NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Availability of Technical Guidance
[53 Pa.B. 5854]
[Saturday, September 16, 2023]Technical guidance documents (TGD) are available on the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) web site at www.depgreenport.state.pa.us/elibrary/. The ''Technical Guidance Final Documents'' heading is the link to a menu of the various Department bureaus where each bureau's final TGDs are posted. The ''Technical Guidance Draft Documents'' heading is the link to the Department's draft TGDs.
Ordering Paper Copies of Department Technical Guidance
The Department encourages the use of the Internet to view and download TGDs. When this option is not available, persons can order a paper copy of any of the Department's draft or final TGDs by contacting the Department at (717) 783-8727.
In addition, bound copies of some of the Department's documents are available as Department publications. Check with the appropriate bureau for more information about the availability of a particular document as a publication.
Changes to TGDs
Following is the current list of recent changes. Persons who have questions or comments about a particular document should contact the person whose name and phone number are listed with each document.
Interim-Final TGD: Substantive Revision
DEP ID: 015-0501-002. Title: Environmental Justice Policy. Description: This policy outlines the administration of the Department's Policies and Programs, which includes a process for enhanced engagement with individuals and communities in Environmental Justice (EJ) areas during the Department's environmental permit application review process. Additionally, the interim-final policy describes how the Department will integrate EJ considerations into Department-wide operations including: interagency collaboration and EJ planning; EJ mapping, resource and data development; grant program practices; translation processes; the Department's compliance and enforcement strategy; and EJ training for Department staff and external partners. This document is replacing Document Number 012-0501-002.
DEP ID: 015-0501-003. Title: Pennsylvania Environmental Justice Mapping and Screening Tool (PennEnviroScreen) Methodology Documentation 2023. Description: The purpose of the PennEnviroScreen Methodology Documentation is to explain rationale behind the PennEnviroScreen tool used to implement the EJ Policy (EJ Policy) (Document Number 015-0501-002). PennEnviroScreen is available online at https://gis.dep.pa.gov/PennEnviroScreen/ and will replace the EJ Areas Viewer in implementation of the new policy and as a tool for understanding EJ concerns.
Submitting Comments: The public comment period will cover comments on both Document Number 015-0501-002 EJ Policy and Document Number 015-0501-003 PennEnviroScreen Methodology Documentation 2023. Written and spoken testimony both carry the same weight. Language interpretation services are available upon request and written comments are accepted in any language. Persons in need of language interpretation services must contact Jennifer McLuckie at (717) 772-5633 or RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov a week in advance of each meeting to allow time to find an interpretation service.
Written Comments: Interested persons may submit written comments on this draft policy through Sunday, October 29, 2023. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail, must include the commentator's name and address. Commentators are encouraged to submit written comments using the Department's online eComment tool for Policies at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment or by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov. Written comments can be mailed to the Technical Guidance Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063. Individuals should include or reference Document Number 015-0501-002 when submitting their comments.
Public Comment Meetings: The Department is holding two virtual public comment meetings and seven in-person public comment meetings for the purpose of accepting comments on the interim-final EJ Policy and related PennEnviroScreen Methodology Documentation. During the meeting portion of the event, the Department will describe the EJ Policy and PennEnviroScreen tool. The meeting will include time for public questions on the EJ Policy and PennEnviroScreen.
After the meeting portion, a public hearing will be held at the same location as the public information meeting. The hearing is intended to allow for public testimony on the EJ Policy and PennEnviroScreen tool. The Department will record testimony and receive written comments at the hearing portion of the meeting. Written and spoken testimony both carry the same weight, so commentators can present in the method most convenient to them. Verbal testimony is limited to 5 minutes for each witness. Organizations are limited to designating one witness to present testimony on their behalf at one meeting to allow time for residents and community members to testify. There is no limit to the number of community residents testifying on their own behalf. Witnesses at the virtual public comment meetings may provide testimony by means of telephone or Internet connection. In-person public comment meetings will not have a virtual component. The meetings will be held as follows:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 5 p.m.—7 p.m.
Virtual—See www.dep.pa.gov/EJPolicyRevision for
registration information.Thursday, October 12, 2023, 6 p.m.—8 p.m.
Brady Fire Company (Banquet Hall)
700 Maple Street
Ranshaw, PA 17866Monday, October 16, 2023, 6 p.m.—8 p.m.
University of Scranton Loyola Science Center
100 Linden Street, Room 133
Scranton, PA 18510Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 5 p.m.—8 p.m.
Erie Center for Arts and Technology
Lawrence Community Room
650 East Avenue
Erie, PA 16503Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 6 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
North Side Institution GOGIC
Banquet Hall
302 West North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212Thursday, October 19, 2023, 6 p.m.—8 p.m.
YMCA Camp Curtin
2135 North Sixth Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10 a.m.—12 p.m.
ACCESS Community Center
701 Booth Street
Chester, PA 19013Wednesday, October 25, 5 p.m.—7 p.m.
Virtual—See www.dep.pa.gov/EJPolicyRevision for
registration information.Thursday, October 26, 2023, 5 p.m.—9 p.m.
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104Persons wishing to reserve time to present testimony at a meeting must contact Jennifer McLuckie at (717) 772-5633 or RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing.
Information on how to access the virtual public comment meetings and additional information on the in-person comment meetings will be available on the EJ webpage and found through the Public Participation tab on the Department's web site at www.dep.pa.gov/EJPolicyRevision. Prior to each meeting, individuals are encouraged to visit the EJ webpage for the most current information for accessing each meeting.
Members of the public wishing to observe the public comment meetings without providing testimony are also encouraged to access the EJ webpage and register in advance to ensure there is adequate space for both the virtual and in-person comment meetings. If time allows, attendees who haven't previously registered will be allowed to testify.
Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact (717) 772-5633 or through the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.
Contact: Questions regarding this policy can be directed to Jennifer McLuckie at RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov or (717) 772-5633.
Language Services: Persons in need of language interpretation services must contact Jennifer McLuckie at RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov or (717) 772-5633.
Effective Date: Upon publication of notice as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
RICHARD NEGRIN,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 23-1257. Filed for public inspection September 15, 2023, 9:00 a.m.]
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