PRINTER'S NO. 1989
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 370
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY STEFANO, NOVEMBER 15, 2024
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, NOVEMBER 15, 2024
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing November 16, 2024, as "National Stormwater Day" in
2 Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Polluted storm water runoff discharged into rivers,
4 lakes, streams and other waterways threatens public health and
5 safety and can lead to the death of wildlife, destruction of
6 vital ecosystems, contamination of drinking water resources and
7 disruption of recreational activities; and
8 WHEREAS, Storm water runoff is a major source of common
9 pollutants, such as sediment, road salt, automotive chemicals,
10 litter and debris, household hazardous chemicals, bacteria,
11 nutrients and yard and animal waste, to the navigable waters of
12 the United States and Pennsylvania; and
13 WHEREAS, Section 27 of Article I of the Constitution of
14 Pennsylvania provides that people have a right to pure water and
15 the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic
16 values of the environment; and
17 WHEREAS, The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly
18 known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), prohibits the discharge of
 1 pollutants into the navigable waters of the United States,
2 unless authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
3 and
4 WHEREAS, In response to the CWA and the inadequate management
5 of accelerated storm water runoff caused by land development,
6 the General Assembly of the Commonwealth enacted the Storm Water
7 Management Act to provide for a comprehensive program of storm
8 water management to protect the public health, safety and
9 welfare of the people of this Commonwealth, their resources and
10 the environment; and
11 WHEREAS, On November 16, 1990, the EPA established the
12 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase 1
13 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Program to further assist
14 in the management and mitigation of storm water discharges in
15 regulated municipal separate storm sewer systems; and
16 WHEREAS, Effective storm water management is crucial for
17 preventing water pollution, mitigating flood risks, preserving
18 natural resources and fulfilling Pennsylvania's commitment to
19 its residents, their environment and natural resources; and
20 WHEREAS, Communities, municipalities and organizations
21 throughout this Commonwealth actively work to implement
22 innovative storm water management practices, educate the public
23 and promote policies that address storm water challenges; and
24 WHEREAS, Raising awareness and educating the public about
25 storm water issues can result in more informed community
26 involvement, improved stewardship of natural resources and
27 stronger environmental protections; therefore be it
28 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize November 16, 2024, as
29 "National Stormwater Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
30 RESOLVED, That all residents, organizations and institutions
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1 are encouraged to engage in activities that raise awareness
2 about storm water issues, support effective management practices
3 and contribute to efforts to safeguard our water resources.
20240SR0370PN1989 - 3 -