Senate Passes $2.5 Billion Transportation Bill
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Thursday NewsClips
Senate Passes $2.5 Billion Transportation Funding Bill
Senate Passes $2.5 Billion Transportation Bill
Senate Passes $2.5 Billion Transportation Bill
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Wednesday NewsClips
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Tuesday NewsClips
Monday, June 3, 2013
DCNR Announces Grants Available For Protecting Non-Game Species
The Wild Resource Conservation Program is again accepting applications for grants to protect the state’s native biodiversity. The deadline for applications is July 1.
The program, overseen by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, safeguards Pennsylvania’s non-game animals, native plants and their habitat. It has awarded more than 1,800 grants in support of research, conservation and education projects across Pennsylvania.
Grant applications will be accepted in four specific areas: species surveys; conservation and management; research; and educational media.
“In a continuing effort to secure our best investment of grant dollars, we again are tapping expertise of DCNR’s bureaus of forestry, state parks, and recreation and conservation for input on these applications,” DCNR Secretary Richard Allan said. “This provides a diverse background that enables us to best identify sound research and conservation efforts.”
Launched in 1982, the program encourages and supports research and protection efforts to conserve Pennsylvania’s diverse native wildlife resources, including bird and mammal species, amphibians and reptiles, insects and wild plants.
Applications are being accepted for work to be performed between January 2013 and June 2014. Applications will only be accepted electronically through DCNR’s eGrants online grant application system.
To apply for a grant, or to learn more about the application process and this year’s priorities, visit DCNR’s Wild Resource Conservation Grants webpage.
Plassio Named New Director For District Mining Operations
William Plassio, a 32-year veteran of the Department of Environmental Protection’s mining program, Director of the Bureau of District Mining Operations Monday.
The Westmoreland County native will oversee the state’s six district mining offices, which are responsible for the permitting, monitoring and enforcement of all the state’s active mining operations.
DEP also announced Michael Menghini will become Assistant Director for District Mining Operations. Menghini, a 30-year veteran of DEP’s mining programs, will continue with his previous duties of managing the state’s District Mining Office in Pottsville as well as assist with the oversight of the other district offices.
“I am very proud to have Bill leading our team of inspectors, engineers and permitting staff,” DEP Deputy Secretary for Active and Abandoned Mine Operations John Stefanko said. “His commitment to public service and to this state is unparalleled.”
“I would like to thank my family and my parents for all of their support throughout my career,” Plassio said. “I look forward to continuing to serve my fellow Pennsylvanians and working with the hardworking men and women in our district offices.”
As Bureau Director for District Mining Operations, Plassio will oversee 217 employees in offices in California, Cambria, Greensburg, Knox, Moshannon and Pottsville, as well as administer the state’s oversight of blasting and the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program.
He will also develop contracts for the reclamation of mining sites that have forfeited their bonds and will negotiate the establishment of trust funds to pay for the treatment of coal mine drainage from active and abandoned sites.
Plassio is a licensed professional engineer and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to his most recent position as district mining manager in the California office, Plassio worked as a mining engineer in various sections of the state’s mining program. He resides in Irwin with his wife Debbie.
There are more than 600 active bituminous and anthracite mines in the state, and roughly 2,400 non-coal mine operations. Pennsylvania is the fourth leading state in total coal production and the only producer of anthracite coal, which is valuable for its high heat content. The state is also a leader in producing industrial minerals such as limestone and bluestone.
Monday NewsClips
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Sunday NewsClips
York County Team Wins Envirothon
Driller Hopes To Tap Utica Shale In Erie
Conservation Group, Drillers Talk Turkey
Driller Hopes To Tap Utica Shale In Erie
Conservation Group, Drillers Talk Turkey
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
Saturday, June 1, 2013
June 3 PA Environment Digest Now Available
Monongahela River Of The Year Celebration Highlights Rivers Month In June
Fun on Pennsylvania’s rivers - from canoes and kayaks slicing through white water to leisurely tube floats - will draw thousands of paddlers and other outdoors enthusiasts to waterways across the state this summer.
Gov. Tom Corbett has proclaimed June as “PA Rivers Month,’’ and a number of trips and activities have been scheduled throughout the state to highlight Pennsylvania’s rivers’ recreational and economic value.
On June 1, in Brownsville, Fayette County, the Monongahela River will officially be awarded the title of 2013’s Pennsylvania River of the Year. A series of four river paddling trips extending into September also has been planned to explore the river and its surrounding communities.
“There is a vital connection linking this waterway, area residents and visitors; and the sojourns and other activities planned by river advocates can only strengthen those bonds,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan said. “Promoting awareness of how this river has rebounded and the continuing conservation needs of the Monongahela and other waterways across the state is the major goal of DCNR’s River of the Year designation.”
Flowing through Green, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, the Monongahela River joins the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River in Pittsburgh. With an extensive lock and dam system still in use today, the river serves as an example of how industrial and recreational uses can coexist side by side.
“Like so many of our great state rivers once sullied by mine drainage and other pollution, the Monongahela is surging back as a vital link to unlimited recreational potential and rich natural and historical resources,” Allan said. “From the West Virginia border to the heart of Pittsburgh, visitors are rediscovering our newest River of the Year and the scores of historic towns and villages it showcases.”
To help achieve that recognition six communities along the Monongahela River are participating in the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s River Town Program. The program guides distressed communities bordering a navigable river to develop an alternative economic engine -- outdoor recreation -- to aid in community revitalization.
“The River of the Year designation has strengthened our hometown pride, not just for Brownsville, but for all the communities along the Monongahela,” Sara Goots, local project manager with the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation said. “We are working closely with the River Town Program and community representatives to spread awareness of the river and river-related events throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. The River of the Year Award Ceremony is a great opportunity to come to Brownsville and celebrate the Mon with us!”
River Town has planned a series of Monongahela River one-day paddling events for all abilities. Reservations are required and rental equipment will be offered for the following Saturday trips: June 8, Rices Landing to Fredericktown; August 17, California to Brownsville; and September 7, Charleroi to Monongahela.
For details on the “River of the Year Paddling Series,” call 412-481-9400 or send email to: lbaxter@pecpa.org.
Meanwhile, similar annual paddling events across Pennsylvania will encompass more than 500 river miles, span more than 50 on-the-water days, and engage more than 4,000 participants. Other upcoming river sojourns include:
Allegheny River Sojourn, June 1; 15th Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn: The Schuylkill During the Civil War, June 1-7; Perkiomen Creek Sojourn, June 8; Juniata River Sojourn, June 8-12; North Branch of the Susquehanna Sojourn, June 8-15; Lehigh River Sojourn, June 21-24; and Delaware River Sojourn, Our Remarkable River, June 22-29.
The Monongahela and other sojourn programs are coordinated by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers in partnership with DCNR, as well as dozens of local organizations.
POWR’s mission is to advocate protection, restoration and enjoyment of water resources, and conduct programs that foster stewardship, communication, leadership and action.
Since 1983, a state River of the Year has been featured on posters sent to watershed organizations, local municipalities and interested individuals throughout the state to encourage a statewide focus on Pennsylvania's waterways.
For more sojourn event information, visit the POWR Sojourn webpage or contact Joshua Karns by sending email to: info@pawatersheds.org.
More on Pennsylvania’s rivers, visit DCNR’s Rivers Program webpage.
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