727 Notice of public hearing and request for comments on a proposal containing regulations and a statement of policy implementing the special protection waters regulatory negotiation report
Notice of Public Hearing and Request for Comments on a Proposal Containing Regulations and a Statement of Policy Implementing the Special Protection Waters Regulatory Negotiation Report [26 Pa.B. 2131] The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a public hearing for the purpose of receiving public comment on a proposal containing regulatory changes and a statement of policy which would implement the results of the special protection waters regulatory negotiation report which was signed by committee members on April 1, 1996.
The special protection waters regulatory negotiation committee was convened by the Department on June 27, 1995, to address issues raised by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) disapproval of portions of Pennsylvania's special protection waters regulations, and in a Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) citizen suit filed against EPA regarding Pennsylvania's special protection program. The group consists of stakeholders representing conservation, government, public interest, and regulated community representatives, and others with an interest in the special protection waters program in Pennsylvania.
The draft proposal includes changes to Pennsylvania's regulations at 25 Pa. Code Chapter 92 (relating to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting), Chapter 93 (relating to water quality standards) and Chapter 95 (relating to wastewater treatment requirements). The proposed regulatory changes and statement of policy will be available from the Department on May 16, 1996. The proposal may be obtained on or after that date by contacting the Bureau of Water Quality Management, 10th Floor, 400 Market Street, Rachel Carson State Office Building (RCSOB), Harrisburg, PA 17105-8465, (717) 787-9637. The proposal will also be available on the DEP Web site: http://www.dep.state.pa.us (choose Public Participation/Regulations, Policies and Proposals Open for Comment).
In addition to this public comment period, the Department will continue to work with the stakeholders group to further develop the regulation and policy changes needed to implement the recommendations in their report.
Interested persons are invited to submit comments, suggestions or objections regarding the proposal and statement of policy to the Bureau of Water Quality Management at the address set forth above by June 18, 1996. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments may be submitted electronically by June 18, 1996, to Sowers.Christine@A1.dep.state.pa.us. A subject heading of the proposal and a return postal address must be included in each transmission.
The public hearing is scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. on June 18, 1996, in the First Floor Meeting Room, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA. Persons interested in presenting testimony at the hearing are requested to contact Christine Sowers at (717) 787-9637 at least 1 week in advance of the hearing to reserve time to present testimony. Oral testimony is limited to 10 minutes for each witness. Witnesses are requested to submit three copies of the oral testimony to the hearing chairperson at the hearing. Organizations are limited to designating one witness to present testimony on its behalf at the hearing.
Persons with a disability who need accommodations to comment or testify may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling 1 (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or 1 (800) 654-5988 (voice users).
JAMES M. SEIF,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-727. Filed for public inspection May 3, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]
