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| Erosion
and Sedimentation
Erosion
and Sedimentation (E & S) controls are used in instances
where soil is being disturbed by development, timber
harvesting or by highway development. E & S Control
Plans that are submitted to our office for review must
include measures that will promote the maintenance and
protection of existing water quality and its uses. E
& S Tech I Christine Cramer reviews erosion and
sediment pollution control plans, conducts site inspections,
receives, answers and services complaints, and processes
permit applications pursuant to the NPDES program. The
District has established a fee schedule for the review
of E & S Pollution Control Plans. Questions
regarding fees and the review process should be directed
to Christine Cramer at 724-545-3626. (Fee
Schedule) (GP
1 – GP15 forms)
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NPDES
Effective
December 7, 2002, DEP integrated the federal Phase II
NPDES requirements into the existing NPDES Phase I for
stormwater discharges associated with construction activities.
An important distinction between Phase I and II is that
the small construction activities only require permit
coverage when the activity disturbs one to less than
five acres and will result in a Point Source Discharge
to Surface Waters of the Commonwealth. Local implementation
of the NPDES permit program is managed by the Armstrong
Conservation District. Applications must include an
E & S Control Plan that will be reviewed by the
District. NPDES forms and information can be obtained
by calling the District office at 724-548-3425 or can
be downloaded from the County
Conservation District Niche. This site has
information regarding Chapter 102, Chapter 105, NPDES,
PHNP (formerly PNDI), the Dirt and Gravel Road Program,
the Nutrient Management Program, etc.
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Biosolids
Biosolids
are nutrient rich organic materials derived from wastewater
solids (sewage sludge and residential septage) that
have been stabilized, meet processing and quality criteria
and are suitable for land application. The term biosolids,
comes from the most common method of its production;
the biological processing of wastewater solids. The
Armstrong Conservation District participates in the
Biosolids
Program of the Commonwealth through educational
efforts for landowners, producers, municipal officials,
and concerned citizens. For more information call
Jessica Schaub at 724-545-3628.
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Watershed
Specialist
Watershed
Specialist David E. Beale for Armstrong County is responsible
for carrying out assessments of all watersheds within
the County and to identify non-point sources of pollution
including erosion, mining and agricultural sites. Dave
also designs and supervises construction for on-going
restoration projects. Some of these include passive
systems for AMD, severe streambank erosion sites, and
fish habitat improvement projects. Dave works with local
watershed associations, sportsmen's clubs, and Trout
Unlimited in their efforts to create clean healthy streams.
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Growing
Greener
The Growing
Greener Program signed into law by former Governor
Tom Ridge has invested nearly $650 million over the
past five years to preserve farmland and protect open
space; eliminate the maintenance backlog in State Parks;
clean up abandoned mines and restore watersheds; and
has provided new and upgraded water and sewer systems.
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Nutrient
Management (NM)
The objective of nutrient management
is to use nutrients (mainly nitrogen, phosphorous,
and potassium) wisely for optimum economic benefit
to the farmer while minimizing impact on the environment.
A nutrient management plan prepared by a certified
plan writer specifically for each individual operations
is to save on fertilizer costs and reduce soil erosion
while protecting water quality. The Nutrient Management
Act Grant Program provides financial assistance to
producers who have approved nutrient management plans
to install BMP's that are listed in the plans. Call
NM Technician Jessica Schaub at 724-545-3628 for further
information.
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Armstrong
County Agricultural Land Preservation Program
It
is the purpose of this program to protect viable agricultural
lands by obtaining agricultural conservation easements,
which prohibit the development or improvement of the
land for any use other than agricultural production.
This program encourages landowners to make a long-term
commitment to agriculture by offering them financial
incentives and security of land use. Farming
operations in agricultural security areas will be protected
from non-farmland purposes, which impair farming practices.
Farmers are protected from public nuisance laws
against normal farming operations. This program
provides compensation to landowners in exchange for
them to voluntarily give up the right to develop their
private property. This will maximize agricultural
conservation easement purchase funds and protect the
investment of taxpayers in agricultural conservation
easements. For more information contact Jessica
Schaub at 724-545-3628. Visit the PA
Farmland Preservation Program website to learn more.
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