1352 Availability of technical guidance

Availability of Technical Guidance

[37 Pa.B. 4142]
[Saturday, July 28, 2007]

   Technical guidance documents are available on the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) website at www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keywords: Technical Guidance). The ''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 ''Draft Technical Guidance'' heading is the link to the Department's draft technical guidance documents.

   The Department will continue to revise its nonregulatory documents, as necessary, throughout 2007.

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 [phone].

   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.

Draft Technical Guidance--Substantive Revision

   DEP ID: 012-5500-001. Title: 2008 Environmental Education Grants Program Manual and Forms. Description: The 2008 Environmental Education Grants Program Manual and Forms is a guide for organizations interested in applying for the Department's Environmental Education (EE) Grants Program. The manual provides information on program eligibility, including instructions on how to apply for a grant and details on the requirements and procedures that must be followed if a grant is awarded. The Environmental Education Act (act) (35 P. S. §§ 7521--7528) was signed into law on June 22, 1993. The act established a policy that EE is critically important to all citizens in this Commonwealth, created an EE Fund from 5% of the Department's pollution fine moneys and created the EE grants program for the distribution of the EE fund money. The act requires the Department to provide the guidance contained in this manual for public review and comment. Substantive changes were recently made to the manual from its 2007 version, including increasing the Mini-Grant Track allocation awards to $3,000 each; adding School Outdoor Learning Resources as a new Mini-Grant Track category; and including teacher preparation programs that meet the Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology and Science and Technology as an eligible activity that colleges and universities may apply for funding under the Conservation and Education Organizations and Institutions Open Track. Written Comments: The Department is seeking comments on draft technical guidance #012-5500-001. Interested persons may submit written comments on this draft technical guidance document by August 27, 2007. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. The Department will accept comments submitted by e-mail. A return name and address must be included in each e-mail transmission. Written comments should be submitted to Lisa Zell, Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Education and Information Center, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P. O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063, [e-mail]. Contact: Questions regarding the draft technical guidance document should be directed to Lisa Zell at [phone], [e-mail]. Effective Date: Upon publication of notice as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

   DEP ID: 391-2000-014. Title: Policy and Procedure for Evaluating Wastewater Discharges to Intermittent and Ephemeral Streams, Drainage Channels and Swales and Storm Sewers. Description: This document provides guidance on the Department's process for evaluating and permitting wastewater discharges to intermittent and ephemeral streams, drainage channels and swales and storm sewers. Substantive changes were made to the guidance to incorporate requirements into the planning and permitting process activities associated with the above wastewater discharges. Major revisions to the guidance include the following:

   *  For any new discharge that does not meet the definition of a Small Flow Treatment Facility (SFTF), easements from affected property owners will be required when the treated wastewater will flow over land that is not owned by the permittee.

   *  Flow Equalization and technology-based treatment requirements equivalent to tertiary treatment will apply, except for SFTFs.

   *  A demonstration that the receiving channel can convey the additional flow (channel conveyance analysis) will be required, except for SFTFs.

   Written comments: The Department is seeking comments on the substantive revisions to draft technical guidance #391-2000-014. Interested persons may submit written comments on this draft technical guidance document by August 27, 2007. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. The Department will accept comments submitted by e-mail. A return name and address must be included in each e-mail transmission. Written comments should be submitted to Thomas Starosta, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 11th Floor, P. O. Box 8774, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8774, [e-mail]. Contact: Questions regarding the draft technical guidance document should be directed to Tom Starosta at [phone], [e-mail]. Effective Date: Upon publication of notice as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-1352. Filed for public inspection July 27, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]