The Department of Environmental Protection recently released a new resource for understanding the permit and notification requirements affecting those wishing to work in or adjacent to streams impacted by flooding called Guidelines For Maintaining Streams In Your Community.

“DEP receives many inquiries each year about stream work from municipalities, landowners, businesses, and communities affected by flooding, or simply wishing to perform stream maintenance to protect property and infrastructure and prevent future flood impacts,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. 

The guide is a first step in determining what regulatory requirements may apply before beginning a project.

It contains a "green, yellow, and red light” list of potential stream activities to indicate whether permits are likely to be required, and additional sections titled “Good Rules of Thumb” and “Myth vs. Reality.”

Stream work that is not properly designed and permitted can inadvertently cause conditions to worsen in the next flood event, also impacting downstream neighbors. 

The new guide is intended to proactively share information with the public so that stream work is done in an environmentally-sensitive manner, and in a way that reduces the likelihood of future problems.

Click Here to download a copy.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s monthly newsletter, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]

1/29/2018