On October 20, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission released a proposed policy to update the Commission’s existing policy and resolution that encouraged the use of impaired waters, specifically, the policy addresses fee and timing of review incentives for the use of waters impaired by abandoned mine drainage or treated wastewater for recycling or reuse.

The Commission invites public comments on the proposed at its previously scheduled November 5 virtual hearing.

The policy offers incentives for the use of these waters with respect to the management and protection of the water resources of the basin. 

The water that is incentivized for use under this policy is a liability, and, generally, will do more harm than good if released into the environment, thereby offsetting flow regime and/or hydrologic cycle concerns potentially associated with its removal from local hydrology. 

This policy will incentivize withdrawals of impaired waters, leaving more pristine waterways and aquifers untouched.  Additionally, this policy will incentivize the growing number of projects looking to recycle and reuse wastewater for beneficial purposes.

The proposed policy offers four incentives for the use of these waters. Three of the incentives offer partial or full waiver of application and consumptive use mitigation fees:

-- Direct withdrawal or consumptive use from untreated AMD impaired source;

-- Construct AMD treatment for a withdrawal or consumptive use of the treated discharge; or

-- Consumptive use of treated wastewater.

The fourth incentive offers prioritization of regulatory review for a project using impaired waters in any of the three scenarios above.

The withdrawal and consumptive use of these waters are subject to the full regulatory review process under 18 CFR Part 806.  The use of impaired waters must be beneficial and not adverse to the water resources of the Basin.

Click Here for a copy of the proposed policy.

Hearing

The Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed policy and previously advertised water project applications for November 5, 2020 at starting at 2:30 p.m.  This hearing will be held by telephone rather than at a physical location. Conference Call # 1-888-387-8686, the Conference Room Code # 9179686050.

Comments may be submitted on the Commission's Public Comment webpage, mailed to: Jason E. Oyler, Esq., General Counsel, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 4423 N Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-1788, or submitted by email to regcomments@srbc.net. 

The deadline to submit comments specific to the proposed policy is November 18, 2020.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

Related Article:

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Hearing Nov. 5, Business Meeting Dec. 11

Related Articles - Water Quality:

-- DCNR Invests $637,700 In 93 Acres Of Streamside Buffers In PA's Part Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed

-- PennVEST Invests $181 Million In Water Infrastructure, Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction Projects In 12 Counties

-- DEP Grants Available To Help Farmers Reduce Nutrient Pollution, Small Businesses With Energy Efficiency Projects

-- DEP Accepting Applications For Farm Conservation Planning Grants In Chesapeake Bay Watershed

-- Westmoreland Conservation District Announces 2020 Conservation Award Winners

-- Conservation Districts, Join Wildlife, Environmental Groups In Opposing Bill Redefining Water Pollution, Letting Companies Decide When They Report Spills

-- PUC Joins 6th Annual Imagine a Day Without Water To Raise Awareness About The Value Of Water

-- Hershey Medical Center Tree Planting Part Of Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Initiative

-- DEP October Newsletter Updates Chesapeake Bay Program Implementation

-- Bay Journal: On Chesapeake Bay Cleanup, Field Studies, Computer Predictions Don't Always Agree

-- Bay Journal: Use Of Switchgrass Growing In Popularity For Farm Conservation

-- To Harvest Or Not To Harvest: Recent Insight On Riparian Buffers

-- The Tree As A Microcosm Of An Entire Watershed

-- Learn More About DCNR’s Converting Your Lawn To Meadow Or Woods Program, Funding

-- DEP Invites Data On Water Quality For Watersheds In Adams/Franklin, Susquehanna Counties

-- Help Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards Plan Future Programs

-- Penn State Extension: Water Education Remains A Priority In Distance Learning

-- Partnership For Delaware Estuary Hosts Urban Waters Webinar Series Nov. 2, 10, 17

-- NRCS-PA Offers Support To Urban Farmers In Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

[Posted: October 20, 2020]

10/26/2020