The Engineering Division routinely inspects construction sites throughout Bloomington to ensure that effective erosion control methods are being used to prevent sediment from getting into local water bodies. Whether its a new store like Ikea, a bridge over TH 169 or the new house down the street, each construction site typically has it's own erosion control plan, which is used as a guideline to prevent storm water pollution.
Principles of Erosion Control
The six basic principles of erosion control protect our ponds, streams and wetlands, the water bodies that link our storm sewer system to the Minnesota River.
- Minimize both the area and time of soil disturbance at the site, throughout the duration of the project.
- Manage storm water moving across the site. By reducing the velocity and volume of the runoff, the impact to exposed soils will be reduced.
- Install erosion and sediment control measures early and keep them well maintained, especially important during months that receive heavy rain events.
- Keep sediment from leaving the site. Slowing down the runoff before it leaves the site will prevent sediment from getting into environmentally sensitive areas.
- Establishing temporary vegetation by seed will reduce erosion by up to 90%.
- Successful plant establishment by:
- Good Planning
- Knowledge of soil characteristics
- Good seedbed preparation
- Timely planning
Laws to Prevent Erosion
Many laws, including 1972 The Clean Water Act, require preventing water pollution. Recently, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) required permits of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) owners that discharge storm water, Bloomington included. In March 2003, Bloomington submitted a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) which outlines our efforts to educate and encourage effective erosion control at construction sites in Bloomington.
Links to Additional Information
