The Conservation District’s Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Program plays a critical role in helping to conserve and protect our soil and water resources. Any time the ground is disturbed there is an opportunity for soil to wash away. As the population of York County steadily grows and construction & development keep pace, preventing exposed soil from polluting local streams continues to be our main goal. Because of York County’s topography, a minor storm event can create major erosion problems. The E&S program assists contractors and landowners in controling accelerated erosion and resulting sedimentation. The District strives to maintain an active field presence to insure that Best Management Practices (BMPs) are being implemented on the ground. We will continue to conduct outreach and education efforts, and to strengthen our partnerships with local municipalities and the construction community.

PA E&S Rules and Regulations

What is Soil Erosion?

Erosion is a natural processes by which the surface of the land is worn away by water, wind or chemical action. Accelerated erosion is the removal of the surface of the land through the combined action of human activities and natural processes at a rate greater than would occur from natural processes alone.

Is sediment really a pollutant?

A certain amount of erosion and sediment occurs naturally. Because it is a natural process, nature is able to assimilate naturally occurring sediments without permanent adverse effects. Adverse effects most often result from accelerated erosion due to earth disturbance activities such as surface mining, agricultural plowing and tilling, construction and timber harvesting operations.

Why should I care?

The PA CLEAN STREAMS LAW AS AMENDED defines sediment as a pollutant. Sediment has become the number one pollutant by volume to the waters of the Commonwealth. The soil particles contained in sediment also carry and retain chemical pollutants such as herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Accelerated sedimentation that flows into the waters of the Commonwealth can:

1. Raise the levels of streams, lakes, etc. and increase flooding.

2. Decrease oxygen in the waters, suffocating fish and other aquatic life.

3. Deposit sediment over the breeding beds (eggs) of aquatic life.

4. Increase filtering costs of public water supply (e.g. Codorus, Conewago)

5. Ruin the scenic values of the waters

Do I need and E&S plan or NPDES Permit?       See the chart below for answers.

Click the Image for a Printable Version