1451 Peters Mountain Road Dauphin PA 17018 phone: 717-921-8100
1451 Peters Mountain Road Dauphin PA 17018 phone: 717-921-8100
Mission Statement
The Dauphin County Conservation District's mission is to ensure the responsible use of
Dauphin County's natural resources; protect and restore the natural environment; promote
public health and safety; and enhance the quality of life for all county residents.
- Follow link below to access the December 7, 2023 Board of Directors meeting agenda.
Dauphin County Conservation District is now offering an incentive program to encourage planting cover crops. Growers who plant approved cover crops in Dauphin County by approved methods are eligible to apply. Operators must have current Conservation Plan or Ag E&S Plan. Refer to Cover Crops page on this website for more details, program requirements and an application. Contact Breonna Fink by phone (717) 921-8100 or by email bfink@dauphincounty.gov with questions. Do not hesitate to reach out prior to applying.
- Dauphin County MS4 2023-2024 Implementation Plan This link will take you to the 2023-2024 MS4 Implementation Plan. The public is welcome to provide comments on the plan. Please send comments to rchristoff@dauphinc.org or contact Bob Christoff at 717-921-8100. Paper copies of the plan are also available at the Dauphin County Conservation District located at 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin, PA, 17018.
- Dauphin County MS4 2022-2023 Annual Report (attachments available at DCCD office)
- DEP 2022 Model SWM Ordinance
- Example of an illicit discharges include (but are not limited to): dumping or washing motor oil, grass clippings, pet waste, litter, pesticides and herbicides into a storm sewer system. For more information and contact info to report an incident, follow this link. Dauphin County's MS4 Program - Illicit Discharges
$13 million is available for farmers to help them improve their operations by implementing best management practices (BMPs) or purchasing on-farm conservation equipment through Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program tax credits.
REAP is a Pennsylvania tax credit program for agricultural producers who install BMPs or make equipment purchases that reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, which improves Pennsylvania’s streams and watersheds. The program is administered by Pennsylvania’s State Conservation Commission, which provides support and oversight to the state's 66 county conservation districts.
REAP applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The only eligibility requirement is that producers must be in compliance with the PA Clean Streams Law. The longer producers wait, the less chance they have of securing funding from this year’s allocation. Deadline to apply is October 31, 2023.
The 2023-24 REAP application packet, as well as other information about REAP, is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s website, PA Department of Agriculture - REAP Program, or by contacting Joel Semke at 717-705-4032 or jsemke@pa.gov
- A PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) representative is already CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS on farms and other properties in Dauphin County where animals are present and/or where crops are produced. The time is now to review guidance on Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Compliance Action Plan and see how this affects you.
- Everyone who land applies manure, whether their animals generate the manure or it is imported from another operation, must have a written Manure Management Plan. This includes manure deposited directly on pastures and exercise areas from a single horse or a herd of cows.
- Everyone who plants crops (including no-tilling) OR anyone with an animal heavy use area (AHUA) and that activity disturbs more than 5,000 sq ft is required to have an Ag E&S or conservation plan. AHUAs are defined as an exercise lot, loafing area, barnyard, feedlot, or other similar areas where due to the concentration of animals it is not possible to establish and maintain vegetative cover capable of minimizing accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
- View the Agricultural Programs page for more information. Both of these plans must be completed and available on your operation at all times for review by a PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) representative.
Applications for AMA, CSP, and EQIP are accepted by NRCS on a continuous basis throughout the year with periodic cutoff dates to evaluate, rank, and prioritize applicants. See Program Application Dates and Deadlines.
Applications may be submitted in person, scanned and e-mailed (must include signature), faxed or mailed to their local USDA Service Centers. Application forms are available at your local USDA Service Center or from our Pennsylvania NRCS website. People are encouraged to apply early to increase likelihood of being offered a contract.
Applicants must be able to show they have control of the land for the life of the contract. For rented or leased land, a simple form is available to document this. Financial assistance eligibility is contingent on not starting the practice before having an approved contract.To participate in USDA conservation programs, applicants should be farmers or farm or forest landowners and must meet eligibility criteria. To take advantage of NRCS technical assistance and expertise or federally funded conservation on your farm or land, please contact your local USDA NRCS Field Office found at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov, or visit our website at www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov for applications and program information.
The Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) assists local landowners in managing their forest for future generations. Call 717-921-2380 to see how NRCS can assist with technical and financial assistance.
Read how one landowner has been working to implement his Forest Stewardship plan in cooperation with NRCS and the local Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Forester to manage and grow his forested lands. Managing a Forest for Future Generations.
