The Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision that a local municipal charge assessed to a state university to manage stormwater is a tax, rather than a fee, is a gut-punch to efforts for cleaner rivers and streams.
The decision means commonwealth-owned properties are exempt from paying local stormwater utility fees. Unpaid fees lead to delayed maintenance and upgrades to stormwater systems already outdated and poorly maintained in many communities.
When heavy rainfall flows over hard surfaces, it picks up pollutants like oil, grease, dirt, and nitrogen and phosphorus, sending them into local waters. Stormwater fees pay for infrastructure that reduces pollution and flooding by better controlling this dangerous runoff.
Threats from outdated, undersized, and dilapidated stormwater infrastructure go beyond stream pollution. It can worsen flooding in roads and basements, sweep away property, and endanger public safety.
Commonwealth residents deserve clean streams and a healthy environment.
Public and private landowners, including businesses, churches and the federal government, are paying to support stormwater improvements in their local communities.
The commonwealth needs to pay its fair share of stormwater management fees for state-owned properties. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation looks forward to working with the General Assembly and Shapiro administration to make sure this happens.
Julia Krall
Harrisburg
The writer is Pennsylvania executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
