The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday extended the comment deadline to June 23 on a new in-lieu fee program called the Pennsylvania Integrated Ecological Services, Capacity Enhancement and Support Program. (formal notice)

The program would allow applicants that are required to offset their aquatic resource impacts for both state and federal permit requirements to contribute monies to a program that meets the federal requirements for such activities instead of trying to restore or enhance aquatic resources through costly and ineffective independent efforts.

The program would be similar to the program for wetlands DEP has had in place since 1996.

The four related draft technical guidance were issued for public comment include: PA Function Based Aquatic Resource Compensation Protocol, Lacustrine Condition Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol, Riverine Condition Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol and a Wetland Condition Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol.

Click Here for copies of the proposed technical guidance.

Related Federal Action

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a notice April 11 opening a public comment period on a proposal by the Department of Environmental Protection a new in-lieu fee program called the Pennsylvania Integrated Ecological Services, Capacity Enhancement and Support Program to offset their aquatic resource impacts.  Comments are due May 11.

5/5/2014