The Water Resources Planning Act (Act 220 of 2002) requires that the Pennsylvania State Water Plan be updated by March 2008. The act also provides for identification of Critical Water Planning Areas (CWPAs) and for the development of Critical Area Resource Plans (CARPs) for any watershed or watersheds within those designated CWPAs. Critical Water Planning Areas are defined as areas where it is estimated that water supply does not or will not meet water demand. Upon identification of a CWPA, a CARP would be developed for the entire CWPA or for a specific watershed or watersheds within the CWPA, depending upon the locations of identified problems.
CARPs are problem-solving water resources plans that will be used to investigate, in a detailed manner, water availability and current and future demands for water in the designated CWPA, with a focus on the key problem(s) identified in the CWPA designation process and emphasis on prioritizing resources toward completion of the CARP elements that address the key problem(s). Existing and potential conflicts among users will be identified, along with possible alternatives to resolve such conflicts. Supply-side and demand-side alternatives will be identified to assure an adequate supply of water in the future.
The pilot CARP is proposed in the Upper Wissahickon watershed in order to test the methodology for identification of critical areas and development of CARPs as proposed for the state water resources plan.
