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Greystone Building at the Gracedale Complex
Nazareth, PA

Click photo for a Greystone Building history lesson

 

Who we are
 

 

The Northampton County Conservation District is one of 66 Conservation Districts statewide and nearly 3000 nationwide dedicated to conserving soil and water resources (click for Conservation District History). The Conservation District is part of county government and also a sub-unit of state government.


Over 65 years ago Pennsylvania state legislators recognized the need to support grassroots local conservation efforts.
As a result, the PA Conservation District Law was passed authorizing the creation of county conservation districts in every county, except Philadelphia. The Northampton County Conservation District was founded in 1961 when a group of farmers joined together to promote the use of conservation practices to protect soil and water resources in Northampton County.


Today, the Northampton County Conservation District's main goals are to promote soil conservation, maintain or improve water quality and promote environmental education. To achieve these goals, the Conservation District performs a variety of programs ranging from reviewing erosion and sediment pollution control plans for earth disturbance activities to providing advice on starting a local watershed association.


The Conservation District is led by a seven member Board of Directors. District Directors are volunteers that are nominated by an approved local organization and then appointed by Northampton County government. Their responsibilities range from policy creation to supporting efforts of district staff and their partner agencies to provide quality administrative, technical, and educational assistance to all county residents. Four members of the board are farmer directors, two are public directors and one is a representative of Northampton County Council.


Why soil conservation is important


Soil Conservation is a set of management strategies that are used to prevent soil from being eroded from the earth's surface or becoming chemically altered by overuse. Various strategies, or best management practices (BMPs), are used by excavation contractors, farmers and others to achieve this goal. So, what is the harm if a little mud washes into the stream? Excess sediments are associated with increased turbidity and reduced light penetration in the water column, as well as more long-term effects associated with habitat destruction and increased difficulty in filtering drinking water. By volume, sediment is the greatest pollutant to the surface waters of Pennsylvania.

Complaints


The District needs your help.  If you see any Erosion and Sedimentation Control issues associated with construction or agricultural activities or manure management issues on farmland, please contact our front office: 610-829-6279.  Do not call 102 technical staff directly.  All complaints will be kept anonymous as required by State/Federal laws. NCCD will accept complaints via email, please email complaint information to northamptoncd@northamptoncd.org.

NOTE: If your complaint or issue is regarding wetlands, stream encroachments, or illegal dumping of construction debris please contact the PA Department of Environmental Protection complaint line at 1-866-255-5158 (State-wide), as NCCD does not currently have delegation authority over these areas.

Stormwater and/or flooding issues should be addressed to the associated municipality, District assistance will be provided when requested by municipality.

In the event of an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

 What’s New
    • Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection PAG-01

      The PAG-01 General Permit is intended to provide NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges associated with small construction activities in satisfaction of state (25 Pa. Code § 102.5(a) and 25 Pa. Code § 92a.1(b)) and federal (40 CFR § 122.26(b)(15)) regulations, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.
      The term stormwater discharge associated with small construction activities means the discharge of stormwater from construction activities including clearing, grading, and excavating that result in earth disturbance of greater than or equal to one acre and less than five acres. The PAG-02 General Permit or an Individual NPDES Permit may be used for NPDES permit coverage if a project is not eligible for PAG-01 coverage.


    • PAG-01 NPDES General Permit Training
      This course is applicable to consultants and developers, and has been enabled for guest access.
      It is available at the following link. https://pacleanwateracademy.remote-learner.net/course/view.php?id=721  
      This course provides training on the PAG-01 NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Small Construction Activities, effective March 1, 2022. In this course DEP provides an overview of PAG-01; explains similarities and differences compared to the PAG-02 General Permit; describes the suite of PCSM BMPs available under PAG-01; addresses the NOI requirements for PAG-01; and provides an explanation of post-approval requirements.
    • NEW Water Quality Project Mini-Grant Program
      NCCD has a new mini-grant program!  Grants of up to $5,000 are available (as funds allow) to projects to improve water quality and reduce pollution to the natural resources of Northampton County.  Applicants should complete the Grant Request for Assistance and contact the NCCD Watershed Specialist to complete an application. Applications are due by the end of each month to be considered at the next scheduled NCCD Resource Technical Committee and Board Meeting.  Grant round is currently open. 

    • Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps
      The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers work experience, job training, and environmental educational opportunities to young people who complete recreation and conservation projects on Pennsylvania's public lands.

      In addition to hands-on job skills, the program provides learning opportunities weekly in resource management, environmental issues and topics, and recreation skills.

      Corps members also will be provided with workforce development training and materials during their period of employment.

      Who's Eligible?
      The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps consists of three components:
      ·        A nine-month program for young adults ages 18 - 25
      ·        A nine-month cultural resources crew
      ·        A six-week, summer program for youth ages of 15 - 18

      Crews Available for Local Park Work
      While the majority of the project work will be performed on state park and forest lands, the corps will be available on a cost-share basis to local land managers such as municipal and county parks and recreation departments during 2022.
      Contact the Outdoor Corps program manager for more information.

      Goals and Background
      The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps will help to protect and restore public lands and waters, while providing young people with the knowledge and expertise to be good stewards of our natural resources.
      The program will connect youth and young adults with job opportunities relating to the outdoors and the environment and provide training in work skills necessary for future successful employment.
      The youth employment and enrichment program is managed by the DCNR in cooperation with the Student Conservation Association, a national conservation jobs organization that has engaged thousands of young people nationwide in hands-on service to the land to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities.

      Program Funding 
      The 2022 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is financially supported by DCNR and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's Reemployment Program, along with private contributions made through the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.


Chapter 102 ePermitting

The use of the Chapter 102 ePermit System is voluntary at this time.  DEP provided external training on the morning and afternoon of January 21, 2021 for applicants and consultants.  These trainings were recorded and posted afterwards on the Bureau of Clean Water Chapter 102 ePermit System website.  Please refer to this website for the latest information and updates regarding Chapter 102 ePermitting.

 

NCCD Fee Schedule

Beginning April 1, 2018 all fees will be based on acreage and include all services provided by District staff.

Please review the following links and reference for applications submitted AFTER APRIL 1, 2018:

NCCD Fee schedule.pdf;

NCCD Application.pdf

 

Volunteer Opportunities are always available at the District:

Please click on the link below for more information:

https://www.idealist.org/en/government/48f4caa61093421bb30f5ea1ed9a13c2-northampton-county-conservation-district-nazareth

Internships are also available, please contact District Manager at 610-829-6284 if you are interested.

 

Pre-application meetings with the District and DEP are recommended and available at our office:

Meetings are typically scheduled for 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.  Contact Wendy at (610) 829-6279 to schedule an appointment.


NCCD Board Meetings & Committee Meetings (See EVENTS Page for meeting links, agendas, and more details):

The NCCD Board of Directors Meeting is typically scheduled for the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM and is open to the public; however due to current Operations Plan, the meetings will be held remotely.
The Education and Outreach Committee typically meets the 1st Friday of every month at 1:00 PM.
The Administration and Operations Committee typically meets Monday prior to the Board Meeting, either 4:30 PM or 5:30 PM.
The Karst Geology Advisory Council typically meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 4:30 PM.
The Dirt, Gravel, Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Quality Assurance Board (QAB) meets the 2nd Tuesday in January and 1st Tuesday in May and September at 1:00 PM.
The Resource Technical Committee typically meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 1:00 PM.
The Spotted Lanternfly Control Committee typically meets the 4th Friday of every month at 1:00 PM. <CURRENTLY SUSSPENDED>

Updates or cancelations will be posted on the Events page.


ATTENTION MS4 MUNICIPALITIES:

NCCD is available to assist municipalities with their MS4 requirements.  Please contact District Manager at 610-829-6284 if you are interested in scheduling a meeting to discuss how we can help.


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