This summer, PADEP decided to undertake a process (without consultants) to revise the current Pennsylvania BMP Manual (December 2006).   PADEP (Domenic Rocco SE Region, Denny Stum, Ken Murin) invited a group of professionals (largely, but not entirely professional engineers involved in stormwater management projects) to an initial Revision Committee in Harrisburg on September 9, 2009 to organize the process and make assignments.

Excerpts of information distributed by PADEP at that meeting appear below, providing a sense of what is happening and how it is being structured.  Sub-Groups (9 of them, listed below) have been formed and will be key to recommendations for Manual revisions.

Revision Committee Objective

This committee has been formed to review and evaluate the current Stormwater BMP Manual (2006) and to make written recommendations to DEP for updating the manual.   Much has been learned since the release of the manual and it is a goal to capture as many stormwater situations as possible. However, it is also understood that it is not practical to capture all situations. These recommended updates may include edits to existing portions, complete omissions, or additions of new material.  All changes much be justified through acceptable principles of engineering or science.  If unable, to do so, subgroups may bring new ideas before the bigger committee for consideration and feedback.

After the committee has completed making its recommendations, the Department will be responsible for assimilating all the recommendations and making final revisions.

It is understood that the BMP Manual is a living document and will need periodic updates to reflect advances in technology and adaptations in practice.  Therefore, ideas are also being sought on how to keep up with these changes in a practical manner. Committee members are urged to think about how each subject/issue can be dealt with on a statewide basis and to identify and set aside roadblocks that may need attention at a localized or regional level.

Scheduling and Timing

It is anticipated that recommendations from the committee to DEP will take approximately 12 months to complete.  Timing for DEP to finalize updates, based on SMRC recommendations, is dependent on the nature and extent of the changes proposed. At the kickoff meeting, the committee will collectively decide on a time schedule for meetings and locations, but it is expected that the committee will meet quarterly.   At the 3^rd meeting (6 months into the process), the committee and subgroups will make a self-assessment to see how far along they are and to predict whether they can meet the proposed time schedule.  Problem areas will be identified along with a plan of attack. The default location for committee meetings will be in the Harrisburg area, but may alternate with the Southeast Region.

Subgroups should meet monthly in-between committee meeting or, more often, as needed.   Location will be up to the subgroup members.  Teleconferencing may be an option during subgroup meetings, particularly for those traveling from long distances.  Teleconferencing for the overall committee is impractical. Committee members will be split into subgroups during the kick-off meeting on Sept. 9, 2009 according to their area of expertise and needs of the committee.  If any committee member has a problem with their assignment, they can discuss with either Domenic Rocco or Dennis Stum.

Sub-Group Guidelines

Each subgroup should be made up of at least 6 members. The first task for the subgroup is to select a team leader and note-taker and a backup person for each.  All team members will share contact information including email and telephone numbers.   This information will be made available to all committee members. DEP will be attempting to find a central location (web site, blog, ftp, etc.) where information can be posted by subgroups and shared between committee members.   Ideas on accomplishing this task are welcomed - since it is unknown whether DEP has the ability to do this for non DEP-employees.

SUBGROUPS

A. Subgroup Topic:  Alternate Control  Guidelines

B.  Subgroup Topic:  Current and Alternate Computation Methodologies (may combine with A)

C. Subgroup Topic:  Vegetated Systems and Green Infrastructure

D. Subgroup Topic:  Capture and Reuse (may combine with “C”)

E. Subgroup Topic: Water Quality

F. Subgroup Topic:  Infiltration

G. Subgroup Topic:  Redevelopment and Contaminated Sites

H. Subgroup Topic:  Highways and other linear projects

I.  Subgroup Topic:  Inspection, Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring of BMPs

Tomorrow, we’ll share some thoughts on the process, along with some of the reactions it has already drawn…

BMP Manual Revision, From the Editors BMPs, green infrastructure, infiltration, PA BMP Manual, PA DEP, stormwater best management practices, stormwater legislation, water quality