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​Agriculture Erosion and Sediment Control

Pennsylvania regulations for agriculture require that Best Management Practices (BMPs) be implemented to prevent accelerated erosion and sedimentation to waters of this Commonwealth from agricultural plowing or tilling activities or Animal Heavy Use Areas (AHUAs), including activities that disturb less than 5,000 square feet. When those activities total 5,000 square feet or greater, Pennsylvania regulations require the development and implementation of a written Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (Ag E&S Plan) to minimize the potential for accelerated erosion and sedimentation. The Department’s goal is to ensure that all agricultural operations in Pennsylvania have written Ag E&S Plans, where applicable, and that those plans are implemented. The links on this page offer resources to assist in the development of that plan.