Waterways & Wetlands Program Updates. Dana Drake, P.E. Environmental Program Manager

Transcription

1 Waterways & Wetlands Program Updates Dana Drake, P.E. Environmental Program Manager Tom Wolf, Governor Patrick McDonnell, Secretary

2 SWRO Staff Program Manager Permitting 13 staff members 4 new engineers 1 new biologist Conservation, Restoration & Inspection 9 staff members Water Quality Specialist, new Compliance Specialist, vacant Black Fly Position, vacant Biologist, vacant

3 PERMIT BACKLOG AND REVIEW TIMEFRAMES

4 Permitting Backlog Permit Backlog July Permit Backlog Management Initiative 08/05/ Pending 104 Remaining 74% Reduction Current Backlog 225 Pending (as of March 19, 2018)

5 Permitting Timeframes Tools and Strategies to Reduce Permit Review Timeframes epermitting Updated Forms and Instructions Extension Request Considerations Pre-application Meetings Staffing Regional Permit Coordination Office

6 CHAPTER 102 UPDATES

7 Chapter 102 Updates PAG-02 General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity Renewed December 8, year term PAG-01 Earth Disturbance <5 acres Under development

8 Chapter 102 Updates PA Stormwater BMP Manual Contract with Villanova University Draft for review next year Target completion 2020

9 Chapter 102 Updates Slow Release Concept Used only after all other volume management BMPs have been utilized or exhausted. Infiltration Guidelines and Soil Testing Protocols apply Maintain a minimum one (1) foot separation to the seasonal high water table. Temperature Evaluation

10 Chapter 102 Updates Notice of Termination Updates Significant updates in August 2017 Removed Notarization Section Removed Instrument Filing Notice Form Developed instructions Added Record Drawings Checklist 3800-PM-BCW0229b Revised January 2018 March 30 th new forms required January 2018 Guidance on Instrument Filing

11 Chapter 102 Updates Act Riparian Buffer Guidance Amendment to Clean Streams Law Effective December 21, and 2015 Interim Final Guidance(s) Consolidate, clarify, finalize

12 Chapter 102 Updates Major and Minor Amendments 10% threshold in earth disturbance, Minor if; Less than 10% of original earth disturbance Contiguous Meet eligibility requirements for GP Appropriate E&S controls provided BMPs identified in NOI adequate to control volume, rate and water quality for increased disturbance

13 Chapter 102 Updates Major and Minor Amendments Off-site support activities, Minor if; Earth Disturbance less than or equal to 5 acres ES Plan Developed and Implemented Directly related to project site and does not serve multiple sites Off-site area returned to existing condition Stormwater controls implemented

14 CHAPTER 105 UPDATES

15 Chapter 105 Updates New General Permit Registration Forms MARCH 26, 2018 Form Reformatted and Refined Instructions Simplified Items no longer required Fee Calculation Worksheet Reporting Criteria Checklist Bog Turtle Screening Form Combine completeness and eligibility review (except GP-11)

16 Chapter 105 Updates Revised Environmental Assessment Form June 2017 Revised to incorporate the new Rapid Assessment Protocols Wetland, Riverine, and Lacustrine Not required to utilize Rapid Assessment Protocols but highly recommended Comprehensive Environmental Assessment Finalized December 2017 Large scale projects, multi-county projects

17 Chapter 105 Updates PA Function Based Aquatic Resource Compensation Protocol Draft, March 2014 (Document # ) Resource compensation based on functions Final scheduled for 2018

18 Chapter 105 Updates Stream Maintenance Guide

19 Chapter 105 Updates Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) 105 Authorizations will require a HDD Inadvertent Return Assessment, Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency Plan Trenchless Construction Methodologies Outlines procedures in the event of an IR

20 Dana Drake, P.E. Waterways and Wetlands Program Environmental Program Manager