What can I do?

What's the problem? What can I do? Tell me more!

We can control erosion and sedimentation while we continue activities such as farming, forestry, and construction by using Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs either prevent erosion from happening or keep eroded sediment from entering rivers, lakes, and streams.

Contact your local conservation district for information on BMPs in your watershed.

Checklist for home owners
	What to check	Solution
	Check your lawn. Are there bare spots?	Reseed them and cover with a thin mulch.
	Check around your shrubs and trees. Do you see bare soil?	Apply mulch.
	Check your driveway and sidewalks. Are they covered with dirt?	Sweep up and place around shrubs and trees and remulch.
	Check your eaves and downspouts. Do they overflow during a rain?	Check for obstructions and repair. If the downspouts empty onto bare ground, buy a concrete splash pad.

Checklist for construction
	What to check	Solution
	Check the site. Is any ground going to be left bare more than a few days?	Seed with a fast-growing annual or apply mulch until you do.
	Have all the erosion control practices been installed per your permit?	If no, install immediately.
	Are all of your installed erosion control practices functioning as designed?	If not, repair or replace immediately.
	Check your site plan. Can you plant any of the permanent seedlings or plants now?	If so, contact your landscaper.

Checklist for farmers
	What to check	Solution
	Check your fields after a rain. Is the water leaving your fields muddy?	Solution A - Change your tillage practices to leave more crop residue after planting.
		Solution B - Add a grass or legume to your crop rotation.
		Solution C - Install erosion control practices such as buffer strips, gully erosion control structures and other practices.

Examples of Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Agriculture/Forestry:

No Till or Conservation Tillage Practices

Leaving Crop Residue on Fallow Fields

Strip Cropping, Contour Farming, and Use of Terraces

Taking Land on Steep Topography Out of Production

Use of Natural Buffer Zones Around Rivers, Lakes, and Streams

Use portable bridging when crossing streams

Home Owner:

Replant Vegetation on Disturbed Areas

Mulching around shrubs and trees and house foundation

Sweep off driveways and sidewalks

Wash cars on the lawn not the driveway

Construction:

Phase construction to limit soil exposure

Minimize needless clearing and grading

Protect waterways and stabilize drainage ways

Immediately stabilize exposed soils

Protect steep slopes and cuts

Install perimeter controls to filter sediments

Employ advanced sediment settling controls

Train contractors on Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) plan implementation

Adjust practices for construction site conditions

Inspect ESC practices after storms

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