Fish And Boat Commission Seeking Applicants For Sporting/Aquatic Education Grants

The Fish and Boat Commission is encouraging local governments, community groups and sportsman’s clubs providing fishing, boating and water safety and aquatic resource education programs to apply for funding through the agency’s Sporting and Aquatic Education Grant Program. Applications are due January 30.
Grantees can receive up to $5,000 from the PFBC. This funding can be applied to the purchase of equipment, materials and costs associated with field trips.
“Re-engaging youth in outdoor activities is critical to the future of boating, sportfishing and building a more environmentally connected citizenry,” says PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen. “Research clearly shows that good, well-structured youth fishing and boating programs lead to kids increasing their interest in fishing and boating, improving their skills, and helping them build a greater sense of aquatic stewardship and outdoor ethics. It’s not enough for us as an agency to talk about wanting more and better programs to involve Pennsylvania’s youth in fishing, boating, and aquatic education. Funding must be made available for programs and services benefiting youth, and this grant program is a start.”
The education grant program started in June 2006. Since then, the Commission has received more than 161 applications requesting nearly $670,000. More than 50 organizations have received $230,000 through the Education Grant Program.
Successful applicants will be notified by April 15. Applications, program rules and eligibility information are available on the Commission’s website by calling 717-705-7842.

Monday NewsClips

The House returns to voting session today. There is no agreement yet on the remaining budget issues-- table games, casino reform and non-preferred funding for colleges like Penn State.
Mine Rehabilitation Touched Off Commercial Development Explosion
Going Green With Stimulus - Weatherization
Wissahickon Growing Greener Hosts Climate Change Workshop
Editorial: State On Right Track With Climate Plan
Deer-Vehicle Collisions Rise In PA
Interest Soars Across State In Marcellus Shale Drilling
Energy Key To Overall Security
Editorial: Strange, New Argument For Climate Change Initiative
Price Tag For Septic Oversight Rises As Agency Closes
Penn School Earns Energy Award
Anglers May Want To attend Gas Drilling Meeting
Sewer Rates To Rise In Hazleton Area
Natural Gas Quest: EPA To Review Safety Of Fracking Process
Editorial: Energy Key To Overall Security
Let The Sun Shine For Energy
Pipelines A Must For Marcellus Drilling To Take Place
Pike County/Region Develops Gas Lease Map
PA Tells Drilling Company To Clean Up Its Act
Schuylkill Officials See Savings With Energy Plan
Clarion County Mine Projects Receive Contracts
$58 Million Loss For Agency Responsible For Monitoring Gas-Drilling Boom

Sunday NewsClips

Lobbyists Open Wallets To Influence PA Budget
EPA Holding Local Forum To Preserve Chesapeake
Conowingo Dam: Disaster In Waiting
Group Remains After Natural Gas Lease Accord
Editorial: Exelon Supports Schuylkill River Restoration Project
Op-Ed: Competition Will Drive Down Electric Rates
Editorial: Allegheny County Needs To Tread Carefully On Billboards
Breach Dries Up Part Of Lehigh Canal
Academy Of Natural Sciences Hosts Environmental Film Festival
Game Commission Tries To Restore Chestnuts
OSM Proposes Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative
Glimpse At The Chesapeake Bay Forestry For The Bay Program
Pocono Region Meeting Charts Course For Conservation Landscape Initiative

Saturday NewsClips

Wyoming Valley Authority May Treat Wastewater From Gas Drilling
Rain Barrels Overflow With Ecological Benefits
Sen. White, Secretary Hanger React To Budget Cut Stories
Opinion- The Marcellus Shale Play-What's In Store For PA's Natural Resources?
Ohio River Watershed Celebration Attracts Over 800 People
Colleges Can Sign up for EPA's 2010 RecycleMania

Nov. 9 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The Nov. 9 PA Environment Digest is now available. Click here to print this Digest.

The Department of Environmental Protection and Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. have executed a consent order and agreement that will provide a long-term solution for migrating gas that has affected 13 water supplies in Dimock Township, Susquehanna County. The affected area covers nine square miles around Carter Road. Click here for full story...

Shawn M. Garvin Named EPA Region 3 Administrator

President Barack Obama this week selected Shawn M. Garvin to be the agency’s new Regional Administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region (Region 3). This region encompasses Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
"I look forward to working closely with Shawn on the range of urgent environmental issues we face, in region 3 and across the nation," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "At this moment of great challenge and even greater opportunity, I'm thrilled that Shawn will be part of our leadership team at EPA. He will certainly play an instrumental role in our agency's mission to protect our health and the environment."
Shawn M. Garvin has worked for EPA Region 3 for more than 10 years and currently serves as EPA Region 3’s Senior State and Congressional Liaison. In that position he serves as the primary contact to Congressional delegations and state and local officials throughout the region. He joined EPA in 1997, serving as Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator.
Prior to that, Garvin worked for then-Senator Joe Biden and County Executive Dennis Greenhouse. Garvin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.

December 3 Workshop On Dam Removal For Watershed Groups

American Rivers and the Fish and Boat Commission are sponsoring a workshop for watershed groups, local conservation organizations, land trusts and municipal environmental planners for dam removal project managers on December 3 in Harrisburg.
The workshop will be held at the Fish and Boat Commission headquarters on Elmerton Avenue. Space will be limited to 40 participants and reservations are required.
For more information send email to Sara Strassman, American Rivers at sstrassman@amrivers.org.

DCNR Proposes 4,248 Acre Land Exchange In Northwest, Public Meetings Scheduled

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of a proposed exchange of 4,248 acres of land in Crawford, Jefferson, Clarion, McKean and Elk counties.
The Department is proposing to convey 4,248 acres in North Shenango, Sadsbury and Pine Townships, Crawford County and 2 acres in Heath Township, Jefferson County to the Commission. In return, the Commission proposes to convey 4,573 acres in Highland and Mill Creek Townships, Clarion County, 181 acres in Heath Township, Jefferson County, 10 acres in Hamlin Township, McKean County and 52 acres in Spring Creek Township, Elk County to the Department. All acreages are approximate.
Two public informational meetings have been scheduled to respond to any questions or concerns the general public may have regarding this exchange of lands.
A meeting in Crawford County has been scheduled for November 17 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Linesville High School Library, 302 West School Drive, Linesville, PA. For more information, call 724-932-3142.
A meeting in Clarion County has been scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2009, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Clarion Holiday Inn, 45 Holiday Inn Road, Clarion, PA. For more information, call 814-744-8407.
There will be a 30-day period for public inquiry and/or comment starting November 14 and ending December 14.
Oral or written comments or questions concerning this proposed exchange may be addressed to John Norbeck, Director, Bureau of State Parks, P. O. Box 8551, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551, telephone 717-787-6640. These oral and/or written comments will become part of the official document used in the final decision process.

Friday NewsClips

Marcellus Wastewater Treatment Bids Sought
Cabot OKs Remedies For Contamination
Drilling Company Vows It's Cautious
Water Quality Issues Surface At Conference
Bushkill Creek Trail Work to Begin Soon
Open Space Panel Needs Members In Upper Saucon
Get $35 From PPL For Junking Old Refrigerator, Freezer
Editorial: Appalachian Trail Could Be In Jeopardy
Hearing On PPL Rate Plan Draws Few
Blow Wind, Blow - Home Windmills
Op-Ed: Cap And Trade Vs. PA, Pat Toomey
Harrisburg Authority Lawsuit Blamed Barlow For Botched Retrofit
New Store Opens To Meet Demands Of Natural Gas Industry
Renovation Begins On Solar House In Delaware Water Gap
Editorial: Climate Changes Brings PA New Opportunities
Gas Company Slapped With Environmental Violations
Wyoming Valley Authority Eyes Treatment Of Marcellus Shale Wastewater
EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region Gets New Administrator
Borough Has Chance To Make Green History