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MEUSER URGES GOVERNOR WOLF TO UTILIZE STATE AND LOCAL RECOVERY FUNDS TO PERMANENTLY ELIMINATE STORMWATER FEES

May 14, 2021

POTTSVILLE, PA — This week, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-9) sent a letter to Governor Wolf urging him utilize a portion of the $13.7 billion in State & Local Recovery Funds Pennsylvania will receive from the American Rescue Plan to permanently end MS4 stormwater fees.

"As you know, 32 northeast Pennsylvania communities joined the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority (WVSA) to implement stormwater fees to fund pollution mitigation in compliance with obligations under the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. The American Rescue Plan Act will provide Pennsylvania with $13.7 billion in state and local relief which the U.S. Treasury indicates may be used for stormwater management. I ask that your Administration work collaboratively with WVSA and local officials to develop a comprehensive plan to use these funds to help the Commonwealth fulfill its Chesapeake Bay obligations and to permanently eliminate the stormwater fee.

"The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection administers the state's Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) and has issued more than 1,000 MS4 permits that require compliance with 6 minimum control measures. To comply with the MS4 program, WVSA began billing stormwater fees in 2019, collecting $8.6 million in fees from 76,000 property owners in its first year. Although most fees are below $100 per year, many businesses, and farms with large impervious areas on their property pay fees totaling hundreds or thousands of dollars and threatens their viability. Funding projects to fulfill Pennsylvania's Chesapeake Bay obligations through another source would alleviate this burden which is especially acute due to the COVID19 pandemic and recent economic slowdown.

"The Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allow state and local governments to make necessary investments in water and sewer infrastructure and affirms that funds may be transferred to special-purpose districts that perform specific community functions, such as WVSA. The U.S. Treasury guidance provides wide latitude to identify investment of high priority, including privately-owned infrastructure. Specifically, investments may be made for projects that would be eligible for financial assistance through EPA state revolving funds such as controlling water pollution, wastewater treatment, and creating green infrastructure. Utilizing a portion of the $13.7 billion Pennsylvania will receive for these projects will lift a significant burden across northeast Pennsylvania.

"It is essential that such investment permanently eliminate the stormwater fees which can be accomplished through a collaborative effort with EPA, DEP, WVSA, and county and municipal governments. My office can help facilitate this dialogue and coordinate federal technical assistance and input to ensure Pennsylvania can both fulfill its obligations and permanently end stormwater fees."

To read Congressman Meuser's letter online, pleaseclickHere: