PADEP Publishes Improvements to the NPDES Stormwater Permitting Process

The 2000 Stormwater NPDES Amendments to the federal Clean Water Act have increased the demand for stormwater permits issued by DEP, and have consequently nearly doubled the workload of department staff responsible for processing the permits. To address these issues, including improving the quality of permit applications and reducing the DEP's review time, several improvements to the NPDES permitting process have been finalized. http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol37/37-10/395.html 

PADEP has finalized and scheduled the implementation of four new initiatives, summarized below: 

1. Encourage the use of a simultaneous review process for erosion and sediment control and Postconstruction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSM) review.
2. Expedite permit review where applicants have Municipal or County Conservation District approval of the PCSM Plan and that the Plan has been sealed by a Professional Engineer (PE) who has attended Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual training and has demonstrated knowledge and experience in preparing PCSM Plans. Instructions for utilizing an expedited permit review process for NPDES Postconstruction Stormwater Permits are available at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/wc/subjects/stormwatermanagement/March%208.doc
3. Develop new General Permits (GPs) and clarification of existing General Permits. The Department has developed a fact sheet that explains the permit requirements for the development of small home lots entitled ''Soil Erosion And Sediment Requirements For Single-Family Residence, Individual Lot Construction And Minor Construction Project Activities.'' 
4. Third-Party Service Providers--the Department will solicit qualified consultants, including County Conservation Districts to assist applicants in preparing NPDES Stormwater permit applications or facilitating the application development process.

F. X. Browne, Inc. has licensed Professional Engineers and Landscape Architects that are trained in stormwater BMP design and are available to help meet the requirements for the Interim Expedited Review Option for NPDES Permit Applications for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities. 

Frank Browne, P.E., Ph.D, president of F. X. Browne, Inc, assisted with the draft of the new PA DEP Stormwater Management Manual, which is designed to minimize the adverse impacts of stormwater on groundwater and surface water resources. Additional F. X. Browne, Inc. staff recently attended workshops on the Manual to help clients comply with satisfying Pennsylvania’s new stormwater requirements. For more information, contact info@fxbrowne.com.