Despite their dissatisfaction with the requirements for renewing a state mandated stormwater discharge permit, Upper Milford Township supervisors, at their Sept. 6 meeting, authorized Township Manager Daniel DeLong to pursue the renewal.

DeLong reported he has met with Hanover Engineering, which is handling the permit renewal for Emmaus and Macungie, so he is already familiar with the process.

"Since 40 percent of our water drains into Emmaus, it makes sense to work with them [Hanover]," DeLong said.

Hanover has advised him to just do "the bare minimum" to comply with the regulations, he said.

DeLong said at a previous meeting the township is already complying with the discharge requirements.

The permit is to allow the township to discharge stormwater into state waterways and is to comply with a federal mandate. The original permit was to expire in 2009, but the township has been granted extensions through June 2013. The regulation applies to "urbanized areas," so most rural townships are not affected by it.

The permit fee is $2,500, but if the township does not complete the application by Sept. 14, it will double, DeLong said.

Resident Phil Casey suggested supervisors could find a way to get around the regulation if they look into it further, but solicitor Marc Fisher advised them, "It's mandated. You have no choice."

"I'm totally against this, but I think we should go along with it," Supervisor Robert Sentner said, adding, "$2,500 might be a good investment just to keep everybody happy and off our backs."