PA Capitol Digest Blog: July 2016

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 30 PA Bulletin it is making available a copy of the draft 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report for public comment.

This latest report shows 4,267 more miles of streams and rivers are now impaired in Pennsylvania-- 20,149-- compared to the same report published in 2014-- 15,882.

$500K In Grants Available To Plant Trees Along Streams To Improve Water Quality

The departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Wednesday announced funding is being made available under a new DCNR Riparian Forest Buffer Grant Program to assist landowners with planting trees along streams in Pennsylvania to improve water quality. (formal notice)

Op-Ed: State Must Do More To Protect Parks, Trails And Waterways

By Tim Herd, Executive Director, PA Recreation & Park Society, a member of the PA Growing Greener Coalition.

This summer, millions of adults and children alike will head to a state or local park to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of the wide range of recreational opportunities Pennsylvania has to offer.

CBF-PA: Rep. Everett Is Right, PA Needs New Funding For Clean Water Programs

Harry Campbell, PA Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, recently sent this letter of support for an Op-Ed Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) wrote that appeared on PennLive.com saying new sources of funding are critical to meeting Pennsylvania’s clean water commitments.

PACD: 5 Pennsylvania Farms Receive Clean Water Farm Awards

The PA Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. Wednesday presented the operators of five farms with the Clean Water Farm Award during its annual conference in State College, PA. The honor is awarded annually to farmers who manage their daily farm operations in an environmentally conscious manner that helps to protect Pennsylvania’s water quality. This year’s award recipients are from Chester, Greene, Lawrence, Union, and York Counties.

Apply For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Starting August 1

Pennsylvania farmers can apply for 2016-17 Resource Enhancement and Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program (REAP) beginning August 1 for completed projects. Applications for proposed or completed projects will be accepted beginning August 15.

Keep PA Beautiful Invites Pennsylvanians To Participate In International Coastal Cleanup

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invites Pennsylvania residents and groups to sign up now to coordinate a cleanup as part of the 2016 International Coastal Cleanup being held from September 1 through October 31.

PennTAP: Free Energy Audits Available For Small, Mid-Size Manufacturers In PA

Is your company interested in saving money through pollution prevention strategies and energy efficiency assessments? The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program-- PennTAP-- technical advisors and Penn State students will spend a day at your facility to examine manufacturing operations to identify opportunities to save energy and reduce waste and operating costs.

DCNR Begins Accepting Community Conservation Partnership Grant Apps Aug. 1

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wednesday announced it would begin accepting applications for Community Conservation Partnership Program recreation and land conservation grants August 1 and close September 15 for this year.

State Parks & Forests Thru The Seasons Photo Contest Entries Due Sept. 13

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is accepting entries to its State Parks and Forests Through The Seasons Photo Contest until September 13.

Laurel Highlands Trail Summit Sept. 20 In Somerset County, Register Now

The Laurel Highlands Trails Summit, a workshop to empower trail stakeholders to build community investment and economic development, market trails, and build volunteer capacity, will take place on September 20 at the Morguen Toole Company, 130 Center Street in Meyersdale, Somerset County.

Gifford Pinchot Institute For Conservation Pinchot Letter On The Stewardship Ethic

The Gifford Pinchot Institute Tuesday published its latest Pinchot Letter featuring articles on The Stewardship Ethic, including:

-- In this Issue: The Stewardship Ethic by Will Price

-- In the Long Run: Conservation and the Social Compact by Char Miller

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2016 Rail Freight Grant Programs Open Application Period August 1

PennDOT’s Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports and Waterways has announced an application period for the 2016 Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the 2016 Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP), Secretary Leslie S. Richards said Friday.

PennDOT will begin accepting applications August 1. The deadline for applications is August 30.

“Rail freight continues to play a crucial role in offering connections that serve the business community and help build Pennsylvania’s economy,” Richards said. “Our grant programs reflect the Commonwealth’s commitment to keep this mode of transportation vibrant and effective.”

Pennsylvania ranks first in the country in the number of operating railroads, with 63, and also ranks near the top in total track mileage, with more than 5,600 miles.

In the last grant period, PennDOT awarded $36 million for 15 projects through RTAP and 16 projects through RFAP. RTAP is a capital budget grant program funded with bonds and RFAP is underwritten through the new Multimodal Fund, created by Act 89.

For eligible organizations wishing to apply for funding through either program, applications for both programs will be available on PennDOTs Rail Transportation Assistance Program webpage. Questions should be directed to Tom Stettler by email to: tstettler@pa.gov or call 717-772-2637 or Steve Panko by email to: stepanko@pa.gov or call 717-787-1202.

Program information can be found on PennDOT’s Rail Freight webpage.