DEP's New Public Comment Policy Enhances Public Participation, Transparency

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 [email protected].

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

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Related Links

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us