Among the agenda items for the September 21 meeting of DEP’s Water Resources Advisory Committee are proposed fee increases for Chapter 91 and 92 NPDES Water Quality Permit reviews and renewals.

DEP is proposing an increase in permit review fee revenue from the present $140,000 to $9 million to cover significantly more of the $20 million annual cost of its water quality permitting program.

The proposed increases would be phased in over 10 years.

The fee increases are prompted by the significant cuts to General Fund monies previously used to support this program.

DEP has already proposed fee increases for its Laboratory Accreditation Program, Radiological Health and Radon Programs, Air Quality Program, Coal Mining Program and Non-Coal Mining Program.

Fee increases are also being considered for the Oil and Gas Regulatory Program and Drinking Water Program.

Copies of DEP’s proposed fee increases are available on the Water Resources Advisory Committee webpage.  For more information, contact Lee McDonnell, 717-787-5017 or send email to: lmcdonnell@pa.gov.

Related Story:

Mining & Reclamation Board Committee To Review Coal Permit Fee Increases Sept. 22

9/19/2016