WHAT'S NEW

October 2011

The basic purpose of the regulatory amendments set forth in the proposed rulemaking is to make further modifications to SRBC’s  project review regulations, most of which relate to the approval of natural gas projects. Read an Executive Summary (PDF) and full text of the Proposed Rulemaking (PDF).

The deadline for written comments on the proposed regulations is November 10, 2011. Address comments to Mr. Richard A. Cairo, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1721 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-2391, or by email to rcairo@srbc.net. 

The basic purpose of the regulatory amendments set forth in the proposed rulemaking is to make further modifications to SRBC’s  project review regulations, most of which relate to the approval of natural gas projects. Read an Executive Summary (PDF) and full text of the Proposed Rulemaking (PDF).

The deadline for written comments on the proposed regulations is November 10, 2011. Address comments to Mr. Richard A. Cairo, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1721 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-2391, or by email to rcairo@srbc.net. 

SRBC To Meet in Milford, Present Goddard Award To Dr. Harman of SUNY, Highlight Devastating Flooding, Report on Remote Water Qquality Monitoring Network, and Vote on 22 Water Withdrawal and Use Applications
Read More.

SRBC Staff Recommends Public Comment Period Be Extended to November 1 For Proposed Changes on Natural Gas Development
SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz has asked the SRBC commissioners to consider extending the public comment period to November 1 for recently proposed regulatory revisions.  The current comment period on the proposed revisions, most of which relate to the approval of natural gas projects, expired on August 23, 2011.  Read More.

August 2011

13 Water Withdrawals Remain on Hold to Protect Streams in the Susquehanna Basin
On August 30, SRBC announced that 13 separate water withdrawals approved by SRBC in 6 Pennsylvania counties remain temporarily suspended due to localized lower stream flow levels (see below for list of suspended withdrawals).  Of the 13 withdrawals still suspended, 11 are related to water for natural gas projects. Read More.

SRBC Proposes Extension of Comment Period for Proposed Rulemaking
Be advised that, with respect to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission's proposed rulemaking action, which appeared in the Federal Register on July 13, 2011, the Commission staff will recommend that the current written comment deadline of August 23, 2011 be extended to November 1, 2011.  This recommendation to extend the public comment period and delay action on the proposed rulemaking is based on the level of public interest indicated in the comments received by the Commission on the proposed rulemaking and the Commission's desire to provide further information to the public on the nature of the proposed changes.  The final decision to extend the comment deadline will be made by the full Commission at its September 15, 2011 meeting at the Country Inn & Suites Cooperstown, 4470 State Highway 28, Milford, New York, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Click here for summary and full text of the Proposed Rulemaking.

SRBC To Meet September 15, 2011: To Hear Information on the Expansion of the Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network, Hydrologic Conditions in the Basin, a Report on the Morrison Cove Study in the Juniata Subbasin Other Busines and to Vote on 20 Water Applications. Read more.

18 Water Withdrawals Remain on Hold to Protect Streams in the Susquehanna Basin
On August 11, 2011, SRBC announced that 18 separate water withdrawals approved by SRBC in 6 Pennsylvania counties remain temporarily suspended due to localized lower stream flow levels (see below for list of suspended withdrawals). Read More.  

July 2011

SRBC to Conduct Hearings August 2 and 4 on Proposed Changes Regarding Natural Gas Development
SRBC is reminding the public of two hearings to be conducted on August 2 and August 4 to explain and receive public comments on proposed regulatory revisions, most of which regard the approval of natural gas projects, addition of new definitions, renewals of expiring approvals, restructuring of water source approvals and incorporation of certain policies and practices into regulation. Read More.

36 Water Withdrawals for Natural Gas Drilling and Other Purposes on Hold to Protect Streams

On July 19, 2011, SRBC announced that 36 separate water withdrawals approved by SRBC are temporarily suspended due to localized stream flow levels dropping at many locations in the Susquehanna basin, especially in northern Pennsylvania.  Read More.  

August 2011

SRBC To Meet September 15, 2011: To Hear Information on the Expansion of the Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network, Hydrologic Conditions in the Basin, a Report on the Morrison Cove Study in the Juniata Subbasin Other Busines and to Vote on 20 Water Applications. Read more.

18 Water Withdrawals Remain on Hold to Protect Streams in the Susquehanna Basin
On August 11, 2011, SRBC announced that 18 separate water withdrawals approved by SRBC in 6 Pennsylvania counties remain temporarily suspended due to localized lower stream flow levels (see below for list of suspended withdrawals). Read More.  

June 2011

SRBC Met June 23, Approved 31 Water Use And Withdrawal Projects, Released Proposed Rulemaking For Public Comment And Set Public Hearings, Adopted Water Resources Program, Supported Funding For National Stream Gage Network 
SRBC held its quarterly business meeting on June 23, 2011 in North East, Maryland.  Among its activities, SRBC voted on regulatory (www.srbc.net/programs/projreview.htm), enforcement, policy and administrative matters; approved the annual Water Resources Program and revisions to the Comprehensive Plan; supported additional funding for a national stream gage program; and heard report on current hydrologic conditions across the Susquehanna basin.  Read More.  

SRBC Marks 40 Years, Highlights Accomplishments
By Dr. Robert M. Summers, Maryland Commissioner, Susquehanna River Basin Commission and Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment

This year marks the Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s (SRBC) 40th anniversary, and it’s a good time to reflect on the many accomplishments in water resources management since 1971.  I have listed some of those accomplishments, and hope you will visit the SRBC anniversary web page at www.srbc.net/anniversary/default.aspx for the longer list, as well as for historical facts, slide shows, newsletter, tips sheets and other information. Read More

Proposed Revisions To SRBC’S Regulatory Program Fee Schedule

SRBC staff is proposing revisions to the commission’s Regulatory Program Fee Schedule for action by the commissioners at the June 23, 2011 quarterly business meeting (click to download proposed revision) (PDF).  The SRBC staff-proposed fee changes include:

The staff-proposed changes are consistent with past fee-revision actions that took place in 2005 (which provided for a 10% increase in fees per year for five consecutive years and an annual CPI adjustment) and in 2008 (which provided for increases in the Consumptive Use Mitigation Fee annually based on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Construction Cost Index). 

May 2011

SRBC To Meet June 23, Actions and Presentations on Proposed Water Resources Program, Chesapeake Bay Related Activities, Proposed Rulemaking , Adoption of FY 2013 Budget and Vote on 44 Water Applications Read More

SRBC Comments on Susquehanna Being Named Nation's Most Endangered River in 2011
On May 17, 2011, Susquehanna River Basin Commission (www.srbc.net) Executive Director Paul O. Swartz issued the following commentary in response to American Rivers’ designation of the Susquehanna River as the nation’s most endangered river in 2011. Read More

April 2011

SRBC Determination on Other Natural Gas Shales
On April 21, 2011, SRBC Executive Director Paul O. Swartz issued the following determination: Pursuant to my authority under 18 CFR §§ 806.4(a)(8) and 806.5, I hereby determine that natural gas well development projects involving a withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use of water and targeting the Antes, Burket, Geneseo, Mandata, Middlesex, Needmore, or Rhinestreet shale formations shall be subject to the review and approval of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. Read Full Determination

March 2011

SRBC Held Quarterly Meeting, Approved Interim Policy on Pad-To-Pad Interbasin Transfers of Flowback Fluids, Approved 21 Water Use and Withdrawal Projects
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission held its quarterly business meeting in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.  Among its activities, SRBC voted on regulatory, policy and administrative matters; outlined strategies for securing funding for critical stream gages, and heard presentations on Susquehanna basin hydrologic conditions and SRBC’s Morrison Cover Water Resources Study. Read More

SRBC To Meet March 10, Highlight Morrison Cove Water Resource Study, Report on Stream Gage Strategies, Vote on 24 Water Applications, Vote on Interim Policy on Gas Drilling Flowback Reuse Between Drilling Pads
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) will hold its regular quarterly business meeting, which is open to the public.  SRBC will review hydrologic conditions; review strategies for preventing the shut-down of critical stream gages; review legal issues and controversies affecting SRBC; vote on 24 water withdrawal and consumptive use applications (mostly related to natural gas well development); vote on an interim policy to administratively approve the reuse of natural gas drilling flowback between drilling pad sites. Read More

February 2011

SRBC Commission Meeting to Take Place March 10, 2011
The SRBC quarterly meeting will take place at Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.,Neff Lecture Hall – William J. von Liebig Center for Science. Read More

Congress Eliminates Direct Funding for Susquehanna Flood Forecast and Warning System
On February 3, SRBC Executive Director Paul O. Swartz issued the following commentary in response to congressional action that places the Susquehanna Flood Forecast and Warning System in serious jeopardy.  Stream gages, which are the backbone of flood forecasting, must be preserved not only for flood hazard mitigation but also to protect streams from water withdrawals by the natural gas industry in the Marcellus Shale and by other regulated water-dependent projects in the Susquehanna basin.  Read More

SRBC Releases Information from Four River Monitoring Programs
SRBC announces findings from four separate river monitoring programs providing biological and water quality data used to assess streams and rivers and identify changes in stream health over time.  The technical reports focus on: (1) the Susquehanna River and other large rivers, (2) West Branch Susquehanna Subbasin, (3) the Lackawanna River, and (4) streams that cross the New York–Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania–Maryland state lines.  Read More

November 2010

SRBC Orders Natural Gas Driller to Stop All Water-Related Work at Drilling Site in Cameron County, PA
On November 10, SRBC ordered J-W Operating, LLC, a natural gas drilling company based in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, to immediately cease all water-related activities at a drilling pad site in the Marcellus shale formation in Shippen Township, Cameron County, Pennsylvania.  Read More

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