Rules to limit sediment in streams will be costly, engineer predicts

New rules from the state Department of Environmental Protection will soon hit Irwin in the pocketbook, says the borough’s engineer.

Under the DEP requirements, which were created in response to regulations from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, municipalities will have to remove more sediment from the stormwater that flows into streams within their boundaries, Irwin engineer Lucien Bove said.

The amount is based on a formula that takes into account how much impervious surface — areas that don’t absorb water, such as roads, parking lots and sidewalks — and pervious surface — such as lawns and gardens — are within their boundaries, he said.

Mr. Bove did the required calculations and determined that Irwin will be required to reduce by 46,000 pounds the amount of sediment that flows into its streams in the next five years. Irwin has three streams: East Branch of Tinkers Run, Tinkers Run through Irwin Park and Brush Creek.

Municipalities with vacant land will be required to build sediment collection ponds on 10-acre sites, he said. That would cost Irwin about $2.5 million over five years, Mr. Bove said, but the borough doesn’t have the land to build ponds.

He is considering putting stone riprap along the banks of Tinkers Run in Irwin Park, which would cost less than $2.5 million to stop erosion, buthe doesn't know if the DEP willaccept that option. Irwin’s budget for 2017 totals $5.1 million.

The DEP encouraged municipal representatives to go to workshops on the topic conducted by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, where they were told it will cost about $47 per pound to remove the sediment from streams under the new rules, he said.

Mr. Bove said when he asked DEP representatives where municipalities will get themoney to pay for the work, theydidn't have answers.

The borough can apply for grants, but it’s not guaranteed it will get them, he said. Irwin was recently turned down for a grant to rebuild a bridgeover Tinkers Run and improve Irwin Park.

Council president John Cassandro said in May that he hoped Irwin doesn’t have to take out loans to pay for sediment reduction. He said he believes it is an example of government overreach if the DEP requires Irwin to prevent an additional 46,000 pounds of sediment from entering streams and expects the borough to pay for it.

Municipalities must apply to the DEP for what are called MS4 permits concerning sediment control. Mr. Bove said most municipalities haven’t applied yet for the permits, and he believes that officials in many small towns, like Irwin, will be upset to learn the costof sediment control.