In Selinsgrove, the Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held its annual Farmers Winter Meeting on February 18, 2022. Seventy-five people attended the event. Topics included nutrient stewardship and management and the importance of farm recordkeeping.

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Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the Berks County Conservation District hosted a “Working with the Conservation District” workshop for contractors working in Berks County. The workshop was held in the auditorium of the Berks County Agriculture Center. A dozen members of the regulated public attended.

The five members of the district’s Urban Team made presentations on the general regulatory requirements of Chapter 102; Compliance vs. Enforcement, Inspection Procedures; Proper BMP Installation and Maintenance; Post Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) and Notice of Termination (NOT); and Chapter 105 – Concerns. These presentations showed typical site construction problems that can easily be avoided. These problems prevent construction compliance and add costs to projects, delay construction, and can result in the termination of permits. All presentations were received well by the attendees, who appreciated the guidance.

Thirty-three individuals attended Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level April 4-8, 2022, at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, PACD, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

The training is sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission. PACD works with these partners to coordinate the training.

Spring 102/105 Virtual Topic-based Technical Training took place March 29-31, 2022, with a total of 279 participants, 160 from conservation districts and 118 from the PA Department of Environmental Protection. Sessions covered topics related to post-construction stormwater management, road maintenance activities, Chapter 105 fees and e-permitting, and more.

New conservation district and DEP staff working with Chapters 102 and 105 may also attend Spring 102/105 Basic Technical Training at the Red Lion Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg, PA, May 3-6, 2022. Click here for registration and other information. (Clean Water Academy login is required for access.)

This training was funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and made possible through the cooperation of the PA Association of Conservation Districts and Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

Luzerne Conservation District held a Women in Agriculture workshop on National Ag Day, March 22, 2022. The event had twenty-two in attendance. The workshop was a success, with great speakers providing education on stormwater and stormwater best management practices and rain barrel construction.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

On March 24, 2022, the Cumberland County Conservation District held an Erosion and Sedimentation/National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Workshop in Carlisle, PA. Sixty-five engineers attended the training.

Topics covered included an updated district fee schedule, PAG-01, online resources, e-permitting, and Managed Release Concept stormwater design.

The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held two manure management plan (MMP) writing workshops for farmers, farm owners, livestock, and poultry operators to write their own MMPs. The sessions were held at the SCCD office on March 24, 2022. Nine farmers attended.

Barry Spangler, SCCD Agricultural Conservation Technician, gave an overview of the Manure Management Manual and other agricultural, environmental regulations. He gave a step-by-step process of how farmers can write their MMPs that meet these new regulations, including a demonstration of PAOneStop. Spangler also provided information about the state agricultural erosion and sedimentation plan requirements for owned and rented lands.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. May 18-19, 2022. The event is open to entities involved in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management projects, including conservation district staff, DEP and EPA staff, incorporated watershed associations, counties, municipalities, councils of governments; 501(c)(3) non-profits, educational institutions, and municipal authorities.

Click here for more information and to register.

The Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) provides technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The area covered includes 17 counties in the South Central and South East Region.

This position will: Provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and NRCS in the planning, design, and construction of engineering practices; prepare designs of agricultural conservation practices and water quality best management practices (BMPs), which are site-specific and require coordination among various groups and individuals; and provide engineering assistance in conducting preliminary investigations.

Click here for the full job description. In addition, candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD at jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2022.

Spring 102/105 Basic Technical Training will take place May 3-6, 2022, at the Red Lion Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg, PA. Attendance is open to new conservation district and DEP staff working with Chapters 102 and 105.

Thanks to a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, there is no cost to register, most meals are provided, and reimbursement for mileage and lodging is available. (See registration page for additional details.)

Registrants should note the course curriculum assumes all participants have completed the prerequisite coursework on the Clean Water Academy. In addition, due to the nature of the training and the integral nature of the field component, there is currently no virtual attendance option.

Click here for additional information and to register. You will need to log into the Clean Water Academy (CWA) to access this link. Please contact Nick Yeagy at nyeagy@pacd.org if you need assistance accessing the CWA. All other questions may be directed to Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org.