DEP TO GATHER PUBLIC COMMENTS ON DRAFT STATE WATER PLAN

Department to Host 6 Regional Meetings This Month

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvanians will have a chance to provide input on how the commonwealth manages its vast water resources during a series of public meetings to be held across the state this month. The Department of Environmental Protection, along with members of six regional water resources committees, will accept testimony on the draft state water plan that is being developed in accordance with the Water Resources Planning Act.

“This document will serve as a blueprint that guides sustainable water use throughout the commonwealth for the next 30 years,” said DEP Deputy Secretary for Water Management Cathy Curran Myers. “Our water resources are important to our economy and our quality of life, so it’s essential that we have a plan in place that ensures that we are good stewards of these precious assets. Once finalized, this plan will serve as a tool for everyone—for the public, for municipalities, and for businesses interested in creating jobs here.”

The Waters Resources Act requires DEP to develop a new state water plan that includes inventories of water availability, an assessment of current and future water demands, an evaluation of resource management alternatives, and proposed methods of implementing recommended actions. Developing the plan is the first step in analyzing problems and needs associated with specific water-related activities, such as navigation, stormwater management and flood control.

Each public meeting will be preceded by an open house from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to give people a chance to review displays and maps of the respective regions. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., DEP staff and members of the respective regional committees will give presentations on the draft plan and conduct an informal discussion period. The department will begin accepting formal comments on the draft plan beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone planning to testify should register in advance by contacting Karen Price at 717-783-9499 or by e-mailing kprice@state.pa.us. A written copy of the testimony should be provided to department staff at the hearings. Written testimony also will be accepted through Sept. 30 and may be sent to Leslie Sarvis, DEP Water Planning Office, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063. Each regional water resources committee will conduct a regular business meeting from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the same date and location as the public meeting. The business meetings are open to the public.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a list of meeting dates and locations:
• Sept. 8 – Ohio Regional Water Resources Committee meeting, Seven Fields Community Center, 380 Castle Creek Dr., Seven Fields, Butler County. For information, contact Lori Mohr, DEP Water Planning Office, 717-787-4628 or laumohr@state.pa.us.
• Sept 9 – Great Lakes Regional Water Resources Committee meeting, Erie County Conservation district, 1927 Wager Rd., Erie. For information, contact Lori Mohr, DEP Water Planning Office, 717-787-4628 or laumohr@state.pa.us.
• Sept. 11 – Delaware Regional Water Resources Committee meeting, Room 605 Fowler Family Southside Centre, Northampton Community College, 511 E. Third St., Bethlehem. For information, contact Leslie Sarvis, DEP Water Planning Office, 717-772-5634 or lsarvis@state.pa.us.
• Sept. 15 – Lower Susquehanna Regional Water Resources Committee meeting, Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, Cumberland County. For information, contact Leslie Sarvis, DEP Water Planning Office, 717-772-5634 or lsarvis@state.pa.us.
• Sept. 17 – Upper/Middle Susquehanna Region Water Resources meeting, Holiday Inn, 100 Pine St., Williamsport. For information, contact Lori Mohr, DEP Water Planning Office, 717-787-4628 or laumohr@state.pa.us.
• Sept. 18 – Potomac Regional Water Resources Committee meeting, Multi-Purpose Center, Penn State Mont Alto Campus, One Campus Dr., Mont Alto, Franklin County. For information, contact Leslie Sarvis, DEP Water Planning Office, 717-772-5634 or lsarvis@state.pa.us.