Flood and Storm Damage Information

 

Permits    Funding and Assistance

 

Permits:

The Blair County Conservation District does not have the authority to issue permits for stream and wetland related activities.  Activities such as; stream dredging, gravel bar removal, stream re-alignment, stream bank stabilization, bridge replacement, culvert replacement, etc. are all handed by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  DEP can be contact by calling the South Central Regional Office at (717) 705-4802.  The Blair County Conservation District will be happy to answer any initial questions you may have concerning damages associated with storm & flood damage.

There are several authorizations available to PADOT, other state agencies, municipalities, utilities, and private citizens, that allow bridges, other water obstructions and encroachments that have been damaged or lost due to flooding to be repaired or replaced.  A description of these authorizations is listed below as well as a brief discussion of what is required to facilitate the federal authorization.

Activities that generally do not require a permit - Removal of flood debris from the channel where the work is accomplished from the bank (this does not include stream bank stabilization or channel relocation), and removal of gravel and debris from 50 feet upstream and downstream of a bridge or culvert where work is accomplished from the bank.

Emergency Permits - DEP can issue an Emergency Permit (3930-PM-WM0023) to authorize the repair or replacement of damaged or lost water obstructions, or for encroachments such as stream bank stabilization, where there is a threat to public health and safety or the environment.  Emergency Permits generally expire after 30 days, but DEP may extend the coverage period as necessary.  It is suggested that, where applicable, General Permit 11 be used if the work cannot be accomplished within 60 days. .  It is anticipated that many applicants may need to wait longer than 60 days for state or federal disaster funding until the activity can be completed; When an Emergency Permit is used and the work authorized is limited to less than 250 linear feet of stream, DEP can issue the federal authorization (PASPGP-2) along with the Emergency Permit.  Regional Offices or applicants must prepare a sketch depicting all work authorized.  Where the work covers greater than 250 linear feet of stream during state-declared disasters the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) may employ special permitting procedures designed to streamline approval.  The Corps is issuing a Special Public Notice that will explain this process.

General Permit 11 - Maintenance, Testing, Repair, Rehabilitation, or Replacement, of Water Obstructions and Encroachments  -     GP-11 (3930-PM-WM0511) is an appropriate authorization where the repair or replacement is not an emergency.  The water obstruction being replaced should generally be in the same location and of equivalent size.  For bridges and culverts, no significant change in waterway opening can be permitted using this permit.  General Permit - 11 is valid for up to two years to enable the replacement of structures that must be taken out of service.  General Permit -11 is also available for intakes, outfalls, docks, and many other water obstructions or encroachments.  General Permit - 11 is not part of the PASPGP-2, but will be covered under the Corps Special Public Notice. 

General Permit 7 - Minor Road Crossings - Where the activity may not be an emergency and where the drainage area to the bridge or culvert is less than 1 square mile, and any wetland impacts are less than 0.10 acre, General Permit-7 may be an appropriate authorization.  Where a GP-7 can be used the PASPGP-2 can be included with the authorization.

Existing Permits - If a structure has an existing permit where maintenance is addressed in the permit, repairs may be conducted under the terms of the exiting permit. 

General Permit 3 -- Bank Rehabilitation, Bank Protection and Gravel Bar Removal -- Bank rehabilitation and bank protection projects of 500 feet or less may be authorized with the PASPG-2.  Gravel Removal projects greater than 50 feet from upstream and downstream of structures may need to be coordinated with the Corps.

The five authorizations described above are the most efficient ways to approve bridge and culvert repairs or replacement.  Where the terms and conditions of General Permits cannot be met and an Emergency Permit may not be appropriate, a Small Project or Joint Permit Application may be required.    

All applicants should work through the DEP South Central Regional Office to obtain their authorization and to confirm if an onsite field visit is necessary, and to determine if another process is appropriate to coordinate the authorizations.

 

 

 

Funding & Assistance:

The Blair County Conservation District does not provide funding for replacement of bridges, culverts, roadways, driveways, or any other damages that may have occurred as a result of a storm or flooding event.  Your local municipality (Township, Borough, City) should be contacted if you have concerns or questions about a municipal owned bridge or roadway.  If you have concerns or questions about a State owned bridge or roadway, you should contact the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT).  Private roadways and bridges are the responsibility of the landowner.  Damages associated with large storm events may be eligible for funding through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The Blair County Emergency Management agency may be able to answer questions concerning the availability of funding through the State and Federal programs.  Blair County Emergency Management can be contacted by calling (814) 940-5901.

Additional flood related information can be found on the DEP website at: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/general/floods/flooding.htm