Did you know that sediment is the number one pollutant, by volume, to waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?  Sediment pollution is the result of erosion.  While some erosion is natural, accelerated erosion (caused by human activities such as development and farming) can significantly impair watercourses and cause serious problems like drinking water pollution, fish kills, and siltation of dams and channels.

In order to ensure that proper erosion and sediment pollution control techniques are implemented within Luzerne County, the Luzerne Conservation District has been delegated the responsibility by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to administer the Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program (Chapter 102) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program (Chapter 92) and to review Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control (E&S) Plans for earth disturbance activities within the county.  The district also conducts related training for engineers, contractors, and municipalities; and district staff members perform site inspections of earth disturbance activities to determine compliance with the applicable state regulations. The district also responds to and investigates complaints involving erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater problems occurring during earth disturbance activities.

NOTE:  State law requires that an E&S Plan, which meets the requirements of Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations), be properly designed, implemented, and available on site for all earth disturbance activities that disturb 5,000 square feet or more.

Click here to access E&S and NPDES forms, technical guidance, and other publications.