The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it will open a comment period on May 27 and hold four public hearings for feedback on the earth disturbance (Chapter 102) and waterway and wetland encroachment (Chp.105) permit applications submitted by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC for the proposed Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project.  (formal notices begin on PA Bulletin page 3007 and for Chapter 105 page 3041)

The proposed pipeline would run through northeast and central Pennsylvania and would connect natural gas-producing regions in northeastern Pennsylvania to markets in the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern states.

The pipeline project is proposed to run through Clinton, Columbia, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties.

"We want to provide the public, especially those living near the pipeline route, with the opportunity to review permit applications and provide thoughtful, critical, and constructive feedback to aid in our technical review," said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “DEP is committed to an open and transparent review process and takes public input very seriously as we review the permit applications.”

A technical review is being conducted by department engineers and biologists to ensure the applications meet applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

The hearings will focus on the applications submitted for Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachments and Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit for Earth Disturbance Associated with Oil and Gas activities.

These permits are required for proposed activities located in, along, across or projecting into a watercourse, floodway or body of water, including wetlands and for earth disturbances associated with oil and gas exploration, production, processing or treatment operations or transmission facilities when earth disturbance is five acres or greater.

The hearings will be held on the following dates:

-- June 12: Tunkhannock Middle School Auditorium, Tunkhannock Middle School, 200 Franklin Avenue, Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, 6-9 p.m.; To register contact: Colleen Connolly, Northeast Regional Office, (570) 826-2035,  coconolly@pa.gov;

-- June 12:  Max Smith Auditorium, Lancaster Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd, Lancaster, Lancaster County, 6-9 p.m.; To register contact: Megan Lehman, Northcentral Regional Office, (570) 327-3659, meglehman@pa.gov;

-- June 13: Bloomsburg High School Auditorium, Bloomsburg High School, 1200 Railroad St, Bloomsburg, Columbia County, 6-9 p.m; To register contact: Megan Lehman, Northcentral Regional Office, (570) 327-3659, meglehman@pa.gov;

-- June 14: Lutz Hall, Lebanon Valley College, 101 College Ave, Annville, Lebanon County, 6-9 p.m.; To register contact: Megan Lehman, Northcentral Regional Office, (570) 327-3659, meglehman@pa.gov;

The notices for the eight Chapter 105 applications and the one Chapter 102 Notice of Intent (NOI) will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 27.

DEP will accept written comments on the Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment permit applications and Chapter 102 NOI through June 26.

Comments on the applications and NOI can be emailed or sent via postal mail to the following addresses:

-- Counties: Lancaster, Lebanon, Northumberland and Columbia-- Department of Environmental Protection, Northcentral Regional Office, Waterways and Wetlands Program, 208 W. 3rd Street, Suite 101, Williamsport, PA 17701 or send email to: RA-EPWW-NCRO@PA.GOV.

-- Counties: Schuylkill, Luzerne, Wyoming and Susquehanna-- Department of Environmental Protection, Northeast Regional Office, Waterways and Wetlands Program, 2 Public Square, Wilks-Barre, PA 18701, or send email to: RA-EPWW-NERO@PA.GOV.

To enable the public to readily review the revised applications and responses to technical deficiencies the DEP has posted a copy of the application material on its Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline webpage.

The webpage also includes technical deficiency letters for four previous submissions of the required permit applications for the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline starting in August of 2015, April of 2016, November 2016 and February 2017.

NewsClips:

Crable: DEP To Hold Hearing In Lancaster On Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Permits

PA Regulators Taking Final Steps On Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Permits

Crable: Lancaster Businesses Hoping To Cash In On Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline

Op-Ed: Why PA Should Be Wary Of Professional Pipeline Protesters

[Posted: May 25, 2017]

5/29/2017