Floodplains

In 1978, Pennsylvania passed the Floodplain Management Act (Act 166). Traditionally the responsibility of the Department of Community & Economic Development, Act 166 requires that a municipality pass and enforce an ordinance to meet the requirements of the Act and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The York County Conservation District does not currently have any duties and responsibilities under this program, nor does it have any enforcement responsibilities.

For more information about Floodplain Management, contact your local municipality or the York County Planning Commission.

Resources

• Floodplain Management
• Community Rating System
• Community Assistance Program
• Floodplain Management Resources
• National Flood Insurance Programs

On-Lot Disposal Systems

The Problem

With country-living comes responsibility.  Chances are that you have chosen to live in the country because you cherish the peace and quiet, the wide-open spaces, and the beauty of nature. However, with this enjoyment and independence often comes responsibility.  Most drinking water supply and sewage disposal in rural areas of York County are done on-lot. As a property owner, you are responsible for maintaining your drinking water well and septic systems.  Understanding how they are built, work, and how to keep them operating effectively and efficiently is good for your family’s health, your household budget, and the environment.  Replacing these systems can be expensive. If you own one of the thousands of septic systems in this county, someday you may have problems with it.  Effluent (wastewater from the septic tank) may back up into your plumbing or pond on your lawn. Besides being unsightly, a nuisance, and the cause of health problems, failing systems are often difficult and costly to fix.

The Solution

York County residents are invited to request a “Managing Your On-lot Disposal System” workshop in your community.  The York County Conservation District sponsors these programs each year in the spring and fall featuring leading local experts in septic system design, operation and maintenance, and sewerage regulation and enforcement. The program lasts approximately 2-hours.  Homeowners will have the opportunity to get basic information about septic system design, location, and construction; get expert advice on how to properly operate and maintain them, and learn about whom to call for help with a failing septic system. Bring your questions for our expert panel to answer.

Resources

• Managing Your On-Lot Disposal System for Homeowners
• Managing Your On-Lot Disposal System for Municipal Officials
• Managing Your On-Lot Disposal System for Realtors
• Managing Your Malfunctioning On-Lot Disposal System for Homeowners

Stormwater

The Problem

Do you ever think about what happens to a drop of rain that falls onto the ground?  It may land on a tree and evaporate; it may land on a farm field and be absorbed into the soil; or it may land on a rooftop, driveway, or road that travels down the street into a stream or storm drain.  Any precipitation in an urban or suburban area that does not evaporate or soak into the ground, but instead pools and travels downhill is considered stormwater.  Stormwater is also referred to as urban stormwater runoff and polluted runoff.  Increased development across York County’s watersheds has made stormwater runoff the fastest-growing source of pollution to the creeks, river, and the Chesapeake Bay.

The Solution

Urban stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are designed to prevent sediments and other pollutants from running off the land during and after construction. They include:

• Adopting and implementing stormwater management ordinances that control both the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff.
• Adopting open space policies that encourage naturally vegetated areas and minimize impervious areas such as parking lots, streets and roads.
• Adopting riparian stream buffer ordinances that encourage vegetated and forested buffer areas along streams and other water bodies.
• Using structural and vegetative practices during construction such as sediment basins, silt fencing, and temporary gravel construction entrances.
• Using post-construction BMPs such as detention basins, constructed wetlands, grassed waterways, sand filters, retention ponds, municipal street sweeping, storm sewer inlet filters, and oil/grit separators.
• Implementing good housekeeping practices at home and work such as proper lawn care, the use of low-phosphate detergents, and the proper disposal of household chemicals.

Resources

• Smart Growth 101
• Stormwater 101
• Managing Your On-Lot Stormwater
• DEP Stormwater BMP Manual 12/2006
• Rain Barrel PowerPoint PDF
• Rain Garden PowerPoint PDF
• Homeowners Guide to Stormwater BMP Maintenance
• Department of Environmental Protection’s Citizens Resource page.