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For Immediate Release
November 19, 2002
Legislation Unveiled to Update
Pennsylvania’s Outdated Water Resource Plan
State and local effort would determine water supply
and demand; plan for future.
Harrisburg
– Legislation that would launch the first comprehensive review of
Pennsylvania’s water supplies in more than 25 years was unveiled today at a
Capitol news conference.
“Water is critical to
our economy and to the health of our natural systems,” said Sen. Mary Jo White
(R-21), who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
“Senate Bill 1600 would establish an open process to determine how much water
we have, how much water we use and how much water we will need.”
State
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David Hess said the measure
sets the framework to address the 21st century water needs of
Pennsylvania’s communities. “We’ve
heard from many groups that this is the right legislation at the right time,”
Secretary Hess said. “Now is the time to pass the Water Resources Planning Act
to make sure Pennsylvania has an abundant supply of water for the future.”
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 statewide and
regional committees will include a broad representation of local government,
business and industry, environmental and agricultural interests. Reflecting
that commitment to a collaborative process, the bill provides that both the
policies and guidelines that shape the planning process, and the ultimate plan,
require approval by both the Statewide Committee and the Secretary of DEP.
Supporters
stressed that this is a planning bill only. It does not establish any water allocation or water withdrawal
permitting requirements. It does not
regulate the construction or use of homeowners’ wells.
“Water
resources is a topic that comes up often with my constituents,” said
Representative Arthur D. Hershey (R-13), who chairs the House Environmental
Resources and Energy Committee. “I
think anyone who has taken some time to look at this issue, knows that we are
way past due to take inventory on Pennsylvania’s water resources and plan
effectively for our future.”
CONTACT: Leigh Ramsey (717) 787-9684 | 
