Call For Proposals: 2024 Chesapeake Watershed Forum Oct. 18-20 In WV

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2024 Chesapeake Watershed Forum on October 18-20 in Shepherdstown, WV.  The deadline for submissions is May 19.

The theme for this year's Forum is-- Making It Last - Proven Tactics For Building Enduring Projects, Partnerships And Organizations.”

With this year’s theme, the Alliance seeks to showcase the projects, partnerships, and organizations that have continued to flourish for at least five years after establishment. 

The Alliance hopes to learn about scientific research, technology, alternative funding streams, internal and external capacity building, community engagement techniques, and other approaches that foster their long-term success.

Click Here to submit proposals.  Questions should be directed to: Jenny McGarvey at chesapeakeforum@allianceforthebay.org  or call (804) 977-1657.

Visit the Chesapeake Watershed Forum webpage for more information.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events on the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Alliance, Like the Alliance on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, and visit the Alliance’s YouTube Channel.  Click Here to support the Alliance’s work.

[Posted: April 25, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Lancaster Conservancy, Partners Hold Lancaster Water Week June 7-15

The Lancaster Conservancy and many partners will hold the 8th Annual Lancaster Water Week on June 7 - 15 to celebrate the 1,400 miles of streams and rivers in Lancaster County.

Lancaster Water Week features over 60 events as we paddle, explore, volunteer, and take action as a community to protect our streams and rivers for the future!

These waterways are the source of drinking water, drive economic and agricultural growth, and allow us to escape into nature to fish, paddle, and swim. 

Many of these beautiful streams are polluted, but there is an incredible effort underway to bring them back to health in our lifetime. 

Click Here for a schedule of events.

For all the details, visit the Lancaster Conservancy’s Lancaster Water Week webpage.

[Posted: April 25, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Join Master Watershed Stewards In Lancaster County For June 13 Waterways On Wheels Bike Tour

Join the Lancaster County Master Watershed Stewards, in partnership with the Lancaster Conservancy, on a June 13 bike tour of the watersheds of the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The tour will highlight various watershed features, trail history, and geologic history. 

The tour is an out-and-back bike ride from the East Donegal Township Riverfront Park to the Fishermans Wharf Trail access at the northern terminus in Falmouth. 

The trail is 100% paved, and the total mileage is approximately 15, including stops along the way and a water break. The tour will run about 2.5 to 3 hours. Helmets are required, and any bike, whether road, mountain, or gravel, will work fine. 

Plan to bring a bottle of water with you; plenty of parking and restroom facilities will be available. 

Participants will meet at the East Donegal Township Riverfront Park and ride to the Fishermans Wharf Trail access. 

We will discuss the watershed features we saw along the way and some of the area's history and geologic features. Upon returning to the East Donegal Riverfront Park, we will enjoy some of Lancaster County's finest snack items and summarize what we learned.

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Lancaster County Master Watershed Stewards for information on how to get involved.

Visit the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards webpage to learn about Watershed Stewards in your county.

[Posted: April 25, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Registration Open For Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council Level 1 Certification Training Beginning July 30

Registration is now open for Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional  Level 1 training and certification.

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional is a voluntary, regional credential for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes in the Bay watershed.

For this session we will offer the course in both a fully in-person format, and a hybrid, online/field format.

Both options balance highly interactive course content with a field day. 

Click Here for the schedule.

Registration is a 2-step process: apply online, await approval, then return to the website to pay and select dates. 

Discounts are available for companies sending three or more employees to Level 1, and scholarship opportunities can be found on our website. 

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will provide funding for landscape professionals working in Pennsylvania.

CBLP course attendees may earn continuing education credits from numerous professional organizations- check out our website for the full list.

Click Here for all the details.

Visit the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional website for more information and if you want to find a certified professional near you.

[Posted: April 25, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Thursday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 4.25.24

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

-- Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution  [It’s Not A Suggestion]

House next voting day April 29, 30, May 1, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21, 22, June 3, 4, 5

-- Committee Schedule

Senate next voting day April 29, 30, May 1, 6, 7, 8, June 3, 4, 5

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

TODAY 10:00: Agenda Posted. DCED PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council meeting. Penn State Technology Center Room 243 200 Innovation Blvd, State College.  10:00 a.m.  Click Here for options to attend remotely.  Contact: Adam Walters adwalters@pa.gov  or 717-214-6548.   UPDATED:  Read more here on the agenda.

TODAY 10:00: Agenda Posted. DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meeting.  Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.  10:00 a.m. Visit the Board webpage for options to join the meeting remotely. Contact: Daniel E. Snowden, at dsnowden@pa.gov  or (717) 783-8846.

-- Witness At Senate Hearing On Oil & Gas Wastewater Road Dumping Reports Her Home  Has Been Surrounded By Dumping; Dumping Again On The Upswing In 2024  [PaEN]

-- UPDATED: April 25 Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owners Advisory Council To Discuss Dumping Wastewater On Public Roads; Well Plugging Grant Programs; Regs. Limiting Methane Pollution From Wells  [PaEN]

-- PennVEST Makes $274 Million Investment In Water Infrastructure Projects in 22 Counties  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Large Woody Material Stream Restoration Aims To Improve Stream Ecosystems In Pennsylvania 

 -- Penn State Researchers Estimate Methane Emissions Potential Of Decommissioned Shale Gas Wells 

-- USDA Awards Funding For 55 PA Farm, Small Business Clean Energy Projects  [PaEN]

-- PennDOT Opens Next Round Of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding May 13; April 30 Webinar On This Opportunity  [PaEN]

-- PA Moms Clean Air Force Celebrates Deployment Of First Electric Schools At Steelton-Highspire School District In Dauphin County Funded By EPA's Clean School Bus Program  [PaEN] 

-- Williamsport Sun: PA College Of Technology Students Excel At Toyota Green Grand Prix In Watkins Glen

-- Penn State Students Help PA Communities Track Carbon Footprints, Recommend Ways To Reduce Them 

-- PA Convention Center Sustainability Report Highlights Big Cuts In Energy Usage

-- Public Source: EQT Says Fracked Gas Is A Climate Solutions, But Scientists Call That Deceptive Greenwashing

-- NorthcentralPA.com: EQT Gas Invites Applications For PA Qrew Camps For Students Grades 9-11 To Teach about Natural Gas Industry, Careers

-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Lift The LNG Gas Permit Ban [On New Gas Export Facilities] - By David Callahan, Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition [Coalition Wants To Ship PA Gas To Our Competitor China ]

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Warning: Climate Radicals Are Coming To Western PA - Oil & Gas In Crosshairs - By Sam Breene, Venango County Commissioners  [Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill Contaminates Venango County Village Water Supply]

-- TribLive: American Lung Assn. Ranks Pittsburgh Area Among Nation’s Most Polluted

-- TribLive: Pine Township, Allegheny County Earns Governor’s Local Government Excellence Award For Environmental Initiatives

-- Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance Organizing 2025 Abandoned Mine Pools As Resources Conference April 23-24   [PaEN] ]

-- Organic Agriculture Transition Expert Luke Howard Joins Rodale Institute To Lead Agricultural Land Revitalization Project In South Central PA  [PaEN]

-- Interfaith Partners For Chesapeake Bay Host May 2 Webinar: How To Get Your Green Projects Funded  [PaEN]

-- Shapiro Administration, Attorney General Urge Participation In National Prescription Drug Take Back Day April 27  [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Educators Host PA Environmental Justice & Education Summit May 13  [PaEN] 

-- EPA Announces Online Collection Of Environmental Justice Resources

-- DCNR Invites Pennsylvanians To Complete Online Outdoor Recreation Survey  [PaEN]

-- South Mountain Partnership Action Alert: Support Needed For New Michaux State Forest District Resource Center In Franklin County  [PaEN] 

-- Asbury Woods Environmental Center In Erie Celebrates Arbor Day April 27 

-- KDKA: Great Allegheny Passage Trail Ranked Among The Best Trails In The Country

-- Registration Now Open For 2024 Delaware River Sojourn June 15-22 

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Wildfire Smoke Is Coming For US Again, We’re Not Ready - By Mark Gongloff, Bloomberg 

-- WNEP: Feds Require Upgrades At Monroe County Wildlife Center

Train Derailments

-- TribLive Editorial: Federal Rail Safety Rule No Substitute For Congressional Action 

-- AP: Norfolk Southern’s Earnings Offer Railroad Chance To Defend Its Strategy Ahead Of Shareholder Control Vote

Other States/National/International

-- EPA Finalizes Suite Of Standards To Reduce Pollution From Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants

-- NPR: Coal And New Gas Power Plants Will Have To Meet Climate Pollution Targets

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- AP: Primary Voters Take Down At Least 2 Incumbents In PA House

-- PennLive - John Baer: Thank You PA Politicians For The Fun You Provide

-- AP: PA Redesigned Its Mail-In Ballot Envelopes Amid Litigation; Some Voters Still Tripped Up

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Region Sees Lowest Presidential Primary Turnout Since 2012

-- Inquirer: Voter Turnout Didn’t Even Hit 30% In PA Presidential Primary

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Will This Former TV Anchor Give Longtime Republican Con. Scott Perry A Run For His Political Life?

-- Erie Times: What PA Primary Results Mean For Biden, Ex-President

-- PennLive: Gov. Shapiro Jabs At University Leaders Over Safety Concerns During Pro-Palestinian Protests

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[Posted: April 25, 2024]  PA Environment Digest