Hearings scheduled on frack ban rules

WAYMART — The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has posted on its web site revised draft amendments to its regulations and comprehensive plan to better provide for the planning, conservation, utilization, development, management and control of the basin’s water resources in connection with the hydraulic fracturing of shale and other hydrocarbon bearing formations.
The revised draft rules prohibit high volume hydraulic fracturing in hydrocarbon bearing rock formations within the Delaware River Basin. They reinforce commission policies to discourage importation of wastewater and exportation of water, and include rules to address the inter-basin transfer of water and wastewater related to hydraulic fracturing. The draft rules also include provisions for ensuring that the treatment and disposal of produced water from hydraulic fracturing does not impair or conflict with the preservation of the waters of the basin for uses in accordance with the DRBC comprehensive plan.
The full text of the draft rules, related materials, and information on the public input procedures can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/2zEaB9C.
Hearing scheduleThe public hearings will take place as follows:
Jan. 23, 1-4:30 p.m. at the Ladore Camp, Retreat and Conference Center’s Performing Arts and Recreation Center (PARC) Pavilion, 287 Owego Turnpike, Waymart, Pa. Register to attend at: http://bit.ly/2ApxOB1
Jan. 23, 6-9:30 p.m. at the Ladore Camp, Retreat and Conference Center’s Performing Arts and Recreation Center (PARC) Pavilion, 287 Owego Turnpike, Waymart, Pa. Register to attend at: http://bit.ly/2AgHtsV
Jan. 25, 1-4:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Airport, 4509 Island Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. Register to attend at: http://bit.ly/2AIPh7P
Jan. 25, 6-9:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Airport, 4509 Island Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. Register to attend at: http://bit.ly/2ip6Pyn
Written and oral commentsRegistration to attend a public hearing is required. Advanced registration will remain open until 5 p.m., Dec. 31. Shortly after that date, those who have registered to attend will be afforded an opportunity to request speaking time. Elected government officials and their staff will have the opportunity to identify themselves when registering.
The commission also invites written comment on the draft regulations. Written comments will receive the same consideration as oral comments, and may be submitted until 5 p.m., Feb. 28.
Written comments and attachments should be submitted through the commission’s online comments webpage at http://dockets.drbc.commentinput.com. Written comments will not be accepted through other methods, such as email, fax or hand delivery, unless an express exception has been granted based on lack of access to the web-based system. Requests for exceptions may be addressed to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628.
The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the Delaware River Basin without regard to political boundaries. 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.
To learn more about the commission, visit drbc.net or follow DRBC on Twitter at @DRBC1961.