This week the Department of Health documented four new human cases of West Nile Virus in Bucks, Lebanon, Lehigh and Centre counties bringing the total number of confirmed human cases to 9 in Pennsylvania since August 6.

Did you know you can search 8 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of topics, by county and on any key word you choose.  Just click on the search page.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

The statewide benefits of Marcellus Shale development and the unprecedented economic ripple effect in terms of downstream job creation were the focus of a House Republican Policy Committee hearing Wednesday co-chaired by Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny) held inside Nova Chemicals Corporation's first-floor auditorium in Pittsburgh.

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it will not enforce a requirement for new gas stations to install costly vapor recovery systems called Stage II. (formal notice)

A new, interactive, inquiry-based lesson plan has been created to help older youth better understand water quality issues that surround small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues.

The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences in partnership with the Pennsylvania USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service presented a webinar on August 15 starting at 2:45 from Ag Progress Days on Conservation Innovations on PA farm lands.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Wednesday announced a $58,000 grant for a new initiative for restoring clean water, improving neighborhoods and supporting green jobs in the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford watershed in Philadelphia, Pa.

The Conewago Creek Watershed Initiative in Central PA will host a webinar on August 21 starting at noon as part of their Lessons From The Land Series on the topic of Measuring Environmental Outcomes In An Integrated Watershed.

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Plans for the Dalmatia Creek Watershed in Northumberland County and the Spicer Brook Watershed in Bedford County (PA Bulletin page 5434).

The Spring Creek Watershed Association in Centre County is hosting a special presentation on August 21 at the Patton Township Municipal Building, 100 Patton Plaza Dr. in State College on the role of Centre County watersheds in protecting the Chesapeake Bay.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled two special meetings of the Water Resources Advisory Committee Ad Hoc Workgroup to consider changes to Chapter 93 molybdenum and sulfate water quality standards as part of the Triennial Water Quality Review.

As the one year anniversary of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee approaches, the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center announced it has successfully applied for and received funds under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Small Business Development Centers Portable Assistance Program for FY 2012.

Attention multi-family property owners, property managers and maintenance staff, pest control operators and residents.

Commonwealth Court ruled Wednesday its injunction remains in effect since its ruling in July striking down provisions of the Marcellus Shale Drilling law (Act 13) restricting the application of local zoning to drilling operations and provisions requiring DEP to issue waivers to setback requirements of the Oil and Gas Act.

On Wednesday the Department of Environmental Protection issued a concept paper to the agency’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board on proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s Chapter 78 Oil and Gas Regulations required by the Marcellus Shale drilling law adopted in February as Act 13.

The Department of Environmental Protection is advising consumers and businesses of new rules for recycling electronic devices that will take effect on January 24, 2013.

The PA Waste Industries Association Wednesday asked the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas to declare the tipping fee system established in a recent request for proposals issued by the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority to be illegal and invalid.

Recyclebank, the company that rewards people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from local and national businesses, announced the EcoAcademy Challenge, a nationwide sweepstakes to educate, motivate and inspire people to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle throughout the school year.

The PA Resources Council and its partners will host Household Chemicals Collection events in Allegheny and Beaver counties this fall.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it will hold a public meeting and hearing on August 30, to discuss ArcelorMittal’s proposed revision to an air quality permit for the Monessen Coke Plant in Monessen, Westmoreland County.

Shell and the PA Environmental Council extend an invitation to the newly released Rational Middle Energy Series Film Screenings on August 22 at 5:30 in the August Wilson Center, 928 Liberty Ave in downtown Pittsburgh.

Because of their training, spirit and organization, Pennsylvania’s volunteer wildfire fighters continue to get the call this summer as the going gets rough with forest and brush fires across the country.

Promised Land State Park will again host the popular Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 18 in the historic CCC section of the Pike County park that includes Pickerel Point Campground, the park museum, auditorium and Deerfield Campground. The event begins at the park amphitheater, located behind the museum, off Pickerel Point Road.

ClearWater Conservancy and the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited will install a plaque commemorating George Harvey’s lifetime of service to Spring Creek and the local conservation community on August 29 at 9 a.m. at the Fish and Boat Commission’s Bellefonte Fish Hatchery Flyfishing Museum at Fisherman’s Paradise. 

Maurice K. (“Doc”) Goddard is recognized by many as the Father of Pennsylvania’s State Parks.  During his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Forests and Waters and later the Department of Environmental Resources, 45 parks were added to Pennsylvania's State Park System.

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation summer issue of Penn’s Stewards newsletter is now available.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday celebrated the long-awaited opening of a river-front project in Sunbury, Northumberland County that offers better public access to the Susquehanna River, enhancing recreation and tourism opportunities.

Families and friends visiting Pennsylvania’s popular outdoor spots on the Labor Day holiday weekend can enjoy a day of free fishing, thanks to the Fish and Boat Commission.

Thanks to a series of Marcellus Shale leases approved by the Board of Game Commissioners in 2011, Game Commission officials Thursday announced hunters will see the agency’s pheasant stocking efforts increase to 200,000 birds for the upcoming small game seasons for the first time since 2004.

The Montgomery County Lands Trust Friday announced the permanent protection of the 78-acre Rogers-Hiester property, a long sought-after landscape in Upper Salford and Marlborough Townships that is rich in both natural and historical resources.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on a gas well plugging project in Butler County.

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's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

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

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

On Thursday the Independent Regulatory Review Commission voted to approve final regulations increasing noncoal mining permit fees after the package was resubmitted to the Commission by the Environmental Quality Board without change.  The Commission had disapproved the regulation in June saying they imposed to much of a burden on the industry.

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.

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

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