Updates

The Conservation District will offer an accelerated review process for applicants who elect to double the normal required fee. For the project to qualify for an accelerated review all other necessary permits or waivers must be obtained prior to submission. For complete requirements see Fee Resolution link on the side of the page.

The accelerated review process provides the guarantee that the initial review of the project will be completed within 30 days of submission provided that all of the proper plan or permit documentation is submitted and correctly completed. The Conservation District does not guarantee that the plan or permit will be approved or issued within the 30 day period. Plan approval or permit issuance is dependent on many factors that are not controlled by the District. The accelerated fee only applies to the E&S review fee.

Permit Fee Structure:
General NPDES Permit Fees:

• $500 administrative filing or “base” fee payable to ‘Washington County Clean Water Fund’

• $100 for each disturbed acre payable to the ‘Commonwealth of PA Clean Water Fund’

• E&S Fee (see Fee Schedule) payable to "Washington County Conservation District'
  

Individual NPDES Permit Fees:

• $1,500 administrative filing or “base” fee payable to ‘Washington County Clean Water Fund’ 

• $100 for each disturbed acre payable to the ‘Commonwealth of PA Clean Water Fund’

• E&S Fee (see Fee Schedule) payable to "Washington County Conservation District'

The final Chapter 102 regulations are available on the Department of Environmental Protection’sWebsite and can be accessed from the following link: 

The Marcellus Shale gas field exploration has impacted Washington County greatly.  In April of last year the DEP implemented an ESCGP-1 permit for earth moving on large oil and gas sites.  This was an earth disturbance permit for any site consisting of over five acres of disturbance.  This could include not only the well pad but also the accompanying frac pond, access road, pipeline and any compressor stations.  The five acres is also based on multiple wells that use the same access road that is not a public road.  The new ESCGP-1 permits began to be submitted to our office in the last quarter of 2008.  Last year our office issued 15 ESCGP-1 permits.  

As of  March 18, 2009, DEP has taken control of oil and gas permits.  Specifically, all Chapter 102 and 105 permits for the exploration, production, processing, treatment or transmission facilities will be reveiwed by DEP under the ESCGP-1 permit.  New permit forms will be developed by the agency to be used after April 1.  Conservation Districts will still be authroized to handle ESCGP-1 permit reviews for intrastate and interstate pipelines.

The Penn State Cooperative Extension Office has produced several excellent publication for landowners and municipal officials dealing with the Marcellus Shale gas exploration.  Additional information on the Marcellus Gas exploration is available here on the DEP website.