The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and other organizations this week called on the federal government to conduct a comprehensive scientific analysis of  the cumulative impacts of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation in the six Bay states, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Forty-two faith, conservation and environmental organizations and businesses this week sent Gov. Corbett a letter asking him to order Acting Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer to rescind a pilot policy that requires the Secretary to approve enforcement and other actions dealing with Marcellus Shale natural gas well development.
            "Preventing DEP inspectors from issuing notices of violations of environmental laws unnecessarily delays resolution of problems and conditions that pose threats to natural resources, worker safety and public health," said Jan Jarrett, President and CEO of PennFuture. "We need DEP to let on-the-ground inspectors do their jobs."
            The DEP issued the new policy in March in a memo from Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs John Hines. The email applies only to Marcellus shale gas drilling and requires any actions or notices of violation to get approval from a series of DEP officials and finally the secretary before any action can be taken. 

A poll of Pennsylvania voters found 87 percent support dedicating a portion of a Marcellus Shale natural gas severance tax to conservation programs to protect land, water and wildlife and 55 percent prefer revenues from drilling on State Forest land be dedicated to conservation.

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition this week applauded the City of Allentown 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.

The Senate this week approved three bills sponsored by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, designed to shed light on funding for parks and recreation projects and state Air Quality Implementation Plans, and dedicate funds to hazardous sites cleanup.

Recyclebank, the Pennsylvania company that rewards people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from more than 3,000 local and national businesses, this week announced it has partnered with consumer insights agency ROI Research and Google Inc. to measure how gaming techniques can impact individuals' behaviors when applied to environmental causes.

The Delaware River has been designated a “Great Water,” joining 18 other waterways nationwide selected for that honor by a national coalition formed to protect waterways of high economic, social and environmental importance.

Many watershed associations will be doing stream clean-ups and buffer plantings. Here are a few things to consider when planning these activities.

On June 11-12, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will host a trip along the Clarion River for the annual River Sojourn.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy has extended their application deadline for youth and adult mentors to April 15. 

The Pennsylvania National Guard will celebrate Earth and Arbor Day with educational displays and children's activities from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 29, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County.

Now that spring is here, the Friends of the Wissahickon are organizing Volunteer Work Days in Wissahickon Valley Park on Saturdays beginning in April at Houston Meadow, where they are building a sustainable re-route of the trail there.

The Bedford County Outdoor Education Program announced Shawnee State Park will be the location for this year's Earth Day Celebration on April 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Wildlands Conservancy needs volunteers to help work in four cleanup events on April 16 in and around Allentown starting at 9:00 a.m.

Bring your family and friends to join the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association at the Evans-Mumbower Mill on April 17 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. 

The Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging all Pennsylvanians to join in a statewide effort to clean up communities and the environment.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful was proud to sponsor the Great American Cleanup National Kickoff in Philadelphia, PA along with Keep America Beautiful, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, and the City of Philadelphia.  

Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Michael Krancer this week congratulated the Lancaster Northwest Gateway Project, one of only ten recipients nationwide of the 2010 Phoenix Awards.

The Carlisle Area School District's one megawatt photovoltaic system was one of three solar projects in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region to receive the first annual Projects of Distinction Awards presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Solar Electric Power Association at the PV America show. 

The Western PA Conservancy is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater home with a special edition of their Conserve Magazine.

As bluebirds are building nests throughout the Commonwealth, the Game Commission has launched this year's live video feed from a bluebird nestbox on the grounds of its Harrisburg Headquarters.

As spring has sprung, many Pennsylvanians soon will be spending more time outdoors and seeing more wildlife – and signs of wildlife – in their yards and other places they frequent. Game Commission officials remind residents that among the wildlife that will become more visible are Pennsylvania’s roughly 18,000 black bears, all of which will be looking for food.

Anglers from across the state have been helping the Fish and Boat Commission stock more than one million adult trout in preparation for the traditional opening day on April 16.   

John W. Ubinger, Jr., a senior vice president with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association for enhancing and furthering the practice of environmental law.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of the opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Lackawanna County and an abandoned well plugging project in Washington County.

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - April 9, 2011

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.