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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 96-1746

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry

[26 Pa.B. 5021]

   Background:  The Keystone Recreation, Parks and Conservation Fund established by Act 50 of July 2, 1993 (P. L. 359), authorized the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to expend up to 10% of the Department's share (30%) of the realty transfer taxes, for 50/50 matching grants for the purpose of rivers conservation. Money from this source became available July 1, 1995. As one of the Department's Community Conservation Partnership Initiatives, the Rivers Conservation Program was created to restore, maintain or enhance the river resources of the Commonwealth through the development and implementation of locally initiated rivers conservation plans. Applicants eligible to apply for 50/50 matching grants include municipalities (any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township, home rule municipality or any official agency created by the foregoing units of government under the laws of the Commonwealth) and appropriate organizations (nonprofit organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or incorporated under Pennsylvania Law and registered with the Department of State). A major purpose of the organization must be conservation of river resources and values. The Rivers Conservation Program provides funding and technical assistance to support the completion of Rivers Conservation Plans.

   A Rivers Conservation Plan must be completed and approved by the Department in order for river segments studied and defined within the plan to become components of the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry. River conservation projects or implementation activities recommended within rivers or river segments which are included on the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry are eligible for Implementation or Acquisition/Development Grants from the Keystone Program. The conservation of river resources is desirable and the Commonwealth wishes to recognize and foster local conservation initiatives by establishing a Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry.

   Purposes:  The purposes of the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry are:  (1) to recognize and list rivers or river segments, defined within a Rivers Conservation Plan, which have been studied, evaluated and through a public participation process, have had recommended courses of action and site-specific projects detailed to conserve the river and river values; (2) to provide a mechanism by which recommended actions or projects within a River Conservation Plan would be eligible for technical assistance and Implementation, Acquisition and Development Grants from the Keystone Program.

   Procedure:  In order for rivers or river segments to be listed on the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry, a River Conservation Plan must be completed and approved by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A summary of the content, public participation requirements and supplemental materials of a River Conservation Plan are as follows:

   1.  Content

   A River Conservation Plan must contain sufficient natural and cultural resource data and an analysis and evaluation of the data defining site-specific actions and projects to restore, maintain or enhance rivers or river segments contained within the plan.

   2.  Public Participation

   Documentation that at least one public informational meeting, a workshop and a public hearing were held in the study area; and that a public notification process was utilized to allow interested individuals and organizations to attend public forums and review and comment on the plan.

   3.  Resolution

   A municipality or nonprofit organization must petition the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to place a river or river segments, included in a River Conservation Plan, on the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry. A resolution from at least one of the municipalities supporting the plan and nomination to the registry must accompany the petition.

   Note:  Only municipalities supporting the plan will be considered eligible for Implementation, Acquisition or Development Grants. Upon review and approval of the plan content, public participation documentation, petition and resolution, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will publish a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin listing the river or river segments on the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry. The entry shall become effective on the date of publication.

JOHN C. OLIVER,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-1746. Filed for public inspection October 18, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]


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