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EROSION CONTROL

Will you be disturbing one acre or more of land? When stormwater drains off a construction site, it carries sediment and other pollutants that can harm local waterbodies. Many studies indicate that controlling erosion can significantly reduce the amount of sedimentation and other pollutants transported by runoff from construction sites. To keep Minnesota’s valuable water resources clean the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issues permits to construction site owners and their operators to prevent stormwater pollution during and after construction. As of March 10, 2003 a General Stormwater Permit for Construction Activity is required by the MPCA from  homeowners for any construction activity disturbing one acre or more of land.  Construction activities requiring a permit include landscape clearing, grading, excavation, and construction of homes.  Program information and permit forms can be found at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/stormwater-c.html or the Faribault County SWCD. “Controlling erosion can significantly reduce the amount of sedimentation and other pollutants transported by runoff from construction sites.” What measures should I use to help prevent erosion? If your new home is like most, the builder did some grading of your lot, removing some or all of the existing vegetation or ground cover. You may have new sod, or you might just have a bare soil yard.  When rain falls on exposed soil, it can wash soil away from the land. This runoff can erode bare ground, wash away valuable topsoil and make landscaping more difficult. It also carries soil, nutrients and other pollutants into streets, gutters and ditches, where it then travels untreated to lakes, rivers, streams or wetlands. Permanent stabilization such as sod may have been installed on part or all of your property. If not, you can help protect the environment by ensuring that soil and sediment are not washed off your property and that grass or other ground cover become well established.  Look to "Sediment and Erosion Control for New Homeowners" at www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-strm2-07.pdf to learn more about temporary measures and permanent practices to incorporate into your landscaping.