Erosion

photo by Michael Philippe

Controlling erosion and the resulting sediment pollution to the county's streams or waterways is the goal of this program.

Chapter 102, Title 25, Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law, requires that for any earthmoving project best management practices to control erosion must be installed or implemented and, in some cases, an erosion control plan be written - explaining how erosion will be controlled - and implementation of that plan for any earthmoving project - any project that involves moving earth. Depending upon the location (municipality) of the work, the plan may need to be reviewed before local permits can be obtained. Click here for a Application to start the process.

Plans to control erosion must show how accelerated erosion will be minimized during earthmoving projects. Normally, plans include a site plan, a topographic map of the effected area, proposed changes including topography, and details (drawings) of erosion control measures such as swales, silt fence, mulch or stoning, diversions, etc. Plans for final stabilization are also required. An attached narrative must explain all of this.

The reviewers of these Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control (E&SPC) plans and the inspectors for earthmoving projects in Clinton County are Thomas E. Bittner, Senior Resource Conservationist, and Tanya Lelo, Resource Technician.

Conservation Districts in Pennsylvania administer the Commonwealth's Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program through a delegation agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection. There are 3 levels of involvement with this program:

1.Level I - Education and Information
2.Level II - Education and Information; Inspection and Voluntary Compliance.
3.Level III - Education and Information; Inspection and Enforcement.

Clinton County is a Level II county. When enforcement becomes necessary, such as cease work and fines, the Department of Environmental Protection cooperates with these matters in the field. Generally, earth moving contractors are knowledgeable and cooperative, adjusting erosion control measures when problems occur.

The Conservation District has a fee schedule for review of erosion control plans. The fees are based on category of earthmoving and extent of earth disturbance. Please call the conservation district for more information or Click here for the fee schedule.

Some earthmoving projects may require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. This may be required if you disturb more that 1 acre of earth and there is a direct discharge to a waterway. It is always required is you disturb more than 5 acres of earth. Cost of this permit is $250 for a General permit, unless the activity is planned in a High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV) Watershed, which is $500 for an Individual permit. In Clinton County, general permits are issued from the conservation district and individual permits are issued by the Department of Environmental Protection office.

Periodically, workshops are held for earth moving contractors, developers, municipal officials, and others to explain the Rules and Regulations relating to the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, Chapter 102, Title 25. If you have questions about these rules and regulations or about how to control accelerated erosion, call Senior Resource Conservationist, Thomas E. Bittner, or Resource Technician, Tanya Lelo, at (570) 726-3798.

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Erosion & Sediment Pollution Control Program

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