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General Permits

Per Pennsylvania’s Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (25 PA Administrative Code Chapter 105), a Permit is required for projects involving the construction, modification, or relocation of any dam, water obstruction, or encroachment. The Act defines encroachment as “any structure or activity that in any manner changes, expands, or diminishes, the course, current, or cross-section of any watercourse, floodway, or body of water,” which including wetlands.

GP’s were created for activities or structures that do not pose a significant threat to flooding or the environment. The Potter County Conservation District is delegated by the DEP to review and acknowledge General Permits (GP’s) meeting the conditions of the permit. Please note that GP-11’s are reviewed by the DEP North Central Regional Office and not by the PCCD.

GP Submission Requirements – 2 copies each of the following to the Potter County Conservation District:

    • General Permit Registration (refer to Permit Types section below)
    • PCCD Project Application & Review Fee Schedule 
    • Municipal and County Notification Form
    • Sketch plan or similar site drawing
    • Cross Section drawing
    • Project Location Map (copy of USGS Topographic map)
    • PA Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) with Clearances
    • PASPGP-5 Reporting Criteria Checklist
    • Aquatic Resources Impact Table
  • Erosion and Sediment Control Plans are needed for areas over 5,000 sq. ft earth disturbance.

Permit Types

Note: For additional information and forms, click on the highlighted link of each permit type.

GP-1 Fish Habitat Enhancement Structures: This permit is used for the installation of fish habitat structures that have been approved by the PA Fish & Boat Commission

GP-2Small Docks & Boat Launching Ramps: This permit authorizes the installation of pile-supported and floating docks on lakes.

GP-3Bank Rehabilitation, Bank Stabilization, & Gravel Bar Removal: This permit authorizes projects that involve bank stabilization or gravel bar removal on/in streams.

GP-4 Intake & Outfall Structures: This permit is used for projects such as the installation of a dry fire hydrant or a “clean water” drainpipe outfall.

GP-5Utility Line Stream Crossings: This permit applies to any utility line (gas, oil, sewer, or water) that crosses under or over a stream or wetland.

GP-6Agricultural Crossings & Ramps: This permit is to be used when crossings and ramps are installed for agricultural purposes.

GP-7 Minor Road Crossings: This permit can be utilized when establishing a permanent road (not a parking lot) crossing through a wetland or stream using a bridge or culvert or clean fill material.

GP-8Temporary Road Crossings: This permit is used to establish a temporary culvert or bridge crossing.

GP-9 Agricultural Activities: This permit authorizes agricultural activities (grassed waterways, terraces, diversions, waste storage facilities, spring development, or minor drainage) that encroach into streams or their flood ways.

GP-10Abandoned Mine Reclamation (reviewed by PADEP North Central Regional Office): includes the construction, operation, or maintenance of an encroachment or water obstruction for the reclamation of an abandoned mining site.

GP-11 Maintenance, Testing, Repair, Rehabilitation, or Replacement of Water Obstructions and Encroachments (reviewed by PADEP North Central Regional Office): The maintenance, testing, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of existing currently serviceable water obstructions or encroachments.

GP-15Private Residential Construction in Wetlands (reviewed by PADEP North Central Regional Office): includes the placement and maintenance of fill in, or the excavation of, non-tidal wetlands for the construction or expansion of a single family home for the personal residence.

Chapter 106 Floodplain Management

Joint Permit Application— Individual Permit for Water Obstructions and Encroachments that do not meet General Permit conditions (reviewed by PADEP North Central Regional Office and Army Corps of Engineers)

Permit Collection

PA Chapter 93 Stream Classification

EMAPPA