Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

Regulations -----------------------

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - January 5, 2019

Technical Guidance -------------------

The Department of Environmental Protection invited comments on a new proposed Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual for Agricultural Operations in the January 5 PA Bulletin.

Chapter 102 of DEP regulations require all agricultural operations to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation to the waters of this Commonwealth by implementing appropriate Best Management Practices.

Those operations that plow or till 5,000 or more square feet, including no-till, or that have Animal Heavy Use Areas that are 5,000 or more square feet in total, are required to have a written Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan.

The purpose of this guidance is to further explain the requirements of an Ag E&S Plan and it has several elements--

-- What: what is an Ag E&S Plan, and what are the required

-- Who: to whom does it apply?

-- Why: attempted to focus on the benefits to the farmer as well as regulatory compliance

-- When: when would it need to be developed, updated, implemented, etc.

-- How:  how should it be developed (i.e. how to identify and address resource concerns)

-- Includes reference to tools and resources (i.e. NRCS, PAOneStop, Conservation District planning assistance)

Click Here for a DEP presentation on the new manual (DEP ID: 383-4200-002).

Comments are due March 6 and can be submitted online through DEP’s eComment webpage, by email to: ecomment@pa.gov or in writing to: Technical Guidance Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.

A copy of the proposed manual will be posted on DEP’s eComment webpage.  Questions regarding this TGD should be directed to Jill Whitcomb by email to: jiwhitcomb@pa.gov or by calling 717-783-5205.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notices in the January 5 PA Bulletin-- Projects approved at its October meeting, Projects approved at its November meeting, actions taken at its December meeting.

Permits ------------

Note: The Department of Environmental Protection published 51 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and approval/ disapproval actions in the January 5 PA Bulletin - pages 22 to 73.

Sign Up For DEP’s eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit applications submitted in your community?  Notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations?  All through its eNotice system.  Click Here to sign up.

Related Tools ----------------------

Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. 

DEP Proposals Out For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage

Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System

Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage

Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage

DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage

Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System

Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage

Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage

DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage

August 4, 2018 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 4733

DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage

Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System

Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage

Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July  2018)- DEP webpage

1/7/2019