DEP Rolls Out New Chapter 105 General Permit Water Obstruction, Encroachment Form, Instructions

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 24 PA Bulletin announced revised instructions and form are available for Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment General Permit Registrations for General Permits.

The new form is required to be used starting March 26.

In general, the changes to the forms streamline and clarify the information that is required to obtain coverage under a Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment General Permit.

The General Permit Instructions (3150-PM-BWEW-0500) have also been simplified to better explain the General Permit registration requirements.

The Fee Calculation Worksheet (3150-PM-BWEW-0553) is no longer required to be submitted for registration completeness, but can continue to be used as a reference to assist the applicant in determining the correct permit fees.

The Reporting Criteria Checklist (3150-PM-BWEW-0051) is no longer required to be submitted by the permit registrant or reviewed by the Department. The checklist will continue to serve as a useful tool.

The Aquatic Resource Impact Table (3150-PM-BWEW-0557) has been condensed by removing references to Federal impact data based on discussions with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

This new format should expedite the Department reviews to determine if any impact area triggers a review by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the Federal authorization.

The Bog Turtle Screening Form (3150-PM-BWEW-0550) will no longer be required because bog turtle habitat information is now available when a Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory receipt is obtained.

The new documents will be posted in DEP’s eLibrary under Waterways Engineering and Wetlands/ Water Obstructions and Encroachment and Wetlands/ General Permits.  (Note: A new DEP eLibrary site is going live sometime on February 23. Search by document number if you get lost.)

March 6 Webinar

DEP is hosting a webinar on the use of the new forms and procedures March 6 starting at 1:30.  Click Here to register.

Questions about these changes should be directed to Sidney Freyermuth, Chief, Water Obstruction and Encroachments, Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands at 717-772-5977 or send email to: sfreyermut@pa.gov.