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PennDOT works on stormwater

Department wants to pair up with others to reduce stream pollution

PennDOT wants to work with local governments to reduce stormwater pollution of streams.

The effort is in keeping with the increasingly stringent requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System program, initiated by the federal government and enforced by state environmental agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection.

“We’re looking for areas where we can partner with municipalities and counties,” said Vince Greenland, PennDOT district executive for design, at a recent meeting of the Intergovernmental Stormwater Committee, which represents 11 Blair County municipalities.

PennDOT could partner with local governments by incorporating “best management practices” into road projects — building them near roadways being improved, according to Richard Heineman, chief of the strategic environmental management section of PennDOT.

Rain gardens, infiltration basins and stream mitigations are among the practices that PennDOT could consider, Heineman said.

PennDOT will be looking to do projects “where it makes sense,” Heineman said. Building those might involve a little additional work for a bulldozer or a grader that is already on site.

It shouldn’t add much to the cost of highway projects or maintenance, he said.

“We’re glad to know they’re willing,” said Cassandra Schmick, Logan Township planning director and co-coordinator of the ISC for the time being.

PennDOT is doing MS4 work at Canoe Creek, where there is a major intersection project, Greenland said.

Both PennDOT and the municipalities could get credit for such work with DEP, indicated Jamie Chestney, an environmental planner for PennDOT District 9.

PennDOT and the municipalities are doing the MS4 work under state-issued permits.

PennDOT’s current permit, which didn’t require very much, began in July 2011 and expired in July 2016. The renewals — the municipal renewals are due in September — will demand greater commitment to the program, officials have said.

PennDOT submitted information for the permit renewal in January 2016 but hasn’t heard back yet from DEP, according to Heineman.

“I’m not rushing them,” he said, generating a chuckle from the local group.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.

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