Low Flow Protection Policy
The new Low Flow Protection Policy (LFPP) and Technical Guidance, adopted by the Commission on December 14, 2012, provides implementation guidance to the Commission staff, project sponsors and the public on the criteria, methodology, and process used in its review of withdrawal applications to evaluate potential adverse impact to streams during low flow conditions. The LFPP is grounded in contemporary instream flow science and provides for seasonal flow recommendations based on the Susquehanna River Basin ecosystem, which are preferred as ecosystem flow needs are naturally seasonal. The LFPP will be used in concert with other tools to establish limitations or conditions such as passby flow or conservation release requirements on withdrawal approvals issued by the Commission. The LFPP replaces Commission Policy No. 2003-01, Guidelines for Using and Determining Passby Flows and Conservation Releases for Surface-Water and Ground-Water Withdrawal Approvals, previously adopted in 2003.
