On December 19, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission invited comments on a proposed general permit covering cooperative fish nurseries (GP-03).

The permit is designed to provide a pathway for cooperative fish nurseries, in conjunction with their member jurisdiction fishery authority, to withdraw water for flow-through use in nursery operations and to avoid duplication of those member jurisdiction regulations.

SRBC general permits have several benefits for the regulated community including lower application fees and streamlined review processes that result in quicker permitting decisions.

GP-03 covers three water-withdrawal activities:

-- An existing or new cooperative fish nursery withdrawing from a surface water source(s) for flow-through use in nursery operations and related incidental uses, either from one source or combination of sources.

-- An existing cooperative fish nursery withdrawing a historic consecutive 30-day average of 100,000 to 500,000 gallons per day (gpd) from an existing groundwater source(s) for flow-through use in nursery operations and related incidental uses, either from one source or combination of sources.

-- A new cooperative fish nursery withdrawing from a combination of sources, for flow-through use in nursery operations and related incidental uses, wherein a new groundwater source, or combination of sources, does not exceed 100,000 gpd.

Examples of projects not approved under GP-03 include fish nurseries that are not participating in a member jurisdiction cooperative fish management program, nurseries diverting water out of the basin, and any surface water withdrawal from waterways designated as having exceptional quality.

Feb. 1 Hearing

Oral testimony may be given at the Commission’s public hearing scheduled February 1.

The hearing will be held at the SRBC Offices, 4423 North Front Street in Harrisburg starting at 6:30 p.m.

To join remotely: call 1-877-304-9269 (US Toll Free) and enter Guest Passcode: 2619070#

Submitting Comments

The deadline to submit written comments on this general permit is February 12th, 2024. st, 2024. Comments may also be mailed to Jason E. Oyler, Esq., General Counsel, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 4423 N Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-1788, or submitted by email to regcomments@srbc.gov. 

More information on GP-03, including the full draft and a fact sheet, can be found on the Commission’s website.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

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-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Invites Comments On Cooperative Fish Nursery General Permit; Hearing Set For Feb. 1  [PaEN]

[Posted: December 19, 2023]

12/25/2023