Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) – South Central Regional Office – Harrisburg, PA

Environmental Regulation and Permitting

South Central Regional Office

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) South Central Regional Office in Harrisburg serves as the primary environmental regulatory hub for a 15-county area, including Dauphin, York, Lancaster, and Cumberland counties. This office is responsible for administering state laws and regulations to prevent pollution, protect natural resources, and ensure the health and safety of the region’s citizens.

Permitting and Compliance

Businesses, municipalities, and individuals interact with this office primarily for permitting and compliance issues. The regional staff reviews applications and issues permits for activities that impact the environment. Key areas of service include:

• Air Quality: Issuing plan approvals and operating permits for industrial facilities.
• Waterways and Wetlands: Permitting for encroachments, obstructions, and stormwater management (NPDES).
• Waste Management: Overseeing permits for landfills, recycling centers, and hazardous waste storage.
• Safe Drinking Water: Monitoring public water supplies to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Environmental Complaints and Emergencies

The South Central Regional Office serves as a contact point for reporting environmental incidents. Residents can report issues such as illegal dumping, water pollution events, or air quality complaints. The DEP maintains an emergency response team to handle critical situations that pose an immediate threat to public health or the environment.

Community Resources

In addition to regulation, the DEP provides technical assistance and grants to local organizations and governments. They maintain public records regarding environmental compliance and hold public hearings for significant permit applications. The office on Elmerton Avenue is open to the public for file reviews, though appointments are generally required to ensure the specific records are retrieved from the archives.

Visiting the Office

Located on Elmerton Avenue, the facility is accessible and provides visitor parking. Visitors must check in at the front desk and show identification. For those submitting permit applications or fees, checks or money orders are the standard method of payment, as cash is typically not accepted at regional counters.