Conservation Strategies for Growing Communities

The Growth of Urban Conservation

What the Law Requires

• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

• Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS)

• Storm Water Regulations

• NPDES Phase II

Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Planning

• Minimize clearing and grading• Phase essential grading to limit soil exposure• Immediately stabilize exposed soils• Protect steep slopes and cuts• Protect and stabilize drainageways• Install perimeter controls to keep sediment on-site• Train contractors on SWPPP implementation• Inspect SWPPP practices after storms and perform needed

maintenance• Adjust the plan once construction has started, if needed

Soil Erosion

Wind Erosion

Stream Bank Erosion Gully Erosion

Sheet & Rill Erosion

Erosion Control Practices

• Compost Blankets• Grading Strategies• Mulching• Rolled Erosion

Control Products• Vegetative

Establishment

Compost Blanket on a storm water detention basin.

Compost Blankets

Applying compost and seed with a pneumatic blower truck

Compost Blankets control erosion until seeding is

established

Grading Strategies

Design developments to fit the existing landscape.

Mulching

Applying Straw Mulch

Mulching limits soil erosion, lessens the need to contain sediment and enhances water quality.

Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECP’s)

Coconut Fiber Matting

RECP’s are especially effective at controlling erosion on severe slopes or areas of concentrated flows.

Vegetative Establishment

Establishing vegetative cover is the best way to control erosion.

Sediment Control Practices• Compost Filter Berms• Compost Socks• Filter Strips• GeoRidge™• Inlet Protection Devices• Rock Check Dams• Sediment Control Basins• Silt Fences Rock Check Dams add water quality protection by

temporarily impounding runoff from frequent, low

intensity rainfalls.

Compost Filter Berms

Compost Filter Berms improve water quality by absorbing pollutants.

Compost Socks

Compost Socks should be placed on the contour across slopes to intercept and treat sheet flows.

Filter Strips

Filter Strips should be left permanent to protect urban streams, ponds and wetlands.

GeoRidge™

GeoRidge™ complements the performance of erosion control blankets on channels and slopes.

Inlet Protection

Inlet Protection Devices trap and filter sediment before entering storm sewer inlets.

Rock Check Dams

Rock Check Dams prevent gully erosion caused by concentrated flow.

Sediment Control Basins

Maximizing the amount of time water is impounded increases the amount of sediment retained on site.

Silt Fences

Silt Fences temporarily impound runoff and retain sediment on-site, often as

perimeter control.

Storm Water Management-Low Impact Development (LID)

• Bioretention Cells• Bioswales• Infiltration Trenches• Native Landscaping• Permeable Paving

Alternatives• Rain Gardens• Soil Quality

Restoration Bioretention Cells manage runoff from impervious surfaces.

Bioretention Cells

Bioretention Cells are shallow, landscaped depressions that can handle large volumes of runoff.

Bioswales

Bioswales are vegetated conveyance systems that provide an alternative to storm sewers.

Infiltration Trenches

Infiltration Trenches are excavated trenches filled with a coarse stone aggregate and biologically active organic matter.

Native Landscaping

Fall Colors

Summer Colors

High organic matter in native plants helps soil hold water like a sponge and infiltrate most rain.

Permeable Paving Alternatives

Impervious surfaces that allow water to infiltrate.

Rain Gardens

Perennial gardens featuring native vegetation strategically located to capture runoff.

Soil Health Restoration

Key to restoring soil quality is reducing soil compaction and increasing organic matter content.

Final Thoughts• Design Standards & Specifications• Illinois Urban Manual

Helpful Websites:www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

www.urbanwaterquality.orgwww.epa.gov

www.aiswcd.orgwww.lowimpactdevelopment.org

www.stormwatercenter.netwww.greeninfrastructure.net

www.rmi.org

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)• Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts• IL Army Corps of Engineers• Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR)• Prairie Rivers Network

Developed in cooperation with:

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.