On May 26, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced it has adopted Resolution No. 2020‐02, enhancing its consumptive water use mitigation practices and providing flexibility for facilities paying its water usage fee.
The new policy also offers implementing guidance for water users in the basin seeking to provide water storage. The policy became effective on April 1, 2020.
“After careful review and consideration of the data and our objectives, we determined that exempting pond evaporation losses from mitigation requirements would promote the use of storage and expand options for achieving on‐site mitigation,” said Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission Andrew Dehoff. “In particular, facilities such as golf courses and ski resorts are likely to find the policy changes beneficial.”
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, wrote, “I am very happy to see SRBC’s new water use policy. It will be a huge help to some businesses which are struggling through the COVID 19 crisis.”
Management of low flows is one of the Commission’s primary and unique roles.
The traditional approach to this objective has been to provide for water releases from large federal reservoirs to offset downstream water consumption during low flow periods.
Through the policy update, the Commission seeks to add new options to the successes of the traditional approach and to enable water users to take credit for mitigation measures that are available to them.
The overarching goals are to improve low flow management, provide reliable water supply during droughts, expand affordable mitigation options to water users, and promote innovative partnerships for water use mitigation projects.
Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams) said, “As [Majority] Chairman of the Local Government Committee and Member of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, I am very pleased to learn of the new Consumptive Water Use Policy recently adopted by the Susquehanna River Basin Commissioners at their March 13th, 2020 meeting.
“I want to personally compliment Mr. Andrew Dehoff, SRBC Executive Director and Mr. Gene Veno, SRBC Governmental Affairs Director and thank them for taking the time to meet with me to discuss this policy and work on the data in order to bring about this needed policy change.
“This new policy will help many water use businesses in my district and throughout the entire river basin. I am delighted to see the adoption of the New Consumptive Water Use Policy and I look forward to continuing to work with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.”
Following adoption, new options now being offered to water users for meeting existing mitigation requirements include:
--Lowering the former 90‐day storage standard to 45 days;
-- Changing the definition of discontinuance from no water usage to allowing usage up to 20,000 gallons per day; and
-- Receiving a fee credit for water‐saving practices.
Resolution No. 2020‐02 provides the executive director the authority necessary to carry out the implementation of the updated policy.
This includes immediately exempting pond evaporation losses from the mitigation requirement and reducing fees in exchange for certain water conservation practices. The Commission estimates that implementation of these changes will result in an initial cost savings of more than $500,000 annually to qualifying projects in the Basin.
Activation of these money saving steps will require no action or cost on the part of water users and has already been begun by Commission staff.
Gene Barr, President and CEO of the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, wrote, “Today's news is the product of collaboration towards mutual goals of economic development and the stewardship of our natural resources. We appreciate and applaud the efforts of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission's leadership and staff in working productively with stakeholders, including the regulated community, to implement policies that will protect the region's water resources, and we thank the Commission and staff for responding effectively to the concerns and issues raised on behalf of the broader business community.”
Prior to the adoption of the updated policy, Commission staff held informational sessions with key water use stakeholders and other interested parties to preview the changes being considered and to solicit feedback.
David Spigelmyer, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, commented, “The Marcellus Shale Coalition and its members appreciate the continued collaboration that the Susquehanna River Basin Commission has demonstrated with all water users, including oil and gas operators, to ensure that the Susquehanna River’s water resources are protected and managed properly. Through this resolution the Commission has provided additional flexibility that will enable all water users to better manage their responsibilities during low‐flow periods while incentivizing the mitigation efforts that many users already embrace and encouraging new possibilities for the protection and utilization of one of this nation’s great water basins.”
The informational sessions and subsequent notification to water users of the policy and cost changes were well received.
“A broad array of operators participated in the sessions and we have received very positive feedback from water users throughout the basin for the adoption and implementation of this new policy,” added Mr. Dehoff.
Elk Mountains Vice President/General Manager Gregg Confer stated, "This new policy on Consumptive Use Mitigation is a great benefit for the ski areas in the basin. During these crazy times this is a step in the right direction that we greatly appreciate and thank the basin for the relief.”
In addition to the above comments in support of this New SRBC Policy, we also received comments from Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin) who stated: “As [Majority] Chairman of Pa. House Urban Affairs and a Member of the House Tourism & Recreational Development Committee I am pleased to learn of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s newly adopted Consumptive Water Use Policy recently adopted that immediately expands mitigation options and promotes cost savings of more than $500,000 annually to qualifying businesses in the Basin” Chairman Helm went on to say, “I have seen the many positive developments at the SRBC and I am pleased to see this new policy that will greatly help not only District 104 business owners, but many businesses throughout the river basin”
For questions or additional information, please call Gene Veno, Director of Government Affairs & Public Advocacy, 717‐238‐0423, Ext. 1311, or send email to: gveno@srbc.net.
For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website. Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter. Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.
[Posted: May 26, 2020] PA Environment Digest
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