THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BRUBAKER, ERICKSON, FONTANA, ALLOWAY, SOLOBAY, WASHINGTON, D. WHITE, SCHWANK, WAUGH, BREWSTER, MENSCH, YAW AND YUDICHAK, JUNE 14, 2011

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JUNE 14, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review

the Commonwealth's sewage facilities management program

authorized under the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.

WHEREAS, It is important for the Commonwealth to have in

place a comprehensive program that guides the planning and

development of sewage facilities throughout this Commonwealth;

and

WHEREAS, A comprehensive sewage facilities planning,

oversight and enforcement program will ensure public health and

safety and a quality environment; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognized the need for a

comprehensive sewage facilities management program and

consequently enacted the act of January 24, 1966 (1965 P.L.1535,

No.537), known as the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, and

more commonly referred to as Act 537; and

WHEREAS, Act 537 has provided for the overall planning,

development and placement of various sewage management

facilities; and

WHEREAS, Act 537 has been the vehicle through which existing

sources of water pollution are identified and mitigated and new

sources of water pollution are prevented; and

WHEREAS, Over time, technology and circumstances have

dramatically changed the manner in which sewage facilities are

planned for, deployed and managed, especially since the

enactment of Act 537; and

WHEREAS, A comprehensive review and evaluation of the

implementation of Act 537 has not been undertaken; and

WHEREAS, A review could lead to recommendations for cost-

savings opportunities to the Commonwealth, local governments and

citizens and opportunities to increase the public health, safety

and environmental protections associated with Act 537; therefore

be it

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

be directed to undertake a comprehensive review and evaluation

of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act and prepare a report

of its findings which shall, at a minimum:

(1)  determine the overall effectiveness of the act, its

accompanying regulations, guidance documents and policy

statements, in achieving the goals of protecting public

health and safety, preventing and eliminating pollution of

the waters of this Commonwealth and promoting intermunicipal

cooperation in the planning, implementation and

administration of sewage facilities;

(2)  identify opportunities to streamline and make more

cost-effective processes associated with administering the

act at the State and local levels;

(3)  review the process in which Department of

Environmental Protection permits or authorizes the use of  

new onsite wastewater treatment technologies and make

recommendations to improve this process;

(4)  review the process used to collect, account for and

disburse moneys received through fines and fees associated

with the program;

(5)  identify the manner in which a high degree of

technical competency within local government administration

of the act is being facilitated by the Department of

Environmental Protection;

(6)  evaluate the efficiency, including the costs and

benefits associated with the overall training and

certification program for local sewage enforcement officers;

and

(7)  review the effectiveness of all grant and

reimbursement programs associated with the act and its

accompanying regulations, and the adequacy of funding

assistance provided by the Commonwealth;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Senate

within one year of the adoption of this resolution.