Erosion

When rain falls on exposed soil, stormwater runoff will carry not only the soil (also called “sediment”) but also nutrients and other pollutants into streets, gutters and ditches. From there, sediment travels to lakes, rivers, streams or wetlands. Sediment can cause flooding problems when it fills in stormwater retention ponds and reduces their capacity. It harms fish and other aquatic life by clouding their habitat and making it difficult for them to breathe and find food. It can cause streambanks to erode as the stream channel becomes wider to make up for its lack of depth. Of all the water pollutants, sediment is the most unsightly, turning a beautiful clear stream into a muddy-looking mess.

Soil erosion is often a problem in areas of new construction. Often soil will be without grass or and other plant cover at some time during construction. Soil erosion can also occur in established neighborhoods when areas of bare soil are left unprotected (for example, in a garden).

You may wish to select erosion as an Action Item if you have observed significant problems with sediment in the streams in your jurisdiction or if sediment has been identified as a key pollutant in your basinwide plan. Observing where the sediment is coming from can help you to target your educational efforts to the appropriate Audiencess.

Target Audiences

• Homeowners in newly constructed neighborhoods
• Homeowners in existing neighborhoods

If you think that builders and contractors are the main source of your erosion problem, then handle the problem under Measure 4 of your Phase II permit.

Approaches

You may get the most bang for your education buck by targeting your message to areas of new development. Teach residents of new developments to use erosion control measures such as:

• Temporary vegetation (such as annual grass) that grow quickly with little care.
• Mulch (straw, wood chips, wood fiber blanket, and so on) that provides temporary cover to protect the soil from rain. Mulching may be the only option during the winter when establishing grass is not possible.
• Downspout extenders that may be used to direct water from roof gutters to paved areas.
• Permanent stabilization with grass or ground cover as soon as possible.

You can also give your citizens information about erosion control when they apply for building permits to make improvements on their property.

Existing Educational Materials

Do not use any materials on this website without first contacting the sponsoring organization and obtaining their permission.

Slogans

• Don’t Soil Our Waters! (Maine DEP)

Mass Media: TV Advertising and PSAs

• Erosion PSAs (NC Division of Land Resources) – contact Janet Paith in Raleigh or Mike Goodson in Asheville

Public Venues: Presentations

• Soil Erosion Process (NC State University)
• Classroom and Special Event presentations (contact Janet Paith in Raleigh or Mike Goodson in Asheville)

Print Materials: Brochures

• Home and Garden Tips: New Construction (USDA – NRCS)
• Erosion Control for Homeowners (Maine DEP)
• The Causes and Effects of Soil Erosion (Maine DEP)
• Sediment and Erosion Control for New Homeowners (Minnesota PCA)

Lesson Materials for Schools

• Erosion Control Curriculum for Third Grade (NC Division of Land Resources) (contact Janet Paith in Raleigh or Mike Goodson in Asheville)

Websites

• Why Should We Worry About Soil Erosion? (CA)