Dauphin County Conservation District

Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control (ESPC) Plan Review and NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit

A business building or expanding a site in Dauphin County deals with the Dauphin County Conservation District when its project disturbs earth. Per the district's Applicant Resources document (Rev. 1/7/2026), an NPDES permit is required for earth disturbance of 'one (1) or more acres', including any part of a larger common plan of that size; for 5,000 square feet up to one acre a written ESPC plan must be prepared and kept on site, and a formal review with the service fee applies where municipal or other regulations require it or on request. The document states that the district 'is delegated certain responsibilities' for the ESPC and NPDES construction stormwater programs. Per its ESPC Plan Service Fee Schedule effective September 9, 2022, the district service fee runs from $1,380 for a commercial or other project under one acre to $16,420 plus $85 per acre at 101 acres or more, with $500 for a single-family residence under one acre; 25 Pa. Code §102.6(b)(3) lets conservation districts charge these fees. The NPDES filing fee ($500 general, $1,500 individual) and the $100 per disturbed acre fee are set by 25 Pa. Code §102.6(b)(1), and the district's document states that 'DCCD has no authority to waive or adjust the permit filing fees or disturbed acreage fees.' For an expired permit the district may charge up to 100% of the then current service fee, and a new NPDES permit fee applies.