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Harris Township moves stormwater ordinance update and PRP amendment toward public hearing amid questions about lost credits
Summary
Township staff presented MS4-driven ordinance updates and a pollutant reduction plan amendment (including adding Millbrook Marsh). The board scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 9 after staff outlined options to replace credits lost when a military museum project could not secure a perpetual access easement.
HARRIS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Facing an impending Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection MS4 permit deadline, Harris Township reviewers briefed supervisors Aug. 12 on an update to the township's stormwater ordinance and on amendments to the regionwide Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP).
A township stormwater presenter explained the changes are largely codifications of existing practice to meet the DEP model ordinance, including added definitions, extra modeling runs for 1‑, 2‑, 10‑ and 100‑year storms, clarified exemptions for non‑contaminated discharges, and a new operation and maintenance clause to require ongoing care of stormwater controls.
The presenter said a previously relied‑upon military museum stream‑bank stabilization project would no longer provide credits because the Department of General Services would not grant the perpetual easement DEP required. That loss leaves a gap in needed credits but staff identified alternatives: the ongoing Willowbrook project (expected completion with credits by November), a proposed Millbrook Marsh amendment in partnership with Trout Unlimited and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that is now open for public comment (Aug. 12), and smaller regional projects the township could acquire.
Residents pressed for detail about how the ordinance would affect recent large developments and whether existing approvals would be grandfathered. A resident speaker expressed strong concern about long‑term impacts to Cedar Run and criticized past decisions that allowed development; staff and supervisors responded that previously approved land development plans remain in effect and that the updated ordinance largely formalizes duties already expected from developers and property owners.
The board voted to set the ordinance and PRP amendment for a public hearing on Sept. 9 with a regional comment opportunity on Sept. 10 and reminded the public that the township aims to be compliant before the Sept. 30 ordinance deadline and to submit permit materials in December.
Next steps: public hearing Sept. 9; staff to prepare final ordinance language and cost/credit options for the board.
