The emphasis of the erosion and
sedimentation control (E&S) program is the conservation of soil and water
resources. The Columbia County Conservation District administers the E&S
program through a signed delegation agreement with the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP). As the county continues to experience
overall growth, it becomes increasingly important to make sure that
resources are protected. Due to intensifying development pressure and
greater awareness for environmental protection, the E&S program continues to
be one of the District's most demanding programs. Through the program, the
Columbia County Conservation District reviews and approves E&S control plans
for earthmoving sites. Inspections of sites with active earthmoving are
conducted to assure the plans are properly implemented. We check to see
that required controls are installed and maintained and that appropriate
construction sequences are being followed that minimize off site
sedimentation. This is one of the ways that the Columbia County Conservation
District strives to meet its goal of minimizing accelerated erosion and
sediment pollution to the waters of the Commonwealth as a result of
earthmoving activities.
A federal regulation that works in conjunction with the local E&S program is
the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. This
regulation, the implementation of which has been delegated to DEP, requires
any earthmoving activities disturbing more than 1 acre with a concentrated
discharge to a water course or any site disturbing greater than 5 acres
regardless of the discharge obtain a permit. It is recommended that anyone
disturbing between one and five acres of land during the life of an
earthmoving project contact the Conservation District to determine if an
NPDES permit will be required.
Under the requirements of the
NPDES program, these activities must have an approved erosion control plan.
Columbia County Conservation District conducts the reviews of these plans
for DEP to assure compliance with Chapter 102 and the Clean Streams Law.
The NPDES permit program also requires a Post Construction Stormwater
Management (PCSM) Plan to address concerns about ground water recharge and
water quality issues especially during the more frequent storm events.
NPDES Permit applications are available on DEP's website at
www.dep.state.pa.us.
under
the keyword “NPDES Permits”. Choose “Stormwater Construction Activities”
Click below to download the:
Columbia County Conservation District E & S plan review application
Columbia County Conservation District E & S review fee schedule & rate
tables
NPDES
application resubmission policy
WHEN IS AN EROSION
CONTROL PLAN REQUIRED?
This is a question that we at the District get asked regularly by
municipalities, consulting firms and private individuals. Chapter 102, the
states erosion and sedimentation Control regulations, requires the
development of a written erosion and sedimentation control plan for all
earth disturbances of 5,000 square feet or greater, earth disturbances in
High Quality or Exceptional Value watersheds, or if other DEP permits
require it.
Projects having less than 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance are still
required to implement and maintain erosion and sedimentation control best
management practices (BMPs). They are only exempt from developing a written
plan.
Any project that will have over 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance over
the live of the project is required to develop a site specific written
plan. The plan must be prepared by someone experienced in erosion and
sediment control and identify the potential sediment pollution problems
associated with the project and specify appropriate practices and techniques
to be used to prevent them. The plan must be detailed enough to clearly
show the steps to be taken and the order in which to take them. This
written plan is required to be on the site of the earth disturbance at all
times.
The plans must be
submitted to and approved by the Conservation District when an adequacy
letter is required by the local municipality or it is required as part of
another permit application. The Conservation District or DEP may also
specifically require a plan to be submitted for review in response to
problems identified during an inspection of an active earthmoving
project.
Earth disturbance activities associated with agricultural plowing or
tilling, timber harvesting, and road maintenance do not require coverage
under a NPDES permit. Persons conducting timber harvesting or road
maintenance activities which involve 25 acres or more of earth disturbance
must apply for and obtain coverage for an Erosion and Sedimentation Control
Permit.
Persons conducting agricultural plowing and tilling activities are required
to develop plans and implement agricultural BMPs, but continue to be exempt
from permitting requirements. Any farming activity that does not have a
conservation plan or needs an updated plan is encouraged to contact their
local NRCS office. Earthmoving associated with non tillage activities such
as construction of buildings or ponds are not exempt from the permitting
requirements and also must develop a site specific E&S plan.
Please contact Barry Travelpiece at (570) 784-1310 ext. 115 or email
Barry.travelpiece@pa.nacdnet.net for more information
