The PA Environmental Council Tuesday wrote a letter to members of the House State Government Committee urging them to oppose House Resolution 284 (Moul-R-Adams) urging Congress to repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s MS4 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (sponsor summary).

The letter points out the state Stormwater Management Act does not address stormwater issues with existing development nor does it deal effectively with reducing water pollution from stormwater runoff.  The MS4 Stormwater Program does.

The resolution also ignores the significant benefits of the program to reducing local flooding and eliminating water pollution, while only focusing on the costs.

[Note: The Resolution also ignores the fact that communities are well along in completing their local MS4 plans that are due August 3 and that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued orders to dozens of communities since 2010 to comply with the MS4 requirements.]

The House State Government Committee was reported out of the Committee Wednesday by a party-line vote (Republicans supporting) and is now on the House Calendar for action.

The text of PEC’s letter follows--

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (“PEC”) respectfully urges you to oppose House Resolution 284, that calls on Congress to repeal Section 402(P) of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) relating to the permitting of stormwater discharges by regulated small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s).

At PEC, we work on stormwater issues across the Commonwealth and recognize both the challenges and opportunities presented in managing rainfall.

Indeed, a growing number of the Commonwealth’s 900+ designated MS4 communities work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to finance and implement innovative stormwater water control initiatives that provide economic, social, and environmental benefits to their communities.

That said, we also recognize the financial challenges faced by MS4 communities as they work to meet the program’s requirements.

While the language of the resolution focuses on the challenges of compliance, it does not recognize the multiple economic and quality of life benefits related to flood mitigation and reduction of water pollution that are direct results of properly managing and controlling excess rain water.

The resolution further states that, beyond the federal program, Pennsylvania’s Stormwater Management Act adequately addresses stormwater within the Commonwealth.

While the state Act’s regulations do provide standards and criteria for the management of stormwater from new construction and redevelopment projects, they do not address, as the federal program does, inadequate stormwater management infrastructure associated with existing development.

That lack of effective infrastructure has resulted in flooding, loss of life, and other adverse impacts to business and public health.

Pennsylvania’s 86,000 miles of rivers and streams provide drinking water for millions of residents and a tremendous recreational and economic driver for the Commonwealth. The health of those waters is dependent upon wise and active stewardship and protection by the state. The MS4 program, as designed, helps to protect all of these uses.

For these reasons, we ask that you oppose this resolution. Thank you for your consideration.

House Resolution 284 was reported out of the House State Government Committee in a party-line vote (Republicans supporting) and is now on the House Calendar for action.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook.  Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts.  Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

NewsClips:

EPA, Alcosan Near Agreement On Sewage Control Plan

Editorial: Public Needs To See Plans For Ending Illegal Sewage Discharges By ALCOSAN

Work Begins On 2 Brackenridge Storm Sewer Projects

City Of Chester Unveils Stormwater Management Plan

Related Story:

Resolution Urging Repeal Of MS4 Stormwater Program On House Committee Agenda

[Posted: June 7, 2017]

6/12/2017