DEP Announces Training for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)
PA Department of Environmental Protection
May 11, 2016
HARRISBURG– The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that training workshops will be held at six locations across the state this summer to assist new and existing Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) with changes to the MS4 NPDES General Permit, also referred to as a PAG-13.
A reissued PAG-13 General Permit is expected to become effective in March 2018, and NOIs are due from most MS4s in September 2017. Preparing applications will need to begin soon in order to meet this deadline.
The training also will be applicable to MS4s that will need to submit applications for individual MS4 NPDES permits. The official Registration Form and payment must be received by DEP via mail 30 days before each workshop begins. Seating is limited to 50 participants for each workshop, and there is a $50 registration fee, which includes lunch.
The workshops are scheduled as follows:
- June 14-15 Uniontown
- June 21-22 Scranton
- June 28-29 Wyomissing
- July 19-20 Lewisburg
- TBA-July York Area
- TBA-July Cranberry Township Area
A separate announcement will be forthcoming for additional training workshops. These workshops will be held to help new and existing MS4 permittees understand how to prepare stormwater pollution plans that are required to be completed and submitted with the NOI or permit application.
To complete a registration form for one of the workshops, visit theDEP website or pastehttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Stormwater/Pages/default.aspx#training into your browser.
Rain Garden Tour: May 17 at 6PM
Come tour the newly installed 3000+ square-foot rain garden at the Perkiomen Township Community Park, 1 Trappe Road, Collegeville, PA, on Tuesday, May 17 at 6pm. Montgomery County Conservation District’s Watershed Specialist will provide a guided tour of the rain garden, as well as background on the project to enhance this community space.
This is a great opportunity to see a new stormwater BMP in action, and to learn from a District project.
Enter the PHS ‘Tree of the Year’ Contest
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is hosting a contest to celebrate beloved trees.
Do you have a special tree that has touched you or your community? If so, PHS wants to hear your story!
Starting this Arbor Day — Friday, April 29 — enter for a chance to receive free tree care for the tree for one year from Bartlett Tree Experts.
The Tree of the Year Contest invites residents of all ages throughout the region to submit short stories, essays, or poems — of 200 words or less — and tell us why your tree is important to you or your community.
- Entries must include a high-resolution photo (1- 2 MB) of the tree and feature one or more people who love it.
- Entries can be submitted as poetry or prose — of 200 words or less.
- All submissions must be received on or before June 1.
- Please email entries to: plantonemillion@pennhort.org.
- Voting will be open to the public online June 20 through July 20, 2016.
Click here for more information on the Tree of the Year Contest, a part of the Plant One Million campaign.
Volunteer Opportunities with MCCD
Celebrate Earth Day by signing up to volunteer at a rain garden planting or stream cleanup this spring!
Volunteers are needed to help plant native perennials, shrubs and trees in a newly constructed rain garden on Perkiomen Township property at 1 Trappe Road, Collegeville PA 19426. Sign up to help at http://vols.pt/8aiMSU.
Volunteer dates/times are:
Saturday, April 23 from 10am-2pm
Monday, April 25 from 1pm-5pm
Thursday, April 28 from 1pm-5pm
We are again partnering with Upper Merion Township on a Schuylkill Scrub litter cleanup event. We will be cleaning in three Township park locations on Saturday, May 14 from 9am-12pm at the following sites:
Sweetbriar Park at 599 Hansen Rd, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Upper Merion Township Building Park at 175 W. Valley Forge Rd, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Walker Field at Old Fort & William Roads, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Register for the KOP Cleanup at http://vols.pt/sqbcnr.
Volunteer to Help Track and Eradicate Spotted Lanternfly
PENN STATE EXTENSION
April 19, 2016
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect known to be established in Eastern Berks County and portions of Montgomery, Bucks and Chester Counties. This insect has potential to severely impact a number of agricultural commodities. Attempts are being made to eradicate this insect in the affected area.
Residents of municipalities included in the quarantine are encouraged to sign up as volunteers to band trees to trap and destroy this insect on their property. To participate, you must own property with a confirmed population of spotted lanternfly, and have Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) trees. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) crews will service other targeted properties where volunteers are not available.
Volunteers must attend a training session to participate.
For more details, click here.