** Announcements **
- DEP has reissued the PAG-02 General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities (2024 PAG-02). The 2024 PAG-02 became effective on December 8, 2024, and will expire on December 7, 2029. A PAG-02 General Permit training course has been created in DEP’s Clean Water Academy to explain the differences between the 2019 and 2024 versions of PAG-02, how to complete the NOI, and more.
- DEP has developed a Pilot Program for Chapter 102 Individual NPDES Permits to improve the quality of applications received and make decisions on applications faster. This Program is available for projects in Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Chester, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, and York counties and is expected to accelerate the review timeline for individual permit applications by 73 business days.
- Numerous Chapter 102 forms and documents have been created or updated recently. This summary outlines when the new or revised documents become required for use.
The Bureau of Clean Water administers the statewide Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) program under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102. Chapter 102 requires a permit from DEP for the following activities:
- Construction activities with earth disturbances greater than or equal to one acre, not including agricultural plowing or tilling, animal heavy use areas, timber harvesting activities or road maintenance activities, which require National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage. If eligible, persons disturbing one or more acres may apply for coverage under the PAG-01 NPDES General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Small Construction Activities or PAG-02 NPDES General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities. If ineligible for PAG-01 or PAG-02 coverage, persons may apply for an individual NPDES permit using the Individual NPDES Permit Application for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities.
- Timber harvesting and road maintenance activities involving 25 or more acres of earth disturbance. An Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) permit is required under Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law for these activities, rather than a NPDES permit.
- Oil and gas activities (e.g., exploration, production, processing, treatment operations or transmission facilities) involving 5 or more acres of earth disturbance. An E&S permit is required under Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law for these activities. If eligible, persons conducting these activities may submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for coverage under the E&S Control General Permit (ESCGP-4).
- Other activities involving 5 or more acres of earth disturbance not identified above require an E&S permit.
Please use the links below or the navigation buttons on the right for additional information on the E&S program or contact DEP’s Bureau of Clean Water at RA-EPChapter102@pa.gov.