Soil Erosion and resulting sedimentation from developing areas are leading sources of water quality degradaton. Sediment is the number one pollutant, by volume, of surface water. The major source of sediment during the development phase comes from the many acres of bare areas that are inadequately unprotected, often for several months at a time. Each unprotected 1/4 acre area can yield from two to twenty-five tons of soil during critical periods throughout the year.

Each phase of a construction project has the potential to create significant volumes of sediment-laden runoff. Soil erosion from all developments, no matter what size, may result in severe damage to storm sewers as well as stream channels, resulting in adverse affects on aquatic and wildlife habitat. Generally it is more economical to install erosion control practices and maintain them than it is to repair damage on offsite properties.

An immediate and visible effect of sedimentation is the need to clean streets, sewers and ditches. This is an added cost to the building industry, future lot owners and local government.

Accumulated sediment in streams, rivers and lakes reduces their capacity to store water. This results in more frequent flooding, costly and time consuming land and building repairs and the necessary clean-up that follows.

Sediment leaving construction sites severely impacts fish and aquatic habitat. Changing the conditions of the stream channel by either scouring or depositing sediment is detrimental to fish and insect life and their reproductive capabilities. In addition, sunlight may be blocked, causing a change in the productivity of the food chain.