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For Immediate Release
November 25, 2002
White: Senate
Approves Comprehensive Study of PA Water Resources
State and local effort would
determine water supply and demand; plan for future.
Harrisburg – The state Senate today approved
bipartisan legislation spearheaded by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) that would
launch the first comprehensive review of Pennsylvania’s water supplies in more
than 25 years.
The measure sets the framework to address the 21st
century water needs of Pennsylvania’s communities. The regional and statewide
effort will determine how much water Pennsylvania has, how much it uses, and
how much it will need to meet future demands.
“Pennsylvania is blessed with abundant water. Unfortunately it is not always where and
when we want it,” said White, who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee. “For years we have been talking about taking a good inventory
of our water resources and assessing the demand, but we have been unable to
determine the best ways to plan for this valuable asset. This legislation is
the result of more than a year’s work and negotiation.”
State Department of Environmental Protection
Secretary David Hess joined lawmakers in unveiling the legislation last week.
The measure was amended into House Bill 2302.
The legislation establishes a comprehensive,
inclusive approach to water resource management, including:
- Updating
the state water plan.
- Collecting
data through registering water users who withdraw more than 10,000 gallon a day
in a 30-day period.
- Identifying
critical water planning areas and developing critical area resource plans
through local involvement.
- Establishing
six regional water resource planning committees to reflect the geographic
diversity of Pennsylvania.
- Establishing
a Statewide Water Resource Committee to work with DEP in developing and
adopting the state water plans.
The major elements of the proposal were developed as
a result of 15 Public Water Forums held throughout 2001 and 2002. The statewide and regional committees will
include a broad representation of local government, business and industry,
environmental and agricultural interests.
To maintain a collaborative process, the bill
requires that the guidelines for the planning process and the ultimate plan
require approval by both the Statewide Committee and the Secretary of DEP.
House Bill 2302 does not establish any water
allocation or water withdrawal permitting requirements, and does not regulate
the construction or use of homeowners’ wells.
The amended bill was returned to the House of
Representatives for consideration.
“With information the water resources plan will
provide, we can better plan for development, protect natural resources and make
future decisions armed with the best, most accurate data,” said White.
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