Environmental Compliance

The Environmental Compliance Division of the York County Planning and Development Department was established to provide for the management of water quality and for the control of stormwater and sediment in York County. The need for this more regimented approach to managing run-off comes as a result of the need to maintain quality development, as well as the protection of our waterways, wildlife and aquatic life.  The Environmental Compliance Division is also responsible for management of the County’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit and oversees construction site compliance, floodplain management and water quality programs.

Additionally, as part of our commitment to quality customer service, we promise to make every effort to assist applicants, respond to inquiries, and resolve complaints or concerns in a professional, courteous and timely manner.   We are constantly striving to better our services and welcome your feedback. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

Responsibilities

• Protect, maintain, and enhance the environment of York County and the short-term and long-term public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of York County by establishing requirements and procedures to control the potential adverse effects of increased stormwater runoff associated with both future development and existing developed land.
• Prohibit illicit discharges, illicit connections and improper disposals to the York County MS4 and receiving waters.
• Carry out all inspection, surveillance and monitoring procedures necessary to determine compliance and noncompliance with permit conditions including the prohibition on illicit discharges to York County MS4 and therefore to the receiving waters of the MS4 system.
• Protect human life and health, minimize property damage, and encourage appropriate construction practices to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions by requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage.
• Ensure that temporary erosion and sediment control measures are provided to protect individuals occupying land (adjacent to and downstream from proposed developments) from being damaged by sediment due to the proposed development.
• Provide a high level of customer service and communication to the public and private sectors.
• Provides educational services to the community through presentations to schools, community and civic groups.