PRINTER'S NO. 788

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 743 Session of 1977


        INTRODUCED BY KURY, MURRAY, MELLOW, HOLL, WOOD AND MOORE,
           APRIL 19, 1977

        REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES, APRIL 19, 1977

                                     AN ACT

     1  Providing for the regulation of land and water use for flood
     2     control purposes, imposing duties and conferring powers on
     3     the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of
     4     Environmental Resources, and municipalities, providing for
     5     penalties and enforcement and making appropriations.

     6                         TABLE OF CONTENTS
     7  Chapter 1.  Preliminary Provisions
     8     Section 101.  Short title.
     9     Section 102.  Statement of legislative findings.
    10     Section 103.  Statement of policy and purposes.
    11     Section 104.  Definitions.
    12  Chapter 2.  Municipal Participation in National Flood Insurance
    13              Program
    14     Section 201.  Required participation in National Flood
    15                   Insurance Program.
    16     Section 202.  Adoption of flood plain management regulations.
    17     Section 203.  Relationship of flood plain management
    18                   regulations to the Pennsylvania Municipalities
    19                   Planning Code and other applicable enabling


     1                   legislation.
     2     Section 204.  Requirements of the National Flood Insurance
     3                   Program deemed minimum standards.
     4     Section 205.  Department review and approval of Municipal
     5                   Flood Plain Management Regulations.
     6     Section 206.  Municipalities required to comply with
     7                   department regulations.
     8  Chapter 3.  Regulation of Particular Obstructions
     9     Section 301.  Obstructions posting special hazards in flood
    10                   plains.
    11     Section 302.  Exclusive State jurisdiction over certain
    12                   obstructions in flood plains.
    13  Chapter 4.  Powers and Duties
    14     Section 401.  Powers and duties of the Department of
    15                   Community Affairs and the Department of
    16                   Environmental Resources.
    17     Section 402.  Additional powers and duties of the Department
    18                   of Community Affairs, Department of Environ-
    19                   mental Resources and municipalities.
    20     Section 403.  Inspections.
    21  Chapter 5.  Enforcement; Appeals
    22     Section 501.  Enforcement of Chapter 2.
    23     Section 502.  Civil remedies.
    24     Section 503.  Appeals.
    25  Chapter 6.  Miscellaneous; Appropriations
    26     Section 601.  Preservation of existing rights and remedies.
    27     Section 602.  Appropriations.
    28     Section 603.  Repealer and savings clause.
    29     Section 604.  Effective date.
    30     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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     1  hereby enacts as follows:
     2                             CHAPTER 1
     3                       PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
     4  Section 101.  Short title.
     5     This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Flood Plain
     6  Management Act."
     7  Section 102.  Statement of legislative findings.
     8     (a)  Flooding of large areas of land within the Commonwealth
     9  causes unnecessary loss of life, destroys private and public
    10  property, damages means of livelihood and economic resources;
    11  disrupts commerce, communication, utility and governmental
    12  services; causes pollution and unsanitary conditions; carries
    13  solid waste, sewage and other materials injurious to health and
    14  property; all of which is detrimental to the health, safety and
    15  welfare of the people of the Commonwealth.
    16     (b)  Extensive expenditures of public funds have been
    17  allocated to costly flood control projects, repair and
    18  maintenance of public facilities and property, and relief and
    19  rescue efforts, to reduce the disastrous effects of recurrent
    20  flooding.
    21     (c)  The exclusive use of flood control measures, such as
    22  engineering projects, has failed to significantly reduce the
    23  human suffering and economic losses caused by recurrent
    24  flooding.
    25     (d)  A comprehensive and coordinated program of flood plain
    26  management, based upon the National Flood Insurance Program, is
    27  fundamental to the health, safety, welfare and protection of the
    28  people of the Commonwealth.
    29  Section 103.  Statement of policy and purposes.
    30     The policy and purpose of this act is to:
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     1         (1)  Encourage planning and development in flood plains
     2     which are consistent with sound land use practices.
     3         (2)  Protect people and property in flood plains from the
     4     dangers and damage of floodwaters and from materials carried
     5     by such floodwaters.
     6         (3)  Prevent and eliminate urban and rural blight which
     7     results from the damages of flooding.
     8         (4)  Authorize a comprehensive and coordinated program of
     9     flood plain management, based upon the National Flood
    10     Insurance Program, designed to preserve and restore the
    11     efficiency and carrying capacity of the streams and flood
    12     plains of the Commonwealth.
    13         (5)  Assist municipalities in qualifying for the National
    14     Flood Insurance Program.
    15         (6)  Provide for and encourage local administration and
    16     management of flood plains.
    17         (7)  Minimize the expenditure of public and private funds
    18     for flood control projects and for relief, rescue and
    19     recovery efforts.
    20  Section 104.  Definitions.
    21     The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
    22  have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
    23  meanings given to them in this section:
    24     "Department."  The Department of Community Affairs of the
    25  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
    26     "Flood."  A general but temporary condition of partial or
    27  complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow
    28  of streams, rivers or other waters of the Commonwealth.
    29     "Flood plain management regulations."  Zoning ordinances,
    30  subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations,
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     1  special purpose ordinances and other applications of police
     2  power. The term describes such State or local regulations, in
     3  any combination thereof, which provide standards for the purpose
     4  of flood damage, prevention and reduction.
     5     "Floodproofing."  Structural or other changes or adjustments
     6  to properties or obstructions for the reduction or elimination
     7  of flood damages to such properties and obstructions or to the
     8  contents of any structure.
     9     "Municipality."  A city, borough, town or township or any
    10  similar general purpose unit of government, or county or other
    11  governmental unit when acting as an agent thereof, or any
    12  combination thereof acting jointly.
    13     "Obstruction."  Any structure or assembly of materials above
    14  or below the surface of land or water, and an activity which
    15  might impede, retard or change flood flows. The planting,
    16  cultivation and harvesting of field and orchard crops or the
    17  grazing of livestock, including the maintenance of necessary
    18  appurtenant agricultural fencing, shall not be considered an
    19  "obstruction" under this definition and shall not be subject to
    20  regulation under this act.
    21     "One hundred-year flood."  The highest level of flooding
    22  that, on the average, is likely to occur every 100 years, that
    23  is, that has a 1% chance of occurring each year.
    24     "One hundred-year flood plain" or "flood plain."  The 100-
    25  year floodway and that maximum area of land that is likely to be
    26  flooded by a 100-year flood shown on flood plain maps approved
    27  or promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and
    28  Urban Development.
    29     "Person."  An individual, partnership, public or private
    30  association or corporation, firm, trust, estate, municipality,
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     1  governmental unit, public utility or any other legal entity
     2  whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject of rights
     3  and duties.
     4     "Public utility service."  The rendering of the following
     5  services for the public:
     6         (1)  gas, electricity or steam production, generation,
     7     transmission or distribution;
     8         (2)  water diversion, pumping, impoundment or
     9     distribution;
    10         (3)  railroad transportation of passengers or property;
    11         (4)  operation of a canal, turnpike, tunnel, bridge,
    12     wharf or similar structure;
    13         (5)  transportation of natural or artificial gas, crude
    14     oil, gasoline or petroleum products, materials for
    15     refrigeration or other fluid substances by pipeline or
    16     conduit;
    17         (6)  telephone or telegraph communications; and
    18         (7)  sewage collection, treatment or disposal.
    19     "Watershed."  The entire region or area drained by a river or
    20  other body of water, whether natural or artificial.
    21                             CHAPTER 2
    22    MUNICIPAL PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
    23  Section 201.  Required participation in National Flood Insurance
    24                Program.
    25     (a)  Each municipality which has been notified by the United
    26  States Department of Housing and Urban Development that it has
    27  been identified as having an area or areas which are subject to
    28  flooding shall participate in the National Flood Insurance
    29  Program.
    30     (b)  If a municipality is not participating in the National
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     1  Flood Insurance Program at the time this act becomes effective,
     2  such municipality shall apply for eligibility and fully comply
     3  with the requirements for participation within six months of the
     4  effective date of this act, or six months from the date of
     5  notification by the United States Department of Housing and
     6  Urban Development that it has been identified as having an area
     7  or areas subject to flooding, whichever is first.
     8     (c)  If a municipality, for whatever reason, is suspended
     9  from the National Flood Insurance Program, once having gained
    10  eligibility, such municipality shall regain eligibility within
    11  90 days of the date of receipt of its notice of suspension.
    12  Section 202.  Adoption of flood plain management regulations.
    13     Each municipality shall adopt such flood plain management
    14  regulations, and amendments thereto, as are necessary to comply
    15  with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program
    16  within six months after a flood plain map is approved or
    17  promulgated for the municipality by the United States Department
    18  of Housing and Urban Development.
    19  Section 203.  Relationship of flood plain management regulations
    20                to the Municipalities Planning Code and other
    21                applicable enabling legislation.
    22     (a)  The adoption and administration by municipalities of
    23  flood plain management regulations, or amendments thereto, which
    24  are necessary to comply with the requirements of the National
    25  Flood Insurance Program shall be governed by the provisions of
    26  the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the
    27  "Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code," or other applicable
    28  enabling legislation; provided, that a municipality may adopt
    29  flood plain management regulations for the flood plain without
    30  adopting ordinances, codes or regulations for any other area of
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     1  the municipality, notwithstanding any provision of the
     2  Municipalities Planning Code or other applicable enabling
     3  legislation.
     4  Section 204.  Requirements of the National Flood Insurance
     5                Program deemed minimum standards.
     6     The flood plain management regulations adopted by a
     7  municipality in order to comply with the requirements of the
     8  National Flood Insurance Program shall be deemed minimum
     9  standards for the management of the flood plains, and no
    10  provision of this act shall be construed as in any way limiting
    11  the power of any municipality to adopt more restrictive
    12  ordinances, codes or regulations for the management of flood
    13  plains.
    14  Section 205.  Department review and approval of municipal flood
    15                plain management regulations.
    16     (a)  The department shall, in consultation with the
    17  Department of Environmental Resources, review and approve all
    18  municipal flood plain management regulations, and amendments
    19  thereto, for the purpose of assuring that such regulations
    20  comply with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance
    21  Program and that such regulations are coordinated and uniformly
    22  enforced throughout each watershed.
    23     (b)  The department, in consultation with the Department of
    24  Environmental Resources, shall adopt, and periodically review
    25  and amend, regulations including but not limited to:
    26         (1)  Criteria and standards for the coordination and
    27     uniform enforcement of municipal flood plain management
    28     regulations under the National Flood Insurance Program.
    29         (2)  Procedures, requirements and standards for
    30     submission, review and approval of municipal flood plain
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     1     management regulations pursuant to this section.
     2     (c)  Prior to adoption of department regulations pursuant to
     3  this section, the department shall hold at least one public
     4  hearing, after public notice, in each major river basin of the
     5  Commonwealth. Prior to any amendment of department regulations,
     6  the department shall hold at least one public hearing after
     7  public notice.
     8  Section 206.  Municipalities required to comply with department
     9                regulations.
    10     Each municipality participating in the National Flood
    11  Insurance Program shall comply with any regulations adopted by
    12  the department pursuant to this chapter within six months of the
    13  effective date of such regulations. A municipality shall be
    14  deemed to have complied with department regulations if it has
    15  received department approval as provided for in this chapter.
    16                             CHAPTER 3
    17               REGULATION OF PARTICULAR OBSTRUCTIONS
    18  Section 301.  Obstructions posing special hazards in flood
    19                plains.
    20     (a)  The department shall by regulation publish a list of
    21  obstructions which it determines present a special hazard to the
    22  health and safety of the public or occupants or may result in
    23  significant pollution, increased flood levels or flows or debris
    24  endangering life and property, if such obstructions are located
    25  in all or a designated portion of the flood plain. These
    26  obstructions include, but are not limited to: hospitals, nursing
    27  homes, jails, facilities for the production or storage of
    28  hazardous materials and facilities necessary for emergency
    29  response.
    30     (b)  Construction of any structure or commencement of any
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     1  activity listed as a special hazard by department regulations in
     2  a flood plain or such portion of the flood plain designated by
     3  the regulations shall be prohibited except in accordance with a
     4  special exception issued pursuant to this section.
     5     (c)  A municipality administering flood plain management
     6  regulations may issue a special exception if the applicant
     7  demonstrates and the municipality determines that the structure
     8  or activity will be located, constructed and maintained in a
     9  manner which:
    10         (1)  will fully protect the health and safety of the
    11     public or occupants;
    12         (2)  will prevent any significant possibility of
    13     pollution, increased flood levels or flows, or debris
    14     endangering life and property; and
    15         (3)  will comply with the requirements of the National
    16     Flood Insurance Program.
    17  Approval of any special exception shall be conditioned upon
    18  compliance with all feasible floodproofing and other
    19  requirements necessary to minimize damage, and the hindrance of
    20  flood flows and to minimize potential danger to life and
    21  property.
    22     (d)  Written notice of municipal approval of a special
    23  exception shall be filed with the department. The special
    24  exception shall become effective 30 days following the receipt
    25  of notice by the department unless the special exception is
    26  disapproved by the department. If the department disapproves a
    27  special exception, it shall notify the municipality and
    28  applicant of the reasons for disapproval.
    29  Section 302.  Exclusive State jurisdiction over certain
    30                obstructions in flood plains.
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     1     (a)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, the
     2  Department of Environmental Resources shall have exclusive
     3  jurisdiction under this act to regulate:
     4         (1)  any obstruction otherwise regulated under the Water
     5     Obstructions Act;
     6         (2)  any flood control project constructed, owned or
     7     maintained by a governmental unit;
     8         (3)  any highway or other obstruction, constructed, owned
     9     or maintained by the Commonwealth; and
    10         (4)  any obstruction owned or maintained by a person
    11     engaged in the rendering of a public utility service.
    12     (b)  No person shall construct, modify, remove, abandon or
    13  destroy any structure or engage in any activity specified in
    14  subsection (a) in the 100-year flood plain unless such person
    15  has first applied for and obtained a permit from the Department
    16  of Environmental Resources. The department may impose such
    17  permit terms and conditions as it deems necessary to carry out
    18  the purposes of this act.
    19     (c)  The Environmental Quality Board shall adopt such
    20  regulations and standards as are necessary to carry out this
    21  section in accordance with the purposes of this act, including
    22  provisions for the payment of reasonable nonrefundable filing
    23  fees.
    24     (d)  The Department of Environmental Resources may, in
    25  accordance with regulations adopted by the Environmental Quality
    26  Board, delegate its authority under this act and the Storm Water
    27  Management Act to regulate and permit obstructions having only
    28  local significance, other than those prescribed in subsection
    29  (a)(2), (3) and (4), to a municipality administering flood plain
    30  management regulations.
    19770S0743B0788                 - 11 -

     1     (e)  The Department of Environmental Resources shall regulate
     2  those obstructions subject to exclusive State jurisdiction in a
     3  manner consistent to the maximum extent possible with the
     4  standards and criteria established in municipal flood plain
     5  management regulations.
     6     (f)  The Department of Environmental Resources may modify,
     7  suspend or revoke any permit issued under this act if it finds
     8  that the permittee has violated the permit terms and conditions
     9  or the provisions of this act and regulations adopted hereunder,
    10  or that any change has occurred in the physical condition of the
    11  site which will materially affect safe construction and
    12  maintenance of the structure or activity.
    13                             CHAPTER 4
    14                         POWERS AND DUTIES
    15  Section 401.  Powers and duties of the Department of Community
    16                Affairs and the Department of Environmental
    17                Resources.
    18     (a)  The Department of Community Affairs shall have the power
    19  and its duty shall be to:
    20         (1)  Coordinate the administration of municipal flood
    21     plain management regulations in the Commonwealth.
    22         (2)  Require the submission of municipal flood plain
    23     management regulations and municipal records and reports, as
    24     necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.
    25         (3)  Provide technical assistance for the purpose of
    26     assisting municipalities in complying with the provisions of
    27     this act.
    28         (4)  Draft, publish and approve, for use by
    29     municipalities, model flood plain ordinances, codes and
    30     regulations which comply with the requirements of the
    19770S0743B0788                 - 12 -

     1     National Flood Insurance Program and the regulations adopted
     2     pursuant to this act.
     3     (b)  The Department of Community Affairs and the Department
     4  of Environmental Resources shall exercise the joint powers and
     5  their duties shall be to:
     6         (1)  Cooperate with appropriate agencies of the United
     7     States or of other states or any interstate agencies with
     8     respect to the planning and management of flood plains.
     9         (2)  Serve as the agencies of the Commonwealth for the
    10     receipt of moneys from the Federal Government or other public
    11     or private agencies or persons and expend such moneys for
    12     studies and research with respect to the planning and
    13     management of flood plains.
    14  Section 402.  Additional powers and duties of the Department of
    15                Community Affairs, Department of Environmental
    16                Resources and municipalities.
    17     In conjunction with their responsibilities otherwise provided
    18  under this act, the Department of Community Affairs, the
    19  Department of Environmental Resources and every municipality
    20  administering flood plain management regulations shall have the
    21  additional power and its duty shall be to:
    22         (1)  Investigate complaints and conduct surveys of flood
    23     plains and obstructions.
    24         (2)  Institute prosecutions and civil proceedings to
    25     enforce the provisions of this act.
    26         (3)  Conduct educational programs with respect to flood
    27     plain management.
    28         (4)  Establish reasonable fees for permit processing for
    29     the program that the agency or municipality administers.
    30         (5)  Do any other acts not inconsistent with this act
    19770S0743B0788                 - 13 -

     1     which are necessary or proper for its effective
     2     implementation.
     3  Section 403.  Inspections.
     4     (a)  An agent or employee of the Department of Community
     5  Affairs, the Department of Environmental Resources, or of a
     6  municipality administering flood plain management regulations
     7  shall have the power and duty to, upon presentation of proper
     8  credentials:
     9         (1)  Enter any land for the purpose of surveying flood
    10     plains.
    11         (2)  Enter any land in a flood plain for the purpose of
    12     ascertaining the location and condition of obstructions.
    13         (3)  Enter land or, while under construction, any
    14     structure located in a flood plain for the purpose of
    15     ascertaining the compliance or noncompliance with the flood
    16     plain management regulations adopted pursuant to this act.
    17     (b)  Whenever an agent or employee of the Department of
    18  Community Affairs, the Department of Environmental Resources, or
    19  municipality charged with the enforcement of the provisions of
    20  this act has been refused access to property for the purposes of
    21  conducting a survey or inspection as authorized by this section
    22  or reasonably requires access to such property without prior
    23  notice to the owner, such agent or employee may apply for an
    24  inspection warrant to any Commonwealth official authorized by
    25  law to issue a search or inspection warrant to enable him or her
    26  to have access and inspect such property. It shall be sufficient
    27  probable cause to issue an inspection warrant that the
    28  inspection is necessary to properly enforce the provisions of
    29  this act.
    30                             CHAPTER 5
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     1                        ENFORCEMENT: APPEALS
     2  Section 501.  Enforcement of Chapter 2.
     3     (a)  If the department finds that a municipality has failed
     4  to comply with any requirement of Chapter 2, or any department
     5  regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the department shall
     6  provide a written notice of violation to the municipality.
     7     (b)  If within 60 days of receipt of the notice of violation,
     8  the municipality has failed to comply with the requirement or
     9  regulation, the department may issue an order to the
    10  municipality and its officers requiring compliance with such
    11  requirement or regulation. Any order issued under this
    12  subsection shall take effect upon receipt of notice, unless the
    13  order specifies otherwise. Any appeal of an order issued under
    14  this subsection shall be in accordance with section 503.
    15     (c)  Any municipality or person failing to comply with an
    16  order issued pursuant to this section from which no appeal has
    17  been taken, which has been sustained on appeal, or for which no
    18  supersedeas has been granted, shall be deemed in contempt of
    19  such order. Upon petition and certification of the order by the
    20  department, the Commonwealth Court or the court of common pleas
    21  of the county in which the municipality is located shall, if it
    22  finds that the municipality and its officers are not in
    23  compliance with the order, adjudge the same in contempt and
    24  shall assess civil penalties of an amount not less than $100 nor
    25  greater than $10,000 per violation plus $500 for each continuing
    26  day of violation.
    27     (d)  Where the municipality or its offices have not as of the
    28  date of hearing before the court complied with the department's
    29  order, the court shall specifically order full compliance with
    30  the department's order by a date set by the court and may issue
    19770S0743B0788                 - 15 -

     1  any further order as may be appropriate.
     2     (e)  Upon petition by the department, if the court finds
     3  after hearing that the municipality or its officers have failed
     4  to comply with any order issued pursuant to subsection (d) by
     5  the date set by the court, the court may, as a last resort,
     6  issue an order empowering the department to adopt and administer
     7  flood plain management regulations for the municipality.
     8     (f)  Whenever pursuant to subsection (e) the department
     9  adopts and administers flood plain management regulations for a
    10  municipality, such regulations shall apply notwithstanding any
    11  municipal flood plain management regulation; provided, that any
    12  zoning or other ordinance adopted by a municipality shall remain
    13  effective to the extent such ordinance is more restrictive than
    14  the flood plain management regulation adopted by the department.
    15     (g)  Upon a determination by the department that the
    16  municipality has adopted and is able to administer flood plain
    17  management regulations which comply with the requirements of
    18  Chapter 2 and any department regulations adopted pursuant
    19  thereto, the department or the municipality may petition the
    20  court requesting that the court terminate its order empowering
    21  the department to adopt and administer flood plain management
    22  regulations for the municipality.
    23  Section 502.  Civil remedies.
    24     (a)  Any obstruction or conduct in violation of this act or
    25  of any flood plain management regulations is hereby declared a
    26  public nuisance.
    27     (b)  Suits to restrain, prevent or abate violation of this
    28  act or of any flood plain management regulations may be
    29  instituted in equity or at law by the department, the Department
    30  of Environmental Resources, any affected county or municipality,
    19770S0743B0788                 - 16 -

     1  or any person. Such proceedings may be prosecuted in the
     2  Commonwealth Court, or in the court of common pleas of the
     3  county where the obstruction exists, conduct occurs, or the
     4  public affected, and to that end jurisdiction is hereby
     5  conferred in law and equity upon such courts. Except in cases of
     6  emergency where, in the opinion of the court, the circumstances
     7  of the case require immediate abatement of the unlawful
     8  obstruction or conduct, the court may, in its decree, fix a
     9  reasonable time during which the person responsible for the
    10  unlawful obstruction or conduct shall correct or abate the same.
    11  The expense of such proceedings shall be recoverable from the
    12  violator in such manner as may now or hereafter be provided by
    13  law.
    14  Section 503.  Appeals.
    15     (a)  Any person aggrieved by any action of the Department of
    16  Community Affairs shall have the right within 30 days of receipt
    17  of notice of such action to appeal such action and request a
    18  hearing in accordance with the act of June 4, 1945 (P.L.1388,
    19  No.442), known as the "Administrative Agency Law."
    20     (b)  Any person aggrieved by an action of the Department of
    21  Environmental Resources in granting, modifying, suspending or
    22  revoking a permit or in issuing an order shall have the right
    23  within 30 days of receipt of notice of such action to appeal
    24  such action to the Environmental Hearing Board, pursuant to
    25  section 1921-A of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175),
    26  known as "The Administrative Code of 1929," and the
    27  "Administrative Agency Law."
    28     (c)  An appeal of any action under this act shall not act as
    29  a supersedeas. A supersedeas may be granted by the agency
    30  hearing the appeal upon a showing by the petitioner:
    19770S0743B0788                 - 17 -

     1         (1)  that irreparable harm to the petitioner or other
     2     interested parties will result if supersedeas is denied;
     3         (2)  that there is a likelihood of the petitioner's
     4     success on the merits; and
     5         (3)  that the grant of a supersedeas will not result in
     6     irreparable harm to the Commonwealth.
     7  The agency hearing the appeal may grant such a supersedeas
     8  subject to such security as it may deem proper.
     9                             CHAPTER 6
    10                   MISCELLANEOUS; APPROPRIATIONS
    11  Section 601.  Preservation of existing rights and remedies.
    12     (a)  No provision of this act shall be construed to permit an
    13  activity or condition otherwise prohibited by law, or to affect
    14  the rights of the Commonwealth, persons, counties or
    15  municipalities to proceed in courts of law or equity to suppress
    16  nuisances or to enforce common law or statutory rights.
    17     (b)  It is hereby declared to be the purpose of this act to
    18  provide additional and cumulative remedies to abate nuisances.
    19  Section 602.  Appropriations.
    20     (a)  The sum of $750,000, or as much thereof as may be
    21  necessary, is hereby appropriated for the fiscal period
    22  beginning July 1, 1977, and ending June 30, 1978, to the
    23  Department of Community Affairs for the purposes of
    24  administrative and general expenses in implementing the
    25  provisions of this act.
    26     (b)  The sum of $250,000, or as much thereof as may be
    27  necessary, is hereby appropriated for the fiscal period
    28  beginning July 1, 1977, and ending June 30, 1978, to the
    29  Department of Environmental Resources for the purposes of this
    30  act.
    19770S0743B0788                 - 18 -

     1  Section 603.  Repealer and savings clause.
     2     (a)  All acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith are
     3  hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
     4     (b)  The provisions of this act shall not affect any suit or
     5  prosecution pending or to be instituted to enforce any right or
     6  penalty or punish any offense under the authority of any act of
     7  Assembly or part thereof repealed by this act.
     8  Section 604.  Effective date.
     9     This act shall take effect immediately.














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