DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee To Discuss Draft Language For New PAG-01 Small Project General Permit, Manganese Standard July 25

The draft language for DEP’s new PAG-01 erosion control and sedimentation General Permit for projects under 5 acres in size is now available and will be discussed at the July 25 DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee.

The Committee will also discuss a draft water quality criteria for manganese, among other items.

Draft PAG-01

Ramex Ziadeh, P.E., DEP Executive Deputy for Programs told DEP’s Agricultural Advisory Committee on June 20 the draft PAG-01 would apply to a project site of under 5 acres where the impervious surface totals no more than 20,000 square feet or 12 percent of the site, whichever is less.

Ziadeh said DEP worked with Villanova University’s Stormwater research program to develop cookie-cutter, non-structural Best Management Practices, like a rain garden, landowners could use without doing engineering work and specific calculations for the site.

He said the basic design theory behind the new General Permit is that stormwater hitting an under 5 acre site with limited impervious surface and if the prescribed BMPs are installed, will be treated and dissipate on the site.

The new PAG-01 would be a master permit that once finalized individual landowners could request coverage under through a simplified notice to DEP without engineering work and with limited expense.

Ziadeh said about 40 percent of the 1,700  PAG-02 permit applications received by DEP for review could be eligible for coverage under the new PAG-01 simplified permit or about 680 permits or so.

The PAG-01 is part of a series of initiatives by DEP to simplify and speed up permit reviews under the Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sedimentation Control) and Chapter 105 (Dam Safety and Encroachment) Permit Programs.

Click Here for the draft PAG-01 language.

Manganese Standard

The Committee will also discuss the development of a proposed manganese water quality criteria as directed by the General Assembly. Click Here for a copy of the draft regulation change.  Click Here for a copy of the presentation.  Click Here for background on this issue from previous Committee meetings.

PAG-02 Reissuance

Also on the agenda is the reissuance of the PAG-02 NPDES General Permit.  Click Here for a copy of the presentation.  Click Here for the draft PAG-02 language.

There will also be a discussion of contaminants of emerging concern and a update on Chapter 105 dam safety and encroachments program.

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building starting at 9:30.

For more information and available handouts, visit the DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee webpage.  Questions should be directed to Diane Wilson by calling 717-787-3730 or send email to: diawilson@pa.gov.