HARRISBURG – The Department of Environmental Protection has published information and guidance on the new law granting automatic permit extensions for certain land development activities.
The law, created as part of the 2010-11 budget, allows for the automatic extension of certain water and waste permits and approvals issued after Dec. 31, 2008. The law allows approvals for these activities to be automatically extended until July 1, 2013.
The law was prompted by concerns from land developers that permits were expiring before construction could be completed due to economic-related delays.
The automatic permit extension law is not applicable to mining, oil and gas and non-land development activities. It also does not apply to NPDES and other federal permits.
DEP has created an online guidance document for permit holders and others affected by the new law that explains the range of permits and approvals covered under the new rules. Permit holders should not assume that their permits are automatically extended or renewed and should use the verification process outlined in the online guidance document.
Guidance documents are available on DEP’s website at www.depweb.state.pa.us under the “Permits, Licensing & Certification” link.