Municipalities like Bethlehem Township are required to obtain permits from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection in order to discharge water from storm sewers into "water of the United States." Bethlehem Tp has such a permit, called a NPDES permit, but it expires on October 31, 2018. To get a five-year renewal, it is going to have to present a pollution reduction plan. T and M Associates, the Township's stormwater engineer, made the presentation.
Siltation, also called sedimentation, is what impairs water quality the most in the Township. The Township's stormwaters account for 2,035 tons of sediment every year. Even when that figure is offset by water that drains into 112 existing basins, there still are 1,881 tons every year. The state DEP wants a plan to reduce that sedimentation by 10% over the next five years. The plan is to do the following: 1) vacuum sediment from existing inlets; 2) convert old existing dry basins (10% sediment removal effectiveness) to dry extended detention basins (60% effectiveness), with priority to basin conversions that also provide flood mitigation benefits; 3) Inlet vacuuming; and 4) Perform 3.5 basin retrofits every year.
This will cost the Township $350,000 per year. Funds can be sought through the grants process, but those are expected to be very competitive. A more likely source of revenue is a stormwater fee, which can be imposed on nonprofits. T and M also suggested an ordinance that would require land developers to bear the cost, although that suggestion would require a legal review.
"Where does it come from?" asked John Gallagher. Nobody knew. "It seems like we're treating a disease rather than preventing it," he complained.
In other business, Commissioners granted a six-month extension for the Brodhead Road Distribution Center. It was delayed, ironically, by roadblocks encountered in obtaining a NPDES permit that is also required of developers. Attorney Blake Marles, who represents the developers, said he was only seeking this extension as an "exercise in caution."
This project includes a pledge to finish the construction work on Brodhead Road. "That road can't take another winter," complained resident Barry Roth. But engineer Brian Dillman advised that the road reconstruction will begin at the end of the summer.
They recklessly over developed their township and now they ponder pollution reduction., A true case of closing the barn door after the stinky horse has left the stable. Bethlehem Twp. boldly going after the money for decades.
ReplyDeleteThe requirement to reduce pollution and sediment is yet another unfunded mandate, meaning every municipality will be forced to fund it by charging the taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteBethlehem Twp has a 90 year old public works director with a bobble-head assistant public works director who are absolutely clueless being fed the end is near for local streams. Just as the Bethlehem Parking Authority and it's consulting firm suggest raising parking rates, T & M consultants are sucking the blood ($$$$) of township taxpayers to satisfy their existence.
ReplyDeleteAfter ten plus years, the township finally figured out it doesn't need an assistant manager. The current manager stated he can handle all the duties. WAIT. News flash. The new manager was the assistant manager. What the heck does that tell you???
ReplyDeleteSame scenario in public works. Well all that the assistant public works director does is hold Grube's d$#k all day. So sad. Such a waste of tax payers money for years. And Grube could be with the township for another ten years. Milking the taxpayers. Fire both of them and bring in a new face.and get a new manager, that Doug B stated that the past position is not needed speaks volumes about his ethics. Fire him as well
When you are anonymous, you are really in no position to discuss ethics.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGeorge I have told you many times that I am unable to host gibberish. Please be clear or refrain from comment.
ReplyDeleteStorm water "fees" beginning to be imposed around the state in municipalities are due to municipalities being REQUIRED to adhere to MS4 regulations and the NPDES Permit process. Pollution Reduction Plans(PRP) are REQUIRED by law. I know that in the borough of Pen Argyl, we must know where our storm water comes from and where it goes, and it MUST be mapped. There must be a plan in place to reduce sediment 10% for any "impaired" (whatever or however DEP determines that to be) bodies of water.
ReplyDeleteThis is the beginning of Pen Argyl's PRP:
"The submission of this Pollution Reduction Plan (PRP) is in accordance with the requirements as defined in the General Permit PAG-13 Authorization to Discharge Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
This general permit, issued by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), grants municipalities the authority to discharge its storm water into Waters of the Commonwealth under a Storm Water Discharges from Small Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit. Pen Argyl Borough discharges storm water into the Waltz Creek, which has been listed by DEP as being impaired for sediment (See Appendix A). In accordance with Pen Argyl Borough’s MS4 permit, this PRP has been developed to address water quality initiatives within the drainage areas of this impaired stream."
That's just the beginning of Pen Argyl’s 25-page PRP. This is just another UNFUNDED MANDATE. EPA to DEP to YOU. Municipalities not prudently able to budget for these UNFUNDED MANDATES are forced to either raise taxes or create an authority to bill their residents for these improvements. Much like a sewer bill. It may be called a fee, but it is just another tax. The "rules" are made up as we go. The definitions can be ambiguous. There are no official formulas. There are made up formulas to try to figure out how to measure levels of impairment, how much sediment needs to be reduced, how to accomplish that and how to measure that. They are subject to change. The municipalities pay engineers to come up with these plans. These firms are happy to oblige. It is a five-year plan. In five years the measurements, techniques, obligations, requirements are unknown at this time, and may be subject to change at whim or wish. This is just one of the many unfunded mandates and/or regulations which effect your pocketbook and “trickle-down” from the federal government to the states to you.