DEP Has Storm Recovery Information Available, Time For Real Investment In Green Infrastructure Solutions With Multiple Benefits
Photo

The Department of Environmental Protection has available a resource for understanding the permit and notification requirements affecting those working in or adjacent to streams impacted by flooding called Guidelines For Maintaining Streams In Your Community.

The guide is a first step in determining what regulatory requirements may apply before beginning a project.

It contains a "green, yellow, and red light” list of potential stream activities to indicate whether permits are likely to be required, and additional sections titled “Good Rules of Thumb” and “Myth vs. Reality.”

Stream work that is not properly designed and permitted can inadvertently cause conditions to worsen in the next flood event, also impacting downstream neighbors.

The new guide is intended to proactively share information with the public so that stream work is done in an environmentally-sensitive manner, and in a way that reduces the likelihood of future problems.

Click Here to download a copy.

Mosquito Precautions

Be sure to take precautions from West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes.  All this rain and warm weather has provided near-perfect breeding conditions.

DEP has scheduled mosquito spraying operations for Columbia, Lycoming and Schuylkill counties on September 4 and 5.  Click Here for more.

Other upcoming spraying events are listed on the West Nile Virus Program homepage (lower right) or Click Here to check on spraying in other parts of the state.

For more information about West Nile Virus and the state's surveillance and control program, please visit the West Nile Virus website

Much More Info

DEP has other information available in dealing with storm-related impacts to drinking water wells, water testing, flood recovery, managing debris, problems with flood-damaged storage tanks and much more.

Visit DEP’s Storm-Related Information webpage.

The Future Is Green….. Infrastructure

Why invest $1 in one solution when you can invest that same $1 to help solve 3 problems?  

With the heavy rainfall events over the last few weeks, green infrastructure is proving to be a cost-effective solution to stormwater management and flood reduction as well as improving water quality.

Every dollar invested in green infrastructure like restored floodplains and wetlands, forest buffers, infiltration areas, rain gardens and recreation areas with built in stormwater benefits yields triple benefits, not like single purpose cement and cinder block structures.

Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, as well as Lycoming, Monroe and York counties and groups of communities like in the Wyoming Valley have already turned to green infrastructure with its multiple benefits to meet water quality goals with a single investment.

Pennsylvania’s initiative to develop the state’s Phase III Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan covering half the state is focused on developing county by county list of green infrastructure policies and practices needed to fulfill the state’s Chesapeake Bay obligations.

To learn more about green infrastructure see the articles below and read Meeting The Challenge Of Keeping Pennsylvania Clean, Green And Growing.

It’s time we get away from single purpose solutions, especially where taxpayers money is invested, and invest in the triple benefits of green infrastructure to keep Pennsylvania Clean, Green and Growing.

(Photo: Flooding in Lancaster County outside Manheim on Route 772, PennLive.com.)

NewsClips:

AP: Lancaster, York Counties Declare Disaster After Flooding

York County Declares Disaster After Flooding

Crable: Flash-Flooding Aftermath In Northwest Lancaster County (Photos)

Crable: Water Rescues From Friday’s Flash Flood Continue Into Saturday (Video)

Roads Washed Away By Flood Waters In York County

York Homeowner: Flooding Was Absolutely Terrifying

See Photos From York-Area Flooding Friday

Slow-Moving Storms Caused Flash Flooding In Central PA

Thompson: Every Road Near A Creek Is Closed, Downpours Leave Central PA A Mess

Flooding Caused Nearly 6-Hour Delay On Amtrak Between Harrisburg, Lancaster

How Much Rain Did Central PA Get?

Editorial: Flooding Concerns In Lycoming County Underscored By This Rain-Filled Summer

Heavy Rain Causing Flash Flooding In Berks, Lebanon Counties

Heavy Rains Cause Severe Flooding Near Manheim, Mount Joy; Multiple Rescues

PennLive.com: Flooding In Lancaster County - Photos

Flash Floods Deluge Parts Of York County

AP: Unusually Heavy Rain In Central PA Closes Roads

Schuylkill County Hit With Another Round Of Flash Flooding

PennDOT Closes Numerous Roads Due To Flooding In Central PA

Delaware County Offering Assistance For Residents Affected By Flooding

York County Residents Asked To Report  July, August Flood, Storm Damage

Lycoming Twp Seeking Solutions To Areas Prone To Flooding

Early Plans For Paxton Creek Could Reduce Floodplain, Entice Development In Harrisburg

Luzerne County Receives Bids For Ice Jam Damage Repairs At River Common

Editorial: Binghamton Sewer Overflow Woes Raise Concerns About Susquehanna

Green Infrastructure Related Stories:

Renew The State's Commitment To Keeping Pennsylvania Clean, Green And Growing

Meeting The Challenge Of Keeping Pennsylvania Clean, Green And Growing

Emma Creek Restoration Project Reduced Flood Damage, Sediment & Nutrient Pollution In Huntingdon County

Another Green Infrastructure Project Reduces Flooding In Manheim, Lancaster County

Green Infrastructure Offers Triple Benefits, Cost Effective Solutions To Stormwater Pollution, Reducing Flood Damage

Northampton County Parks & Rec Staff, Watershed Volunteers Repair Riparian Buffer At Fry’s Run County Park Within Days Of Flash Flood

Penn State Extension: After The Flood - Riparian Buffers Need Maintenance

How You Can Help

Want To Find A Watershed Group Near You? Try The PA Land Trust Assn. Watershed Association Finder

Take Action:

How Good Is The Water Quality In Streams In Your Community?  Take A Look, Then Act

[Posted: August 31, 2018]


9/3/2018

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