The September 11 PA Environment Digest is now available. Here are just a few of the headlines--
A faction of the House Republicans Tuesday unveiled a plan to take over $450 million from state environmental funds set aside for funding specific local environmental projects and programs. This raid will clearly put local governments, watershed groups, county conservation districts and other grantees and local businesses and contractors that already received grants or had contracts funded by one of these special funds are at risk of not getting paid and will prevent new grants to these same groups from many of these funds.
The PA Parks and Forests Foundation sent this letter to all members of the House Thursday urging them to oppose a plan by a faction of the House Republicans to take over $450 million from environmental funds. The text of the letter follows--
The PA Association of Conservation Districts sent this email to all members of the Senate and House on a proposal by House Republicans to raid environmental funds, including those related to conservation district programs— This money is not extra funding. It is funding that has been allocated for specific projects, but not yet reimbursed.
Harry Campbell, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania, issued this statement Friday on plans by House Republicans to raid environmental funds—
By Karen Martynick, Executive Director, Lancaster Farmland Trust
On Tuesday, 18 members of the House of Representatives - the Taxpayers Caucus - announced that they had found a way to balance the budget and close the $2.4 billion gap. Their proposal would transfer so-called “excess” funds from special accounts – like farmland preservation – to the general fund. While it sounds reasonable to use “reserves” to balance the budget, in fact, the funds are NOT excess cash sitting in unused accounts.
By Jim Sandoe, Member, DEP Citizens Advisory Council
Pennsylvania has a serious clean drinking water problem. You probably haven’t heard much about it unless you hang around the Department of Environmental Protection, where it’s talked about frequently.
Pennsylvanians were heavily engaged last week in responding to multiple natural disasters around the country this week-- Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and wildfires in the western United States. Here’s a quick rundown on how Pennsylvania has helped, actions taken by EPA and DEP to deal with potential fuel shortages and tips from the PUC on preparing for Hurricane Irma, if it comes in our direction--
Increased outreach is strengthening partnerships and helping farmers comply with environmental planning requirements, the Department of Environmental Protection said Wednesday on the successful first-year results of expanded agricultural inspections in Pennsylvania’s part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Birding, or birdwatching, is a popular hobby, and it’s easy to see why, especially in Pennsylvania where there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy our feathered friends.
To read the Digest, visit: www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com. Click Here to view or print the entire Digest.
PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and is published as a service of Crisci Associates.
PA Environment Digest was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators' 2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.
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