1499 Availability of technical guidance

Availability of Technical Guidance

[33 Pa.B. 3799]

   Technical guidance documents are on the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) website (www.dep.state.pa.us) at the Public Participation Center page. The ''Current Inventory'' heading is the Governor's list of nonregulatory guidance documents. The ''Final Documents'' heading is the link to a menu of the various Department bureaus and from there to each bureau's final technical guidance documents. 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 2003.

Ordering Paper Copies of Department Technical Guidance

   The Department encourages the use of the Internet to view guidance documents. When this option is not available, persons can order a bound paper copy of the latest inventory or an unbound paper copy of any of the final documents listed on the inventory by calling 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 particulardocument should call the contact person whose name and phone number is listed with each document.

Draft Technical Guidance--New

   DEP ID:  150-0200-002. Title:  Operator Certification Program Guidelines. Description:  The State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators will follow the guidance and procedures in this document to direct and support the implementation of the Water and Wastewater Systems Operators Certification Act and meet the Federal guidelines provided by section 1419 of the 1996 Amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Anticipated Effective Date:  November 1, 2003. Comment Period Ends:  September 1, 2003. Contact: Kathy Keyes, [phone], [e-mail].

   DEP ID:  563-2000-610. Title:  Validating Abandoned Underground Mine Maps and Establishing Barrier Pillars. Description:  The purpose of this guidance is to improve mine safety and underground mine permitting by establishing methods and procedures to be used:  (1) when assembling, presenting and evaluating information establishing boundary lines of adjacent underground mines located near active underground mines; (2) to ensure complete and well documented mine maps; (3) to promote modern and consistent mine surveying techniques; (4) to ensure that adequate safety barrier pillars are properly delineated and maintained; and (5) to minimize potential for accidental breakthroughs into adjacent underground mine workings by facilitating coordination between mine safety and environmental permitting staff. Anticipated Effective Date:  October 11, 2003. Comment Period Ends:  September 1, 2003. Contact:  Thomas Callaghan, [phone], [e-mail].

Draft Technical Guidance--Substantive Revision

   DEP ID:  383-2300-001. Title:  Pennsylvania's Interim Program for Operator Certification. Description:  The changes to this guidance are designed to more effectively implement this program by addressing specific problems identified by members of the regulated community. These changes are prepared as a result of meetings and conversations with the Department's regional offices and the regulated community. This guidance applies to all owners and operators of regulated water and wastewater systems, the State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators and the Department. The Department and the State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators will follow the guidance and procedures in this document to direct and support the implementation of the Water and Wastewater Systems Operators Certification Act and meet the Federal guidelines provided by section 1419 of the 1996 Amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Comment Period Ends:  September 1, 2003. Anticipated Effective Date:  November 1, 2003. Contact:  Foster Diodato, [phone], [e-mail].

Final Technical Guidance

   DEP ID:  392-0300-003. Title:  Guidance on MS4 Ordinance Provisions. Description: This guidance contains model ordinance provisions for municipalities to meet their permit obligations under the NPDES Phase II Federal stormwater management regulations. Effective Date:  August 2, 2003. Contact:  Durla Lathia, [phone], [e-mail].

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-1499. Filed for public inspection August 1, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]