The Berks County Conservation District, under a Level II delegation agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, administers the Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program.
Staff perform plan reviews, conduct earth disturbance inspections, respond to complaints and provide education on soil and water conservation practices for construction projects.
The district is accepting electronic digital applications, new revisions, amendments, renewals, and NOTs.
Small Projects: Half-acre or less
Small Projects disturbing more than 5,000 sf and less than 0.50 acre (21,780 sf) for accessory residential uses (pools, patios, sheds, pole barns, etc.) and with less than 2,000 sf of impervious area, could apply. Additional, restrictions include no steep slopes in excess of 15% and no disturbance of surface waters. Applications shall be reviewed and approved within 10 business days, if the application is complete and correct. If the District does not respond within 10 business days form the date the application was submitted (applications submitted after noon are considered submitted the following business day), the project will be considered approved, with no further action by the District.
Non-NPDES: Low-hazard projects less than 1 acre
The statewide goal of this program is to minimize accelerated erosion and sediment pollution that may result from earthmoving activities. Erosion and Sediment Best Management Practices (BMPs) are to be utilized on all earth disturbances. A written E&S plan is required to be prepared and submitted for review whenever there is earth disturbance greater than or equal to 5,000 square feet. This approved plan must be on-site during the construction activity.
NPDES: Projects 1 acre or more
The district, in conjunction with PADEP, administers the Nonpoint Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Program for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities. Projects that generate earth disturbances greater than or equal to 1 acre are required to obtain a PAG-02 NPDES Permit. For projects from 1 acre up to 5 acres may apply for the PAG-01 program. Sites discharging to a High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV) watershed require an Individual NPDES Permit.
Timber Harvests
The cutting and removal of trees for sale requires an Erosion and Sediment Control plan for minimizing accelerated erosion and sediment pollution that can result from earth disturbance activities. Any timber harvesting project that disturbs 25 acres or more (including the haul road, skid trails, landing areas, etc.) is required to obtain an Erosion and Sediment Control Permit (ESCP).
Helpful Links
- PDF - Homeowners Guide to Stormwater BMP Maintenance
- LINK – NRCS Web Soil Survey
- PDF – Berks County Hydric Soils
- PDF – Chapter 102 Regulations
- LINK – PA DEP’s Chapter 102 FAQ
- PDF – Erosion and Sediment Control for Water Well Drilling and Aquifer Testing
- PDF – Underground Utility Line Construction E&S BMP Manual
- LINK – Pollution Prevention Contingency Plan
- PDF – PA DEP’s Riparian Buffer Guidance
- PDF – Standards for Channel Cleaning at Bridges and Culverts
- PDF – Offsite Discharges to Areas That Are Not Surface Waters
- PDF – Asbestos Demo Poster
- PDF – Asbestos Removal Guidance from PA DEP
- Right to Know Form - Please contact the Conservation District Office Manager to obtain this form.
ELECTRONIC PLAN SUBMISSIONSDue to the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic and the current work-from-home restrictions, the Berks County Conservation District will now be accepting electronic plan submissions.Please call Berks County Conservation District’s main line 610.372.4657 for additional information about submitting a plan electronically for review.
Applicants and consultants: this guide provides additional information for those who wish to submit electronically.Additionally, BCCD’s website was recently updated to include two instructional videos to assist Applicants and Consultants in registering for Chapter 105 e-Permitting. There is a video to assist applicants/owners in registering as an Electronic Filing Administrator (EFA) and another video to assist employees who are not the EFA, consultants, or other users to register.
DEP has an FAQ and user guides (such as the Consultant/Operator Guide) on their Chapter 105 e-Permitting website available for public viewing/release.