NPDES Permits
Earth disturbance activities (except agricultural tillage and timber harvests) that disturb 1.0 or more acres of ground over the entire life of the project, including individual lot development, require a NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permit; part of the permitting process requires submission of an appropriate Erosion and sediment Pollution Control and Post-construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Plans.
There are two types of NPDES permits:
- An Individual NPDES permit is required:
- in a special protection High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV) watershed (including EV wetlands) according to 25 PA Code Chapter 93 (or statewide existing use classifications)
- the construction activities has the potential to discharge toxins
- the construction activities will violate water quality standards
- the construction activities are in areas inhabited by Federal or State Endangered Species
- if Control Guidance 1 cannot be met on a site within a non-special protection watershed classified as impaired (non-attaining designated or existing use)
- A General NPDES permit is required in all other cases where 1.0 acre or more is disturbed over the entire life of the project.
Both the E&S and PCSM plans require regular maintenance for the proper function of the BMPs; the required maintenance is covered on the approved plans.
If you are unsure of the maintenance procedures required for a BMP the Conservation District may be able to provide you assistance.
A quick guide to Homeowner's PCSM maintenance can also be found here.
NPDES Permit Fees: Please see our link to Forms and Applications for all associated downloads for NPDES and District Reviews
E&S Permits
These permits are required for a person proposing a timber harvesting or road maintenance activity involving 25 acres (10 hectares) or more of earth disturbance over the life of the project shall obtain an E&S Permit prior to commencing. NOTE: This permit not the same as an E&S plan review/approval as required by the municipality. Please contact the District for a pre-application meeting if you feel you require this permit. ESCGP-3 Permits
These permits are required for earth disturbance associated with Oil & Gas exploration, production, processing or treatment operations or transmission facilities. DEP interprets "project" to be substantially connected well sites, access roads, pipelines, other service lines, support facilities, and/or other oil and gas activities. Well pads, impoundments and pipelines etc. may be permitted separately but are considered together solely to determine whether the total project acreage limit of five acres or more (re: §102.5(c)) has been met and a permit is required. Please contact the District for a pre-application meeting if you feel you require this permit, and check with DEP website for additional information DEP eLibrary (ESCGP-3).
Other Permits
The District does not administer the DEP Chapter 105 Permit Program. All inquiries regarding stream obstructions and encroachments should be forwarded to the PADEP Northeast Regional Office.
There may be other local, state, and federal permits associated with the project, you should check with the appropriate corresponding agencies.
MS4
You can visit DEP's website for more information concerning the MS4 permitting program.
The District does not administer the County MS4 Permit Program, however the District does provide assistance to the County when needed. All inquiries regarding MS4 should be forwarded to Northampton County Public Works.