LeeAnn Murray, PA Assistant Director and Staff Attorney for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, issued this statement following the passage of Senate Bill 1255 (Erickson-R-Delaware), legislation that will help local communities reduce the costs associated with urban and suburban polluted runoff.

The legislation encourages local municipal officials to take into account improvements made by homeowners that will lessen the damage from polluted runoff. Those improvements would then go toward decreasing the homeowner’s stormwater fees.

Improvements might include practices like planting a rain garden, reducing the amount of impervious surfaces (concrete or macadam) on site, or installing a green roof. All of these practices, and many others, are proven techniques for reducing the amount of runoff that enters into a municipal system.

“Reducing polluted runoff from our urban and suburban communities continues to be a significant clean water challenge for the Commonwealth. This legislation provides these communities with another tool to help us meet our Clean Water Blueprint goals.

“By improving and maintaining local stormwater infrastructures, our communities will be better able to protect properties, improve water quality, and reduce the risks to human health caused by flooding. Communities and residents now have the power they need to address the issue, pay for improvements, and to take an active role in protecting their communities and clean water.

“CBF applauds Gov. Corbett, Sen. Ted Erickson who introduced the legislation, and the entire Pennsylvania legislature for their leadership in passing this bill.”

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7/14/2014