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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Nov. 5, 2012
(11/5/2012)
CLICK HERE To Print Entire Digest
* DEP Publishes Final No Strikes Permit Decision Guarantee Policy

On November 3 the Department of Environmental Protection published a notice in the PA Bulletin announcing the availability of final guidance implementing Gov. Corbett’s Executive Order 2012-11 creating the DEP Permit Review Process and Permit Decision Guarantee Program.

* DEP Offers Tips For Removing, Processing Storm Debris, Waives State Landfill Fees

The Department of Environmental Protection is reminding homeowners how to properly dispose of and process debris left behind from Hurricane Sandy.

* Updated- Diesel Fuel And Gasoline Distribution Severely Disrupted By Hurricane Sandy

On Monday Hurricane Sandy forced the closure of two-thirds of the refineries in the Northeastern U.S., its largest pipeline and most major ports making it very difficult, if not impossible, to ship in supplies of diesel fuel and gasoline for the region.

* CBF: Hurricane Sandy Puts Spotlight On Stormwater Management

Chesapeake Bay Foundation senior water quality scientist Dr. Beth McGee issued this statement on the impact of this week's storm on the Chesapeake Bay.

* StormwaterPA Offers Advice On Reducing Flooding, Stormwater Impacts

The StormwaterPA website Wednesday published a new case study on managing the flooding and water quality impacts of stormwater in Plum Run, Chester County.  Click Here for details.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

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

* Senate Hearing Looks At Housing Issues In Marcellus Shale Region

The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee held a public hearing in State College this week to seek further input on the impact the natural gas industry is having on housing in Pennsylvania, according to committee Chairman Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford).

* Applications Now Being Accepted For WPC, Dominion Watershed Mini-Grants

The region’s grassroots watershed groups could find financial assistance through the 2012-2013 Watershed Mini Grant Program administered by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and funded through the Dominion Foundation. Applications are due December 14.

* Lancaster Clean Water 301 Seminar Set For Nov. 8

The Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium will hold the third seminar in its three-part series — “What's Clean Water and How Do We Get It Back?” — on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon.

* DEP Publishes Final TMDLs For Christina River Basin

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice detailing the final Total Maximum Daily Loads for the tributaries and main stem of the Christina River Basin in Chester County. (PA Bulletin page 6956)

* CBF, Partners Host Mill Creek Tree Planting Nov. 17 In Lancaster County

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and its partners will host a tree planting in the Mill Creek Watershed in Lancaster County starting at 9:00.  For more information and to sign up, Click Here.

* Friends Of Wissahickon Reschedule Cresheim Creek Planting Day For Nov. 11

The Friends of the Wissahickon has rescheduled the Planting Day at Cresheim Creek in Montgomery County, cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy, for November 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

* Big Spring Creek Habitat Project Meeting Rescheduled For Nov. 5

The Fish and Boat Commission has rescheduled to November 5, its informational meeting to discuss the agency’s habitat and fisheries management plan for Cumberland County’s Big Spring Creek.

* Limited Number Of Free Water Test Kits Available For Dairy Farmers

Penn State Extension still has about 80 free water test kits available for Pennsylvania dairy producers. These kits are part of an extension educational program that in part encourages livestock producers to regularly test their water supply.  Click Here for details.

* Penn State Extension: Nov. 13 Workshop On Interpreting Water Test Results

Penn State Extension will hold a workshop, Water Test Result Interpretation, on November 13 at   the Loyalsock District Office, 6735 Route 220, Dushore, Sullivan County from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. 

* Delaware Estuary Partnership Fall Newsletter Available

The Fall issue of the Delaware Estuary Partnership newsletter is now available.  Click Here to download your copy.

* SRBC Holds Nov. 15 Hearing On Water Withdrawal Requests

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will conduct a public hearing on November 15 to accept public comments on water withdrawal and consumptive use project applications.

* Rep. White Calls For Investigation Into DEP Drilling Water Testing Program

Rep. Jesse White (D-Washington) Thursday called for state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate the Department of Environmental Protection for alleged misconduct and fraud revealed by sworn testimony given by a high-ranking DEP official.

* Conservation Groups Host Tours Of Pipeline Projects In Pike County Nov. 4 & 11

On November 4th and 11th, residents can join concerned community groups, legislators and local leaders to tour the Tennessee Gas Pipeline’s 300 Line project located on public lands in Pike County, Pa.  The group will visit sections of the gas pipeline that were installed almost a year ago.

* Aqua Chairman To Students: Marcellus Shale Offers Promise Of Jobs

Aqua America, Inc. Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis told a group of Drexel University students that the natural gas industry will become the biggest economic driver in Pennsylvania since the heydays of coal and steel, and that along with it will come a bounty of energy careers and jobs.

* Opinion: Marcellus Shale Making Pennsylvania Responsible Energy Capital

By Michael Krancer, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection and Patrick Henderson, Governor's Energy Executive

* Registration Now Open For Green Ribbon Schools Competition

The Department of Education is now accepting applications for the Green Ribbon Schools and School District Sustainability Award programs through December 20.

* Penn State: Dive Deeper Environmental Ed Summit Participants Eager To Gather Again

Youth Water Educators from around the Mid-Atlantic Region gathered together in Harrisburg, Pa for a day of learning, networking, and sharing resources.

* Keep PA Beautiful Reschedules Affiliate, Recognition Dinner For Dec. 11

Keep PA Beautiful has rescheduled its affiliate and recognition dinner for December 11 at the Fred Rogers Center, Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.  For those that RSVP’d to attend previously, additional information will be available next week.  If you have  any questions, please call 724-836-4121 or 1-877-772-3673.

* New Report Chronicles Anti-Litter, Cleanup, Prevention Activities In PA

Find out how groups and volunteers all across Pennsylvania are working to prevent, cleanup and keep the state litter free in the most recent issue of Beautiful newsletter from Keep PA Beautiful.

* DEP Accepting Applications For Clean Diesel Grant Program

The Department of Environmental Protection will begin accepting applications for the Clean Diesel Grant Program on November 5.  Applications are due December 19.  (formal notice)

* PEC Awards Pocono Conservation Landscape Grants

The PA Environmental Council has awarded 17 grants totaling $100,000 to communities and organizations that are working to protect and promote the cultural and natural assets in the six counties that make up the Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape in Northeast Pennsylvania.

* Western PA Conservancy Acquires Property Along Bennett Branch In Elk County

A property recently acquired by the Western PA Conservancy will provide the public access to an Elk County stream that was once a dead, red-stained waterway but now is in the midst of remediation.

* PA Parks And Forests Foundation Newsletter Now Available

The Fall issue of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation newsletter is now available.  Click Here to download your copy.

* iConservePA Video: Tips On Pruning Damaged Or Newly Planted Trees

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Forester Andy Duncan offers tips on how to prune trees is this new video offered through iConservePA.org website.  The principles can be applied to trees damaged by Hurricane Sandy.  Click Here to watch the video.

* Holly Cairns Named Acting Director, DEP Office Of Environmental Advocate

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday named Holly Cairns Acting Director of the Office of Environmental Advocate.

* Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

* Grants & Awards

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

* Budget/Quick Clips

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

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

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

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - November 3, 2012

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* Stories Invited

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.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

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