Moving one step closer to lifting state development bans, the Centre Regional Planning Commission yesterday sent a revised sewage facilities plan to the state Department of Environmental Resources for approval.

Department refusal to approve past versions of the state mandated plan -- called Act 537 -- led to several bans on the region. The plan outlines how sewage treatment and disposal should be handled.

Last year, the DER put several restrictions on areas covered under the plan's five- and 10-year service areas.

Gary Metzger, sanatarian sewage specialist for DER, said in October earlier versions were rejected partly because they did not clearly outline how a sewage management program would be implemented.

Regional Planner Bob Crum said the major bans include:

-- No subdivision plans can be approved by municipalities.

-- No sewage permits for on-lot septic systems may be issued by municipal sewage enforcement officers.

-- No building permits can be issued for developments which do not already have DER planning module approval for a public sewer connection.

At a Centre Region Council of Governments meeting Jan. 22, five of the affected municipalities approved the revised edition to the plan, and last week Halfmoon Township, whose representatives were absent from the meeting, accepted the plan.

Crum said the DER has given the proposal high priority. The department, however, has 120 days before it must make a decision whether to reject or approve it.