Integrated Water Resources Plan

Blueprints serves as the water resources element of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan. Following adoption by the county commissioners, the plan was submitted to Pa DEP for their review and approval under Act 167, the Storm Water Management Planning Act of 1978. Upon approval by Pa DEP, Blueprints will serve as the countywide Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan for Lancaster County.

Blueprints promotes watershed-based integrated water resources planning and management to protect, conserve, and improve water resources in Lancaster County. It advances the concepts of integrated water resources planning (IWRP) and integrated water resources management (IWRM) by emphasizing the relationships among water resource issues and programs, such as stormwater management and drinking water supply or source water protection and manure management, and recommending strategies to address these issues more effectively.

 Adoption

The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners adopted Blueprints: An Integrated Water Resources Plan for Lancaster County (Act 247 and 167) on October 10, 2012.

Documents

• Blueprints: An Integrated Water Resources Plan for Lancaster County (Act 247 and 167): The Act 167 provisions contained in Blueprints, including the model ordinance, were approved by Pennsylvania DEP on May 21, 2013. According to Section 11(b) of Act 167, municipalities subject to the Stormwater Management Plan must enact or amend and implement such ordinances as necessary to regulate development in a manner consistent with the Stormwater Management Plan. Municipalities are encouraged to use the model ordinance included in the plan. 
• Lancaster County Act 167 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Model Stormwater Ordinance