Wentling’s Lake Erie Groin Fee Exemption Legislation Passes House
HARRISBURG – Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Crawford/Erie/Lawrence/Mercer) announced today that his bill to officially define “groin structures” and exempt non-commercial groin owners from paying excessive Submerged Lands License Agreement (SLLA) fees passed the House.
House Bill 2019 would amend the Dam Safety and Encroachment Act through the addition of the defined term “groin structure,” which is any shore structure built to lessen the effects of shore erosion, wave action and/or inundation.
“Groin structures are one the most effective ways to preserve the shoreline and stabilize beach erosion along the beautiful coast of Lake Erie,” said Wentling. “In addition to clearly defining these water structures by statute, my bill would exempt non-commercial groin owners from having to pay an excessive Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) fee—which has skyrocketed from $25 to $750 annually. This fee exemption already applies for groin structures constructed, owned or operated by the DEP and other government entities.
“I was joined on this bill, with bipartisan support, by the entire Erie County House Delegation: Representatives Roae, Bizarro, Merski, Harkins and Sonney,” said Wentling. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
To view Rep. Wentling’s remarks, watch the video below.