Susquehanna River Basin Commission Urges Feds To Provide Funding For Flood Warning System

At its December 6 meeting, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission  adopted a resolution urging the federal government to provide its fair share of financial support to the National Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program which provides the data used by the Susquehanna Flood Warning System.

The Commission also--

-- Accepted the independent financial audit report for fiscal year 2018;

-- Approved the signing of an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey to assist in collecting LiDAR for 22 Pennsylvania counties and two grant agreements with Department of Environmental Protection for mine drainage restoration efforts;

-- Adopted a resolution approving a consumptive use mitigation project located in Lancaster, County, Pa., and approved the signing of a water supply agreement with the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority; and

-- Adopted a resolution deferring updates to the Comprehensive Plan for the Water Resources of the Susquehanna River Basin until 2021.
Click Here to see a list of other actions taken at the meeting.

The voting Commissioners and alternates were: Paul D’Amato, Chair, Director, Region 8, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation;  Col. John T. Litz, Commander and District Engineer, Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Patrick McDonnell, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; and Virginia Kearney, Deputy Director, Water Management Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment.

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.

Pike County Tick Borne Disease Task Force Has Donated Supply Of Tick Keys Available For Public

The Pike County Tick Borne Diseases Task Force recently received a gift of 100 tick keys from the Hemlock Farms Conservancy.

The tick keys are used for easy tick removal, and are safe for adults, children and pets. They are available to the public, while supplies last, through several county locations--

-- Community Planning, 837 Route 6, Unit 3, in Shohola

-- Pike County Conservation District, 556 Route 402, in Blooming Grove

-- Treasurer’s Office, 506 Broad Street, in Milford

A $5 donation is requested. Proceeds will benefit the Task Force, which is focused on decreasing the number of tick borne illnesses by building community awareness through education, support, and advocacy.

“The Pike County Board of Commissioners along with the Pike County Tick Borne Diseases Task Force would like to extend a thank you to the Hemlock Farms Conservancy for their gracious donation of Tick Keys,” said Commissioner Chairman Matthew Osterberg. “These will fund our continuing efforts in education, prevention, and support for Pike County residents to bring awareness to tick borne diseases.”

The Hemlock Farms Conservancy is a nonprofit organization with a mission is to protect, preserve, conserve and sustain the water, air, land, forest, wildlife, and other natural resources of Hemlock Farms and its environs in partnership with Hemlock Farms Community Association members.

For more information, visit the Tick Borne Diseases Task Force webpage.  Questions should be directed to Brian Snyder by sending email to: bsnyder@pikepa.org or calling 570-296-3569.

Appalachian Audubon Society Chapter Accepting Hog Island Youth Education Program Scholarship Applications

The Harrisburg-based Appalachian Audubon Society Chapter is now accepting applications for scholarships for the summer Hog Island Youth Coastal Maine Bird Studies Program for students ages 14 to 17.  The deadline for applications is January 25.

This intensive 6-day, 5-night program on Hog Island (Muscongus Bay, Maine) allows enthusiastic young birders to work with some of the country's best-known birders and ornithologists on field identification, bird ecology and conservation.

Occurring concurrently with the adult Field Ornithology and Hands-on Bird Science sessions, and sharing many of the same instructors, this program includes the unique opportunity to see Audubon's Seabird Restoration work in action, and is the only Hog Island program that lands participants on Eastern Egg Rock during the puffin breeding season (weather and sea conditions permitting).

"I just want to say that I can highly recommend this camp to everyone, especially to teens. It's a really inspirational week... Plus, the food is incredible." - Benjamin Van Doren, White Plains, NY

The price of the program is covered in full by Scholarship: $1,395. Cost includes all meals, housing, instruction and boat trips. Teens must arrange transportation to and from the Audubon dock in Bremen at the start and end of the session. Participants can be picked up and dropped off at Portland airport by Audubon staff for an additional fee of $100, but 14-year-olds cannot fly alone.  

A camper must be able to be an independent minor (by airline definitions) on an aircraft to be picked up and dropped off independently.

Click Here for more information on the Hog’s Island program.  Click Here to watch a video about the program.

To apply for the scholarship or for more information, Click Here.  Questions should be directed to Georgia Kagle, Education Chair, AAS, by sending email to: education@appalachianaudubon.org.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming programs, visit the Appalachian Audubon Society Chapter website.

Check Out Last Week's PA Environmental NewsClips You Missed

The December 10 PA Environment Digest includes environmental, energy, recreation and other NewsClips you might have missed.  Click Here to go to last week's NewsClips.

PA Public Participation Opportunities & Updated Calendar Of Events

The December 10 PA Environment Digest includes notices of public participation opportunities and an updated Calendar of Events.  Click Here to visit.

Apply Now For These Grants & Awards To Support Your Projects

The December 10 PA Environment Digest includes an updated list of grants and awards to support your environmental, energy, recreation and other projects.  Click Here to check them out.

Erie 2030 District Energy Efficiency Workshop Dec. 20

The Emerging Erie 2030 District will host an Energy Efficiency Workshop on December 20 at the UPMC Hamot Magee Women’s Hospital at 118 East 2nd Street in Erie from 3:00 to 4:30.

This is the third in a series of bi-monthly workshops offered by the Erie Emerging 2030 District to help educate downtown organizations and businesses about energy efficiency opportunities.

Every other month, the District will provide experts and presentations on a variety of efficiency topics, in order to help achieve the District’s overall goal of reducing energy use 50 percent by the year 2030.

The session will include the following presentations, as well as a building tour:

-- Guy McUmber, Green Building Alliance, Erie Emerging 2030 District Update

-- Geoff Bristow, Regional Energy Manager, DEP,  Initiatives from DEP’s Energy Program Office

-- Allana Colvin, Technical Advisor, PA Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP), Energy Efficiency for Small Business

-- Jeff DeBello, Manager, Facilities Engineering, UPMC Hamot, Energy Efficiency and Green Initiatives at UPMC Hamot

Click Here to register for this free event or for more information.

The workshop will be preceded by a meeting of the Erie 2030 District Advisory Committee from 2:00 to 3:00.  Anyone interested in becoming a committee member or in need of information about the District, is welcome to attend.

For more information, visit the Erie 2030 District webpage or contact Guy McUmber, Committee Chair, by sending email to: guym@gbapgh.org or call 814-547-2606.

There are also 2030 Districts in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Monday PA Environmental NewsClips

Crable: After Wettest Year, Lancaster County May Be In The Longest Dry Spell
Editorial: State Lawmakers Should Debate Future Of Nuclear Energy In PA

Allegheny Front: Fighting Air Pollution With Stories, Friendship
Litvak: Team Behind Rice Energy Launches Bid To Take Over EQT Leadership

Northeast Railroad Traffic Up Again, Primarily Due To Fracking

Erie Water Works Employees Sue AFSCME Over Contract
Tree Pittsburgh Branching Out In New Riverfront Center

Wednesday Lecture Topic: Making Scranton More Walkable

Wilkes-Barre Transit To Focus Efforts To Improve Transit Walkability

Monday PA Capitol NewsClips - Click Here

Wildfires
Why Wildfires Like Paradise Will Happen Again And Again
National/International

Pittsburgh Mayor Represents U.S. Mayors At Climate Conference In Poland

U.S., Russia, Saudi Arabia Resist Global Climate Efforts At Home, Overseas
U.S. DOE Issues RFP For Coal Plants Of The Future
U.S. Senate Democrats: To Get Infrastructure Deal, Make Renewable Tax Credits Permanent

Links:

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Help Wanted: PA Governor’s Invasive Species Council Coordinator

The Department of Agriculture is seeking qualified candidates for a Plant Inspection Program Specialist Position which will serve as the PA Governor’s Invasive Species Council Coordinator.

This position is responsible for coordinating activities of the PA Governor's Invasive Species Council through administrative work, scheduling of meetings, applying for grant funds to enhance the work of the Council, creation of documents, coordinating public outreach and training events, and maintaining the Council's webpage.

The position works with the Council to develop, enhance and implement a comprehensive Invasive Species Management Plan for the Commonwealth, including aquatic and terrestrial species; revises the ISMP at regular five-year intervals or as needed; works with the Council to provide guidance on prevention and control of invasive species and rapid response to new infestations; facilitates coordination and cooperation among federal, regional, state, and local initiatives and organizations engaged in the documentation and management of invasive species, including public outreach and training activities; schedules Council meetings at least quarterly or at the call of the Council chair; and provides meeting minutes and an annual report of accomplishments including MOU deliverables and meetings attended.

Click Here for all the details and how to apply.  Applications are due December 14.
(Photo: Spotted Lanternfly nymphs.)