Nov. 3 PA Environment Digest Headlines

Full copy at www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com. (click here to print a full copy)

CBF To EPA - Lawsuit Coming Over Mission Chesapeake Bay Deadline
Rendell Administration Urges YES Vote On Clean Water Referendum
Fair Share Coalition Voters' Guide On Clean Water Referendum
PA Environmental Council Supports Clean Water Ballot Initiative
Fish and Boat Commission Says Support Clean Water Referendum
Aqua Pennsylvania Encourages Voters to Support Referendum
Local Govts., Economic Development Assn. Supports Referendum
Last Opportunity To Vote In www.iConservePa.org Special Election
Update On The PA Assn. Of Environmental Educators, Conference
Gov. Rendell $311 Million Budget Freeze, Deficit Could Be $1.7 Billion
PA Council of Trout Unlimited Announces Annual Award Recipients
Brandywine Assn. Presents Clayton M. Hoff Award To Dan Greig
SRBC Results of Water Quality Assessment Of Border Streams
Foundation For Pennsylvania Watersheds Accepting Applications
Proposals Due For Connecting Communities To Creeks Conference
Walnut Creek Watershed Protection, Restoration Plan Meeting Nov. 6
DEP Invites Comments On Draft TMDL Watershed Plans
State of the Water Resources in Spring Creek Watershed
Appalachian Reforestation Initiative Looking For A Few Good Sites
Dredging Permit To Protect Salamander Mussel In The Allegheny River
Celebrate America Recycles Day at “Hard to Recycle” Event Nov. 15
EPA’s Trailblazer Awards Honor Four Philadelphia-Area Hospitals
World Champion Phillies, Others Receive EPA Green Energy Awards
Comment Period On Energy Conservation, Electric Market Issues
PUC Changes Date Of Alternative Energy, Conservation Hearing
Apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Now
Insurance Department To Hold Climate Change Forum
DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee Meets November 5
Make a 2009 Green Chemistry Award Nomination
100+ Businesses Endorse Proposal For Allegheny National Forest
Crawford District Invites Logging Industry to Nov. 6 Workshop
DCNR Grants For Johnstown, Northampton, Lehigh Nature Center
PA Environmental Council Receives Take Me to the River Grant
Game Commission Removes Protection On Feral Swine In 3 Counties
Proposal- National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe County, Meetings Set
Fish & Wildlife Conference Presentations, Sponsor Opportunities
Bayer, UN Environment Programme Student Painting Competition
Abandoned Mine Reclamation Bid Opportunity In Lackawanna County
Manure-to-Compost Project Shows Commercial Success In Lancaster
DEP Employees’ Work on Flight 93 Memorial Highlighted
Small Business: First Priority Is Saving Money, Not Mother Earth

October Revenues Down, $1.7 Billion Deficit Possible

The Department of Revenue reported late today Pennsylvania collected $1.6 billion in General Fund revenue in October, $283.4 million, or 14.7 percent, less than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $7.4 billion, which is $564.8 million, or 7.1 percent, below estimate. (See announcement)
If this trend continues, the state could see a $1.7 billion deficit for the fiscal year. (See analysis)

Task Force: $35.6 Billion Water Infrastructure Needs

The Governor's Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force issued a report today (not yet online) saying there is a $36.5 billion drinking water and wastewater infrastructure need in the state.
Gov. Rendell urged voters to approve the Clean Water Referendum on the November 4 ballot. (See report announcement)

Possible New National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe County

The findings in a report released today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluate the potential for a new national wildlife refuge in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
The agency is accepting comments through December 5 on the proposed actions presented in the report, titled the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment. Two public meetings have been scheduled in the area. (Click here for more)

Friday NewsClips

Vote YES on Clean Water Referendum--

Editorial: Vote Yes On Clean Water
Editorial: Vote Yes On Ballot Question
Op-Ed: Rendell: Repairs To Water Infrastructure Sorely Needed
DEP Restricts Dredging On Part Of Allegheny River
Gardens Absorb Water, Protect Waterways
Interest In Natural Gas Fades For Now
Editorial: School Energy Audit Holds Promise Of Benefit
Energy Efficiency Prison To Be Built
New State College Kohl's To Go Green

Gov. Rendell Itemizes $311 Million in Spending Freezes

Gov. Rendell today released a list of $311 million in current-year budget spending cuts, and called on the Legislature, courts and PHEAA to reduce their spending this year by about $39 million, to match the departments under his control or influence.
Most of the items frozen were from the personnel line items of state agencies. With respect to environmental programs affected, here are the totals from these agencies: Department of Agriculture - $3,492,000, Conservation and Natural Resources - $5,117,000 and Environmental Protection - $9,733,000. (Complete list online)

Thursday NewsClips

Countdown to Nov. 4 Clean Water Referendum--

Voters To Decide On Statewide Sewer Improvements
DEP Supports Clean Water Referendum
Coaltion To Sue EPA Over Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Plans To Sue EPA
Carbon Trading Now Big Business
Natural Gas Leases Drive Up Land Value
NE Environmental Partners Laud Joint Efforts
Cumberland Animal Shelter To Use Green Elements
Seminar Explains Need For Conservation Bond in Adams County
Penn State Program To Explore Challenges of Wind Energy
Turning Mollusks Into Fuel - Shell Game
Editorial: Updating Fuel Standards

Insurance Dept. to Hold Climate Change Forum

The Department of Insurance has invited insurance leaders, policymakers, financial and scientific experts to meet in Harrisburg November 6 to discuss how climate change will impact many segments of business and industry.
"The insurance industry is the first in line to face the financial hazards related to climate change," Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario said. "Insurers must play a lead role in measuring the risks of climate change, and helping to mitigate those risks through their investments and product offerings." (click here for more)

CBF, Others Notify EPA of Lawsuit On Missing 2010 Deadline

(ANNAPOLIS, MD) -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), the Virginia State Waterman’s Association, the Maryland Watermen’s Assoc iation, the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association, former Maryland Governor Harry Hughes, retired Maryland Senator Bernie Fowler, former Virginia legislator and Natural Resources Secretary Tayloe Murphy, and former Washington D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams today notified the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that they intend to go to federal court to force EPA to require pollution reduction in the Chesapeake Bay.
Today’s notice letter is required for any citizen lawsuit against EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act.
“Over the last 25 years Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts have been littered with promises broken and commitments unfulfilled,” said CBF President William C. Baker. “CBF and our partners are suing EPA to hold the agency legally accountable for its failure to comply with the law. We seek to force EPA to fulfill its commitment to reduce pollution so that the Bay may be removed from the federal “dirty waters” list by 2010.”
“When I signed the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, I believed that the goal of removing the Bay and its tidal tributaries from the Clean Water Act impaired waters list by 2010 was a binding commitment of all the signatories including the United States,” Anthony Williams said.
EPA has admitted that with current programs and policies in place, the goal will not be achieved. Officials are now discussing pushing the Bay clean-up goal back another 12 years. (click here for more)