Erosion is a natural process 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.

Lycoming County Conservation District, under the delegation of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, is responsible for reviewing Erosion and Sediment Control Plans and inspecting sites for Chapter 102 compliance.  For complete guidelines, refer to the Pennsylvania Code, Title 25. Environmental Protection, Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control

An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, which meets the requirements of the Chapter 102 regulations must be properly designed, implemented, and available on site for all earth disturbance activities.  All construction activities proposing to disturb one or more acres of land must be authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

Any discernable, confined and discrete conveyance, including, but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, CAFO, landfill leachate collection system, or vessel or floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged.

Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches, water courses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, ponds, springs, wetlands and all other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface water, or parts thereof, weather natural or artificial, within or on the boundaries of this Commonwealth.

A site specific plan identifying Best Management Practices (BMPs) to manage stormwater runoff after construction activities have ended and the project site has been permanently stabilized to protect and maintain existing and designated uses. The PCSM Plan must contain a written narrative, including calculations or measurements, and justifications for each BMP. The BMPs should be designed to maximize infiltration technologies, minimize point source discharges to surface waters, preserve the integrity of stream channels, and protect the physical, biological, and chemical qualities of the receiving water.