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 Announcement

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Welcome our New Agricultural Conservation Specialist - Jim Clauser 
The County Agricultural Conservation Specialist is responsible for direct technical services and assistance to production agricultural cooperators, owners and operators of Northampton County farms and other landowners to help solve natural resource problems in the areas of soil conservation and nutrient management with the development and implementation of conservation/agricultural erosion and sedimentation control plans.  Work includes assisting with the coordination of overall Conservation District activities with those of other local, State and Federal government agencies. The position's goal is to promote the conservation of the soil and water resources of Northampton County.

Greystone Building at the Gracedale Complex
Nazareth, PA

Click photo for a Greystone Building history lesson

 

Who we are
 

 

The Northampton County Conservation District is one of 66 Conservation Districts statewide and nearly 3000 nationwide dedicated to conserving soil and water resources (click for Conservation District History). The Conservation District is part of county government and also a sub-unit of state government.


Over 65 years ago Pennsylvania state legislators recognized the need to support grassroots local conservation efforts.
As a result, the PA Conservation District Law was passed authorizing the creation of county conservation districts in every county, except Philadelphia. The Northampton County Conservation District was founded in 1961 when a group of farmers joined together to promote the use of conservation practices to protect soil and water resources in Northampton County.


Today, the Northampton County Conservation District's main goals are to promote soil conservation, maintain or improve water quality and promote environmental education. To achieve these goals, the Conservation District performs a variety of programs ranging from reviewing erosion and sediment pollution control plans for earth disturbance activities to providing advice on starting a local watershed association.


The Conservation District is led by a seven member Board of Directors. District Directors are volunteers that are nominated by an approved local organization and then appointed by Northampton County government. Their responsibilities range from policy creation to supporting efforts of district staff and their partner agencies to provide quality administrative, technical, and educational assistance to all county residents. Four members of the board are farmer directors, two are public directors and one is a representative of Northampton County Council.

Why soil conservation is important


Soil Conservation is a set of management strategies that are used to prevent soil from being eroded from the earth's surface or becoming chemically altered by overuse. Various strategies, or best management practices (BMPs), are used by excavation contractors, farmers and others to achieve this goal. So, what is the harm if a little mud washes into the stream? Excess sediments are associated with increased turbidity and reduced light penetration in the water column, as well as more long-term effects associated with habitat destruction and increased difficulty in filtering drinking water. By volume, sediment is the greatest pollutant to the surface waters of Pennsylvania.

Complaints


The District needs your help.  If you see any Erosion and Sedimentation Control issues associated with construction or agricultural activities or manure management issues on farmland, please contact our front office: 610-829-6279.  All complaints will be kept anonymous as required by State/Federal laws. 

All complaints or issues regarding wetlands, stream encroachments or illegal dumping of construction debris should contact the PA Department of Environmental Protection, Northeast Regional Office: 1-866-255-5158 (State-wide). 
Stormwater/flooding issues should be addressed to the associated municipality, District assistance will be provided when requested by municiaplity.

In the event of an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

 What’s New

    • PADEP Releases FAQ Document to clarify Offsite Discharge Analysis for NPDES Permit Applications 

      Both construction and post-construction stormwater runoff is to be managed through project layout design and BMPs to protect, maintain, reclaim and restore water quality and the existing and designated uses of waters of this Commonwealth. Some sites, after consideration of possible project design and BMP options, do not have direct access to surface waters to discharge stormwater runoff. Applicants for permitting under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 may propose off-site discharges of stormwater to areas that are not surface waters. In these cases, the applicant must have the legal authority to discharge stormwater onto off-site areas. The applicant must provide documentation that the discharge will not cause accelerated erosion on the properties along the flow path to a surface water. This documentation is required with the permit application showing that the applicant has avoided, minimized or mitigated accelerated erosion and stormwater impacts to the receiving surface water(s). Click the above link to go to the FAQ which clairfies the definition of a surface water as covers what is required to be submitted for a complete Offsite Discharge Analysis.

    • PADEP Releases FAQ Document to clarify NPDES Permit Modifications (now called Amendments)

      If you think you require a NPDES Permit Amendment but aren't sure what type, DEP now has a FAQ document available which provides several different example scenarios; you may not find your exact scenario but by reviewing the ones provided you can get an idea for your discussion with the assigned Chapter 102 staff member for your project.  If it is determined that a major amendment is required, a pre-application meeting is recommended. prior to submission.  Field changes can be discussed directly with the regional 102 staff member but minor amendments would require formal review submission and fee.

    • NEW Water Quality Project Mini-Grant Program
      NCCD has a new mini-grant program!  Grants of up to $5,000 are available (as funds allow) to projects to improve water quality of and reduce pollution to the natural resources of Northampton County.  Applicants should complete the Grant Request for Assistance (Page 2 of this policy) and contact the NCCD Watershed Specialist to complete an application. Applications will be assessed by NCCD Resource Technical Committee at the next scheduled meeting after date received.  Grant round is currently open. 
    • NCCD Fee Schedule Increase
      Beginning April 1, 2018.  All fees will now be based on acreage and include all services provided by District staff; the revised fee schedule includes an increase for the majority of project classifications.  The fee increase is necessary to help maintain the District's Chapter 102 Program and to begin implementation of the Post Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Delegation from PADEP.  With this new delegation, NCCD will review all permits in-house for completeness and technical adequacy of both E&S and PCSM plans; General Permits will be issued by the District and Individual Permits will be issued by PADEP after NCCD has completed their reviews.  The NCCD Application for review is required to be submitted for any application to be accepted by the District. 
      Please review the following links and reference for applications submitted AFTER APRIL 1, 2018: 2018 NCCD Revised Fee schedule.pdf;
                                 2018 NCCD Application.pdf
  • NEW DEP Website for E&S & PCSM Resources
    PADEP has orgianized all resources for the Chapter 102 program in one location.  Click on the link above for the latest and greatest guidence and forms related to Chapter 102 (E&S, PCSM, NPDES).  The majority of the information is under a link called "E&S Resources".  This would be the best location to obtain the most up to date forms for the program.
  • Volunteer Opportunities are always available at the District:
    Please click on the link below for more information:
    https://www.idealist.org/en/government/48f4caa61093421bb30f5ea1ed9a13c2-northampton-county-conservation-district-nazareth?
    Internships are also available, please contact District Manager, Sharon Pletchan at 610-829-6284 if you are interested.
  • Pre-application meetings with the District and DEP are recommended and available at our office:
    Meetings are typically scheduled for 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.
    Contact Wendy at (610) 829-6279 to schedule an appointment.
  • ATTENTION MS4 MUNICIPALITIES:
    NCCD is available to assist municipalities with their MS4 requirements.  Please contact District Manager, Sharon Pletchan at 610-829-6284 if you are interested in scheduling a meeting to discuss how we can help.
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