Permits

The ECCD is delegated through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to review and administer permits within our county. Why is this a good thing? It allows local staff to work with community members, and it is a quicker way to check on your concerns and answer your questions. This is also beneficial because ECCD employees are familiar with the area and have a background on the lay of the land, since many of us grew up in Elk County. Overall, the delegation through DEP provides us with a way to work more directly with you, the members of our community!

 

The Elk County Conservation District is delegated for two different permitting programs, which includes Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control) and Chapter 105 (Streams and Wetlands). Both of these programs can be broken down into different categories depending on the project activity, the amount of earth disturbance, and the quality of nearby resources (i.e., streams, wetlands). Chapter 102 permits consist of General NPDES, Individual NPDES, ESCGP, and E&S plans. The point of Chapter 102 is…you guessed it, to control or manage erosion/sedimentation from impacting our natural resources and negatively affecting the community. Chapter 105 permits contain general permits at a smaller scale, which range from fish habitat improvement to permanent stream crossings. The point of Chapter 105 is to regulate water obstructions and encroachments to protect our health, safety, property, and prevent interference with water flow (think flooding).

 

Why are permits valuable? Unstable project sites can have various negative impacts. When changes are made during construction, this can affect how water infiltrates soil, leading to increased rates of erosion and potential flooding problems downstream. Did you know? Erosion runoff is the greatest pollutant to PA’s waters. Sediment has the potential to change the biological, chemical, and physical properties of a resource. Not to mention, this pollution impacts our drinking water and can increase costs for infiltration. Unfortunately, sediment pollution can lead to millions of dollars in property damage annually.

 

So, with all that being said, there is a method to the madness of permits. They may seem like a bunch of crazy rules and regulations, but in the long run they protect our community, it’s members, their health and our resources.​