UPDATING PENNSYLVANIA’S NONPOINT SOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
4/29/98 Liaison Workgroup
Minutes

Eric Carlson, chair, opened the meeting welcoming the original members of the NPS Liaison Workgroup and the new associates who have joined to provide input to update Pennsylvania’s NPS Management Plan. Russ Wagner, Chief of the Nonpoint Source Management Section, provided information on the new funding proposed in the President’s budget for implementing the Clean Water Action Plan. Beginning in 2000 the additional money for Section 319 will be awarded only to states with EPA approved updated NPS Management Plans. Pennsylvania received the 319 FY 98 grant award in the amount of $2,927,000 which will fund twenty -seven projects. A total of 49 proposals were received for the FY 99 grant. Eight of these projects did not involve 303(d) listed streams and were therefore disqualified. There is about $2 million to fund proposed projects. Swatara Creek was approved as a National Monitoring site and will be the first National Monitoring site for Abandoned Mine Drainage. Pennsylvania has three of the 20 National Monitoring sites.

Pete Slack (DEP), Brion Johnson and Beverly Reinhold (PennVEST) provided information on Pennsylvania’s federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). Copies of fact sheets and overheads contain the details. Discussion focused on the requirement that SRF monies must go to a public entity such as a municipality. The onlot SRF loan is handled through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority. The need to understand each others programs and to come up with an idea on the amount of money needed was also discussed.

Each of the Workgroups reported on the Measurable Environmental Results (MERs) developed for the Action Plan. The overlap in a number of the MERs was discussed. The consensus was that the MERs should be consolidated into one chapter. The Workgroups for each category will meet once a year to revisit their Action Plan and evaluate progress and revise as necessary. This would cover the MERs involving the implementation of BMPs and other NPS controls as well as the education and awareness activities. The MERs involving water quality improvement and pollutant load reduction would be evaluated as part of the regular cycle of assessments done in conjunction with Pennsylvania’s 305(b) Report.

Discussion focused on pubic participation and the need for an easily understood version of the NPS Management Plan. The idea of also providing a powerpoint overview to be used by members of the NPS Liaison Workgroup to explain the Plan to their organizations and to other groups was favorably received.

The next meeting of the NPS Liaison Workgroup is scheduled for August 12, 1998.