Water Recharge Garden in South Annville Twp.
Soil and Water Conservation
Soil and water conservation services are core functions of the Lebanon County Conservation District. We can assist you in developing a conservation plan for your farmland or woodland to meet your land use objectives. Conservation plans are designed free of charge to comply with the Commonwealth's Erosion Control Law, Chapter 102. A Request for Technical Assistance Form should be filed with the District office and can be downloaded. Conservation plans should be updated to reflect changes in management goals.
Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program
At the Lebanon County Conservation District, the Erosion Control Specialists work to minimize the loss of soil to erosion. We work with contractors, engineers, designers, local municipalities and landowners to assist in the design of Best Management Practices in an attempt to minimize soil loss during construction and to stabilize disturbed areas as quickly as possible.
Gabion Baskets in Heidelberg Twp.
This is accomplished by administering the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Chapter 102 Erosion Control Program, and the Federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater program on the local level.
If you have questions about the Chapter 102 program, our Erosion Control Specialists are available to assist you. If you are an engineer or plan preparer, and need a copy of the most recent Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual (March 2000) available on hard copy and CD, or a current fee schedule/application for Lebanon County, please contact the Lebanon County Conservation District.
Water runoff from pavement contributes to flooding and large basins are typically constructed to capture such runoff and release it slowly into streams. Pervious pavement is a way to prevent and/or minimize water runoff and eliminate or reduce the size of stormwater basins. Water flows through pervious pavement and percolates into the ground beneath, replenishing the local water table. We encourage you to stop by the Lebanon Valley Agricultural Center to view our pervious pavement parking lot. Click here to play a demo vido of pervious pavement!
Reclaimer on Michter Road
Dirt and Gravel Roads Program
Pennsylvania has over 28,000 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel roads serving rural residents, agriculture, forest product companies, and tourism. If not properly maintained, runoff from these roads can contribute sediment pollution to neighboring streams and waterways. Sediment in our waterways depletes the oxygen levels and smothers the aquatic life that supports our fisheries. Improperly maintained dirt roads become large providers of dust and sediment. Non-point source pollution is caused by dust and sediment, which is responsible for up to 80% of the degradation in our waterways.
The Lebanon County Conservation District utilizes the Dirt and Gravel Road program to implement environmentally sound maintenance practices in order to minimize the amount of runoff and sediment polluting our waterways. The Lebanon County Conservation District averages one project every 2-3 years due to minimal funding. To date; both South Lebanon and Heidelberg Townships have participated in the program. A variety of practices have been implemented, including changing road elevation to improve drainage, regarding, adding new road surface aggregate, and dust suppressant applications. These practices work together to improve the road surface stability and drainage thus, minimizing erosion and sedimentation.
