Pa. testing pilot program to shorten construction runoff permit approval

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Ten counties in Pennsylvania are testing a new pilot program that would shorten the approval process for construction runoff systems by over two months.

The pilot program will affect organizations applying for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES). An NPDES permit allows facilities to process and discharge specified amounts of pollutants into waterways.

According to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Pennsylvania, the approval process would decrease from 171 to 98 business days.

The pilot program will be tested in Luzerne, Monroe, Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Chester, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, and York counties.

The DEP says the pilot program would only accept three applications every quarter on a first come, first served basis in each county. Each applicant can only file one application per quarter during the pilot.

To find additional information on the requirements checklist to apply, or what projects are excluded from the pilot program, head to the DEP’s website or read the attached document below.

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