Wilkes-Barre - The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a public hearing to take testimony from residents regarding a permit application for the proposed River Pointe Logistics Center in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County.
River Pointe Logistics Center, LLC out of Bethlehem, PA has applied for a National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge purposes, as well as a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Joint Permit Application with DEP.
The hearing will be held on Monday, November 13th from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Bangor Area High School Theater located at 187 Five Points Richmond Road, Bangor, PA 18013. Representatives from DEP, River Pointe Logistics and the Northampton County Conservation District will be in attendance.
River Pointe Logistics Center, LLC proposes to construct Phase I of the River Pointe Logistics Center project in Upper Mount Bethel Township, which includes the construction of roadway infrastructure, stormwater facilities, and three (3) industrial buildings totaling approximately 1.9 million square feet, with projected future buildings to be designed and permitted in subsequent phases. The NPDES permit application would allow discharge of stormwater from construction activities at the site to: an unknown tributary to Delaware River (cold water fishery, migratory fish); an unknown tributary to Allegheny Creek (cold water fishery, migratory fish); other wetlands & exceptional value wetlands, and is subject to special protections under the Clean Water Act.
DEP received the NPDES permit application on June 17, 2022. The application was deemed administratively complete on October 11, 2022. Written public comments were received during the public comment period after the application was deemed administratively complete. That public comment period ended on November 28, 2022. On June 14, 2023, DEP received a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Joint Permit Application for the same project and was deemed administratively complete on September 25, 2023.
Individuals wishing to testify at the hearing are requested to submit a written notice of intent to Colleen Connolly, Regional Communications Manager at: coconnolly@pa.gov. Requests will be accepted up to the day of the hearing. Testimony will be limited to five minutes so that all will have the opportunity to testify. DEP can only review comments made with regard to the NPDES application. All comments, whether delivered orally during the hearing or submitted in writing will carry equal weight and consideration with DEP. Individuals attending the hearing will have the opportunity to testify; however, individuals who preregister to testify will be given priority on the agenda.
Persons with a disability who wish to testify and require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodation should contact Colleen Connolly at: coconnolly@pa.gov or the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the DEP can meet their needs. Dial 711 to connect through Pennsylvania Relay Services.
The NPDES permit application documentation and conceptual plans are available for review at the Northampton County Conservation District Office, 14 Gracedale Ave, Nazareth, PA 18064 at 610-829-6276 and/or the DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 826-2511. For further information, contact Colleen Connolly, Regional Community Relations Coordinator of the DEP's Northeast Regional Office at (570) 826-2035.
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