’s mission of restoring the Wissahickon.  

The Wildlife Leadership Academy based in Lewisburg, Pa is now seeking applications for students ages 14-17 for the 2011 Field School Programs in June and July organized by the PA Institute for Conservation Education.

A seismograph at the Middletown office of DCNR's Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey registered the earthquake that hit Japan on Friday.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices of the opportunity to bid on two flood protection projects in Lackawanna County: Project 1, Project 2.

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.