Also released consumptive water use mitigation policy for comment
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission has released a proposed rule-making to amend its regulations, which includes the release of a consumptive water use mitigation policy. The amendments include application requirements and standards for the review of regulatory projects, modifying the rules dealing with the mitigation of consumptive water use, providing for the registration of grandfathered projects, and revising requirements for hearings and enforcement actions.
“With the proposed rulemaking, the Commission is striving to gain efficiencies in our procedures and enhance the tools and data we use to pursue our water resources management objectives,” comments Executive Director Andrew Dehoff, P.E.
To inform the regulated community and the public about these changes, the Commission is holding two informational webinars explaining the proposed rulemaking on Oct. 11, 2016, and Oct. 17, 2016. For more information or to register for the webinars, visit www.srbc.net.
The Commission has also scheduled four public hearings on the proposed rulemaking and policy:
- Nov. 3, 2016, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. or at the conclusion of public testimony, whichever is sooner; Pennsylvania State Capitol (East Wing, Room 8E-B), Commonwealth Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
- Nov. 9, 2016, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. or at the conclusion of public testimony, whichever is sooner; DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Binghamton (South Riverside Room), 225 Water St., Binghamton, NY 13901.
- Nov. 10, 2016, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. or at the conclusion of public testimony, whichever is sooner; Holiday Inn Williamsport (Gallery Room), 100 Pine St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
- Dec. 8, 2016, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or at the conclusion of public testimony, whichever is sooner; Loews Annapolis Hotel (Powerhouse-Point Lookout), 126 West St., Annapolis, MD 21401.
Written comments on the policy may be submitted on or before January 6, 2017. Written comments on the proposed rulemaking may be submitted on to before Jan. 30, 2017. Comments may be submitted by mail to Jason E. Oyler, Esq., General Counsel, SRBC, 4423 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110-1788, or by e-mail to regcomments@srbc.net.
The Commission is a federal/interstate governmental agency responsible for protecting and wisely managing the water resources within the 27,500 square-mile Susquehanna River Basin without regard to political boundaries. The Susquehanna rises and flows through New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland into the Chesapeake Bay. For more information, visit www.srbc.net or follow us on Twitter: @SRBCnews.