The how tos of stormwater for citizens

Whether it's runoff from melting and polluted snow this winter, or rainwater from a summer thunderstorm, stormwater in our communities affects us all. PennFuture, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), and the Brandywine Conservancy are collaborating to help clarify and simplify the stormwater permitting process for watershed and conservation groups and citizens – and make public participation in your borough or township's planning process easier. 

• MS4 Public Participation Presentation  
• Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
• Brandywine River Museum, 1 Hoffman's Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pa. 19317

This targeted educational program is designed to help citizens become more involved in municipal stormwater management. PennFuture recently reached a legal settlement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in an Environmental Hearing Board appeal: PennFuture v. DEP and Upper Gwynedd Township, Docket No. 2013-105-L. The settlement will change the way that municipal separate storm sewer systems, known as MS4s, receive permits in Pennsylvania.

Our presentation will cover:

• What the settlement in the MS4 case means for you
• Ways for your organization and its members to get involved in the DEP's process for updating the general permit for MS4s 
• Opportunities to get involved in your municipality's stormwater planning process, including:
• When and how you can participate  — and why it's a key opportunity for citizens to give public input
• What to look for in permit applications, including pollutant reduction plans and TMDL plans   

Have questions about the MS4 Public Participation Presentation - Brandywine? Or is your organization interested in a similar presentation? Contact Mike Helbing at helbing@pennfuture.org.

Kate Gibbons is northeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Wilkes-Barre.