Program Overview
The Conservation District, under delegated authority from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the State Conservation Commission, administers the Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program at a Level II authority under the Chapter 102 regulations and the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. This involves technical review of erosion control plans for earthmoving activities, project inspections, compliance activities, complaint response and public education. The purpose of this program is to protect our land and waters from accelerated erosion and sedimentation during any earth disturbance. The scope of projects reviewed by the district can range from single building construction disturbing a minimal area to highway projects involving several acres of disturbance.
Construction sites involving more than 5 acres of actual earth disturbance or greater than 1 acre of earth disturbance with a point source discharge must apply for and receive a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the discharge of stormwater prior to commencing any earthmoving activities. The Conservation District administers the NPDES program for construction sites, processes technical review of applications and accompanying E&S plans, and inspects permitted sites to ensure compliance with permit conditions. Individual NPDES permits are necessary for those sites located in Special Protection Watersheds. The link below accesses the PA Department of Environmental Protection e-Library page with links to NPDES program permits as well as permits for Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment information and permits for stream projects such as bank stabilization, habitat structures, temporary and agricultural stream crossings, and others. The US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Joint Permit Applications are also available at this site.
The link below is for a Adobe Acrobat format worksheet to assist applicants planning small projects, without point source pollution and without the need for engineering, in submitting adequate E & S control plans for permitting.
Small Projects E & S worksheet
IMPORTANT - New Chapter 102 regulations for erosion and sediment control and stormwater management went into effect November 19, 2010.
The links below access documents required for submitting plans for review.
Bedford County Conservation District E & S Plan Application Cover Sheet
Bedford County Conservation District E & S Plan Application Procedures
List of Special Protection Waters in Bedford County. (Designated Use can effect permitting requirements)
For Word doc versions of the above documents NPDES permits that can be completed electronically, follow the link below to the DEP eLibrary
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/View/Collection-9432