The deadline for submitting comments on PADEPs proposed Chapter 102 amendments which are considerable is looming - November 30.  Get your comments in.

For an overview of proposed revisions to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control) click here.  Hot issues include: Phase II NPDES;  riparian forest buffers; and permit-by-rule.

For the full proposal click on Environmental Quality Board (EQB) proposal to amend Chapter 102.

The EQB will accept written comments through November 30, 2009. Comments should be submitted to

Environmental Quality Board, P. O. Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477 (express mail: Rachel Carson State Office Building, 16th Floor, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301), or emailed to regcomments@state.pa.us

The Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water has posted official Chapter 102 comments; see their website for more information.

As we understand it, some uncertainty continues to exist regarding the forward movement of the Pennsylvania Stormwater Manual Revision Committee (see previous weekly blogs for more discussion on the Revision Committee and its process).  As we understand it, budget woes and uncertainties regarding scope of the revisions has bogged down the Committee process, although the 9 sub-groups continue to meet.  We’ll try to keep you posted.

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More changes Afoot!

Although Chapter 102 regs have always had relevance to stormwater management in Pennsylvania, these proposed changes bring 102 regs into the core of Pennsylvania’s stormwater management program.  They include new elements which have been discussed heatedly in recent months, including the Permit-By-Rule (PBR) option and required stream buffers.  Follow this link to get the complete package, including what is proposed, with some PADEP commentary.

The pro-environment Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water (CCW) urges citizens and interested groups concerned about clean water to sign up and provide testimony at the public hearings hosted by DEP, starting this week.

From the PA Bulletin:

Public Meetings and Public Hearings

The Board will hold three public meetings to explain the proposed rulemaking and to respond to questions from meeting participants. In addition to the public meetings, the Board will hold three public hearings for the purpose of accepting comments on the proposed rulemaking. The public meetings and hearings will be held as follows:

September 29, 2009	Cranberry Township Municipal Building 2525 Rochester Road Cranberry Township, PA    16066-6499 Public Meeting: 4 p.m. Public Hearing: 5 p.m.
October 1, 2009	Department of Environmental Protection Southcentral Regional Office Susquehanna Room A 909 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110 Public Meeting: 4 p.m. Public Hearing: 5 p.m.
October 5, 2009	Salisbury Township Municipal Building 2900 South Pike Avenue Allentown, PA 18103 Public Meeting: 4 p.m. Public Hearing: 5 p.m.

Persons wishing to present testimony at a hearing are requested to contact the Environmental Quality Board, P. O. Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477, (717) 787-4526, at least 1 week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time to present testimony. Oral testimony is limited to 10 minutes for each witness. Witnesses are requested to submit three written copies of their oral testimony to the hearing chairperson at the hearing. Organizations are limited to designating one witness to present testimony on their behalf at each hearing.

Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact the Board at (717) 787-4526 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the Board may accommodate their needs.

The CCW has assembled a summary package that provides background information as well as commentary on what is being proposed and will be developing more detailed recommendations in coming weeks.

Get the Proposed Ch 102 Regs here.

Get CCW Talking Points here.

We will all be living with the consequences of these changes for many years…

We’d love to hear from you in terms of pros and cons — and what you think needs further work.

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