Draft Clean Water Service Provider rule assigns roles, funding not expected until FY23; CCRPC named back-up

Dan Albrecht (CCRPC staff) told the Clean Water Advisory Committee that the draft rule for Clean Water Service Providers would assign each basin a CWSP to administer non-regulatory projects and manage Water Quality Restoration Formula Grant Program funds. "CWSP will be formally established in early 2021, but there won’t be any funding until FY23," Dan said, noting the rule is intended to be accompanied by a separate guidance document.

Albrecht described several implementation issues still under development: a project-ranking system to reduce discretionary disputes, pre-qualification of engineering firms, procurement differences between DEC and locally familiar processes, and conflict-of-interest rules because organizations that may receive funding often also sit on Basin Water Quality Councils. He said CCRPC is listed as a back-up CWSP for each basin because it was the only respondent willing to serve in that role.

Committee members asked whether guidance from the Secretary was imminent and whether additional CCRPC staff would be hired; Dan said the guidance should be coming and that hiring is not anticipated at this time given uncertain program funding. The committee agreed to forward questions to Dan and Charlie ahead of an Act 76 working group meeting later that week.