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NEW: There are updated directions and application for Chapter 105 General Permits. Please use the files below to apply for a General Permit. The new forms took affect March 26, 2018. Call our office at 814-887-4001 if you have questions.
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program One of the District's primary focuses is the Erosion and Sedimentation Control (E&SC) Program. The emphasis of the overall program is the conservation of soil and water resources. The District administers the E&S program through a delegation agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Bureau of Water Quality. Through the program, the District reviews and approves E&S control plans for earthmoving sites. Inspections of the sites are conducted to assure the plans are properly implemented, controls are installed, and sequences are followed. By doing this, the 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.
Erosion is an ongoing process. It occurs naturally and continues to be a dominant force in shaping of earths landscape. It has the potential to become problematic when man exposes bare soil as a result of agricultural practices, timbering or excavation. With a lack of vegetation to protect the soil beneath, wind and water can readily erode and transport soil into nearby waterways, clogging them with fine sediments known as silt, clay or colloids. Runoff from bare soil may also contain chemicals, heavy metals and other pollutants that may be washed into the waters of the Commonwealth. The goal of this program is to control erosion and the resulting pollution to the waters of the Commonwealth. When is an Erosion and Sediment Control (E&SC) Plan needed? This is a question that we at the District get asked regularly by municipalities, consulting firms and private individuals. As per the Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation Control regulations, all earth moving or earth disturbance activities over 5,000 sq. ft., including timber harvesting activities, must have an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan developed, implemented and maintained on site to minimize accelerated erosion and resulting sedimentation to the waters of the Commonwealth. Timber harvesting operations that will disturb 25 or more acres require a permit from DEP (the earth disturbance area is the total area of haul roads, landings, and skid trails). Inquiries as to whether or not a permit is required should be addressed to the conservation district. |
WETLANDS
Wetlands are defined as areas where ground and/or surface water lingers for periods of time. In Pennsylvania, they are protected by both state and federal regulations and may also be protected by local regulations and ordinances. Wetlands are valuable because they function in ways that benefit the natural world, including the human community. Wetlands are important for wildlife, protection of water resources, and for water infiltration. Are wetlands present on my site? This is a commonly asked question at the Conservation District. If a project or development is planned, a professional consultant MUST be hired for a wetlands delineation to determine if wetlands are present. For general information, not related to projects visit the PA Department of Environmental Resources Fact Sheet. | ||||||
Permit Requirements
The McKean County Conservation District is delegated by the PA Department of Environmental Protection to oversee and review certain permits for construction, stream encroachment, and timber projects. The permit required depends on the location, area of land disturbed, and type of project. Erosion and sedimentation affecting streams are pollution issues that can have severe impacts to aquatic life. Permits are required for many construction projects so that soil does not wash off the site and into nearby streams. Likewise, any work in or near a stream requires a permit to be sure work does not cause pollution and change the watercourse in any way. The checklist below can help you determine what type of permit you may need. Call the District Office if you need more information; or visit the PA DEP website via link below for detailed permit information.
Plans, Permits, and NPDES Permits
This short breakdown of earth disturbance thresholds for plans, permits, and NPDES permits may help in determining what a landowner may need to have in place before proceeding with a project involving earth disturbance activities. If you have questions on Chapter 102 requirements please contact the Conservation District office at 814-887-4001.
If your project:
This short breakdown of earth disturbance thresholds for plans, permits, and NPDES permits may help in determining what a landowner may need to have in place before proceeding with a project involving earth disturbance activities. If you have questions on Chapter 102 requirements please contact the Conservation District office at 814-887-4001.
If your project:
- Will have less than 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance, it is not necessary to have a written plan on site but erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs) are still required to minimize the potential for accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
- Will have more than 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance, a written E&S plan is required to be on site and implemented. Approval through the District is not required, unless requested through a local entity. The District or DEP may request to see the E&S plan in the event of a complaint, pollution event, or failure to implement and maintain effective E&S BMPs. The plan may be subject to submittal for approval by the District/DEP if there are issues with the site.
- Will have more than 1 acre of earth disturbance and is not in a special protection (EV, HQ) watershed, a General NPDES Permit is required to be submitted for approval to the District. Before any earth disturbance activity can occur the plan must be approved. A copy of the approved stamped, signed, and dated plan must be kept on site.
- Will have more than 1 acre of earth disturbance and is in a special protection watershed, an Individual NPDES Permit is required to be submitted for approval to the District. The Individual NPDES Permit will undergo a completeness review and then be submitted for posting in the PA Bulletin for a 30 day public comment period. A technical review conducted by both DEP and the District will occur before final approval is given by DEP. Before any earth disturbance activity can occur the plan must be approved. A copy of the approved stamped, signed, and dated plan must be kept on site.
- Is timber harvesting or road maintenance activity involving 25 acres (10 hectares) or more of earth disturbance, an E&S Permit is required to be submitted for approval to the District. Before any earth disturbance activity can occur the plan must be approved. A copy of the approved stamped, signed, and dated plan must be kept on site.
Erosion & Sedimentation PlansProjects with more than 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance, but less than 1 acre, should use the below guidelines to prepare an Erosion & Sedimentation Plan with appropriate management practices to prevent erosion. A copy of this plan must be kept in an accessible, weatherproof location for inspection by District or DEP staff should erosion cause a complaint. District staff can review these plans before work begins, although this is not required for small projects.
USE GREEN BUTTON ABOVE RIGHT FOR E & S REVIEW APPLICATION. Visit USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey for soil information for an E & S Plan. 
Streams: Chapter 105 General PermitsThe PA Code: Title 25: Chapter 105 program regulates work in and around streams, wetlands and other water bodies with a focus on avoiding or minimizing impacts on water quality, flooding frequency and riparian habitats. The District acknowledges General Permits for various types of work in waterways, including wetlands and stream crossings, streambank stabilization, boat ramp and dock installation, intake and outfall structures, and utility line crossings. The District staff will also conduct inspections of permitted sites, investigate complaints and provide regulatory and permitting assistance. Activities and structures in or near a stream or its adjacent floodway are regulated by this program. In most cases, a permit is required before starting any activity which changes, expands or diminishes the course, current or cross-section of a stream, floodway or body of water. Contact the Conservation District for permitting needs. General Permits GP-1: Fish Habitat Enhancement Structures GP-2: Small Docks and Boat Launching Ramps GP-3: Bank Rehabilitation, Bank Protection and Gravel Bar Removal GP-4: Intake and Outfall Structures GP-5: Utility Line Stream Crossings GP-6: Agricultural Crossings and Ramps GP-7: Minor Road Crossings GP-8: Temporary Road Crossings GP-9: Agricultural Activities GP-10: Abandoned Mine Reclamation GP-11: Maintenance, Testing, Repair, Rehabilitation or Replacement of Water Obstructions and Encroachments GP-15: Private Residential Construction in Wetlands (GP-11 and GP-15 are issued directly from DEP, not County Conservation Districts.) USE GREEN BUTTON ABOVE RIGHT FOR GP PERMIT APPLICATION. DEP Chapter 105 General Permit Information Existing Use- Stream Designations Wild Trout Waters of PA |
NPDES (National Pollutant Elimination & Discharge Systems)Projects involving more than one acre of earth disturbance require NPDES Permits. There are General and Individual NPDES Permits, depending on the watershed affected. These permits are submitted to either the Conservation District (General) or PA DEP (Individual). Before any earth disturbance activity can occur the plan must be approved. A copy of the approved stamped, signed and dated plan must be kept on site. The District is responsible for site inspections and resolution of any erosion complaints related to the site.
USE GREEN BUTTON ABOVE FOR PERMIT APPLICATION. Chapter 102 NPDES Information from PA DEP Forest Timber Operations
Timber harvest operations should prepare an Erosion & Sedimentation Control plan prior to beginning of harvest. A copy of this plan must be kept in an accessible, weatherproof location for inspection. If project will clear more than 1 acre (for roads, landings) or harvest 25 acres or more, an Erosion & Sedimentation Permit is required-contact the Conservation District. Additional permits may be required for large projects.
Agriculture E & S
Farmers are required to complete Erosion and Sedimentation Plans for agricultural operations. Under the previous regulations, Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Plans were required for agricultural plowing, tilling and no-tilling actives that disturbed more than 5,000 square feet of land. In the revised regulations, this section was modified to also require written E&S Plans for animal heavy use areas that disturb land of that same size. “Animal heavy use areas” are defined as: barnyards, feedlots, loafing areas, exercise lots, or other similar areas on an agricultural operation where it is not possible to establish and maintain vegetative cover of a density capable of minimizing accelerated erosion and sedimentation by usual planting methods. The term does not include entrances, pathways and walkways between areas where animals are housed or kept in concentration. | ||||
Streambank stabilization projects such as this one under construction by the Conservation District, require General Permits prior to initiation.
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Stream crossing permits are dependent on the watershed and whether it is a temporary or permanent crossing.
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