Regulatory authority library

What municipalities and commercial owners need to know about stormwater compliance

Straight answers on Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) obligations, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, basin retrofits, invasive control, and the PA grant money that pays for the work — written for the owner who has to make the work happen.

• Guide (PDF)Updated July 12, 2026ms4 · tmdl · prpMS4 Basin Retrofit & Naturalization GuideA playbook for aging detention basins under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits and Pollutant Reduction Plans (PRPs).Get the guide
• Capability statementPublished July 2, 2026habitat · forestry · rowNative Habitat Restoration Capability StatementA public one-page capability statement for municipal, conservation, and government-facing habitat restoration opportunities.View the statement
• ArticleUpdated June 30, 2026forestry · costsBrush Hogging vs. Forestry MulchingBrush hogging and forestry mulching serve different goals. What each method does, when to use it, and what drives project cost for commercial and municipal land in NE PA.Read the article
• ArticleUpdated June 30, 2026basinsDetention vs. Retention Basins — What's the DifferenceDetention basins hold runoff temporarily and release it slowly; retention basins maintain a permanent pool. Understanding the difference shapes design, maintenance, and regulatory compliance.Read the article
• ArticleUpdated June 30, 2026grants · dep-grantsPA Grants for Habitat, Stormwater & Pollinator WorkAn overview of PA and federal funding programs for habitat, wetland, stormwater, and pollinator projects — and what makes a site competitive for municipalities, nonprofits, and commercial landowners.Read the article
• ArticleUpdated June 30, 2026pollinator · habitatHow to Establish a Pollinator GardenA step-by-step guide for campuses, municipalities, and commercial sites in NE Pennsylvania on designing, planting, and maintaining a native pollinator garden.Read the article
• ArticleUpdated July 12, 2026land-clearing · costsWhat Drives Land Clearing Cost Per AcreLand clearing cost per acre varies widely. This guide covers every major cost driver — density, terrain, stumps, debris, permits — without quoting a rate.Read the article
• ArticleUpdated June 30, 2026npdes · ms4NPDES Permits for Stormwater in PennsylvaniaA practical guide for PA municipalities and commercial landowners on NPDES stormwater permits — what they require, who needs one, and how the permitting process works.Read the article
• ArticleUpdated July 12, 2026dep-grants · grantsPA DEP Stormwater Grants & Funding GuidePA municipalities and commercial landowners have real funding options for stormwater and basin work. This guide covers the major sources and what makes a project grant-ready.Read the article
• ArticleUpdated July 1, 2026spotted-lanternfly · seasonalHow to Control Spotted Lanternfly in PennsylvaniaA seasonal guide for commercial properties and municipalities in NE Pennsylvania on spotted lanternfly identification, lifecycle, and licensed control strategies at property scale.Read the article
• ArticleUpdated June 30, 2026habitatWhat Is a Riparian Buffer (and Why It Matters)A riparian buffer is a vegetated zone between land and water that filters runoff, stabilizes banks, and supports habitat. The three-zone model, its value, and how buffers are established.Read the article