Trout Unlimited, the nation’s largest coldwater conservation organization, the Fish and Boat Commission, and the Department of Environmental Protection celebrated improvements to the West Branch Susquehanna River and its many tributaries at an event Monday at Hyner View State Park.

In response to Senate action this week on Marcellus Shale legislation-- Senate Bill 1100 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson)-- the PA Environmental Council released a statement Thursday saying, "We are again encouraged by the actions of the Senate to enact greater environmental and public protections."

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation made comments Friday saying they were encouraged with the changes made to Senate Bill 1100 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) to better protect the environment and water quality from potential impacts by Marcellus Shale drilling and made several suggestions for strengthening the bill.

The Corbett Administration this week circulated language to implement its proposed county-adopted drilling fee and to tighten environmental protection requirements around Marcellus Shale drilling they announced earlier this month.
            The language includes a provision not included in the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission recommendations to eliminate all regulation of any oil and gas well by local governments, except under the provisions of the state Floodplain Management Act.

The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy and Senate Republican Policy Committees are scheduled to hold two days of hearings on issues related to flood mitigation through stormwater management on November 15 and 16 in Harrisburg.

A Creek in Crisis? A Town Meeting on the Health of the Wissahickon Creek, scheduled for November 16, has been postponed to Spring 2012 due to unexpected scheduling conflicts and unexpected demand for attendance requiring a larger venue. A new date will be announced as soon as it is determined.

By Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, Game Commission

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.