Steve Smith named Director, Surveying and Data Capture
Our Surveying and Data Capture Department is pleased to announce that Steve Smith has been promoted to Director, Surveying and Data Capture; Sam Zook, PLS, Senior Survey Crew Chief has earned his license as a Professional Land Surveyor; and Thomas Rowe, PLS has been named Chief Surveyor.
Our Surveying and Data Capture Department is pleased to announce that Steve Smith has been promoted to Director, Surveying and Data Capture. Mr. Smith will direct all aspects of the firm’s surveying and data capture services including traditional land surveying, high-definition scanning, and drone technology. Smith, a FAA Certified Remote Pilot, has more than 30 years of experience in the surveying industry. He is a 1981 graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute with an AS in Mechanical Drafting and Design.
Sam Zook, PLS, Senior Survey Crew Chief has earned his license as a Professional Land Surveyor. Zook, a FAA Certified Remote Pilot, is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology with an AAS in Surveying Technology and AAS in Civil Engineering Technology.
Thomas Rowe, PLS has been named Chief Surveyor and will be responsible for QA/QC role on all surveying projects. Mr. Rowe has more than 30 years of continuous experience performing a variety of surveying services. He is a1981 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with an AS Surveying Technology and a licensed Surveyor in Pennsylvania since 1992.
Spottlight on School Days
Even if you’re not heading back into the classroom this month, the back-to-school season is a great time to refresh and get back to the fundamentals.
Even if you’re not heading back into the classroom this month, the back-to-school season is a great time to refresh and get back to the fundamentals.
It takes a lot to make and market a product. It also takes a lot to assure regulatory compliance as well as address needs such as increased capacity, routine maintenance and facility expansion. That's why developers, educators, healthcare providers and manufacturers of everything from chocolate to steel turn to SSM when it comes time to secure prime locations, plan more efficient warehouses and distribution centers, conduct feasibility studies, upgrade utilities and building systems, improve traffic flow and expand operations. By taking the lead on the engineering side, we let you focus on your core business.
In this Issue
Spottlight on Water Quality
We use water everyday in a variety of ways: drinking, washing, swimming, fishing, eating from it, and traveling.
Clean and sustainable drinking water is an essential element of the quality of life for any community.
National Water Quality Month reminds us to take a long, hard look at what our household and community are doing to protect sources of fresh water. We use water everyday in a variety of ways: drinking, washing, swimming, fishing, eating from it, and traveling. Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water. Water quality standards have been established to protect human health and aquatic life. The standards form a legal basis for controlling pollution entering the waters of the United States from a variety of sources (e.g., industrial facilities, wastewater treatment plants, and storm sewers) and describe the condition of a waterbody or level of protection necessary.
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Chemical Handling
Recommendations on conducting Safety Planning and Hazard Communication activities.
Berks County Water and Sewer Association Annual Conference
Darryl Jenkins, PE | Vice President Civil and Environmental Engineering presents 'Chemical Safety in Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities' providing participants with recommendations on conducting Safety Planning and Hazard Communication activities.
Spottlight on Parks and Recreation
Parks and recreation spaces have traditionally provided visitors with an opportunity for relaxation and recharge. They are a great spot for walking your dog, tossing the Frisbee, or enjoying a picnic with friends. Today’s spaces are equipped with walking trails, seating areas, fitness stations, privacy nooks, WIFI access and power blocks, and programming.
Parks and recreation spaces have traditionally provided visitors with an opportunity for relaxation and recharge. They are a great spot for walking your dog, tossing the Frisbee, or enjoying a picnic with friends. Today’s spaces are equipped with walking trails, seating areas, fitness stations, privacy nooks, WIFI access and power blocks, and programming. From yoga classes and farmers markets to concerts and movie nights, today’s parks and recreation spaces improve the quality of life in their community, connect people, and provide a break from everyday life. And the recreation space is not limited to community parks; managed properties, office parks, and campuses are recognizing the benefits of creating functional outdoor space for their tenants, employees, and patrons.
Spottlight on Health and Safety
At SSM we provide a variety of industrial hygiene and indoor air quality services that will identify and allow corrective efforts for industrial air quality problems to assure the highest level of air quality in your working environment.
At SSM we provide a variety of industrial hygiene and indoor air quality services that will identify and allow corrective efforts for industrial air quality problems to assure the highest level of air quality in your working environment.
- Heat Stress Evaluations
- Particulate Sampling - Personal and Area
- Mold Investigations
- HVAC System Reviews and Analysis
- Noise Monitoring - Personal and Area
- Direct Read Instrument Analysis - VOCs, Carbon Monoxide, Relative Humidity, Ozone, Formaldehyde, and many others
- Various Chemical Analysis - dependent on the work environment
- Project-specific Health and Safety Plans
SSM has performed these services at a variety of local facilities including power plants, factories, foundries, shipyards, food processing facilities, vocational schools and many others.
We’re here to help you protect your workers’ health and safety.
Protecting Your Workers
Workers exposed to hot indoor environments and/or hot and humid conditions outdoors are at risk of heat- related illness and injuries. Individuals performing heavy work tasks and/or using bulky or non-breathable protective clothing and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are at greatest risk to heat exposure.
Quality Air is Fundamental
Maintaining the highest levels of air quality is most important in healthcare facilities where occupants are most susceptible to irritants in the air. It is vital to maintain a sterile environment in health care facilities to prevent the spread of infection as well as the threat of exacerbating pre-existing conditions. Burn patients and patients with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk for infection and demand the most stringent infection control measures combined with high indoor air quality.
It’s not too Early to Begin Preparing Your Buildings for the Fall
Now is the time to plan ahead to avoid typical last-minute problems like mold and legionella. Although the students are vacationing and the classrooms are empty, school buildings and grounds continue to be a busy place during the summer months. In addition to finalizing budgets and overseeing summer construction and renovations, it’s important to take proactive steps to avoid problems in the fall.
Indoor Environmental Management Programs
At SSM, we consider all environmental factors in our IAQ/IEQ management programs to include building structure, materials, construction activities, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as the building occupants activities, the cleaning and maintenance of the building and sources originating outside the building that have the potential to impact indoor air quality. Our program is designed to recognize how systems work together within the built environment to improve indoor air quality and create a Satisfactory Work and Learning Environment (better than Satisfactory is our goal!).
More than the Air You Breathe
It has become apparent over the years, that more problems negatively affect building occupants than just poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). These additional problems can include but are not limited to structural issues, design and layout issues, mechanical issues, noise issues and even lighting issues. The inclusion of these additional factors in building occupant satisfaction has led to the use of the term Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), which can either simply include IAQ issues or be referred to in addition to IAQ issues.
NFPA 70E Arc Flash Risk Assessment
Although the duty to provide electrical safety in the workplace can be traced to the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, updates and continual revisions to OSHA, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and the 2015 Edition of the National Fire Protection Institute (NFPA) 70E represent the basis for requirement for Arc Flash Risk Assessment (formerly a Hazard Analysis) and protective clothing and equipment. Updated Incident Energy Levels should be determined based on any system revisions and 2015 NFPA 70E requirements.
2017 PennTec Conference
Real-world water/wastewater system examples that use online GIS applications to transform infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations asset management system.
Online GIS Applications and Asset Management
This presentation provides real-world water/wastewater system examples that use online GIS applications to transform their infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations asset management system. This low-cost approach captures vital data within a secure geo-spatial database. By creating customized mobile web applications, field-critical data (material description, installation date, inspection reports and service history) is available when needed most and accessible to operators in the office or in the field.
Spottlight on Facility Management
Integrating place, people, systems, technology and process is no small task.
Integrating place, people, systems, technology and process is no small task.
Making sure that buildings and their services are functioning at peak levels is the mission of the facility manager and staff, and their list of responsibilities is probably filled equally between reactive and proactive measures to make sure the surrounding environment is in a suitable condition to work and thrive. No matter the size of the organization though, engaging outside facility engineering and environmental professionals to become trusted partners will alleviate some of the burdens of critical events and fulfilling strategic initiatives. Whether it’s an imminent compliance issue, or long-term planning, having access to additional technical assistance and experience in projects that may be seldom-done in-house provides real value. In addition to successfully completing projects within time and budget, measuring the success of facility consultants to provide value should include regular discussion of metrics that improve communication and project outcomes.
2017 PA-AWWA Conference
Overview of the timeline, regulatory requirements, construction and operation of the the Water Treatment Plant.
From Concept to Operation: A 10-year review of the Birdsboro Municipal Authority Water Treatment Plant
In 2007 the Birdsboro Municipal Authority began evaluating the need for a new Water Treatment Plant as their existing 1.0 mgd traveling bridge filter plant was starting to show signs of potential failure. The Authority worked through a feasibility/conceptual study, prepared a pilot protocol, performed the pilot and submitted a pilot report. The Authority then moved into design, construction and operation of the membrane filtration plant. This presentation will review the timeline, regulatory requirements, construction and operation of the WTP. The presentation will provide an overview of the process by the engineer and membrane manufacturer
Presenters:
Christina Crawford, PE, MBA | Spotts, Stevens and McCoy | Ms. Crawford has over 16 years’ experience in environmental engineering. Her responsibilities include client management, client retention, water and wastewater design, design specifications, cost opinions, municipal rate evaluations and review of developer plans. Ms. Crawford also assists clients with identifying sources for project funding utilizing Pennvest and other loan/grant programs, and provides assistance to clients during construction for the disbursement of funds and for project close-out. Ms. Crawford has a Master’s Business Administration from Villanova University and BS Environmental Engineering from Old Dominion University. She is a member of the Water Environment Federation, Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA) and the Young Professionals Chair and Board member for Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association (EPWPCOA).
Don Moore | Evoqua Water Technologies | Don has over 23 years’ experience with water and wastewater membrane systems. He manages the sales and business development process for capital equipment in the US and Canada for the Evoqua Memcor® Membrane Product line. Mr. Moore has a Master’s in Business Administration from Loyola University, MD and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. He is a member of the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA).
David Morgan, RLA Confirmed ASLA Board
The PA Senate confirmed the nomination to continue serving on the State Board of Landscape Architects.
DAVID MORGAN, RLA
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is pleased to announce that David B. Morgan, RLA has been confirmed by the PA Senate as a member of the State Board of Landscape Architects.
Mr. Morgan was appointed by Governor Corbett as a member of the State Board of Landscape Architects in 2012.
David has over 24 years of land planning and landscape architecture experience. In his current role, he is responsible for managing all phases of landscape architecture and site design from conceptual design and master planning through production of construction documents and presentations to governmental agencies. His experience includes subdivision planning, storm water management, and land development planning; recreation facility planning; site design; grading; landscaping; soil erosion and sediment control; site construction inspections; NPDES/NOI permit preparation; review and commentary of engineering plans for local government agencies and municipalities; PENNDOT Highway Occupancy Permits; feasibility studies, cost estimates, and securing project approvals.
He has an A.S. Commercial Arts & Design, Antonelli Institute of Art & Design and is a Registered Landscape Architect in Pennsylvania (LA001388L) since 1996.
Public-Facing Maps: Using GIS as a Community Outreach Tool
Be it road closures, boil water advisories, or utility repairs, public notifications play a vital role in municipal government. Many municipalities have adopted web-based notifications as a way to broadcast information to its citizens.
PSATS 2017 Annual Conference
presented by: Alfred Guiseppe, PG | Director, Water Resources
Overview
Designed to provide attendees with examples of how municipalities across the nation use intuitive, interactive online maps to convey important public information to their community, this session will cover a range of public works topics including public notifications, traffic control, road maintenance, water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, source water protection, potential sources of contamination, stormwater best management practices, and asset management.
Be it road closures, boil water advisories, or utility repairs, public notifications play a vital role in municipal government. Many municipalities have adopted web-based notifications as a way to broadcast information to its citizens. The increased popularity of interactive online maps, like Google Maps, have paved the way for municipalities to employ public-facing maps as a means to push important information to the public. Interactive maps can also serve as a two-way information exchange.
Links to Resources
click on the live links below or Download the Resources Sheet
MUNICIPAL GIS EXAMPLES
PUBLIC NOTIFICATIONS & OUTREACH
Chester Co. Water Resources Authority
Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority
Wyomissing Borough Refuse Collection
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
GETTING STARTED
First Presbyterian Church set to acquire Wyomissing property
The headquarters of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy at 1047 North Park Road in Wyomissing, is expected to be the new home of the First Presbyterian Church in Reading. The church, founded in 1814, plans to lease space to SSM after purchasing the building from the consulting firm.
PRESS RELEASE: April 18, 2017
Wyomissing, PA – First Presbyterian Church set to acquire Wyomissing property owned by real estate Limited Partnership affiliated with Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM).
In what is being described by both parties as a ‘union made in Heaven’ First Presbyterian Church, currently located at 37 South 5th Street in Reading and Spotts, Stevens and McCoy are jointly announcing plans for a real estate transaction whereby First Presbyterian Church is set to acquire the 1047 North Park Road, property currently occupied by Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM) with plans to lease approximately half of it back to SSM. The purchase is contingent upon various approvals.
Attorney John Roland, long time member and elder at First Presbyterian Church who is a partner at Roland Stock, LLP, has provided leadership to First Presbyterian’s new site selection efforts. “Our Church is on a mission to expand our outreach efforts. This beautiful, new location will give us that opportunity,” said Roland. “Our congregation has embraced a number of changes in recent years and, following planned renovations, this facility will give us the space we need to support our membership growth goals.” First Presbyterian, founded in 1814, recently left the PC (USA) denomination to affiliate with the PC (ECU) and also just announced the calling of a new Senior Pastor, Christopher DiVietro. “We are very excited about these changes and in many ways, finding this location is an answer to prayers and the final piece of the puzzle,” said Nancy Alley, another church Session member who has been very active in the relocation process.
Brian Kelly, CEO at SSM and a partner in the real estate partnership, had the following to say: “We love our beautiful Wyomissing location and we had no desire to leave it; however, 43,000 square feet is simply more space than we need right now. So when the Church approached us about buying it and told us it was more space than they need at this time, we discussed a possible sale and lease-back situation. The result is that we’ve ended up with an Agreement that is truly a win-win for both parties. This sale unlocks resources that we can use to reinvest in the growth of the business, focusing on adding new technology and equipment and pursuing other strategic initiatives, including potential acquisitions.”
The 1047 North Park Road facility was constructed in 1963 as the world headquarters for Vanity Fair Corporation and it was subsequently renovated in 1998 and occupied by Carpenter Technology. The SSM principals purchased it in 2003. The building has just under 43,000 square feet on two levels and sits on approximately 5.5 acres of prime Wyomissing real estate.
“What makes the transaction so appealing to us is that Spotts, Stevens and McCoy will continue to occupy approximately half of the space as we embark upon our congregational growth plans,” said Roland. Current elder and former Treasurer Paul Eisenhuth notes that Presbyterians are known to be financial conservatives. “A key component of the transaction is that SSM and the Church are entering into a 5-year Lease Agreement which makes the space affordable for us. It also ensures our access to additional space as we grow.”
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is a family owned and managed regional engineering and consulting firm with roots back to 1932. Two of the principals, Patrick McCoy and Lewis McCoy, Jr., are sons of founder, Lewis McCoy, Sr., and Kelly is a son-in-law. Both First Presbyterian Church and Spotts, Stevens and McCoy have deep roots in the Berks County community.
There are many factors that make this such a uniquely beneficial transaction for both parties:
- The SSM lease-back will provide the Church with an ongoing revenue stream as it embarks upon renovation plans and congregational growth goals. Financing is being provided by Customers Bank as the Church embarks upon a capital campaign to fund both the purchase and planned renovations. The Church will be seeking competitive bids for both design and construction work. No firm timeline for construction or occupancy has been established at this time.
- With a five-year Lease in place, SSM will be able to continue to operate from its existing headquarters location with little or no disruption to business as the Church embarks upon its renovation plans and prepares to move in
- Church offices will be open during the week; however its primary activity will occur on weekends and evenings when parking spaces are likely to be occupied by those attending scheduled worship services. SSM’s primary business activity will occur on week days during normal business hours and its employees will be off on weekends.
An answer to prayers? A partnership made in Heaven? The ‘joining’ of two old and well-established organizations? Laying all spiritual beliefs aside, it certainly appears to be a transaction that capitalizes on every possible benefit for both the Church and SSM. So at a minimum, it’s a win-win!
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- First Presbyterian Church - John Roland, Esq. | 610-372-5588
- Spotts, Stevens and McCoy – CEO, Brian Kelly | 610-621-2000
- Patricia Langiotti, Creative Management Concepts | 610-603-0306
Spottlight on April Showers
“Thy fate is the common fate of all; into each life some rain must fall.”
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Thy fate is the common fate of all; into each life some rain must fall.”
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2017 PA Rural Water Association Annual Conference
Filtration Operations and Optimization
Treating your Water/Wastewater Operation Like a Business
Treating your Water or Wastewater Operations Like a Business
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Darryl Jenkins, PE
Spottlight on Asset Management
Whether your organization owns, leases, or manufactures space shuttles, IT equipment, fleet vehicles, biological samples, or spare parts, good asset management practices not only provide value but are essential to running a successful business.
Whether your organization owns, leases, or manufactures space shuttles, IT equipment, fleet vehicles, biological samples, or spare parts, good asset management practices not only provide value but are essential to running a successful business. Asset Management refers to any system that monitors and maintains things of value to an entity or group including water, sewer, storm water, or transportation. Like infrastructure resources, asset management principles are also equally applicable to building systems to ensure the reliability and longevity of critical components to mitigate risks associated with sudden failure and subsequent impact on operations. These include HVAC, plumbing and mechanical systems envelope, and fire protection systems.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
When condition dictates end-of-life replacement of HVAC systems, it offers an opportunity to consider retrofits that will enhance energy efficiency, capacity, control and service. Two recent projects illustrate this opportunity seized.
Low-Cost Asset Management Approach
Recent advancements in web-based GIS applications, similar to Google Earth, have provided new means to create, store, and access GIS data. Many water/wastewater systems use online GIS applications to transform their infrastructure data into an easy-to-use operations asset management system. This low-cost approach captures vital data within a secure geo-spatial database. By creating customized mobile web applications, field-critical data (material description, installation date, inspection reports and service history) is available when needed most and accessible to operators in the office or in the field.
Digitizing Hard Copy Maps
Advancements in GIS software and mobile applications have recently provided the ability to access maps and data on the go. This allows managers and operators to access asset locations, specifications, photos, and customized maps and applications wherever they take their mobile device. For many, digitizing old maps is well worth the process.
Saucony Watershed Restoration: Groundwater Evaluation
Safe drinking water begins at the source.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Green Valley Watershed Association February 2017 Meeting
Sharing management strategies for optimum performance of stormwater Best Management Practices.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Eric Grindrod, PG, Senior Geologist
Spottlight on Little Things
Being the shortest month in the year, February serves as a great reminder to us to take a moment to look around and focus our attention on the little things that make a big impact in our lives.
SSM NEWS
- Sam Zook, SIT| Surveyor, Survey and Data Capture has received his certification as a Drone Pilot. On June 21st, 2016 the FAA finalized a new regulatory framework for small, unmanned aerial systems. Titled Part 107, these new regulations created a new drone certification process that covers the majority of low-risk, commercial UAS flight operations for all commercially operated drones. Commercial refers to any kind of flight operation that can be tied to economic benefit. These new regulations were implemented on August 29, 2016. Zook is one of three certified pilots at SSM. He is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology.
- SSM welcomes Christopher Colvin, EIT as Graduate Engineer in our Electrical Engineering Department. Chris is responsible for electrical design and preparation of scope, plans and specifications for industrial, commercial and institutional building projects. He received his BS in Engineering from James Madison University.
Little Things Make a Big Impact
Being the shortest month in the year, February serves as a great reminder to us to take a moment to look around and focus our attention on the little things that make a big impact in our lives. By now, our New Year’s resolutions have become habits; the days are starting to get a little longer and the nights a little shorter; and no matter what the Groundhog predicted, there’s probably a cozy, snow day in our future. As Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”
So why not use these 28 days to reflect on the little things that will impact your life in a big way . . . say thank you and show appreciation to friends, family or co-workers . . . reflect on the positive things in your life at the end of each day and remember . . . focus on your work flow or process and identify a few small opportunities that could be developed for big results. And make it happen.
Inside this Issue
Small Imperfections Matter: For complex surfaces or large areas of surfaces that require high levels of flatness or levelness, using a high definition laser scanner offers millions of coordinate data points for verification or detection of anomalies that cannot otherwise easily or quickly be acquired. From offices to high density storage facilities, synthetic surface playing fields, to high-speed race tracks, the ability to rapidly and accurately measure and model large surfaces can highlight the small imperfections that can make a big difference.
Inefficiencies Often Abound in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants: Many Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) were built at a time when budgets were not so tight and engineers erred on the side of caution to ensure that the plant met the design criteria. There are three areas that can provide big savings: energy usage, chemical addition, and sludge generation and disposal.
The Little Things in Stormwater Management: With the Chesapeake Bay Reboot and new MS4 permit requirements hitting municipalities, many are left asking, “How can we possibly accomplish this?” There are many ways to attack a stormwater management issue, and in a large watershed, the task can seem daunting. But when you stop and think about it, it really comes down to identifying, prioritizing, and properly managing small areas of land within the larger watershed. The combined impact of small BMP projects on a watershed can be astounding, and are only amplified as one moves downstream.
Groundhog Day: Pipe Condition Assessment
Our water/wastewater engineers can help remedy even your largest sewer problems and nuisances!
For more than 50 years, SSM's water and wastewater engineers have been addressing capacity and blockage issues in stormwater pipes, sanitary sewer mains and assessing the conditions of underground pipes.
We can help remedy even your largest sewer problems and nuisances!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Scott Carl, Sr. | Division Vice President | Water and Wastewater Engineering and Operations
Sam Zook, SIT Receives Certification as Drone Pilot
Sam Zook, SIT is the third surveyor at SSM to receive certification as a Drone Pilot.
Sam Zook, SIT, Surveyor has received his certification as a FAA Certified Remote Pilot. Zook is one of three certified pilots at SSM. He is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology.
On June 21st, 2016 the FAA finalized a new regulatory framework for small, unmanned aerial systems. Titled Part 107, these new regulations created a new drone certification process that covers the majority of low-risk, commercial UAS flight operations for all commercially operated drones. Commercial refers to any kind of flight operation that can be tied to economic benefit. These new regulations were implemented on August 29, 2016.
DEP Offers Funding for Stormwater Management Programs
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering grants up to $200,000 to local entities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for stormwater management projects that implement best management practices (BMP) to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment pollution in local waterways.
DOWNLOAD ARTICLE
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering grants up to $200,000 to local entities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for stormwater management projects that implement best management practices (BMP) to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment pollution in local waterways.
The program is available to counties, cities, boroughs, townships, incorporated towns and municipal authorities. Stormwater projects must be located in Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming and York counties.
“The department continues to work toward one of the top goals of this administration: improving local water quality and ultimately cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay,” said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “This grant program achieves that by offering financial assistance to local governments that share in that goal and they are encouraged to apply as we work together in this important environmental initiative.”
Some examples of eligible projects include: raingardens, bio-swales, urban nutrient management/tree planting, vegetated open channels/roofs and wet ponds and wetland preservation. The projects can be located on public or private property.
Applicants can be eligible for grants of up to $200,000, and no local matching funds are required. Funding for the projects is competitive and the department will apply a scoring system when awarding the grant money. The application must include a description of the project and timetable for the work. Grant applications are due by March 3, 2017.
Please visit http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/View/Collection-12545 for application instructions and eligibility. Other parties that wish to obtain funding for a stormwater project are encouraged to approach the eligible local entity where the project would be located and offer to assist with the project application and management.
The grant program is federally funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the department.
Grant monies will be awarded on September 1, 2017.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Mark Stabolepszy, PE Director Municipal Engineering and Planning
Under the new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) regulations that will take effect in 2018, new permittees will need to comply with additional obligations to meet the revised general stormwater permit requirements under PAG-13.