PA Environment Digest Blog

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Susquehanna River Greenway Partnership Now Accepting Entries To 2021 Photo Contest

Grab your phone or your camera and send the Susquehanna River Greenway Partnership your best shot in the 10th Annual Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest: Treasured Towns and Landscapes of the Susquehanna.

The deadline for submissions is June 30.

This free-to-enter photo contest offers individuals of all ages and ability levels the opportunity to go outside, explore, and capture—via photography—the many landscapes, resources, and towns along the Susquehanna Greenway.

Cash Prizes will be awarded to the first through third place winners within each category: River Towns, Landscapes, Susquehanna Adventures, and Wildlife. Winning images will also be printed, framed, and added to a traveling gallery to be exhibited throughout the Susquehanna region within Pennsylvania.

“SGP seeks to inspire and celebrate the connections that are shared between our communities and the Susquehanna River,” says SGP Executive Director Corey Ellison. “Our annual photo contest provides one way of fostering this connection by encouraging people to get out on the Greenway and explore the Susquehanna through a camera lens.”

Eligible participants can visit the Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest webpage to learn more and submit photographs in one or all four categories. Entries must be submitted electronically through the SGP portal and in accordance with contest guidelines.

Susquehanna Scenes & Sips

SGP also celebrates the winning photos at an annual wine and gallery reception called Susquehanna Scenes and Sips.

This year, both the 8th and 9th annual winners will be recognized during Susquehanna Scenes, Sips, and Scales at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland on Friday, May 7, 6-8 p.m.

Guests are invited to enjoy a walk through the interactive zoo exhibits, sip wines from three local Pennsylvania wineries, and view the winning images from the contest’s previous years. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at susquehannagreenway.org/scales.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Partnership or Like them on Facebook. Click Here to support their work.

[Posted: April 1, 2021] PA Environment Digest

NRCS-PA: Next Deadline For Applications For Conservation Stewardship Funding May 7

The Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA reminded landowners the next deadline for NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program applications to be considered for funding this year is May 7, 2021.

Organic operations should take a look at CSP as PA NRCS received funds designated for an Organic category of this program.

Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land.

CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques. Benefits may include increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience to weather extremes.

“CSP provides an opportunity to reward our best stewards of the land while encouraging them to further enhance conservation on the lands they control,” said Ashley Lenig, Conservation Program Manager.

The 2018 U.S. Farm Bill authorized NRCS to accept new CSP enrollments until 2023 and included the following updates to the program.

NRCS now enrolls eligible, high-ranking applications based on dollars rather than acres.

Higher payment rates are now available under the 2018 Farm Bill for certain conservation activities, including cover crops and resource conserving crop rotations.

Provides specific support for organic and for transitioning to organic production activities and a special grassland conservation initiative for certain producers who have maintained cropland base acres.

While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline to ensure their applications are considered for 2021 funding.

For additional information about CSP, contact your local service center. USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing.

While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone, and using online tools whenever possible.

All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with NRCS, Farm Service Agency, or any other Service Center agency are required to schedule a phone appointment.

For more information on funding and technical assistance, visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA webpage.

[Posted: April 1, 2021] PA Environment Digest

Help Wanted: South Mountain Partnership Program Manager

The South Mountain Partnership is now accepting applications for a Program Manager to be based in the South Mountain Landscape that includes portions of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties.

The Program Manager’s duties focus on management and development of core programs: Mini-Grant Program, Communications, Speakers Series, and Partnership Meetings while also facilitating and developing the communications and fundraising subcommittees in coordination with the Friends of the South Mountain Partnership and the Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

Click Here for all the details.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the South Mountain Partnership website.

Visit DCNR’s Conservation Landscapes webpage for more information on similar regional initiatives across the state.

[Posted: April 1, 2021] PA Environment Digest

Help Wanted: PennFuture Seeking To Fill 4 Positions

PennFuture is seeking qualified to fill four positions--

-- PennFuture Campaign Director: PennFuture is seeking a Campaign Director to oversee PennFuture’s campaigns program and supervise program staff to develop and implement multifaceted regional and local advocacy and policy campaigns around the Commonwealth. The Director is a senior staff member of the team.

This position may be based out of any of PennFuture’s offices (Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, or Mt. Pocono). Salary range is $60,000 - $70,000. The deadline to apply for this position is Friday, April 23, 2021.

-- PennFuture Campaign Manager, Watershed Advocacy: PennFuture seeks a Campaign Manager to oversee the work and coordination of PennFuture’s Upper Delaware River Basin campaigns to provide a well-rounded and robust movement for clean water protections and special protection waters throughout the region.

This position is based out of our Mt. Pocono office. Salary range is $48,000 - $58,000. The deadline to apply for this position is Friday, April 23, 2021.

-- PennFuture Policy Analyst (Petrochemicals): PennFuture is seeking a dynamic Policy Analyst to develop and promote policy, advocacy, and educational content and rapid response initiative as part of our strategic priority to halt the petrochemical buildout in Pennsylvania.

This position is based out of our Pittsburgh office. Salary range is $50,000 - $60,000. The deadline to apply for this position is Friday, April 23, 2021.

-- PennFuture Staff Attorney (Philadelphia): PennFuture is seeking a Staff Attorney to work on a variety of environmental issues in Philadelphia and the surrounding region with a prioritization of supporting PennFuture’s Keep Philly Green & Clean Campaign, reducing water pollution, and promoting green stormwater infrastructure.

This position is based out of our Philadelphia office. Salary range is $70,000 - $80,000. The deadline to apply for this position is Friday, April 23, 2021.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and more, visit the PennFuture website.

-- Nominations Now Being Accepted For Regional Women In Conservation Awards From Northeast

[Posted: April 1, 2021] PA Environment Digest

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Accepting Applications For Water Level Monitoring Grants

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is now accepting applications for a new grant program to support the collection and reporting of water level data in groundwater production wells. The deadline for applications is June 30.

The goal is to promote practices that improve the sustainability of the basin’s water resources.

The Commission has dedicated $120,000 to fund the program for its first year. Grant recipients may receive up to $1,500 per source, with a facility cap of $7,500 per year.

Grants may be used for approved projects that are not currently collecting water level data from their well(s) or may be used to upgrade equipment to meet the Commission’s requirements to monitor and report operational data. Successful applicants will collect and report the water level data to the Commission.

The program is open to both public and non-public project sponsors. Most projects in the Susquehanna River Basin approved to withdraw groundwater are eligible to apply.

Although project sponsors generally must have a current docket approval with SRBC, project sponsors with a grandfathering certificate or operating under an order to make application for groundwater wells are also eligible.

All eligible projects will be considered. Should the number of applications exceed the budget for this year’s grant round, the Commission will generally follow prioritization criteria included in the grant package materials.

Funding announcements will be made after August 1, 2021.

For additional information and details about how to apply, visit SRBC’s Water Level Monitoring Grants webpage.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website. Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter. Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

[Posted: April 1, 2021] PA Environment Digest

DEP Blog: Eating Fish You Catch Is Good For Your Health, Here Are Tips For Doing It Safely

By: Gregory Lenahan, DEP Deputy Digital Director

With warm weather finally approaching, going fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors. Many people find fishing the perfect escape from their stressful, everyday environments.

Fishing can be a way to enjoy nature in solitude or while spending time with friends and family. And if you’re lucky enough, you can pick up a healthy lunch or dinner at the same time.

But if you plan to eat the fish that you catch, here are some important things to know so that you can enjoy the health benefits of eating fish while avoiding ingesting high levels of contaminants.

Health Benefits of Eating Fish

Fish are high in protein, low in fat and contain minerals and vitamins that are beneficial to human health. Fish are high in Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids which are crucial for optimal body and brain function.

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of an overall healthy diet.

With more than 85,000 miles of streams and rivers plus over 4,000 lakes, Pennsylvania offers anglers across the state ample opportunity to add this flavorful and healthy food to their diets.

But There’s a Catch

While most recreationally caught sport fish in Pennsylvania are safe to eat, chemicals such as mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) have been found in some fish from certain waters in Pennsylvania.

Eating fish that contain chemical pollutants can cause serious health problems if consumed in large amounts. Here’s what you should know to enjoy the health benefits of eating fish while limiting your exposure to possible contaminants.

Fish Consumption Advisories

The Pennsylvania interagency Fish Consumption Advisory Technical Workgroup, of which the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is a member, issues fish consumption advisories to help protect the health of those who consume sport fish caught in Pennsylvania.

An advisory is a recommendation to limit or avoid eating certain species of fish caught from specific water bodies due to contamination.

The Technical Workgroup issues two types of advisories: a general statewide advisory and the more specific waterbody, species, or contaminant-based advisory.

Each provides recommendations on suggested meal frequency and size to help limit potential exposure to contaminants that might be found in the fish you catch.

DEP collects fish from specific waters that represent the species and size of fish that are typically caught for consumption.

Fish tissue samples are then analyzed by DEP’s Bureau of Laboratories to determine the level of contaminants (metals, PCBs, and pesticide) in each fish sample.

The samples results are reviewed and compiled by DEP staff for evaluation by the interagency Technical Workgroup to determine the appropriate meal advice for each group of contaminants for the particular waterbody and fish species sampled.

The fish consumption advisories are reevaluated and updated on an annual basis.

More information and current advisories can be found here.

Clean, Cook and Enjoy!

Proper cleaning and cooking techniques may reduce the levels of harmful chemicals that may be present in your fish.

DEP’s guide to cleaning and cooking fish provides helpful instructions on how to do this.

Now that you’ve followed the advisories and cleaned your fish, how about a few recipes to try?

DEP’s Fish Consumption Advisory page offers delicious recipes for Perch Skillet, Parmesan Baked Fish and Fish Chowder. Click Here for the video.

The Fish Are Biting in PA but before you bite into your catch, please consult the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s fish consumption advisory to know how much and which fish can be consumed safely.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.