TRENTON, NJ – Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier announced that draft natural gas development regulations are now available for public review on the Commission’s Web site, www.drbc.net.
The purpose of the proposed regulations is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the construction and operation of natural gas development projects. The draft regulations establish requirements to prevent, reduce, or mitigate depletion and degradation of surface and groundwater resources and to promote sound practices of watershed management.
Three public hearings will be scheduled during the 90-day comment period to receive oral testimony on the proposed rulemaking. Details will be released as soon as the dates and locations have been confirmed.
Written comments will be accepted through the close of business March 16, 2011 by two methods only:
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Electronic submission using a web-based form available on the DRBC web site (preferred method); or
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Paper submission mailed or delivered to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter. Paper submissions also will be accepted at the three public hearings.
Due to the expected volume, comments that are faxed, telephoned, or emailed to individual DRBC Commissioners and staff will not be accepted for the rulemaking record.
All written comments submitted via the two methods described above that are received prior to 5 p.m. on March 16, 2011 along with oral testimony presented at the hearings will become a part of the rulemaking record and be considered by the Commissioners prior to any action on the proposed regulations. Such action will be taken at a duly noticed public meeting of the Commission at a future date.
The Commission thanks the National Park Service for allowing the use of its Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) online system to facilitate the electronic submission of written comments on this proposed rulemaking.
The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five Commission members are the Governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.
Additional information, including a fact sheet and the text of the proposed regulations, can be found on the Commission’s Web site at www.drbc.net.
