Jason Pollits, Resource Conservationist
After the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, a movement of soil conservation practices began spreading through the government and through the country. In 1945, Pennsylvania legislators passed the “Conservation District Law” to create an organized system to protect the soil and water of the Commonwealth. On June 18, 1956 Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) was established by the Pike County Commissioners. In 1981, PCCD entered a delegation agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (now PA Department of Environmental Protection) to administer the state’s Ch.102 Erosion and Sediment Control regulations. Pike County Conservation District has a Level III delegation agreement, which means that PCCD can conduct inspections, investigate complaints, and handle enforcement cases all relating to Ch. 102 regulations with the same powers as PADEP.
We know that PCCD can administer Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control regulations in Pike County, but exactly does that mean? Chapter 102 is a part of a larger set of regulations that were put in place to protect the natural resources of the Commonwealth. Chapter 102 specifically covers the rules and regulations for soil erosion. You may think “So what? Erosion happens all the time in nature.” Erosion is a natural process, but human activities such as excavating or grading can cause this process to accelerate. Sediment from human activities is currently the #1 pollutant of waterways in Pennsylvania. Chapter 102 regulations can help limit the amount of sediment leaving a site and entering our waters if they are adhered to correctly. When PCCD conducts a site inspection, we are checking that any earth disturbance in Pike County is in compliance with these regulations.
Currently, Pike County Conservation District have four staff members that work with Ch.102 Erosion and Sediment Control regulations. The Head Resource Conservationist (HRC) is the leader of our technical staff. The HRC manages the workload of the technical staff, reviews larger plans, and handles any issues that may arise. Working under the Head Resource Conservationist are the two Resource Conservationists. This position handles small plan reviews, complain investigations, site inspections, and technical assistance for projects. The final position is our District Engineer, who handles the review of any Post-Construction Stormwater Measures that may be required on larger sites.
Resource Conservationist Brandon out in the field.
One of the best parts of working at Pike County Conservation District is getting to interact with the community and educate people about what they can do to protect our natural resources. From homeowners building a fence to contractors building huge developments, you get to meet folks from all walks of life. Of course, not everyone knows about the Ch. 102 regulations, but that is okay! At PCCD, we want to work on fixing violations through voluntary compliance. We are more than just the “soil police,” we are a resource for the community to protect and improve the natural resources of Pike County.
