Drawdown permits are usually only needed for ponds and lakes greater than one acre in size.Īnother permit through PFBC is needed to purchase triploid (sterile) grass carp for control of submerged, rooted aquatic plants. Drawdown is often desired to fix a pond structure, reduce aquatic plant growth, dredge bottom sediments, or change fish populations. PFBC has a joint permit with DEP regulating the drawdown of water in ponds and lakes. This simple, two-page permit is free of charge and is required before applying these chemicals to ANY private pond or lake in Pennsylvania. The Application for Use of an Algicide, Herbicide, or Fish Control Chemical in Waters of the Commonwealth is reviewed by DEP for pond and lake owners wishing to use these chemicals. This can be found on the DEP website above by searching for "dam safety".ĭEP reviews permits for the application of aquatic herbicides to ponds. One of the more used DEP permits by pond owners relates to dam safety. DEP permits may be necessary during pond construction if you are using a surface stream as a pond water source (called a stream encroachment) or if your pond and/or pond dam are especially large. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state agency charged with water quality and quantity regulations. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection government pages of the phone book under Department of the Army. The local USACE office can be found on the USACE website or in the U.S. Contact USACE about a wetland delineation and possible 404 permit before you begin pond construction or changes to an existing pond that might affect nearby wetlands. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for permits influenced by the Clean Water Act, Section 404, which deals with wetlands. Permits may be necessary to encroach on these wetlands during pond construction or management activities. Streams, creeks, and other bodies of water are also usually considered wetlands. Many new and existing pond sites are located in or near wetlands. The local CCD will be listed in the government section of the phone book under county government. The CCD will be helpful with permits related to soil erosion abatement and earth-moving activities from pond construction. County Conservation DistrictĪnother must visit for those considering new pond construction is the County Conservation District (CCD). You can find your local NRCS office on the USDA-NRCS Pennsylvania website or in the federal government section of the local phone book under the U.S. NRCS also has a detailed, free publication on proper pond construction. This federal agency will be able to explain some of the regulations, provide you with important information about soil types, and could even make recommendations on the feasibility or placement of the pond. If you are constructing a new pond, one of the first contacts you should make is the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Contact information for these agencies can be found in the government pages of your phone book. Before you begin construction or management activities, contact the agencies listed here to ensure that you are proceeding properly. At a minimum, your pond activity will be delayed and you may have to return the site to its original condition. If you ignore the regulations or fail to secure the proper permits, you may be fined or jailed. Each agency is responsible, or can provide guidance, for different steps in the regulatory scheme of pond construction and maintenance. Numerous permits through many government agencies apply to the construction of a new pond or management activities on existing ponds.
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