PRINTER'S NO. 1048
No. 927 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY YUDICHAK, GEORGE, FREEMAN, TIGUE, HASAY, BELFANTI,
CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, DALEY, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, W. KELLER,
MUNDY, SOLOBAY, THOMAS AND YOUNGBLOOD, MARCH 14, 2005
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
MARCH 14, 2005
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania
2 Consolidated Statutes, further providing for water resources
3 planning definitions, for the State water plan and for
4 regional water resources committees.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Section 3102 of Title 27 of the Pennsylvania
8 Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
9 § 3102. Definitions.
10 The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
11 shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
12 context clearly indicates otherwise:
13 * * *
14 "Duty to notify." Whenever a public utility or municipal
15 water authority intends to sell or lease watershed impact zone
16 land, the utility or authority shall first notify in writing, by
17 certified mail, the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
18 Commission, the secretary, the chairman of the regional water
1 resource committee and the municipality or municipalities in
2 which such land is situated, of such intention to sell or lease.
3 * * *
4 "Watershed impact zone." Land owned by a public utility or
5 municipal water authority that is proposed to be sold or leased
6 that has the potential to adversely impact the quality and
7 quantity of public water supplies. Watershed impact zones will
8 be identified by the regional committees and be designated as
9 such upon the approval of the Statewide water resources
10 committee and the secretary.
11 * * *
12 Section 2. Sections 3111(a) and 3113(c) of Title 27 are
13 amended to read:
14 § 3111. State water plan.
15 (a) Preparation and adoption.--In accordance with this
16 chapter and with ongoing consultation with the Statewide
17 committee and the department, each regional committee shall
18 guide the development of and recommend to the Statewide
19 committee a regional plan component for review, approval and
20 incorporation into the State water plan. The Statewide committee
21 shall guide the development of[, approve and recommend] the
22 State water plan and make recommendations on the State water
23 plan to the secretary [approval and adoption of the State water
24 plan]. The department shall draft and develop the State water
25 plan, including regional plan components. The State water plan
26 shall be completed and adopted within five years of the
27 effective date of this chapter.
28 * * *
29 § 3113. Regional committees.
30 * * *
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1 (c) Powers and duties.--A regional committee has the
2 following powers and duties:
3 (1) Guide the development of and recommend to the
4 Statewide committee the regional plan component for review
5 and incorporation into the State water plan.
6 (2) Consult with, advise and make recommendations to the
7 department and the Statewide committee prior to and
8 throughout the process of preparing the regional plan
9 component of the State water plan and amendments to the
10 regional plan component of the State water plan.
11 (3) Advise the Statewide committee and the department
12 regarding the engagement and selection of consultants or
13 experts to assist in the preparation of the regional
14 component of the State water plan.
15 (4) Recommend to the Statewide committee and the
16 department the identification of critical water planning
17 areas.
18 (5) Utilize an open process, including public notice and
19 at least one combined public meeting and hearing, to solicit
20 comments from interested persons on water resources planning
21 issues related to the preparation of the regional component
22 of the State water plan.
23 (6) Meet as necessary to accomplish the purposes of this
24 chapter.
25 (7) Adopt bylaws and procedures for conducting business.
26 (8) Review the proposed sale of watershed impact zone
27 land and make a recommendation to the Statewide committee,
28 the secretary and the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public
29 Utility Commission based on its assessment of the potential
30 impact on the quality and quantity of public water supplies
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1 in its region.
2 (9) Hold hearings on any land transaction involving
3 lands in the watershed impact zone as it deems necessary. The
4 municipality in which the land is located shall be a party to
5 the proceedings before the Environmental Quality Board.
6 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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