The Department of Environmental Protection will hold two separate hearings at the same location on April 24 on water quality permits for two warehouse projects in Monroe County.

Both hearings will take place at the Tunkhannock Township Fire Hall located at 1539 Long Pond Road, Long Pond, PA 18334.

I-80-115, C-1, LLC, Blakeslee Proposal

DEP will host a public hearing April 24 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. to take testimony from the public regarding an application by I-80-115, C-1, LLC, Blakeslee for a National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permit for a proposed warehouse project to be located in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County.

The applicant seeks the NPDES permit to allow it to discharge stormwater from construction activities to the following receiving watercourses:

-- Exceptional Value (EV) Wetlands to Mud Pond Run (EV)

-- EV Wetlands to Tunkhannock Creek (EV)

EV Waterways are a classification according to PA Code 93.4 which qualify for special protections under the federal Clean Water Act.

DEP received the NPDES permit application on August 31, 2022, and that application was deemed administratively complete on December 16, 2022. Written public comments were received during the public comment period.

DEP requests that individuals wishing to testify at the hearing submit a written notice of intent to Colleen Connolly, Northeast Regional Office Community Relations Coordinator at: coconnolly@pa.gov.

Requests to testify will be accepted up to the day of the hearing. Individuals that wish to testify are also requested to limit their testimony to 5 minutes so that all individuals have the opportunity to testify and that the testimony is limited to the NPDES permit application that is the subject of the hearing.

Written copies of oral testimony are requested. All comments, whether delivered orally during the hearing or submitted in writing will carry equal weight and consideration with DEP.  Individuals attending the hearing will have the opportunity to testify if they so desire; however, individuals who preregister to testify will be given priority on the agenda.

Persons with a disability who wish to testify and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation should contact Colleen Connolly at: coconnolly@pa.gov  or the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the Department can meet their needs.

A copy of the NPDES application can be viewed online on DEP’s Northeast Regional Community Information page.

The NPDES application is also available for review at the Monroe County Conservation District Office, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg, PA 18301 at (570) 629-3060 and/or the DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 826-2511.

For further information, contact Colleen Connolly, Community Relations Coordinator of DEP’s Northeast Regional Office at (570) 826-2035.

Click Here for DEP’s announcement of this hearing.

Orchard BJK Company, LLC

DEP will host a public hearing April 24 from 7:40 to 9:19 p.m. to take testimony from the public regarding an application by Orchard BJK Company, LLC for a National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permit for a proposed warehouse project to be located in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County.

The applicant seeks the NPDES permit to allow it to discharge stormwater from construction activities to the following receiving watercourses:

-- Exceptional Value (EV) Wetlands to Duckpuddle Run (EV)

EV Waterways are a classification according to PA Code 93.4 which qualify for special protections under the federal Clean Water Act.

The NPDES application was deemed administratively complete on March 10, 2022. Written public comments were received during the public comment period.

DEP requests that individuals wishing to testify at the upcoming public hearing submit a written notice of intent to Colleen Connolly, Northeast Regional Office Community Relations Coordinator at: coconnolly@pa.gov.  

Requests to testify will be accepted up to the day of the hearing. Individuals that wish to testify are also requested to limit their testimony to 5 minutes so that all individuals have the opportunity to testify and that the testimony is limited to the NPDES permit application that is the subject of the hearing.

Written copies of oral testimony are requested. All comments, whether delivered orally during the hearing or submitted in writing will carry equal weight and consideration with DEP. Individuals attending the hearing will have the opportunity to testify if they so desire; however, individuals who preregister to testify will be given priority on the agenda.

Persons with a disability who wish to testify and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation should contact Colleen Connolly at: coconnolly@pa.gov  or the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how DEP can meet their needs.

A copy of the NPDES application can be viewed online on DEP’s Northeast Regional Community Information page.

The permit application is also available for review at the Monroe County Conservation District Office, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg, PA 18301 at (570) 629-3060 and/or the DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 826-2511.

For further information, contact Colleen Connolly, Community Relations Coordinator of DEP’s Northeast Regional Office at (570) 826-2035.

Click Here for DEP’s announcement of this hearing.

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

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-- EPA Announces $265.9 Million In Federal Drinking Water Infrastructure Funding For PA  [PaEN]

-- DEP To Hold Hearings April 24 On Water Quality Permits For Two Warehouse Projects In Monroe County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Water Quality Plan For Johnston Run, Franklin County [PaEN]

-- Coalition For The Delaware River Watershed Now Accepting Proposals For Delaware River Watershed Forum  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Now Accepting Applications For Groundwater Level Monitoring  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Spring Guardian Newsletter Now Available  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 6, 2023]

4/10/2023