No new regulations were published this week.   Pennsylvania Bulletin - June 22, 2013

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage

Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage

DEP Regulatory Agenda - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance & Permits

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of a final technical guidance on NPDES permits for mining activities and a draft public participation policy for permit reviews.

Final: DEP ID: 563-2112-115. Title: Developing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits for Mining Activities. Description: This guidance describes the procedures for establishing effluent limitations and permit conditions for NPDES permits for mine sites. It provides direction for consistency with the regulatory requirements and focuses on the factors to consider for mine sites including acid mine drainage, stormwater related to the mining activity and site specific reasonable potential analysis for mines. The guidance is the product of industry outreach, interaction with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and internal review. It was made necessary as a result of enhanced oversight by EPA, which identified elements of the NPDES permitting process which were poorly documented. During the public comment period, we received 24 comments from three commentators—no significant policy issues were raised.

Draft: DEP ID: 012-0900-003. Title: Policy on Public Participation in the Permit Review Process. Description: Public participation is an integral part of environmental decision making, and it is the policy of the Department that applications for approval should provide for effective involvement of the public. It is the intent of the Department to respond appropriately and in a timely manner to all relevant comments received during the permit application review process, particularly when there is a formal public comment process. This policy establishes a framework for public participation in the permit application review process by providing consistent guidelines for how the Department encourages public participation in the review of a permit application and how it reviews and responds to comments received during the public participation process.

Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage

Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage

Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

6/24/2013