LIAISON WORKGROUP MEETING 3/6/97

Minutes

Mike Sherman opened the meeting by explaining that the group was assembled to assist in updating the Commonwealth’s NPS Management Plan. Introductions of those attending followed. The mission statement was reviewed and Mike walked the group through the Working Notebook and an overview of the Water Deputate reorganization

Nicki Kasi presented an overview of Pennsylvania’s Nonpoint Source Program using slides and handouts.

Grants now emphasize comprehensive watershed initiatives and focus on environmental results and improvements. Initial grants focused on demonstration projects and more on educational aspects of the program such as development of brochures, videos, manuals and demonstration projects. Now the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) does more of the educational aspects of program. In the past two years, up to $250,000 was available in each grant for watershed assessment projects.

Many recommendations have been received on future directions of the NPS management program from our statewide conference and roundtable meetings. A draft of the NPS strategy should be ready by the next meeting of this workgroup. TMDL's will be used as a watershed management tool. Grant administration will be streamlined.

A NPS Forum will be convened, tailored after the National Forum held 2 years ago. The National Forum yielded 25 demonstration projects to address recommendations of the Forum. These can be adjusted for PA issues. The PA Forum will aim to build a stronger relationship with industry and establish partnerships. As part of the Forum, a Blue Ribbon Panel chaired by Governor Ridge and consisting of CEO's, university representatives, and environmental groups will be formed. In addition, four workgroups will be created to focus on the Lake Erie, Schuylkill River, Swatara Creek and Allegheny River watersheds. These workgroups will meet 3 or 4 times to determine how to address NPS in these basins and identify demonstration projects with industry involvement. These elements will become part of the NPS management plan. Larry Selzer of the Conservation Fund will help run the Forum.

Carl Rohr's presentation on the State Management Plan indicated that there has been much growth in the NPS program since the last revision of the Management Plan in 1992, thus the need to revisit and revise the plan.

Sarah Blackman (EPA) presented EPA’s new approach to clean water in the nine key elements (NKEs). Important to remember for today's meeting: NKEs are new tools in how to evaluate state programs. The three broad categories to deal with the NKEs are:

COORDINATION: (key elements #2, 7) DEP has done a good job here; this meeting is an example. DEP has strong working relationships with other state, federal and local agencies.

INSTITUTIONALIZATION: (key elements #3, 6, 8, 9) needed: TMDL list, cost shares, private funding and a comprehensive state overview of all issues. The 319 funding will be used to do stream assessments. On the positive side: PA is a pilot state for EPA Region 3’s electronic reporting. Task force is in place to choose NPS projects to be funded. The liaison workgroup will assist in the review and revision of the NPS management plan.

WATER QUALITY: (key elements #1, 4, 5) PA is updating assessment reports and identifying best technologies. The Management Plan will address these issues and have short and long-term goals to protect surface and groundwater. Unassessed waters initiative will address water quality impairments.

The advantage of addressing the NKEs in the Management Plan is that PA will have Enhanced Benefit State (EBS) status which allows greater state flexibility and less federal oversight. The role of this group is to help PA achieve elements #1 and #6. PA’s goal is to attain EBS status by December 1998.

Vic commended Sarah's explanation of the NKEs. Vic was part of a nationwide group that helped develop these elements and improve the 319 program.

Fran Koch presented the public participation section. She stated that the state management plan would be published in the PA Bulletin for comment and as a final document. Once a draft plan is developed DEP will hold meetings across the state to get public input. Meeting notices and articles about the Liason Workgroup will appear in the Update. In future, more information on NPS will be put on the DEP Website, including progress reports, meetings, updates on workgroups, etc.

Nicki summarized the DEP presentation. A strong PA program is in place. There are 100 different NPS projects in progress. It is important for the public to have a better understanding of NPS problems. A comprehensive approach with clearly defined goals and measurements of success are essential to solving our nonpoint source problems.

Nicki asked which program elements the group would like to hear more about. The following items were suggested topics for the next meeting:

the stream and lake assessment procedure;

TMDL information;

Citizen Monitoring Program;

consistency with nonpoint source program in overall statewide programs.

Mike asked if anyone would like to volunteer to be chairperson for the group. No one volunteered. Mike opened discussion on workgroup options. Pros and cons of breaking into subgroups by NPS category or by watersheds were discussed.

The group agreed to break into workgroups based on nonpoint source category first. At a future meeting we will decide how to make the transition from categories to specific watersheds incorporating a strong public participation and outreach effort.

The next meeting was set for April 2 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson State Office Building. DEP staff will arrange presentations as requested. After lunch the group will break into small groups based on Nonpoint Source Categories. A brainstorming session will be held on defining short and long term goals and measurements of success. Things to think about beforehand include: how we can build greater public participation; ideas on the NKEs; short and long term goals; and measurements of success (Appendices A&B in the Liason Group workbook).

One addition to the groundrules was suggested: only one person may speak at once and speak in short sentences. Everyone agreed.

Nicki Kasi suggested that everyone give some thought to which workgroup they would like to serve on and who should be the chairman for the group.

Meeting adjourned shortly after noon.