Erosion & Sediment Pollution Control
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 measures are implemented within Luzerne County, the 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.
Does your project need an E&S Plan?
- State law requires that an Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control (E&SPC) 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. (But for projects with less than 20,000 square feet of earth disturbance, the district does not need to review and approve the E&SPC plan, unless the municipality requires it, or certain DEP permits are required for the project.)
- Projects with more than 10,000 square feet of new impervious area or more than 20,000 of earth disturbance require a district-approved E&SPC plan as part of the Stormwater Management Site Plan that must be developed and submitted to the municipality for stormwater management permits under the Luzerne County Stormwater Management Plan and related municipal ordinances. Smaller projects still require municipal stormwater permits, under which E&SPC plans must be developed and implemented, but district review/approval is not required. Please consult the municipal office regarding stormwater permit requirements.
- Earth disturbance over 1 acre in size requires a district-approved E&SPC plan and NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit.
- The district can require an E&SPC plan if there is a complaint and/or a problem on the site.
Please Note:
A service fee is charged for all reviews performed by the district.