The Department of Environmental Protection updated its Non-Regulatory Agenda that lists the technical guidance being developed by the agency.  (formal notice)

The Agenda serves as a guide and resource to the regulated community, the public, Department staff and members of the Department's Advisory Committees regarding the focus of the Department's policy development for the coming year.

The types of documents listed in the Agenda include policies and technical guidance documents that provide directives, guidance or other relevant compliance-related information.

Among the guidance documents in development are--

-- Policy For Development, Approval and Availability of Regulations: DEP to publish as draft 3rd Quarter 2016;

-- Beneficial Use Of Sewage Sludge At Active Mining Sites: DEP to publish as draft 3rd Quarter 2016;

-- Surface Water Protection-Underground Coal Mining: DEP to publish as draft 3rd Quarter 2016;

-- Civil Penalty Assessment Informal Hearing Procedures-Oil & Gas Program: DEP to publish as final 2nd Quarter 2016;

-- Civil Penalty Assessments-Oil & Gas Program: DEP to publish as final 2nd Quarter 2016;

-- Replacement or Restoration of Private Water Supplies-Oil & Gas Program: DEP to publish as draft 2nd Quarter 2016;

-- Public Resources Impact Screening-Oil & Gas Program: DEP to publish as draft 2nd Quarter 2016;

-- Best Practices For Noise Control At Unconventional Well Sites: DEP to publish as draft 2nd Quarter 2016;

-- Induced Seismicity Program Clarification Memo: DEP to publish as draft 2nd Quarter 2016;

-- Compensation Policy Under Chapter 105: DEP to publish as draft 4th Quarter 2016;

-- Revised Water Allocation Permit Application Guidance: DEP to publish as draft 4th Quarter 2016;

-- Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy: DEP to publish as draft 4th Quarter 2016:

-- Closure Requirements For Underground Storage Tank Systems: DEP to publish as draft 3rd Quarter 2016;

-- Closure Requirements For Aboveground Storage Tank Systems: DEP to publish as draft 3rd Quarter 2016;

-- Air Quality Permit Review, Inspection Protocol: DEP to publish as draft 3rd Quarter 2016;

-- Stage II Penalty Assessment Guidance: DEP to publish as draft 2nd Quarter 2017; and

-- Stage II Testing Requirements: DEP to publish as draft 2nd Quarter 2016.

Among the technical guidance documents proposed, but not finalized are--

-- Policy for Development and Publication of Technical Guidance: Proposed in May 2015;

-- Beneficial Use Of Coal Ash At Mine Sites: Proposed in December, 2014;

-- Civil Penalty Assessment-Mining Program: Proposed in 3rd Quarter 2015;

-- Implementation Plan for Act 162 Forest Buffer Law: Interim Final in December 2014;

-- Riparian Buffer Equivalency Demonstration-Act 162: Interim Final in December 2014;

-- Riparian Buffer Offsets-Act 162: Interim Final in December 2014; and

-- Acid Mine Drainage Set-Aside Program Implementation: Proposed in February, 2015.

The Agenda is a companion to the DEP Regulatory Agenda (Feb. 27 PA Bulletin, page 1123) that lists the current status of regulations under consideration by the agency and DEP Regulatory Update that lists the current status of regulatory proposals.

The development of the Non-Regulatory Agenda was a recommendation of DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council to improve opportunities for public participation.

A copy of the Non-Regulatory Agenda is available online.

Questions about the Agenda should be directed to Abbey Cadden, Technical Guidance Coordinator, by sending email to: ra-epthepolicyoffice@pa.gov.

7/4/2016