May 1, 2018

Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP)

DEP’s Role in Pipeline Permitting

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Agenda

1. What’s within DEP’s Role

2. What’s NOT in DEP’s Role

3. A Brief overview of the

Regional Permit

Coordination Office

3

DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

• Review and Issue Permits

–Chapter 102 Permit – Erosion and

Sediment Control – related to earth

disturbance during construction and

runoff management.

4

DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

• Review and Issue Permits

–Chapter 102 Permit – Erosion and

Sediment Control – related to earth

disturbance during construction and

runoff management.

–Chapter 105 Permit – Water

Obstructions and Encroachments –

mostly stream and wetland

crossings.

5

DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

• Review and Issue Permits

–Chapter 102 Permit – Erosion and

Sediment Control – related to earth

disturbance during construction and

runoff management.

–Chapter 105 Permit – Water

Obstructions and Encroachments –

mostly stream and wetland

crossings.

–State Water Quality Certification

(FERC-regulated projects only)

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DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

• Other DEP Permits/Approvals:

–NPDES Permit for Discharge of

Hydrostatic Testing Water

• Clean Water Program

–Air Permits (e.g. Compressor

Stations)

• Air Quality Program

Call the respective regional office for

questions about these other permits.

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DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

After Permits are Issued:

• Inspect permitted sites for

compliance with DEP permits.

• Ensure compliance with

regulations and permits.

• Pursue enforcement, when

necessary.

• Coordinate with other agencies*

as necessary. Construction Entrance

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DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

• Work with other agencies at

pre-approval stage:

–County Conservation Districts,

–PA Fish and Boat Commission,

–U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

–U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

• Communicate with other

agencies during

construction:

–County Conservation Districts

–FERC

–PUC

–PHMSA

10

Not DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

• Determining Pipeline Route

–Proposed by the applicant – like any

other project.

–Market Driven

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Not DEP’s Role in the Pipeline Process

• Determining Pipeline Route

–Proposed by the applicant – like any

other project.

–Market Driven

• Determining or inspecting for

Pipeline Safety

–DEP’s role is with regards to

environmental protection through our

regulatory authority.

–Falls under FERC, PUC and PHMSA

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Regional Permit Coordination Office

• DEP’s Regional Permit Coordination Office (Est. May 2017)

Office of Program IntegrationDirector: Aneca Atkinson

Regional Permit

Coordination OfficeManager: Domenic Rocco

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Regional Permit Coordination Office (RPCO)

Overall Mission

A centralized office providing

synchronized and consistent reviews

and approvals for general to complex

projects regulated under Chapter 102

and Chapter 105.

“Regional” “Permit” “Coordination”

REGIONAL:

• RPCO provides technical support on Ch. 102 and Ch. 105

permitting in conjunction with established bureau

personnel.

Permit CoordinationRegional

PERMIT

• Reviews and approves permit applications and their

companion plans (Ch. 102 and 105) for general to complex

projects.

– This may include multi-county/multi-regional projects

– FERC regulated projects, and

– Projects with complex engineering/geologic considerations.

Regional Permit Coordination

COORDINATION

• Assists with cross-program coordination and consistency

with the various Departmental Programs that have authority

to process permits/authorizations under Chapter 102 and

Chapter 105. (e.g. regional offices, Oil and Gas, Dam

Safety, Flood Protection, Mining, Conservation Districts)

Regional Permit Coordination

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Status of RPCO

• Total of 15 positions

(engineers, geologist,

aquatic biologist, program

specialist)

• We are currently in the

midst of filling vacancies.

(10 out of 15)

• Staff Training

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Contact

Regional Permit Coordination Office

Domenic Rocco, P.E.

Acting Environmental Program Manager

Department of Environmental Protection

Regional Permit Coordination Office

Rachel Carson State Office Building

400 Market St. | Harrisburg PA 17101

Phone: 717-772-5987

drocco@pa.gov

www.dep.pa.gov

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Q&A