Susquehanna River Basin Commission Releases Proposed Rule, Groundwater Review Policies For Comment, Including New Pre-Drilling Well Site Review Policy

On March 26, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission released a proposed rulemaking and three related groundwater review policies for public comment. 

The proposed regulations and policies are designed to provide clarity to project sponsors, target Commission oversight to the most appropriate activities, establish a more efficient and effective framework to review groundwater withdrawals, and solidify processes to handle an anticipated 200-250 groundwater renewal applications over the next five years. 

In addition, with the successful implementation of grandfathering registration, the regulation proposes changes that simplify regulations concerning these grandfathered projects. 

The regulations would also codify and build upon successful program changes with the Commission’s natural gas consumptive use program, its minor modification regulation, and general project review regulations.

The proposed changes should benefit both the Commission and the regulated community, while maintaining proper oversight of water resources. 

The proposed rules will ensure wells are permitted and monitored in efficient but robust ways that will help reduce costs, both to systems that are smaller and those that have economic challenges.

3 Policies

The three policies open for public review include--

-- Alternative Hydrogeologic Evaluation Policy (New)

-- Aquifer Testing Plan Guidance Policy (Revised)

-- Pre-drill Well Site Review Policy (New)

Click Here for more background on each policy.

Public Information Meetings

The Commission will hold two informational webinars on April 6 at 6:00 p.m. and April 14 at 2:00 p.m. to help the public and regulated community understand the proposal and answer questions from the stakeholder community. 

Click Here to register for the webinars.

May 6 Public Hearing

The Commission will hold a public hearing via conference call on May 6 at 6:30 p.m.  Click Here for more information.

The rulemaking and policies will be open for written public comment until May 17, 2021.

The proposed rulemaking and policies are available on the Commission’s website, or can be made available upon request by contacting Jason Oyler, Secretary and General Counsel of the Commission at (717) 238-0423 ext. 1312 or at joyler@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: March 26, 2021]  PA Environment Digest