About the Conservation District
The District's mission is the protection, stewardship, and conservation of Greene County's natural resources and to ensure a wise balance between environmental protection and the needs and desires of county landowners. The District serves the public trust, promotes awareness of conservation practices, offers technical assistance to landowners and municipalities and offer a first-line assessment of environmental complaints.
District Board of Directors and staff work diligently and thoughtfully to promote and protect a diverse range of natural resources within the County. The core value of the District is that conservation works best when the people living and working in the area come together to collectively manage their natural resources. Partnerships created through this core value bring diversity to the conversation and decision-making process.
Washington Township will be holding it's Spring Cleanup Day on Saturday April 24, 2021 from 8am to 4pm. Visit the Washington Township Supervisor's Facebook page for more details
The Greene County Conservation District would like to announce a coloring contest open to all Greene County Pre-K children. The top three entrants will receive new bicycles and helmets as prizes.
Coloring pages that are to be used for the contest this year can be found here. We would ask that you add the child’s name, age, parent’s names and contact information on the back of the coloring page prior to submittal. We are asking for all entries to be received at our office by Friday, April 16th. Additional sheets may be copied.
The theme this year for Soil and Conservation Week is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities” We encourage you to utilize the National Association of Conservation Districts’ website for more information about this year’s theme, including free educational resources and activities.
Entries may be mailed, emailed to gccd@co.greene.pa.us or dropped off at the Conservation District office at 22 W. High St., Suite 204, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Entries must be received at the Conservation District by Friday, April 16th. For more information about the contest, contact Lindsay Kozlowski at the Conservation District at 724-852-5278.
District Board of Directors and staff work diligently and thoughtfully to promote and protect a diverse range of natural resources within the County. The core value of the District is that conservation works best when the people living and working in the area come together to collectively manage their natural resources. Partnerships created through this core value bring diversity to the conversation and decision-making process.
Washington Township Spring Cleanup Day
Washington Township will be holding it's Spring Cleanup Day on Saturday April 24, 2021 from 8am to 4pm. Visit the Washington Township Supervisor's Facebook page for more details
Enter the Greene County Conservation District Coloring Contest
The Greene County Conservation District would like to announce a coloring contest open to all Greene County Pre-K children. The top three entrants will receive new bicycles and helmets as prizes.Coloring pages that are to be used for the contest this year can be found here. We would ask that you add the child’s name, age, parent’s names and contact information on the back of the coloring page prior to submittal. We are asking for all entries to be received at our office by Friday, April 16th. Additional sheets may be copied.
The theme this year for Soil and Conservation Week is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities” We encourage you to utilize the National Association of Conservation Districts’ website for more information about this year’s theme, including free educational resources and activities.
Entries may be mailed, emailed to gccd@co.greene.pa.us or dropped off at the Conservation District office at 22 W. High St., Suite 204, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Entries must be received at the Conservation District by Friday, April 16th. For more information about the contest, contact Lindsay Kozlowski at the Conservation District at 724-852-5278.
Enter the Greene County Conservation District Poster Contest
The Greene County Conservation District is holding a poster contest for students in Kindergarten through the eighth grade. Posters may be completed in school or at home. Winning students earn cash prizes of $100, $75 or $50. First place posters also go on to a statewide competition. The Theme for this year's contest is, Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities. Taking part in the poster contest increases environmental literacy and fosters interest in science, art and other disciplines. The poster contest is also a great project for students studying remotely. Interested parents, teachers and students should read the poster contest RULES and complete an ENTRY FORM. One big change for 2021 is that the District is accepting electronic submissions. The National Association of Conservation Districts also has a resource page that includes grade specific lesson guides, activity sheets and more. All of this can be found on their WEBSITE.Contact Information
Ben Franklin Building22 West High Street
Suite 204
Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-852-5278
Fax: 724-852-5341
Email: gccd@co.greene.pa.us
Hours of Operation: M-F, 8:30AM to 4:30 PM
Department Contacts:
Lisa Snider
Director
Lindsay Kozlowski
District Office Manager
April Morris
Fiscal Manager
Zachary Basinger
Environmental Permitting Manager
Ben Schweiger
Agricultural Conservation Specialist
Sara Hlatky
Nutrient Management Conservation Specialist
Jared Zinn
Watershed Specialist
Agricultural Programs and Services
The GRACE program provides guidance to new and existing farmers through technical assistance and cost share to help promote soil and water conservation practices that will improve pastures and soil health that lead to better animal production. When practices are implemented correctly value and profit will be added to the land.
"It is the goal of the district to offer a program that is easy to navigate and has a quick turnaround," Lisa Snider, district manager said. "Yes, there are a few hoops to jump through, but those hoops are beneficial in the long run to the operator."
Requirements such as becoming a cooperator with the District; registering with Farm Service Agency and completing conservation plans and manure management plans after an application only lead to further funding and a sound farming blueprint. Applicants for lime or fertilizer projects will also need to obtain a soil test kit from Penn State Extension that the Conservation District staff will administer during a farm visit. Applications must be submitted by August 31 to be considered for funding.
Funds for the program are a direct result of PA Act 13 that the district receives annually to foster conservation efforts within Greene County. Snider emphasized, "these funds are obtained through an 'impact' fee and the district believes that the money received should be used on the ground where the impacts were made."
Click image to access the GRACE brochure.
Click here to download an application for the GRACE program
Click here to download the Conservation District Cooperator Agreement
Click link below to download a rental agreement.
No-Till Drill Rental Agreement
The Conservation District offers two lime spreaders for rent. The 4½-ton spreader has a large capacity and is ideal for larger meadows where steep slopes are not as much of a concern. Its large capacity means that a farmer can spend more time spreading lime and less time loading lime. The District's 2-ton spreader is more nimble and is outfitted with surge brakes. This makes it ideal for small pastures and areas where steep slopes are a concern. Offering these two different spreaders gives farmers more options to manage their forage with lime.
Click links below to download a rental agreement.
2 Ton Lime Spreader Rental Agreement
4.5 Ton Lime Spreader Rental Agreement
Pennsylvania DEP has developed a workbook (click image to access a PDF) and an instructional guide that allows farmers to write their own manure management plan
PAOneStop is an online farm mapping and Erosion & Sediment (E&S) Planning System developed by Penn State Extension. Farmers can use this system to generate farm maps and develop E&S plans.
Commonly known as Act 38, Pennsylvania's nutrient management law regulates land application of manure in order to control non-point source pollution as well as setting standards for defining Concentrated Animal Operations (high animal density operations) and regulating the import / export and hauling of manure.
Nutrient Management Plans are one requirement of the Nutrient Management Act. Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) are regulated under this act. CAOs are defined as operations where the animal density is greater than 2,000 lbs live animal weight per acre of land suitable for manure application. The State Conservation Commission (SCC) is the primary authority to develop and implement regulations
A Nutrient Management Plan needs to be developed by a certified nutrient management planner. Individuals can become certified to write their own plans as well. To locate a certified nutrient management planner, visit this page on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's web site and search for Greene County.
Full text of Act 38 of 2005
Regulations under Act 38
Nutrient Management Plans are one requirement of the Nutrient Management Act. Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) are regulated under this act. CAOs are defined as operations where the animal density is greater than 2,000 lbs live animal weight per acre of land suitable for manure application. The State Conservation Commission (SCC) is the primary authority to develop and implement regulations
A Nutrient Management Plan needs to be developed by a certified nutrient management planner. Individuals can become certified to write their own plans as well. To locate a certified nutrient management planner, visit this page on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's web site and search for Greene County.
Full text of Act 38 of 2005
Regulations under Act 38
The Conservation District works cooperatively with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to design conservation plans, grazing plans and resource management systems that work for you and your farm. The District’s role in conservation planning is to conduct a site assessment to discuss the landowner’s goals, assess resource needs and to visually inspect the operation. By improving soil health, managing nutrients, reducing soil erosion, creating buffers, and treating barnyard runoff water, we improve the water quality of our local streams.
To get started with conservation planning,
Additional information may be found on the USDA/NRCS website and the PA Department of Agriculture website.
To get started with conservation planning,
Additional information may be found on the USDA/NRCS website and the PA Department of Agriculture website.
Click image to visit the Project Grass website.
Click image to visit the REAP website.
Farmland Preservation Program
Agricultural Security Area (ASA) protection strengthens and defends agricultural communities. Local farm landowners work together to protect their communities from non-agricultural development.
Greene County has a total of 83 landowners with 11,104.53 acres enrolled/approved in the ASA program, they include the following:
Cumberland Township — 908.23 acres enrolled with 6 landowners
Center Township — 1,691.4 acres enrolled with 7 landowners
Franklin Township – 803.76 acres enrolled with 5 landowners
Greene Township — 1,189.14 acres enrolled with 5 landowners
Jefferson Township — 429.63 acres enrolled with 4 landowners
Morgan Township — 1,604.66 acres enrolled with 8 landowners
Washington Township — 2,364.27 acres enrolled with 40 landowners
Wayne Township — 2,122.9 acres enrolled with 8 landowners
To join an existing ASA or petition your township to create a new ASA, use this Registration form.
Greene County has a total of 83 landowners with 11,104.53 acres enrolled/approved in the ASA program, they include the following:
Cumberland Township — 908.23 acres enrolled with 6 landowners
Center Township — 1,691.4 acres enrolled with 7 landowners
Franklin Township – 803.76 acres enrolled with 5 landowners
Greene Township — 1,189.14 acres enrolled with 5 landowners
Jefferson Township — 429.63 acres enrolled with 4 landowners
Morgan Township — 1,604.66 acres enrolled with 8 landowners
Washington Township — 2,364.27 acres enrolled with 40 landowners
Wayne Township — 2,122.9 acres enrolled with 8 landowners
To join an existing ASA or petition your township to create a new ASA, use this Registration form.
- Landowners must be enrolled in an approved agricultural security area (ASA) consisting of at least 500 acres;
- Have at least 50 contiguous acres;
- Have at least 50 percent of the soils on the property in soil capability classes I-IV (as defined by the Web Soil Survey) and be available for agricultural production;
- Contain the greater of 50 percent or 10 acres of harvested cropland, pasture or grazing land.
- The landowner must own their surface mineral rights.
Click the image for a Landowner Application Package.
Erosion & Sediment Control Program
Conservation District Permit Fee Schedule and Policy
Conservation District Project Review Application
Visit the Department of Environmental Protection's eLibrary to access permit information.
Clean Water Program-Chapter 102-NPDES PAG02 Permit Applications
Oil and Gas-ESCGP-3 Permit Applications
Visit the Department of Environmental Protection's eLibrary to access permit information.
Waterways Engineering and Wetlands - Chapter 105 General Permit Applications
Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Roads Program
Penn State Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies
Greene County's dirt, gravel and Low-volume roads program
Watershed Management & Education Program
Click image for more information on watersheds from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Click image to download the most recent Water Quality and Assessment Report from Pennsylvania DEP.
The Conservation District has completed an assessment of the South Fork Tenmile Creek Waterhsed. This assessment describes the watershed, identifies key water quality issues and suggests practices to improve water quality throughout the watershed.
Click here to view the assessment.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers resources for users of public drinking water utilities and private wells and springs.
Click image for information about DEP's Sourcewater Assessment and Protection program.
The Environmental Protection Agency offers a very good explanation of the issues related to polluted runoff, or non-point source pollution.
Click image for a guide to managing stormwater at home.
Coarse woody debris from fallen trees and branches is actually a good thing for streams and the species that live in them. It provides habitat complexity that fish and other creatures need as well as a source of valuable nutrients as it breaks down. To learn more about stream habitats and how they can be improved, check out the guide and assistance program from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) below. Like anything, though, too much of a good thing can be troublesome. Logjams and stream blockages can cause flooding and increased streambank erosion.
Gravel bars are large deposits of rock and sand that form in streams because of upstream erosion. They can change the course of streams and cut away at streambanks. Landowners can remove gravel bars as part of their stream maintenance, although in some cases, permits are required for these activities. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides good information for landowners on their stream maintenance web page.
DEP Guide to Stream Maintenance
PFBC Guide to Stream Habitat Improvement
PFBC Technical Assistance Program
- Penn State Extension offers a wealth of information on managing and constructing ponds.
- Pond and dam construction projects are regulated by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Dam Safety.
Exact awards are based on funds expended by the applicant, up to the maximum award. Up to 5 grant awards may be given in one year at the discretion of the Conservation District Board of Directors (The Board) any undisbursed grants will remain with the Conservation District to be used at its discretion. Funds will not roll over to the next year. Funds allocated to this program are non-tax dollar funds.
Click image to download an application for the Water Quality Mini-grant.
Cooperating Agencies
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
Phil Evans
Lamont Furnace Service Center
1359 Connellsville Road, Suite 10
Lamont Furnace, PA 15456
724-437-7971 ext 101
Phil.Evans@pa.usda.gov
sustaining our Nation’s vibrant agricultural economy, as well as provide first-rate support for domestic and international
food aid efforts.
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
Michal E. Roup
County Executive Director
Washington/Greene County
Farm Service Agency
50 Old Hickory Ridge Road
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724-705-8127 or
724-222-3060 ext. 2
Fax: 855-847-3602
michal.roup@pa.usda.gov
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
Brenda Shambaugh
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts
5925 Stevenson Avenue, Suite A
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Telephone: 717-238-PACD (7223)
Fax: 717-238-7201
bshambaugh@pacd.org
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
DEP Southwest Regional Office
400 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Telephone 412-442-4000
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
Karl Brown
Executive Secretary
Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-787-8821
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
Steve Leiendecker
SW Regional Field Office
4820 Route 711
Bolivar, PA 15923
Bus: (724) 238-9523
sleiendeck@pa.gov
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
Eric Davis
236 Lake Road
Somerset, PA 15501-1644
Bus: (814) 445-8974
erdavis@state.pa.us
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
Russell Gibbs, Service Forester
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of Forestry, Forbes State Forest
10 Nickman Plaza
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
Bus: (724) 437-7983
rugibbs@pa.gov
Click image to visit agency website.
Contact:
Tom Beresnyak
Client Relationship Manager
Penn State Extension
26 West High Street, Room 1
Waynesburg, PA 15370-1324
814-409-7976
teb119@psu.edu
History
How Can the Conservation District Help You Today?
The Conservtion District exists as a resource for Greene County landowners. Perhaps you'd like to:
- Request technical assistance for your farm, forest or backyard
- Learn more about a conservation issue or best management practice
- Take advantage of financial assistance opportunities like the GRACE program or the Water Quality Mini-grant