Erosion and Sediment Control
The Basics of Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation Requirements
All farms that plow and till soil, including no-till practices, must develop and implement a written Agricultural and Erosion Sedimentation Control Plan to reduce erosion. Bare areas created by animals, such as exercise lots, must also be addressed in this plan regardless of the number of animals.
On November 19, 2010, additions and changes to long-standing PA Chapter 102 regulations addressing Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Control and Stormwater Management took effect.
All farms are required to develop and implement a written plan to reduce erosion when plowing and tilling (includes no-till cropping).
Chapter 102 always (since 1972) stated plowing and tilling needed conservation plan; now Animal Heavy Use Areas (AHUAs) also must be covered by a conservation plan or Ag E&S plan.
AHUAs are defined as “Barnyard, feedlot, loafing areas, exercise lot or other similar areas on agricultural operations where due to the concentration of animals it is not possible to establish and maintain vegetative cover of a density capable of minimizing accelerated erosion and sedimentation by usual planting methods.”
A farmer must prevent pollution to a water body from AHUA runoff.
The written plan must address Animal Heavy Use Areas (AHUA).
Areas within 100 feet of a stream must maintain a minimum of 25% plant cover or crop residue, or additional BMPs will be required.
Fencing livestock out of streams is good for livestock health and good for local stream water quality. Streambank fencing is not required for pastures, but using fencing as a BMP is an option to meet some of the regulatory requirements in Ch. 102.
The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for construction activities contains federal and state requirements for earth disturbance activities that disturb 1 acre or more. Activities like plowing and tilling do not require an NPDES permit, but agricultural construction which will disturb 1 acre or more (including but not limited to barn expansions, new animal housing, manure storage facilities, compost facilities) does require a permit. The permit covers runoff created during construction and storm water generated after the construction activity is completed. A Post-Construction Storm water Management Plan is required, along with an E&S Control Plan, as part of the permit. Be sure to allow for adequate time for completion of all permits when planning a construction project.
BMPs including but not limited to terraces, waterways and diversions are not required to have an NPDES permit if the BMP is installed as part of a conservation plan or Ag E&S plan.
All farms that plow and till soil, including no-till practices, must develop and implement a written Agricultural and Erosion Sedimentation Control Plan to reduce erosion. Bare areas created by animals, such as exercise lots, must also be addressed in this plan regardless of the number of animals.
On November 19, 2010, additions and changes to long-standing PA Chapter 102 regulations addressing Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Control and Stormwater Management took effect.
All farms are required to develop and implement a written plan to reduce erosion when plowing and tilling (includes no-till cropping).
Chapter 102 always (since 1972) stated plowing and tilling needed conservation plan; now Animal Heavy Use Areas (AHUAs) also must be covered by a conservation plan or Ag E&S plan.
AHUAs are defined as “Barnyard, feedlot, loafing areas, exercise lot or other similar areas on agricultural operations where due to the concentration of animals it is not possible to establish and maintain vegetative cover of a density capable of minimizing accelerated erosion and sedimentation by usual planting methods.”
A farmer must prevent pollution to a water body from AHUA runoff.
The written plan must address Animal Heavy Use Areas (AHUA).
Areas within 100 feet of a stream must maintain a minimum of 25% plant cover or crop residue, or additional BMPs will be required.
Fencing livestock out of streams is good for livestock health and good for local stream water quality. Streambank fencing is not required for pastures, but using fencing as a BMP is an option to meet some of the regulatory requirements in Ch. 102.
The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for construction activities contains federal and state requirements for earth disturbance activities that disturb 1 acre or more. Activities like plowing and tilling do not require an NPDES permit, but agricultural construction which will disturb 1 acre or more (including but not limited to barn expansions, new animal housing, manure storage facilities, compost facilities) does require a permit. The permit covers runoff created during construction and storm water generated after the construction activity is completed. A Post-Construction Storm water Management Plan is required, along with an E&S Control Plan, as part of the permit. Be sure to allow for adequate time for completion of all permits when planning a construction project.
BMPs including but not limited to terraces, waterways and diversions are not required to have an NPDES permit if the BMP is installed as part of a conservation plan or Ag E&S plan.
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Technical Section
Monday through Friday: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Phone: (570)629-3060 • Fax: (570)629-3063 |
Environmental Education Center
Monday through Friday: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Some Saturdays 9a.m. - 1p.m. Phone: (570)629-3061 • Fax: (570)629-3063 |
8050 Running Valley Road
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
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