Author Archive

Attention all NPDES Permit Applicants and Engineers!

On March 31, 2023 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a Special Public Notice (Special Public Notice-23-17) establishing a special condition to all existing authorizations under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and/or Section 404 of the Clean Water Act authorizations/verifications in Pennsylvania.

This special condition is added to all Section 10 and/or 404 permits previously authorized or verified in Pennsylvania. It requires that for any authorization or verification where work was not completed by March 31, 2023 an updated habitat screening using the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index (PNDI) be conducted, and that any and all avoidance measures listed in the PNDI for northern Long-Eared Bat are conditions of these permits (including PASPGP-6) and therefore must be followed.

MCCD’s guidance from DEP Central Office is that all PNDI receipts for new applications coming in and those in queue should have a date of March 31, 2023 or later, including PNDI receipts for amendment applications which have proposed additional earth disturbance. If the receipt date is earlier than March 31, 2023, the applicant should be notified to re-run the PNDI.  Any previously unreported avoidance measures or potential impacts regarding the Northern Long-Eared Bat will need to be resolved with the jurisdictional agencies prior to permit acknowledgement or issuance.

The Draft PCSM BMP Manual is now available for comment

The Technical Guidance Document know as the Pennsylvania Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Manual is currently being updated  by DEP and has been released in a Draft form.  It is now available for public comment.

To download a copy of the draft, click here.

You may also search the DEP eLibrary by clicking here.  Search for Document Number 386-0300-0100.

The PA Bulletin posting that announces the updated PCSM Manual is in Vol. 53, No. 4, January 28, 2023.  It may be accessed at https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/secure/pabulletin/data/vol53/53-4/53-4.pdf.  The information regarding the PCSM Manual draft is on p. 674-675.

From the above, written comments may be submitted on this draft Technical Guidance Document through Friday, April 28, 2023. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail must include the commentator’s name and address. Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department’s online eComment tool at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment. Written comments can also be submitted by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov or by mail to the Technical Guidance Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063

Montgomery County High School Envirothon Registration is now OPEN!

Click Here for additional information.

Thursday April 27, 2023.
To be held at the Montgomery County 4H Center in Creamery, PA.

Click Here to register!

Resource Conservationist Territory Reorganization

The territories covered by the Resource Conservationists is changing  Please see the updated map or list for additional information.

Pre-submission meetings now being offered by MCCD!

MCCD is pleased to roll out a new meeting offering to better serve the Montgomery County development community and facilitate a more efficient and timely NPDES permitting process for all parties. This new “pre-submission meeting” is a formal meeting for submission-ready PAG-02 General NPDES permit applications. This is a new offering in addition to the currently offered pre-application meeting, which is intended for projects in the design phase. The goal of the pre-submission meeting is to collaboratively review complete NPDES permit applications together (MCCD and applicant/engineer) prior to submission. MCCD, in cooperation with the applicant/engineer, can identify deficiencies and offer guidance up front, yielding a more efficient and timely review and overall permitting process.

We hope you find this new offering beneficial to the process, and we look forward to working with you.

The form to use to request either a pre-application meeting or a pre-submission meeting may be obtained by clicking here. (The file should download automatically)

Please note that the permit applicant is encouraged to attend all meetings.

Mission Statement
To protect and improve the quality of life of the residents of Montgomery County and surrounding communities by providing, in cooperation with others, timely and efficient service, education, and technical guidance, for the wise use of our soil, water, and related resources.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday
8:15AM – 4:15PM