Kampf Joins Bipartisan Majority in Backing Storm Water Management Planning
HARRISBURG-- Rep. Warren Kampf (R-Chester/Montgomery) joined a bipartisan majority of members on the House Local Government Committee to pass legislation that would allow municipal authorities to tackle storm water management planning and projects.
Senate Bill 1261 amends the state Municipality Authorities Act to add storm water management planning and projects to the purposes and powers of municipal authorities. Municipal authorities currently have the power to oversee sewer systems, water distribution systems, airports, parking spaces, industrial development projects and more.
“Currently, our townships do not have this statutory power to control storm water runoff,” Kampf said. “It is an especially challenging issue for many of the older communities in Southeast Pennsylvania, including those in my district, as they work to adequately prepare for the impact of new development or address existing problems.”
Senate Bill 1261 provides another tool to rectify this situation by giving local municipal authorities the power to address storm water management and flood prevention. This new language also allows comprehensive planning and intergovernmental cooperation, as these authorities could function on behalf of multiple municipalities.
"We passed a number of bills this Session to provide relief in the wake of flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee," Kampf said. "But improved storm water management is much less costly than flood recovery, which is why this legislation is such a sound idea."
"I am also working to help municipalities find ways to take advantage of potential state funding for their work to control storm water, particularly from the new revenue generated by the Marcellus Shale drillers impact fee," Kampf concluded.
The natural gas drilling impact fee was enacted in February of this year with bipartisan support and has already generated $200 million in revenue this year; it is expected to generate $500 million annually.
Senate Bill 1261 can now move to the whole House for a vote.
Listen to Rep. Kampf’s comments from the committee hearing
here.
State Representative Warren Kampf
157th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact:
David Foster
610-251-2876