Gov. Tom Corbett this week nominated Richard J. Allan, of Camp Hill, Cumberland County, as secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley called the first meeting of the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission to order this week saying Pennsylvania has an unprecedented opportunity to improve the economic well-being of Commonwealth residents over the next 50 to 100 years, if we develop the state's Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves in the right way economically and environmentally.

Gov. Tom Corbett this week said he would listen to proposals for enacting a Marcellus Shale drilling impact in response to reporters' questions, as long as those proposals do not send money to the state's General Fund.

Yet another poll this week by Susquehanna Polling found 70 percent of those polled support a Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction tax, including 62 percent of registered Republicans.  

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition this week applauded Philadelphia City Council for supporting a resolution calling for the renewal of Growing Greener, the state’s primary source of funding to help local communities preserve open space and farmland, protect water quality, provide parks and recreation, and clean up abandoned mines.

Acting Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer told the Senate Appropriations Committee this week the illegal dumping of Marcellus Shale drilling wastewater is not a widespread practice in spite of the impression left by a recent case in Greene County.

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, expressed concerns  about environmental protection issues and budget cuts to some programs in the state Department of Environmental Protection at the Senate budget hearing on DEP this week.

Following the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the proposed Department of Environmental Protection budget this week, a group of legislators and environmental organizations held a press conference calling for an end to DEP budget cuts, an overwhelming majority of which were made by the Rendell Administration over the last eight years.

Cindy Dunn, Acting Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, told the Senate Appropriations Committee this week DCNR takes seriously its stewardship responsibility over State Forest and State Park lands and said they have an obligation to constantly reevaluate the need for staff to oversee Marcellus Shale natural gas development on these lands.

The Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council this week called on congressional leaders to preserve federal funding for conservation and economic development through the national RC&D program, which receives funding through the National Resource Conservation Service. 

For the first time ever, a coalition of key conservation groups has agreed to speak with one voice on behalf of the Delaware Watershed.

Two years ago the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and seven partner groups set out on a mission to reach plain sect (Amish and conservative Mennonite) farmers in Lancaster and Chester counties. The goal: enroll 50 farmers in a new program to improve water quality in the region. 

Residents of Somerset and surrounding counties will be offered an opportunity to attend a training workshop on how to properly manage their home’s private water system (wells, springs, or cisterns).

The Wildlands Conservancy was recently awarded a grant from the American Rivers & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Community-based Restoration Program to complete the Little Lehigh Creek Dam Removal Design project. 

By Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President, Allegheny Institute For Public Policy

Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe this week announced he has lifted protection on feral swine in Bedford County and has issued an updated executive order to allow for the incidental taking of feral swine statewide by licensed hunters. 

Anglers from 18 southeastern counties are gearing up for the April 2 opening of trout, which marks the unofficial start of fishing season.

The PA Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. this week named Robert Maiden will be its new Executive Director. 

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

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

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.