Stream Permits

BACKGROUND

Pennsylvania has more miles of streams and rivers than any other state in the lower 48. There are regulations, known as the Chapter 105, Waterway Management rules and regulations, that were created to protect the health, safety, welfare and property of the people; and to protect natural resources, water quality and the carrying capacity of watercourses. These regulations are primarily administered by the PA Department of Environmental Protection, however, the Conservation District helps administer parts of this program by providing information and acknowledging some types of permits.

DO I NEED A PERMIT?

Activities and structures in or near a stream or its adjacent floodway are regulated by this program. In most cases, a permit is required before starting any activity which changes, expands or diminishes the course, current or cross-section of a stream, floodway or body of water. Typcial activities that are commonly permitted include driveway culverts, highway bridges, utility line stream crossings, stream bank stabilization projects, etc.

WHAT IS A REGULATED STREAM/FLOODWAY?

A regulated stream is any channel with defined bed and banks that can convey water. It can be natural or man made, perennial or intermittent.

Some municipalities have flood insurance studies and maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which indicate the floodway boundary for some streams. In the absence of such a study, the floodway shall be considered to extend 50 feet landward from the top of each streambank. In Centre County, FEMA has delineated floodway areas along Spring Creek in Spring Township, Bellefonte Borough and Milesburg Borough; and also along Bald Eagle Creek in Boggs Township, Milesburg Borough, and some downstream municipalities. Most other areas and streams would use the "50 foot rule" mentioned above.

TYPES OF PERMITS

Projects that are large in scale or impact require the submission of detailed drawings and engineering studies to show the impact of the project to the stream. These types of projects, for example, a highway bridge over a large stream, would need to be designed by a professional. GENERAL PERMITS were created for activities or structures that do not pose a significant threat to flooding or the environment. A GENERAL PERMIT is a pre-approved set of conditions, construction limits, dimensions and other criteria which apply to many common types of projects. If the work that an applicant is proposing meets all of the conditions of the GENERAL PERMIT, then the applicant need only register his/her intent to use the GENERAL PERMIT, and receive acknowledgement. The conditions of each permit are included in Part One and Part Two of the permit. Follow the "Link to GENERAL PERMITS" below to find these conditions. Also, the Conservation District will do a review of your application after it is submitted to ensure that you meet the conditions of the GENERAL PERMIT.

Often, the Chapter 93 stream designation may dictate whether or not a GENERAL PERMIT may be used for a project. Official designations of drainage basins and streams are listed in the Pennsylvania Code. Approximate state-wide maps depict "High Quality" and "Exceptional Value" watersheds.

Link to GENERAL PERMITS

The following is a list of the currently available GENERAL PERMITS

GP-1 Fish Enhancement Structures

GP-2 Private Recreational Docks

GP-3 Bank Rehabilitation and Protection

GP-4 Intake and Outfall Structures

GP-5 Utility Line Stream Crossings

GP-6 Agricultural Crossings and Ramps

GP-7 Minor Road Crossings

GP-8 Temporary Road Crossings

GP-9 Agricultural Activities

 

In order to use these GENERAL PERMITS (tips to complete), one must complete and submit the following:

· GENERAL PERMIT REGISTRATION form

· Single & Complete Project Questionnaire (attached to the front of the REGISTRATION, see above link)

· Municipal Notification

· Sketch plan(s) or similar site drawing(s)

· Cross Section drawing(s)

· Project Location Map (copy of USGS Topo map)

· Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI Search Form) Project Planning & Environmental Review Form with Search Receipt

· Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, with $25.00 review fee(see bottom of this page for E&S Plan guidance)

FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION

Most activities that need a DEP GENERAL PERMIT are also regulated by the Federal Governmnet, through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In most cases, the Conservation District will include the Pennsylvania State Programmatic General Permit (PASPGP-3) with the GENERAL PERMIT Acknowledgement, which will give your project Federal Authorization. The Conservation District will review your project to determine if it exceeds the conditions of PASPGP-3. If it does, we will forward a copy of your application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an individual review. If this happens, you will receive seperate permit authorization from the Corps. In either case, you need only submit your permit application to the Conservation District, and we will notify you of the status of your Federal Authorization.

If you have any questions about permits or permit coverage, call the Consevation District office or email a member of the Erosion control staff. In addition, we can mail you permit forms if necessary.

 

Pond and Dam Permit information

Chapter 105 GENERAL PERMIT REGISTRATION tips

E&S Plan Guidance For Chapter 105 GENERAL PERMITS

CENTRE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
414 HOLMES AVE., SUITE 4, BELLEFONTE, PA 16823
PHONE:814-355-6817, FAX:814-355-8696
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