The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on January 22 on House Bill 1779 (Wentling-R-Erie) exempting privately constructed shoreline stabilization groin structures from submerged land lease fees covering Commonwealth-owned land.

Although the bill is intended to apply to shoreline structures along Lake Erie, the definition of “groin structure” in the bill is broadly drawn to include any “shore structure that may affect shore erosion, wave action or inundation,” regardless of water body.

Section 15 of the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act requires all users of Commonwealth-owned submerged lands, whether it is in a stream or river channel or other water body, to have a submerged lands lease agreement with DEP.

Part of each agreement is a lease payment for the use of Commonwealth-owned land for the duration of the agreement.   The minimum fee, established in regulation, is $750 a year.

The meeting will be held in Room G-50 Irvis Building starting at 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch the meeting live online.

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1707 or sending email to: dmetcalf@pahousegop.com. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7647 or sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net.

NewsClips:

Lake Erie Shoreline Property Owner Has Groin Problem, He Went To His Legislator

300+ PA Environment & Energy NewsClips Are Waiting To Be Read

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[Posted: January 17, 2020]

1/20/2020