PA Governor Announces $150,000 for York County Storm Water Management Plan

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell awarded nearly $150,000 to help York County prepare a solution to protect its water resources and support local development.

"This grant will help York County prepare a plan for managing storm water in two local watersheds," Gov. Rendell said. "It is vital for communities to put in place sound storm water management practices that will protect our natural resources and set standards for development."

The unchecked runoff of storm water from development in a watershed can increase flooding; overtax stream and storm sewer capacity, make it more expensive for public facilities to carry and control storm water, make groundwater recharging more difficult, and impair water quality.

Pennsylvania's innovative storm water management program gives counties and municipalities the tools to produce local solutions to meet local storm water challenges.

The Storm water Management Act (Act 167 of 1978) requires counties to prepare and maintain storm water management plans for all watersheds in the county's jurisdiction. It also requires each municipality located in the watershed to implement the plan's recommendations through municipal codes and ordinances.

The Department of Environmental Protection provides 75% of the costs that counties and municipalities incur in preparing, updating and implementing the plans.

York County will use its $149,022 grant to prepare a Phase II storm water management plan for the Codorus Creek and East Branch Codorus Creek watersheds.

"Instead of sinking into the groundwater as it does in natural areas, rain runs off roads, parking lots and even lawns," DEP Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "Proper storm water management addresses uncontrolled runoff and pollution issues, reducing flooding and replenishing groundwater supplies throughout the entire watershed."

Statewide, 49 counties have completed 100 watershed plans involving 865 municipalities. An additional 24 watershed plans and updates are being prepared and reviewed.

So far, more than $14 million has been appropriated by the Legislature for the storm water grant assistance program. Municipalities and counties receive the funds as they submit invoices detailing completed work in preparing and updating the plans.

Source: EPA