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    Public Participation

    ​​​​​Environmental Quality Board

    Public Participation in the Regulatory Process

    Public participation is encouraged during the regulatory process. Interested persons can submit written comments on a proposed regulation using our online comment system or by postal mail. For some proposed rulemakings, public hearings are also held where testimony can be provided. See below for more details.

    Proposed Regulations

    Regulations Currently Open for Comment

    To view regulations open for comment, please visit eComment and click the Regulations radio button.

    Notification Requirements for Unauthorized Discharges to Waters of the Commonwealth

    • This proposed rulemaking will be open for comment from April 5, 2025, through June 4, 2025.
    • A virtual public hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2025, beginning at 1 pm. Registration information is available under the Public Hearings heading below.

    Public Hearings

    For some proposed regulations, public hearings will be held. Public hearings provide individuals with an opportunity to give verbal testimony regarding a proposed regulation. All relevant written and verbal comments that are received at a public hearing will be considered when finalizing a regulation.​

    Proposed Rulemaking – Notification Requirements for Unauthorized Discharges to Waters of the Commonwealth

    The EQB will hold a virtual public hearing to accept comments on this proposed rulemaking on May 15, 2025, beginning at 1 p.m. Persons wishing to present testimony at a hearing are requested to contact Casey Damicantonio for the Department and the Board at (717) 783-8727 or RA-EPEQB@pa.gov by 5 p.m. on May 8, 2025. Language interpretation services are available upon request by contacting Casey Damicantonio by 5 p.m. on by May 8, 2025 at (717) 783-8727 or RA-EPEQB@pa.gov.

    Virtual Hearing – Internet and Telephone Access

    Date and Time: Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 1 pm EDT

    Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
    Click here to join the meeting
    Meeting ID: 282 679 566 18
    Passcode: wq9626Xg
    Download Teams | Join on the web 

    Or call in (audio only)

    + 1 267-332-8737
    Phone Conference ID: 927 214 514#

    • Witnesses are requested to submit a written copy of their verbal testimony by e-mail to RegComments@pa.gov before or after providing testimony at a heariing.
    • Verbal testimony at a hearing is limited to 5 minutes for each witness. Organizations are limited to designating one witness to present testimony on their behalf at one hearing.
    • Witnesses attending a virtual hearing may provide testimony by means of Internet connection or telephone.
    • Video demonstrations and screen sharing by witnesses will not be permitted.

    Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact the Board at (717) 783-8727 or through the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users) to discuss how the Board may accommodate their needs.

    ​​What Happens at the Close of the Comment Period

    DEP reviews all comments and drafts a formal comment and response document. The comment and response document then becomes part of the package for the final regulation. The formal comment and response document will be distributed to the EQB and available publicly prior to the EQB meeting when the final rulemaking will be considered.

    To view public comments submitted to the EQB, please visit eComment or the Independent Regulatory Review Commission's Regulations Search page. Using the Agency Name search field, select Environmental Quality Board.

    Regulatory Agenda

    DEP Regulatory Update (PDF)

    Regulatory Agend​a - Commonwealth Agencies under the Governor's Jurisdiction