An Act providing for erosion and sediment control requirements.

SB 174 requires oil and gas companies planning projects causing five or more acres of earth disturbance to obtain erosion and sediment control permits from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection or a conservation district before starting work. The bill sets strict timelines: standard permit reviews must be completed within 43 business days (or 14 days for applications signed by licensed professionals), with detailed reporting on application status required quarterly. It imposes a $500 administrative fee plus $100 per disturbed acre and mandates annual evaluations of the permitting process. The law excludes certain sensitive projects, like those in high-quality watersheds or floodplains, from the expedited review option. This directly affects large-scale oil and gas development operations across Pennsylvania.