GENERAL PERMITS FOR STREAM WORK

DEP, realizing that often planned work in or near a stream is routine and has minimal impact on the environment when properly done, has developed a series of “General Permits” for minor activities. These are preapproved permits that can be utilized to perform certain types of minor activities. To be eligible to do work under the coverage of the general permits, the applicant must complete an application package and receive written acknowledgement from DEP or a delegated Conservation District that the project qualifies for coverage under the general permit before the project is started. Make sure to read the conditions and restrictions associated with the specific general permit to make sure that it can be used for your specific project.

The General Permits that DEP has approved related to stream work include:

• GP-01 Fish Habitat Enhancement Structures, 3930-PM-WM0501
• GP-02 Small Docks & Boat Launching Ramps, 3930-PM-WM0502
• GP-03 Bank Rehabilitation, Bank Protection & Gravel Bar Removal, 3930-PM-WM0503
• GP-04 Intake & Outfall Structures, 3930-PM-WM0504
• GP-05 Utility Line Stream Crossings, 3930-PM-WM0505
• GP-06 Agricultural Crossings & Ramps, 3930-PM-WM0506
• GP-07 Minor Road Crossings, 3930-PM-WM0507
• GP-08 Temporary Road Crossings, 3930-PM-WM0508
• GP-09 Agricultural Activities, 3930-PM-WM0509
• GP-10 Abandoned Mine Reclamation, 3930-PM-WM0510
• GP-11 Maintenance, Testing, Repair, Rehabilitation, or Replacement of Water Obstructions and Encroachments 3930-PM-WM0511
• GP-15 Private Residential Construction in Wetlands, 3930-PM-WM0515

In Columbia County, the Conservation District is authorized to process and acknowledge the General Permits for stream work listed above except for GP-11 which should be submitted directly to the Regional office of DEP. The goal of the Conservation District is to provide the public a local and familiar contact to work through the permitting process.

The most common problems associated with the submission of an application are improperly completed forms or the use of outdated forms. The general permit application package consists of several parts including a permit package and sample drawings, a Project Screening form, the General Permit Registration form and the PNDI search form. The list below indicates the most current version of each form. If the application form that you are using is not the most current, you should obtain the current form from the DEP website, from the Conservation District, or from the DEP Regional Office. Note: The dates on forms for GP-10, GP-11 and GP-15 may be different. Check website for current forms.

· Permit application package and sketch plans – Dated 10/05

· General permit registration – Form 3930-PM-WM0500 - Dated 6/2007

· Project Screening Form – Form 3930-PM-WM-0050 - Dated 6/2007

· PNDI (Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory) Form – Form 8100-FM-FR0161 – Dated 8/2005

A complete application to the Conservation District will include:

· A fully completed General Permit Registration Form

· A completed Project Screening Form

· A completed PNDI form, the results of an online PNDI search showing no impacts, or the results of a PNDI search showing potential impacts along with a letter from the appropriate state or federal agency showing resolution of any potential impact.

· An erosion and sediment control plan to address concerns associated with the permitted activity

· An Erosion and Sediment control plan review fee

Note: The portion of the permit application package that includes the conditions and restrictions for the use of the general permit along with the sample drawings are for the use of the applicant and, in most cases, should not be submitted to the Conservation District as part of the Application submission.

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