HARRISBURG, Pa., May 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced
improvements for public participation and transparency through a
new online engagement system. DEP's new online eComment system
allows the public to more easily access Technical Guidance
Documents and other policy-related proposals open for comment. The
public can also view all support documentation, submit comments
online, and view the full text of all public comments
submitted.
"By publishing technical guidance comments as we receive them,
anyone interested in a proposed policy will be able to read the
comments and concerns raised by others online while the comment
period is still open," DEP Acting Secretary John Quigley said. "This more open and upfront
process will lead to more meaningful engagement with the public and
result in more effective policies."
These changes are reflected in the notice of the interim final
"Policy for Development and Publication of Technical Guidance"
published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 30, opening a 45-day public comment period
that will conclude on July 14.
For the first time, people commenting on proposed technical
guidance documents will be able to submit comments electronically
using eComment. In addition, DEP will publish the technical
guidance comments it receives, both electronically and in writing,
within five business days of receiving them, rather than wait until
all comments are summarized in a comment and response document
typically published after the public comment period has closed. The
published comments will remain online until the respective
documents are finalized.
These changes do not affect the current policy for development,
approval and distribution of regulations.
Technical Guidance Documents provide practical and specialized
direction to DEP staff, the public and the regulated community.
They typically:
- Summarize what statues or regulations require;
- Explain how DEP interprets a statue or regulation,
- Explain technical or administrative procedures that assist in
compliance with statues or regulations; and
- Establish policies.
As recommended by members of DEP's Citizens' Advisory Council,
DEP, under this new policy, will publish a non-regulatory agenda
twice each year that lists all of the policies and technical
guidance documents the agency plans to introduce or revise. DEP
currently publishes a similar agenda of anticipated regulatory
changes twice a year in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as
required by the Regulatory Review Act.
In addition, the policy expands the role of advisory committees
by requiring DEP staff to consult with members of the corresponding
advisory committee(s) when developing technical guidance documents
and to do so as early in the process as practicable. That
interaction should be detailed in a memo when transmitting draft
technical guidance documents for review.
"These revisions enhance the public's participation in the
development of our policies and increases transparency," Quigley
said. "That's government that works."
DEP will conduct two webinars about the policy changes to allow
people to learn more about the changes. The first will be held at
10 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015. To register, click
here. The second webinar will be held at 2
p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2015.
Participants can register here.
The public is encouraged to submit comments electronically on
the "Policy for Development and Publication of Technical Guidance
using the new eComment system, at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment.
Written comments may also be sent to Laura Henry, Technical Guidance Coordinator,
Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Policy, Rachel
Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063, or by email to
ecomment@pa.gov.
Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. All
comments, including those submitted by electronic mail, must
include the originator's name and address.
MEDIA CONTACT: Susan
Rickens, 717-787-1323
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deps-new-public-comment-policy-enhances-public-participation-transparency-300090910.html
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection