Easing the Burden of an Overly Strained Agency: Fritz Bill Aiming to Address Ineffective Permit Process Earns House Approval
HARRISBURG- A bill aimed at tackling delays in permitting that have led to flooding and property damage in the Northern Tier of the Commonwealth has passed the House, said Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), prime sponsor of the bill.
“After powerful and compelling testimony provided by Northern Tier officials, landowners and farmers before the House Majority Policy Committee in December of last year and the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in April, I was shocked to see the amount of damage that flooding has caused my constituents and fellow residents of Northern Pennsylvania,” said Fritz. “During these hearings, we heard the growing frustration from members of the communities facing flooding and property damage issues about the ineffective process of obtaining a permit from DEP.
“This bill is the start of addressing an issue that unfortunately doesn’t make news headlines. These are real people losing their property and livelihoods due to policies put in place by the DEP that lack common sense.”
House Bill 2406 would create a small stream maintenance project permit for mitigation of flood-related hazards of less than 250 linear feet or an area of less than one acre in size. The responsibility of small creek permits would be transferred into the hands of local government, alleviating delays through the Department of Environmental Protections (DEP).
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Garrett
717.260.6528
jngarrett@pahousegop.com
RepFritzPA.com /
Facebook.com/RepFritz