The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a webinar on April 15 starting at 2:00 p.m. on proposed Technical Guidance for Onlot Sewage Module Review in High Quality and Exceptional Value watersheds.

The proper location and management of community and individual onlot septic systems is key to safeguarding public health and Pennsylvania’s water quality resources. 

The new draft technical guidance will ensure cost-effective and reasonable best management practices (BMPs) for nonpoint source control are achieved to maintain and protect water quality when reviewing sewage facilities planning modules for proposed individual or community onlot sewage systems in high quality and exceptional value watersheds.

DEP was ordered by the Environmental Hearing Board to develop this guidance requiring anti-degration review of onlot sewage module review.

During the one-hour webinar, DEP staff will describe BMPs for individual and community onlot sewage systems that can achieve nonpoint source control in High Quality and Exceptional Value waters, and review the process for selecting appropriate BMPs to achieve such control.

Sewage Advisory Committee Meeting

The DEP Sewage Advisory Committee will hold a special meeting on April 24 to continue its discussion of the technical guidance for reviewing onlot sewage modules in High Quality, Exceptional Value watersheds. 

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 10:30 a.m.

DEP Presentation

Lee McDonnell, Director of the Bureau of Point and Non-Point Source Management, provided the DEP Citizens Advisory Council with an overview of new procedures DEP is developing for reviewing sewage modules in High Quality and Exceptional Value watersheds at its meeting in March.  Click Here for a copy of his presentation.

McDonnell noted the new procedures were prompted by two Environmental Hearing Board decisions-- Pine Creek Watershed Association v. DEP-- directing DEP to consider the impacts of onlot septic systems on HQ and EV streams during its review process.

McDonnell said the proposed review process gives onlot sewage module applicants options they can mix and match to achieve the right water quality protection factors.  Those options include: one acre or more lot size, setback distances from streams or wetlands, riparian buffers and in-ground barriers between the systems and streams.

He noted the proposed process is undergoing public review and the department is open to considering ways to improve the process.

Bill To Eliminate Review Circulated

Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) circulated a memo last week asking House members to sign on to a bill which would prohibit DEP from applying its anti-degradation rule to the consideration of onlot sewage modules in High Quality and Exceptional Value watersheds.

The Draft Technical Guidance is available online.   Public comments regarding the Draft Technical Guidance are due to DEP May 1.

The webinar is free but registration is required.  Online registration is available.

4/15/2013