On Monday the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted 15 to 7 to report out House Bill 1565 (Hahn-R-Northampton) eliminating the nearly 4 year old requirement for stream buffers in High Quality and Exceptional Value streams.
Before being reported out, the bill was amended to make stream buffers a preferred option to help control erosion and sedimentation, but the keeps the provision eliminating the stream buffer requirement. The amendment was approved 17 to 5.
Amendments to Chapter 102 of DEP’s regulations have required stream buffers in High Quality and Exceptional Value watersheds since November of 2010.
Section 102.14 provides a long list of exceptions to the buffer requirement, including: a project site located greater than 150 feet from a named waterbody; activities involving less than one acre of earth disturbance; activities when a permit is not required under Chapter 102; activities where the permit was acquired before November 19, 2010; road maintenance activities; repair and maintenance of existing pipelines and utilities; oil, gas, timber harvesting or mining activities; single family homes not part of a larger common plan or development; and activities authorized by a Department permit under another Chapter or title.
“The science is robust, clear, and growing—forested streamside buffers provide a myriad of functions from the protection of drinking water resources to reducing the impacts of flooding, and even support of vital habitat for our economically important game fisheries, said Harry Campbell, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Pennsylvania Director. “Establishing or maintaining a streamside forested buffer no less than 150 feet wide for our most pristine streams, is a critical component of reducing pollution and improving water quality.”
Forested buffers also help to reduce the costs of treating drinking water. Research has shown that trees play a vital role in maintaining the quality of the water entering drinking water treatment plants and, therefore, reduce the costs of treatment.
More than half of all Pennsylvania residents get their drinking water from streams, reservoirs, or lakes, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for every $1 that we invest in protecting water quality at the source – we save $27 – the cost of treating that water to be suitable for drinking.
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
