Urge DEP to deny the Water Quality Permit for the Core5 Warner Road Distribution Center that would threaten Special Protection Waters in Monroe County
Urge DEP to deny the Water Quality Permit for the Core5 Warner Road Distribution Center that would threaten Special Protection Waters in Monroe CountyBWA is partnering with PennFuture and the Conservations Voters of PA – Pocono Region to provide a simple and direct way to submit your written commentary to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
DEP is holding a public comment period for the Core5 Warner Road Distribution Center proposal that is threatening the High Quality (HQ) Pocono Creek and Exceptional Value (EV) wetlands in Monroe County, PA. DEP announced at the March 4th hearing that it is accepting public comments until April 18, 2024. You can submit a comment by using our sample letter at the link below. We highly encourage you to personalize your comments to make them unique.
This is your chance to speak up for our special protection streams and wetlands and urge DEP to prioritize protecting them from harmful degradation by denying this proposal that would sacrifice important forested wetland areas for development.
Thank you to the over 100 people who came to the DEP’s public hearing on March 4. All speakers opposed this project. Now it’s your turn!
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS BY APRIL 18, 2024
Importance of Special Protection Waters
Exceptional Value (EV) is the classification that Pennsylvania gives to streams and wetlands that have the highest quality and cleanest water. Streams and wetlands with this designation are supposed to receive the highest legal protection through DEP’s water quality permitting; EV streams’ water quality must always be protected and no degradation is permitted under any circumstances. High Quality (HQ) is the next-highest classification, and streams and wetlands with this designation must be protected unless there is a compelling social or economic justification beyond mere profit motive that justifies their degradation. EV and HQ streams are a unique and valuable community resource, offering not only outstanding wildlife habitat, trout fisheries, and opportunities for recreation, tourism, and aesthetic enjoyment, but can provide billions of dollars in value to the local economy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The NPDES permit applications documentation and conceptual plans for both of these projects are available for review at the Monroe County Conservation District Office, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg, PA at (570) 629-3060 and/or the DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 826-2511.
If you choose to submit via physical mail, comments can be sent to File Review Coordinator, PA DEP Northeast Regional Office (NERO), 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1915.