Availability of Technical Guidance [46 Pa.B. 6392]
[Saturday, October 8, 2016]Technical guidance documents are available on the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) web site at www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us. The ''Technical Guidance Final Documents'' heading is the link to a menu of the various Department bureaus where each bureau's final technical guidance documents are posted. The ''Technical Guidance Draft Documents'' heading is the link to the Department's draft technical guidance documents.
Ordering Paper Copies of Department Technical Guidance
The Department encourages the use of the Internet to view and download technical guidance documents. When this option is not available, persons can order a paper copy of any of the Department's draft or final technical guidance documents by contacting the Department at (717) 783-8727.
In addition, bound copies of some of the Department's documents are available as Department publications. Check with the appropriate bureau for more information about the availability of a particular document as a publication.
Changes to Technical Guidance Documents
Following is the current list of recent changes. Persons who have questions or comments about a particular document should call the contact person whose name and phone number is listed with each document.
Interim Final Technical Guidance Document
DEP ID: 800-0810-001. Title: Guidelines for Implementing Area of Review Regulatory Requirement for Unconventional Wells. Description: This interim final guidance informs unconventional well operators engaged in hydraulic fracturing activities how to comply with the requirements of The Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. §§ 691.1—691.1001), 58 Pa.C.S. (relating to oil and gas) regarding the 2012 Oil and Gas Act, 25 Pa. Code Chapter 78a (relating to unconventional wells) and other applicable laws. This interim final guidance has been developed to facilitate appropriate risk mitigation for unconventional well operators and includes a risk-based classification scheme for offset well locations and commensurate levels of monitoring; sections addressing communication incident management, reporting and resolution; and operational alternatives and technical considerations for different anticipated scenarios. This interim final guidance also provides an outline of the Department's well adoption permitting process.
Written Comments: Interested persons may submit written comments on this interim final guidance by December 7, 2016. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail, must include the originator's name and address. Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's online eComment at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment. Written comments should be submitted to ecomment@pa.gov or the Technical Guidance Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.
Contact: Seth Pelepko, (717) 772-2199, mipelepko@pa.gov.
Effective Date: October 8, 2016
Interim Final Technical Guidance Document
DEP ID: 800-0810-002. Title: Policy for the Replacement or Restoration of Private Water Supplies Impacted by Unconventional Operations. Description: This interim final guidance provides guidance to well operators for ensuring compliance with legal requirements related to restoration and replacement of private water supplies adversely impacted by unconventional operations. This interim final guidance is intended to memorialize existing Department policy relating to the restoration or replacement of private water supplies adversely impacted by unconventional operations with a water supply of adequate quantity and/or quality for the purposes served by impacted water supply sources under section 3218 of the 2012 Oil and Gas Act (58 Pa.C.S. § 3218 (relating to protection of water supplies)). The interim final guidance addresses the application of the presumption of liability under that section, provision of temporary water supplies as well as permanent restoration or replacement of water supplies.
Written Comments: Interested persons may submit written comments on this interim final guidance by December 7, 2016. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail must include the originator's name and address. Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's online eComment at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment. Written comments may be submitted to ecomment@pa.gov or the Technical Guidance Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.
Contact: Kurt Klapkowski, (717) 783-9893, kklapkowsk@pa.gov.
Effective Date: October 8, 2016
(Editor's Note: See 46 Pa.B. 6431 (October 8, 2016) for a final-form rulemaking relating to this notice.)
PATRICK McDONNELL,
Acting Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-1725. Filed for public inspection October 7, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
