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House Finance, Environmental Committees Hold Hearing On Small Stream Flooding
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The House Finance and Environmental Resources and Energy Committees held a hearing Wednesday on small stream flooding in response to the flooding events in September 2011. Kelly Heffner, DEP Deputy for Water Management, noted headwater streams are the primary sources of water in a drainage network and serve as a critical link to larger, downstream surface waters. She outlined the permitting process for addressing stream maintenance and noted there is no dedicated funding for stream projects, though at times Clean Water and Growing Greener funds are used for those purposes. A number of House members said they thought DEP was a hindrance not a help in issuing stream clearance permits and thought policy not funding was the issue.
She also noted DEP was working on a desk manual to help individual through the permitting process more quickly in addition to streamlining Chapter 105 relating to regulating stream encroachments.
She acknowledged legislation proposed by Sen. Ted Erickson-- Senate Bill 452-- would attempt to reverse stream degradation and frequent flooding through an integrated water resource plan.
David Sanko, PA State Association of Township Supervisors, said few issue are felt as strongly statewide than the need to take preventative action to minimize flooding events without going through a complex permitting process. He noted townships are hard-pressed to find staff and funds to deal with this problem, and in addition to streamlining the permit process, Sanko said there is not enough funding to properly address needed maintenance.
MaryAnn Warren, President of the PA Association of Conservation Districts, described the role of districts related to flooding including flood mitigation and monitoring, prevention and services to assist landowners and communities in flood recovery. She made several recommendations to the Committees based on a survey on districts, including: the authority to issue emergency permits, making farmland restoration a priority with emergency response coordinators and funding for environmentally managing streams through Growing Greener funding.
Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield) serves as Minority Chair.
Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Mifflin) serves as Majority Chair of the House Finance Committee and Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.
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4/9/2012 |
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