Quecreek Mine Rescue - Mine Families & The Media

A presentation by David E. Hess, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection during the rescue of nine miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine in Somerset County, PA, about how the needs of the families of the trapped miners for information about the rescue and the need of the media to inform the public were handled during rescue operations. The remarks were delivered before the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America and the Society of Mining Metallurgy and Exploration in Cannonsburg, PA.

What's A Sojourn?

Sojourns are part expedition, part traveling party and part school field trip, but most of all they are a very fun way to learn about Pennsylvania’s rivers, streams and lakes! Justin Shellenberger, PA Sojourn Program Coordinator, talks about the role of sojourns in educating the public about our water resources and provides an overview of the record-breaking 2006 sojourn season. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s Sojourns by visiting: www.pawatersheds.org/sojourn Contact Shellenberger by sending email to: jshellenberger@pawatersheds.org . October 10, 2006

Ed Wytovich Wins 2006 Chevron Conservation Award

Ed Wytovich is a middle school science teacher from Schuylkill County who has been active in watershed restoration, particularly projects involving abandoned mine discharges. Recently Ed won the 2006 Chevron Conservation Award which recognized the work he and his partners have done to clean up their watersheds. David Hess, Editor of PA Environment Digest, caught up with Ed at a recent celebration of the award and watershed work this year. As always, food, music (the Down to Earth Band) and friends highlight the celebration. October 21, 2006

Sen. Waugh Talks About Farm Conservation

Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York), Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, talks about farm stewardship and the proposed legislation creating the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) that would give farmers tax credits for the installation of practices that reduce nutrients and sediments going into our rivers and streams. Contact Sen. Waugh at: www.SenatorWaugh.com . October 18, 2006

Environmental Issues Forums - Joint Conservation Committee

Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango), chairman of the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, talks about the Committee’s Environmental Issues Forum series and their October Forum. The Forum featured a presentation by Alison Shuler, co-director of the Environmental Training Center and Small Public Water Systems Technology Assistance Center, and Brenda Firestone, Senior Project Associate, from Penn State’s Middletown campus. The ETC is part of the university’s Environmental Engineering Department and works with the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Environmental Protection. The ETC provides a variety of training for water and wastewater operators and conducts research and academic programs regarding water quality and water systems. Links: Joint Committee http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us Environmental Training Center http://www.hbg.psu.edu/etc October 16, 2006

Tom Kerr on Conservation, Partnership

In September, Tom Kerr stepped down as CEO of the Wildlands Conservancy in the Lehigh Valley after 19 years in that position and building, along with lots of partners, one of the premier land conservation and watershed restoration organizations in Pennsylvania. Tom sat down with PA Environment Digest editor David Hess to talk about how he started in conservation work and the importance of partnerships to his and his organization’s success. He also talks about environmental pressures affecting the Lehigh Valley and its future as well as his own. Learn more about the Wildlands Conservancy by visiting: www.WildlandsPa.org . Contact Tom Kerr by sending email to: tkerr@wildlandspa.org . October 10, 2006

Looking for State Initiatives on Climate Change

Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) outlines an initiative he sponsored – House Resolution 692 – that directs the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee to identify effective options the Commonwealth can under take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and determine the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a statewide climate action registry. Rep. Ross can be contacted by sending email to: rep-ross@kennett.net (October 4, 2006)

Rep. Daley Talks About Helping Farmers Reduce Nutrient, Sediment Runoff

Rep. Peter Daley (D-Washington), Democratic Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, talks about the water quality challenges faced in Western Pennsylvania and House Bill 2878, the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act, that would give farmers tax credits for installing best management practices to reduce nutrients and sediments going into our rivers and streams. Rep. Daley can be contacted by sending email to: pdaley@pahouse.net Visit www.CBF.org/REAP for more information on House Bill 2878.

Rep. Rubley's Bill Preserves Brownfield Cleanups

Rep. Carole Rubley (R-Chester) describes action on her legislation – House Bill 1249 – that would establish uniform environmental covenants to help maintain brownfield cleanups. Rep. Rubley can be contacted by sending email to: crubley@pahousegop.com (October 4, 2006)

Rep. Stern on REAP Proposal

Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair) talks about legislation he sponsored to provide tax credits to farmers to install best management practices to reduce nutrients and sediments going into our rivers and streams. The bill is House Bill 2878, the Resource Enhancement & Protection Act (REAP). To contact Rep. Stern, send email to: jstern@pahousegop.com. For more on REAP, visit www.CBF.org/REAP.