| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
House Committee Hears Update On Stormwater, Chesapeake Bay, Water Planning
|
|
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week heard an update on stormwater management, meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup mandates and state water planning efforts from John Hines, Department of Environmental Protection Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs.
In written testimony, Hines said DEP completed the State Water Plan in 2008 as required by Act 220 in 2002. The agency is now focused on developing three critical area resource plans for watersheds in Adams County- Marsh Creek and Rock Creek; Fayette County- Back Creek; and in Somerset County- Laurel Hill Creek.
As a result of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load federal mandate, Pennsylvania will have to totally revamp the state's Comprehensive Stormwater Policy and its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) process to reduce nutrients and pollution going into the state's waterways.
DEP is now in discussions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve the permit process under MS4 and DEP's PAG-13 general permit. Hines said he believes the disagreements between DEP and EPA over the scope of the PAG-13 is on its way to being resolved.
Hines cautioned, however, EPA has proposed in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL to double the 700 communities in the state now subject to MS4 requirements.
On the federal mandate to reduce nutrients and sediment going to the Chesapeake Bay, Hines said DEP is working with a variety of groups and counties to develop the next level of more detailed plans needed to implement the Watershed Implementation Plan approved by EPA last year.
He noted DEP will be targeting counties first which contribute the most to nutrient and sediment problems. He pointed to programs in Lancaster, Lycoming and York counties as potential models to implement key elements of the Chesapeake Bay plan.
Hines stressed Pennsylvania is not backing away from its duty to implement the federal mandates, but that DEP is looking to do meet these requirements in the most efficient and effective way.
A copy of the written testimony is available online.
Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield) serves as Minority Chair.
|
|
5/2/2011 |
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |