HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced plans to reintroduce a package of bills addressing stream maintenance and giving counties and municipalities greater flexibility in handling obstructions and flood-related hazards in local waterways.
Last year, nearly every county in Yaw’s district was impacted by severe flooding from Tropical Storm Debby. The overwhelming message, he said, was the need to be able to get in the streams to clean them. Currently, doing so requires a permit from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection, a process that is lengthy, tedious and inefficient, according to Yaw.
“Proper stream maintenance protects people, land and bridges from flood damage,” Yaw said. “The need is immediate, and our local officials are in the best position to manage and maintain our streams. Eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and red tape can help prevent more widespread damage and destruction.”
The first bill would allow for local government organizations to apply for a permit for continuing maintenance for a period of at least 10 years for the streams within their jurisdiction. The second bill would create a program that allows counties to opt-in to address hazards within their streams by allowing for emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district.
Last session, the same measures passed the Senate with bipartisan support. However, neither were brought up for a vote by the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in the House of Representatives.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280