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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Scott Conklin |
  
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House passes Conklin bill updating flood control laws
Centre Co. lawmaker says proposal is component of Rebuild PA initiative
HARRISBURG, June 23 – Legislation introduced by Centre County state Rep. Scott Conklin that would update and improve the state's flood control provisions passed the state House of Representatives today.
Conklin said the bill (H.B. 2546), which is a component of the state's economic development initiative, Rebuild PA, would expand the authority of the state Department of Environmental Protection under Pennsylvania's Flood Control Law to allow the agency to create flood control districts and present plans for flood control works and improvement projects across the state. With the recent flood disasters ripping the Midwest, Conklin said giving DEP more authority to develop plans for flood control projects can help limit similar disasters in Pennsylvania.
"We have had significant flooding issues in Pennsylvania throughout our state's history," Conklin said. "But with traditional 100-year and 500-year flood plains becoming more like 15- or 20-year flood sites – which is what we are seeing across the Midwest -- it is very important to take steps to make sure we are doing what we can to improve and update our flood control projects here in Pennsylvania." Conklin said his proposal is a part of the state's Rebuild PA economic development initiative contained in the latest budget proposal. He said investing in Pennsylvania's aging and deteriorating infrastructure, including updating inadequate and outdated flood control projects, is not only critical in protecting residents, but also in attracting business development to Pennsylvania. "Part of encouraging businesses to set up shop in our area is showing that we are willing to invest in projects that improve our overall business climate," Conklin said. "This includes protecting roads, bridges, dams and infrastructure from potentially dangerous floods."
Conklin's legislation would allow the state, through the Rebuild PA initiative, to allocate $13 million for flood control projects across the Commonwealth. The bill has been sent to the Senate for consideration.
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