There being a majority of the Board members present, the meeting was called
to order by Chairperson Bill Adams, PA Farm Bureau.
Attendance
Members
Bill Adams, PA Farm Bureau
Gordon Hiller, PA State Grange
Sam Elkin, Livestock Producer
Bob Pardoe, Jr., Dairy Producer
Barry Isaacs, USDA, Natural Resource and Conservation Service
Jay Howes, House, Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee
Mike Brendle, Poultry Producer
Mary Keenan, House Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee
Donald Lichtenwalner, Grain Producer
Christian Herr, PA Department of Agriculture
Richard VanNoy, PA Department of Environmental Protection
Agencies, Advisors, Guests
Dave Gromelski, DEP, Bureau of Regulatory Counsel
Barbara Sexton, DEP, Regulatory Coordinator
Carl Shaffer, DEP, Bureau of Water Quality Management
Jack Ford, DEP, Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands
Gene Counsil, DEP, Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands
Lynn Langer, DEP, Bureau of Land and Water Conservation
Fran Koch, DEP, Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands
Rick Shertzer, DEP, Bureau of Water Quality Management
Kurt Klapkowski, DEP, Bureau of Regulatory Counsel
Bill Zett, DEP, Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands
Minutes
The minutes of the June 21, 1995 meeting were approved as distributed. Regulatory Update Barbara Sexton, DEP, Regulatory Coordinator, stated that the Stage 1 Small Gasoline Storage Tank regulations were approved by the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) at its August 17 meeting. They should be published in the PA Bulletin in October. There is currently a initiative by the Department to inventory its regulations and policies known as the regulatory basics initiatives. This will be a ongoing process over the next two years. The Department will be making recommendations to an advisory committee and the EQB on amendments to regulations and guidance documents. The Department will also be working on a cost benefit analysis.
Technical Standards for Above and Underground Storage Tanks and the Permitting of Storage Tanks
Carl Shaffer, DEP, Bureau of Water Quality Management, stated that the Department is currently conducting a regulatory initiative for above and underground storage tanks and their impact on the farm community. They will develop some basic technical standards by October 21, 1995, and hope to have a proposed package to the EQB by January. The Department divides above ground storage tanks into two categories. These are large tanks which have a capacity of greater than 21,000 gallons, and small tanks with a capacity up to 21,000 gallons. For underground storage tanks, all tanks with a capacity of 110 gallons or greater must be registered with the Department. The Department is now proposing permitting requirements for both above ground and underground storage tanks, and will use "permit by rule" for certain classes of storage tanks.
Carl also updated the Board on the requirements of Act 16 of 1995 which took effect on August 16, 1995. This Act deregulates small above ground storage tanks with a capacity of 1,100 gallons or less that store motor fuel or motor oil. It also deregulates commercial heating oil tanks. The Act also requires that a representative from the agricultural community be added to the Storage Tank Advisory Committee and the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Board. Farmers are also eligible for loans from the Storage Tank Fund under the Requirements of the Act.
Comments on Revisions to GP-6 and GP-9
Fran Koch, DEP, Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands, stated that the Board members comments had been addressed regarding revisions to GP-6 and GP-9. The Board expressed the opinion that the general permits were too thick with information that would be overwhelming to the public. The Department is now looking at reducing the size of the general permits; however, there is certain information which will need to be contained in the general permit. The deadline for written comments on the revisions of the general permits is September 25. The Board then discussed concerns they had over the five mile downstream notification requirement. Fran urged the Board to make its concerns known to the Department.
The Implications to Private Landowners Regarding the Change in Stream Designation for the Elk and Pine Creeks in Centre County
Rick Shertzer, DEP, Bureau of Water Quality Management, stated that the water quality standards program is an anti-degradation program whose goal is to maintain existing water quality in selected streams through out the state. The goal is to comply with the PA Code, Title 25, Chapter 101, 102, 105 regulations, the Clean Streams Law, and the Nutrient Management Act. Barbara Sexton noted that currently the Department is looking at the regulations and comparing them to the federal standards. The state is attempting to not adopt any regulations that are more stringent than the federal requirements. Once this analysis is complete the Department will come back before the Board. If significant changes are made, the Department will return to the Board for additional comments.
Wetland Issues
Fran Koch noted that the Department has finalized and distributed copies of the Wetland Restoration/Creation Site Registry as proposed by Board member Cass Peterson. Fran also stated that the Department has received the names of 60 volunteers willing to serve on the Wetlands Management Advisory Committee. The Department will select 16 members for the committee. These will consist of 4 members from business and industry; 4 members from state and local government; 4 environmental members; 2 federal representative members; and 2 citizen members. Gordon Hiller, PA State Grange, requested that there be two farmer representative members on this committee. The Board members agreed with this and Chairperson Bill Adams will draft a letter to the Department regarding this recommendation.
Update on the Nutrient Management Regulations
Lynn Langer, DEP, Bureau of Land and Water Conservation, updated the Board on the status of the Nutrient Management Regulations. The State Conservation Commission had approved the proposed regulations at its June meeting. The Department has incorporated changes that were addressed at that meeting. The Commission will also make an effort to educate the public on the regulations. A brochure was distributed to the Board as an example of the type of outreach material that will be used. It is anticipated that the regulations will be published in the PA Bulletin in October for public comments. Four public meetings will also be scheduled for Lancaster, Lewisburg, Mercer, and Somerset. Public hearings will also be held to allow the public to provide public comments regarding the regulations. Commission members and Nutrient Management Advisory Board members have agreed to participate in these meetings.
Issues/Comments/Concerns From the Floor
Dick VanNoy, PA Department Of Environmental Protection, noted that Cary Oshins had sent him a draft copy of the composting supplement to the manure management manual. Cary requested to be placed on the agenda of the next Board meeting to review this supplement with the Board.
Adjournment
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.