The Department of Environmental Protection  published notice in the February 4 PA Bulletin of final technical guidance on wetland condition Level 2, riverine condition level 2 and lacustrine condition level 2 rapid assessments.

Further details on final rapid assessment protocol guidance--

-- DEP ID: 310-2137-002. Title: Pennsylvania Wetland Condition Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol. Description: This guidance provides standard guidelines for evaluating the condition of palustrine wetland aquatic resources for the purposes of meeting regulatory requirements in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 105 (relating to dam safety and waterway management). The guidance outlines how to conduct assessments, the factors to consider when doing so and establishes a scoring system based upon condition categories.

This technical guidance document was revised as result of the comments received from publication of the proposed Pennsylvania Wetland Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol at 44 Pa.B. 1396 (March 8, 2014) and 44 Pa.B. 2705 (May 3, 2014), Department regional staff workshops, the Water Resources Advisory Committee, and State and Federal agency meetings.

During the comment period, comments were received from 17 different organizations. The comment and response document accompanies the final technical guidance document and is available for public viewing on the Department's eComment System webpage.

The updates include: inserting sections to provide additional background information on the guidance and the conditions for general use of the guidance; the removal of the qualitative condition user rating, photograph sections and a section regarding hydrogeomorphic classification of wetlands; and the addition of bibliographic resources.

-- DEP ID: 310-2137-003. Title: Pennsylvania Riverine Condition Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol. Description: This guidance provides standard guidelines for evaluating the condition of riverine aquatic resources for the purposes of meeting regulatory requirements in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 105.

The guidance outlines how to conduct assessments, the factors to consider when doing so and establishes a scoring system based upon condition categories.

This technical guidance document was revised as result of the comments received from publication of the proposed Pennsylvania Riverine Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol at 44 Pa.B. 1396 and 44 Pa.B. 2705, Department regional staff workshops, the Water Resources Advisory Committee, and State and Federal agency meetings.

During the comment period, comments were received from 17 different organizations. The comment and response document accompanies the final technical guidance document and is available for public viewing on the Department's eComment System webpage.

The updates include: inserting sections to provide additional background information on the guidance and the conditions for general use of the guidance; the removal of the qualitative condition user rating and photograph sections; and the addition of bibliographic resources.

-- DEP ID: 310-2137-004. Title: Pennsylvania Lacustrine Condition Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol. Description: The purpose of this guidance is to provide standard guidelines for evaluating the condition of lacustrine aquatic resources for the purposes of meeting regulatory requirements in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 105.

The guidance outlines how to conduct assessments of lacustrine aquatic resources, the factors to consider when doing so and establishes a scoring system based upon condition categories.

This technical guidance document was revised as result of the comments received from publication of the proposed Pennsylvania Lacustrine Level 2 Rapid Assessment Protocol at 44 Pa.B. 1396 and 44 Pa.B. 2705, Department regional staff workshops, the Water Resources Advisory Committee, and State and Federal agency meetings.

During the comment period, comments were received from 17 different organizations. The comment and response document accompanies the final technical guidance document and is available for public viewing on the Department's eComment System webpage.

The updates include: inserting sections to provide additional background information on the guidance and the conditions for general use of the guidance; the removal of the qualitative condition user rating and photograph sections; and the addition of bibliographic resources.

Training Opportunities

The Department will provide updated application forms, instructions and training through webinars and regional settings prior to the effective date of the technical guidance.

Contact: Questions regarding this technical guidance document should be directed to David Goerman at 717-772-5971 or send email to: dgoerman@pa.gov.

[Posted: Feb. 3, 2017]

2/6/2017