Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 3. Water Resourcesdecrease, because the treated water is typically discharged to a surface body of water. Conversely, privateon-lot septic systems return treated water to the groundwater storage area, and therefore don’t disrupt thenatural hydrologic budget.The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) was enacted in 1966 to repair existing sewagedisposal problems and to inhibit future problems. Defective sewage disposal systems can create a gravehazard to public health and the environment. They pose a risk of pollution to public and private drinkingwater sources, as they frequently can be directly discharged into the groundwater, and can expose variousbacteria, viruses and parasites to humans and animals. The contaminated groundwater also pollutessurface water supplies as it discharges into those streams and reservoirs.The major provisions of Act 537 are (DEP 1 ):1. All municipalities must develop and implement an official sewage plan that addresses theirpresent and future sewage disposal needs.2. Local agencies are required to employ both primary and alternate Sewage EnforcementOfficers (SEO), who are responsible for implementing the daily operation of that agency’sonlot disposal systems (OLDS) permitting program.3. Local agencies, through their SEO, approve or deny permits for construction of onlot sewagedisposal systems prior to installation.4. DEP provides grants and reimbursements to municipalities and local agencies for costsassociated with the Act 537 planning and permitting programs.5. An Environmental Quality Board (EQB) must adopt regulations establishing standards forsewage disposal facilities.6. A Sewage Advisory Committee (SAC) reviews existing and proposed rules, regulations,standards, and procedures, and then advises the Secretary of the DEP.Abandoned Mine Drainage LegislationThe Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act(SMCRA) of 1977 established mandatory uniform standards forcoal mining activities on state and federal lands, includingenvironmental performance protection standards to reduceadverse effects of fish, wildlife, and other environmental values.An important component of this legislation is that miningcompanies are required to conduct remediation efforts forenvironmental degradation caused after the Act’s passage (minedischarges, coal refuse, etc.) It gives companies an incentive toreduce environmental impacts in order to avoid the high costs ofremediation. The Act also created the Abandoned MineReclamation (AMR) fund to help pay for the clean up of minelands abandoned before 1977, which are not covered by the newstandards and regulations (Environmental Literacy Council,2002).AMD on Semiconon RunThis Act, along with the Clean Water Act, has important implications for mining activitiesthroughout Pennsylvania. Future mining activities in the Connoquenessing watershed must comply with3-16