DEP Invites Submission Of Water Quality Data To Be Part Of Stream Redesignation Evaluations In Berks, Bucks, Centre, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Westmoreland Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin inviting groups and individuals to submit technical data on water quality, instream habitat or biological information as part of stream redesignation evaluations in Berks, Bucks, Centre, Forest, Greene Huntingdon, Lancaster, Westmoreland counties.

The streams include--

-- Berks - Stony Creek: The evaluation is being conducted as a result of ongoing Statewide monitoring and assessment efforts that indicates the existing use of Stony Creek may be different than the current designated use. 

-- Bucks - Haycock Creek: The evaluation is being conducted as a result of ongoing Statewide monitoring and assessment efforts that indicates the existing use of Haycock Creek may be different than the current designated use.

-- Centre - Bald Eagle Creek: The evaluation is being conducted in response to a request from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District.

-- Forest  - Sibbald Run: The evaluation is being conducted as a result of ongoing Statewide monitoring and assessment efforts that indicates the existing use of Sibbald Run may be different than the current designated use.

-- Greene - Fletcher Run: The evaluation is being conducted in response to a rulemaking petition submitted to the Environmental Quality Board by Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, LLC.  Read more here.

-- Huntingdon - Raystown Branch Juniata River: The evaluation is being conducted in response to a request from the US Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District. 

-- Lancaster - Kettle Run: The evaluation is being conducted as a result of ongoing Statewide monitoring and assessment efforts that indicates the existing use of Kettle Run may be different than the current designated use.

-- Westmoreland - Beaver Run: The evaluation is being conducted in response to a request by the Department's Interstate Water Resources Management Program and a review of the Fish and Boat Commission's wild trout classification of Beaver Run.

The deadline for submitting data is June 17.  Questions should be directed to Mark Brickner mbrickner@pa.gov. 

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information and instructions on submitting comments.

To learn more about this program, visit DEP’s Stream Redesignations webpage for a list of streams under review..

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

(Photo: DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley (center) joins aquatic biologists as they assess stream health during a visit to DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office this week.)

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[Posted: May 17, 2024]  PA Environment Digest