Jan 23 2012
PA: Susquehanna panel reconsiders mining rights
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will conduct a public hearing in February to accept public comments on water withdrawal and consumptive use project applications scheduled for action by SRBC at its next business meeting in mid-March. The hearing on the project applications is scheduled for February 16, Pennsylvania State Capitol, East Wing, Room 8E-B, Harrisburg, Pa., 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The list of project applications scheduled for comment and information on those applications are available on SRBC’s web site. The project applications scheduled for the February 16 hearing also include those that were approved at SRBC’s December 15, 2011 hearing in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
“The Commission has decided to reconsider its December action on those project applications because the disruptive behavior of certain individuals prevented interested persons from offering testimony at the time,” said SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz. “We are committed to preserving the due process rights of all citizens so they can provide constructive and meaningful comments on proposed projects.”
Persons planning to present oral testimony at the public hearing are asked to notify SRBC prior to the hearing of their intent to testify and to indicate the project application(s) they plan to comment on. The notices are to be directed to Richard Cairo, General Counsel, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1721 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17102, Phone: (717) 238-0423, ext 306, Fax: (717) 238-2436, E-Mail: rcairo@srbc.net.
SRBC will also accept written comments on the project applications until February 27. Comments may be submitted via the internet at www.srbc.net/pubinfo/publicparticipation.htm or mailed or faxed to Mr. Cairo.
“Conducting a public hearing on project applications one month before the Commission acts on the projects is a new procedure and represents an improvement over our past practice,” said Swartz. “This change will give the public ample opportunities for commenting and will give the commissioners more time to review and consider comments before voting on proposed projects.”
That change, which makes SRBC’s process more consistent with the processes followed by other regulatory agencies, is one of many procedural changes SRBC has put into practice to enhance the public participation process.
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