The latest on proposed and final regulations, plus special notice of meetings on regulations.

Agriculture Adopts Final Rules on Applying Contaminated Soil to Farmlands

EQB Approves Water Quality Rule with Changes, Other Agenda Items

On August 17 the Environmental Quality Board gave its approval to the Final - Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards; Proposed - Environmental Laboratory Accreditation; and Final - Small NOx, Stationary Internal Combustion Engines and Cement Kilns regulations.

The Board did amend the Triennial review regulation to clarify the scope of the regulation to make sure it did not give DEP the authority to go beyond its existing statutory authority to protect water quality by regulating water pollution or water withdrawals. The change was a bipartisan initiative of Senators Mary Jo White and Raphael Musto, Majority and Minority chairs of the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee and was not opposed by DEP.

Copies of the regulations as presented to the Board are available on the EQB meeting page.

Public Meetings on Changes to Nutrient Management Rules Announced

The State Conservation Commission announced this week the dates of two public meetings on proposed changes to nutrient management regulations.

The meetings will be on Monday, September. 13 at the Holiday Inn in

Mechanicsburg, and Thursday, September 16 at the Ramada Inn in Dubois at

6:30 p.m.

These meetings are in addition to public hearings set for October 13 at the Holiday Inn, 5401 Carlisle Pike Mechanicsburg, and on October 14, at the Ramada Inn, Dubois. These hearings will begin at 6 p.m. Persons wishing to present testimony at a public hearing should contact Douglas Goodlander, (717) 787-8821 at least one week in advance of the hearing.

The major changes in the regulations include: Including phosphorus in nutrient management plans along with nitrogen; Additional requirements for manure exported from regulated farms; Inclusion of non-production animals (like boarded horses); Conservation plan requirements; Approved nutrient management plans for high-density animal operations; Additional requirements for manure applications on bare ground; Provisions to expand the cost share of nutrient management plans for participating farmers; Provide funding for alternative use of manure applications to address new regulations; Requirements for an emergency response plan; Increased regulatory requirements for the temporary field storage of manure on farms.

Comments may be sent to the State Conservation Commission, Agriculture Building, Room 405, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 by October 6. Interested persons may also submit a one page summary of their comments to the Commission.

Pennsylvania Bulletin – August 21, 2004

Comment Deadlines Open

Copies of Proposed Regulations

Status of Regulations, 6-Month Calendar

8/20/2004