Changes to Improve Wetland and Waterway Encroachment Permit Review Times Announced in Pennsylvania

As part of a statewide effort to reduce permit backlogs, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced revisions to the instructions and forms for Chapter 105 General Permit Registrations relating to water obstructions and encroachments. These revisions will improve the quality of General Permit registration requests, eliminate unnecessary redundancies, and reduce review time frames. The new forms and instructions will go into effect beginning March 26, 2018.

“As part of DEP’s effort to reduce permit review backlogs, these changes will help DEP staff complete the review of thousands of Chapter 105 General Permit registration requests received annually in a more expeditious manner,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “DEP discussed changes to the required forms and instructions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies to ensure that the changes do not affect the environmental protections of the permits.”

McDonnell added that the agency is committed to streamlining its permit review process in a manner that promotes responsible and environmentally safe development.

“DEP will continue to explore ways to improve our permit review processes, while ensuring that any changes to those processes don’t hinder our mission to protect Pennsylvania’s air, land, and water from pollution,” said McDonnell. “These changes are meant to encourage responsible and environmentally safe development.”

The new forms and instructions are available on the DEP website.

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