Fact Sheet Commonwealth of Pennsylvania * Department of Environmental Protection DEP STREAM BANK FENCING PROGRAM Landowner Participation Background The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), through the Chesapeake Bay Program, began stream bank fencing and agricultural crossings and ramps as a stand-alone best management practice (BMP) in 1994. This special practice was initiated to accelerate Pennsylvania`s efforts to improve water quality by reducing soil erosion and nutrient deposition caused by livestock. Lands under the program need not be open to the public. Who is eligible to participate? * Performs all required notifications and obtains all Landowners with existing livestock operations along necessary permits and approvals to install the streams in the Susquehanna or Potomac River basins of agricultural crossings and ramps. Pennsylvania may participate. * Designates location of any known underground Is a landowner limited to the amount of fencing or utilities, and indicates boundary of property line where number of crossings? proposed facilities would be close to adjoining properties. There is no limit on the amount of one- or two-strand * As required, clears vegetation from proposed line fencing a landowner may receive. Each landowner is installation site. limited to one agricultural crossing or ramp as defined in DEP`s General Permit 6 (GP-6). However, this program * Provides at least an average 12-foot stream corridor also will install the fencing necessary to accommodate width as measured from the top of the stream bank to additional crossings or ramps simultaneously installed parallel fence line. and funded by other sources. * After installation, removes any vegetation and other What facilities are fully (100 percent) paid by DEP? debris which could ground the electric fence. All costs associated with installation of a high tensile * Maintains the fence for 10 years and the crossing or fence and crossing or ramp are paid by DEP. This ramps in accordance with permit. includes all fencing materials (treated posts, wire, solar energizer, lightning protectors, warning signs, etc.) and * Allows periodic inspection of project area by stone material for an agricultural ramp (livestock authorized representatives of DEP and its agents. watering access) or agricultural crossing (serves as a * If landowner fails to maintain facilities accord ing to crossing for livestock or agricultural equipment). program guidelines, he must refund to DEP all or an What does the landowner agree to do? equitable part of the costs of installing the fence and any crossings or ramps. * Signs a consent form for right of entry allowing DEP Landowners interested in the DEP Stream Bank Fencing to erect a fence and any necessary crossing or ramp Program should contact their county conservation on the landowner`s property. district or the Nutrient Management Specialist in the appropriate DEP Regional Office (Harrisburg, Wilkes- Barre or Williamsport) or phone DEP - Bureau of Water Quality Protection at 717-783-7577. Potomac and Susquehanna River Watersheds Landowners residing within shaded area are eligible for fencing program. This fact sheet and related environmental information are available electronically via Internet. For more information, visit us through the Pennsylvania homepage at www.pa.state.us or visit DEP website at www.dep.state.pa.us (choose Subjects/Water Management/Fact Sheets/Water Quality Protection). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Tom Ridge, Governor James M. Seif, Secretary An Equal Opportunity Employer 3610-FS-DEP1971 10/98