DEP also works with conservation districts on traditional compliance actions as well. Working with the Carbon County Conservation District, DEP took action against Carbro Construction Corporation for multiple violations of environmental laws associated with constructing 23,500 feet of pipeline. Most recently conservation districts were given responsibility to administer the Chesapeake Bay's first nutrient management program covering the management of excess manure from concentrated animal feeding operations developed by the State Conservation Commission. Funding to support conservation districts in these activities comes from DEP, the Department of Agriculture and the state General Fund through the State Conservation Commission which has administrative agreements with individual districts. DEP signs specific delegation agreements with individual districts as they choose to take on additional responsibilities for environmental programs.
More support is needed if districts are to do their jobs more effectively.
Five county health departments in Pennsylvania partner with DEP to help implement state drinking water and municipal waste management programs in their areas. These agencies often handle routine reviews of permits, do inspections and take the initial steps of compliance actions. Allegheny, Bucks, Chester and Erie counties help implement the safe drinking water programs by doing inspections and helping to issue permits. Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Erie and Philadelphia counties help investigate illegal waste disposal complaints and in one case, Allegheny, help issue solid waste permits. DEP signs specific memoranda of understanding with each health department to cover the activities they perform.