The Environmental Quality Board published notice of proposed changes in coal mining permit fees for public comment in the March 10 PA Bulletin which would generate an additional $400,000 annually for the program.

            This action follows an EQB notice on January 28 proposing increases in Dam Safety and Waterway Management Permit fees for public comment.   Revised permit fee income estimates for dam safety would increase to $1,390.850 from $28,000 and waterway management permit fees income would increase to $2,952,612 from $47,850
            The Department of Environmental Protection also published a notice on January 28 it is soliciting additional public comments on a proposed rulemaking published in August, 2010 increasing noncoal mining-related permit fees.  The proposal would increase fees $2,475,000 (from $25,000 to $2,500,000 annually).

            DEP in December took action to withdraw proposed Drinking Water permit fee increases adopted by the Environmental Quality Board which would have generated $8.1 million (from $250,000 to $8,385,000 annually).

3/12/2012