Posted: | December 20, 2022 01:34 PM |
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From: | Representative Brett R. Miller and Rep. David H. Zimmerman |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Aligning NPDES Permit Program with Federal Standards |
In the near future, we plan to re-introduce legislation (prior HB 591 – 2021-22 Session) that will allow construction sites that result in a land disturbance of more than one but less than five acres to apply for a waiver of an otherwise required National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. In situations where construction sites have very little impact on the environment, the NPDES permit process puts an unnecessary financial burden on landowners. States that surround Pennsylvania already comply with the federal NPDES waiver program. Pennsylvanians should not be required to have a additional regulatory scheme added on top of them when they are already abiding by the restrictions the federal law mandates. This legislation will bring Pennsylvania’s NPDES program up to the same standards as the federal and surrounding state programs. HB 591 passed the House but did not advance in the Senate prior to the end of session. We ask you to join us in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation that will align Pennsylvania’s NPDES permit program with federal standards. Previous co-sponsors from 2021-22 were: STAMBAUGH, MALONEY, GREINER, CAUSER, FEE, MOUL, RYAN, JAMES, R. MACKENZIE, MENTZER, DUNBAR, HAMM, OBERLANDER AND WHEELAND |
Introduced as HB1345