Jan. 18 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The January 18 PA Environment Digest is now available.  Here are just a few of the headlines-- 

Susquehanna River’s North Branch Named PA River Of The Year

Steeped in historical and recreational value, the free flowing Susquehanna River North Branch in northeastern Pennsylvania has been voted the 2016 Pennsylvania River of the Year following a five-week public voting period.

PA Parks & Forests Foundation Announces 2016 Award Winners

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Friday announced the winners of its 2016 annual awards.  And the winners are--

-- Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award: Rob Wonderling

-- Joseph Ibberson Government Award: DCNR’s Penn Nursery, Centre County

-- President’s Award: Greenwood Furnace State Park Complex, Huntingdon County

-- Park of the Year Award: Gifford Pinchot State Park, York County

-- Forest of the Year: Tuscarora State Forest, Cumberland, Franklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, and Perry counties

-- Volunteerism--

-- Education: Pam Karhan, Cherry Springs State Park, Potter County

-- Improvement: Ridge Runners, Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, Fayette to Cambria counties

-- Individual: Stephen Smetana, Nescopeck State Park, Luzerne County

-- Group: Save Our Native Species (SONS) of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park

-- Young Volunteer: Zachary Jones, Gouldsboro State Park, York County

CBF-PA: Water Quality Plays Key Role In Return, Survival Of Bald Eagles

By Harry Campbell, PA Office Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

A new season of the Commonwealth’s most popular, high-flying reality show is back online.

             Millions are expected to log on to the Pennsylvania Game Commission website and watch as live-streaming cameras show the drama of nature at several bald eagle nests in the Keystone State. 

DEP On Pace To Reclaim Over 1,300 Acres Of Abandoned Mine Lands From 2015

A Department of Environmental Protection report to the DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board for its January 21 meeting shows the agency will finish reclamation of about 1,368 acres of abandoned mine lands from the 2015 season.

That total is up from 1,146 acres in 2014 and 647.3 acres in 2013.  But that total is much less than the annual average of 4,125 acres and the over 33,300 acres of mine lands reclaimed between 1995 to 2002.

State Insurance Commissioner Supports Flood Insurance Reforms To Lower Cost

Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller Wednesday testified at a Congressional subcommittee on legislation that would help consumers and is in line with Wolf Administration's plans to help homeowners and renters get better access to private flood coverage.

DEP Committee To Hear About Waste-To-Energy Role In Meeting EPA Clean Power Rule

DEP’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee will hear a presentation at its January 21 meeting on how waste-to-energy facilities can help Pennsylvania meets its obligations under the EPA Clean Power Climate rule.

David Vollero, Executive Director of the York County Solid Waste Authority, Jim Warner, Chief Executive Officer, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, and Michael E. Van Brunt, Director of Sustainability from Covanta Energy will be making the presentation.

Op-Ed: Pennsylvania Electronics Recycling Rules Not Easily Met

By David E. Vollero, Executive Director, York County Solid Waste Authority

On December 18, the York County Solid Waste Authority made the difficult decision to suspend its electronics recycling program due to a lack of recycling outlets for collected electronic devices.

KPB Surveillance Camera Program Results In Over 30 Convictions For Illegal Dumping

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Surveillance Camera Loan Program has resulted in over 30 convictions for illegal dumping in communities, state forests and recycling drop off centers over the last year.

5 Different College, Education Scholarships Highlighted In This Digest-

-- PA American Water Now Accepting Applications For Stream Of Learning Scholarships

-- $4,000 College Scholarship Applications Due To Northeast PA Audubon April 30

-- Northeast PA Audubon Offers Scholarships For Hog Island Environmental Ed Program

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Scholarship Applications Due March 30

-- Apply Now For 2016 House Of Representatives College Scholarships 

PEC-TV: PA Trail Networks Featured On Jan. 17 Environmental Focus On PCN

Over 1,700 miles of hiking and biking trails have proven to be an economic boom for the cities and towns across Pennsylvania. Connecting these trails together to create regional trail networks is highlighted in this month’s edition of “Environmental Focus,” the PA Environmental Council’s monthly environmental affairs television program.

The show will air on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) on January 17 at 4 p.m., and will include featured guest and former Pittsburgh Mayor and State Representative Tom Murphy, now a fellow at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. Murphy played a leading role in developing Pittsburgh’s trail networks into what they are today.

Center For Rural PA: PA Heritage Areas Contribute $2 Billion To State’s Economy

A study released Thursday by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania found visitors to Pennsylvania’s Heritage Areas contribute just over $2 billion annually to the state’s economy supporting over 25,700 jobs.  The Center estimated visitor parties spent an estimated 7.5 million days/nights in the 12 Heritage Areas. 

To read the Digest, visit: www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com.  Click Here to print the entire Digest. 

PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and is published as a service of Crisci Associates.

PA Environment Digest was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators'  2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.

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Questions?: Send email to David Hess at: DHess@CrisciAssociates.com