The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 28 PA Bulletin scheduling an April 23 public hearing on the water obstruction and encroachment permits need for the proposed West Pocono-North Pocono 230kV electric transmission line in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. (PA Bulletin, page 1564)

The hearing will be held at the Thornhurst Township Volunteer Fire Company, 351 Old River Road, Thornhurst, Lackawanna County starting at 6:00 p.m.

The Department requests that individuals wishing to testify at the hearing submit a written notice of intent to West Pocono—North Pocono 230kV Transmission Line Hearing, Department of Environmental Protection, Waterways & Wetlands Program, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1915.

The Department will accept notices up to the day of the hearing. The Department requests that individuals limit their testimony to 5 minutes so that all individuals have the opportunity to testify.

The Department can only review comments made with regard to the NPDES Permit Application No. PAI023514002 and Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit Application Nos. E35-456 and E40-761 documentation and plans. Written copies of oral testimony are requested.

Relinquishing time to others will not be allowed. Individuals attending the hearing will have the opportunity to testify if they so desire; however, individuals who pre-register to testify will be given priority on the agenda.

Persons with a disability who wish to testify and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation should contact Dawn Panek at 570-826-2511 or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the Department can meet their needs.

The NPDES permit application documentation and plans are available for review at the Lackawanna County Conservation District Office, 1038 Montdale Road, Suite 109, Scott Township, PA 18447-9773, 570-382-3086 and/or the DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 570-826-2511.

For further information, contact Colleen Connolly of the Department’s Northeast Regional Office at 570-826-2511.

3/30/2015