The House this week passed House Bill 606, sponsored by Rep. Steil (R-Bucks) that would authorize four counties-- Allegheny, Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery-- to impose fees to help fund stormwater plan implementation and the construction of stormwater management facilities based on a comprehensive watershed stormwater management plans adopted by a county or jointly by municipalities. It would also reestablish a grant program in DEP to fund stormwater management planning efforts.

Under current law, all storm water planning is governed by the existing Stormwater Management Act (167 of 1978), which requires that each county develop a comprehensive storm water plan for each watershed for all new development. Each municipality is required to implement that plan when considering development projects.

The act does not provide legal authority to address pre-existing storm water issues and further allows each municipality to managed storm water by setting their own standards. This new law would correct these deficiencies in these counties.

DEP itself is in the middle of a major revision of its stormwater management program guidance to put emphasis on allowing for the infiltration, rather than simple retention of stormwater.

For more general information visit: Stormwater Planning .

6/11/2004