DEP Accepting Comments On Water Quality Certification For Birdsboro Pipeline, Berks County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 12 PA Bulletin it is now accepting comments on the proposed Section 404 Water Quality Certification for the 13.2 mile DTE Birdsboro Pipeline Project in Berks County (PA Bulletin page 4768).

The proposed project consists of the installation of approximately 13.2 miles of new 12-inch diameter natural gas pipeline which will run from the receipt point on Texas Eastern Transmission Company’s (TETCO) pipeline in Rockland Township, Berks County to the Birdsboro Power Facility in the Borough of Birdsboro, Berks County.

The project also proposes one new pig receiver at the Birdsboro Power Facility and one new meter site at the TETCO interconnect with two new taps on the TETCO pipelines. The pipeline is being proposed to fuel the proposed Birdsboro Power facility.

The proposed pipeline will cross 28 streams and 21 wetlands and require approximately 128 acres of earth disturbance, and permanent impacts to 493 linear feet and temporary impacts to 649 linear feet of streams including the Schuylkill River (WWF) and two Unnamed Tributaries (UNT’s) to the Schuylkill River (WWF); Monocacy Creek and eighteen UNT’s to Monocacy Creek (WWF); four UNT’s to Manatawny Creek (CWF); Little Manatawny Creek (CWF) and one UNT to Little Manatawny Creek (CWF), 0.2 acre of permanent impacts to floodway, 2.0 acres of temporary impacts floodway, 1.09 acre of temporary wetland impacts, and 1.22 acre of permanent wetland impacts that are associated with permanent right-of-way maintenance.

Prior to issuance of the final State water quality certification, DEP will consider all relevant and timely comments, suggestions or objections submitted to DEP within 30 days of this notice-- September 10.

Written comments should be submitted by email to RA-EPWW-SCRO@pa.gov  or by mail to: DEP Southcentral Regional Office, Waterways and Wetlands Program Manager, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) and should be directed to Program Manager, Waterways and Wetlands Program.

Comments must be submitted in writing and contain the name, address and telephone number of the person commenting and a concise statement of comments, objections or suggestions on this proposal. No comments submitted by facsimile will be accepted.