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SOIL EROSION <br /> Soil erosion on lots where active construction is occurring causes several environmental <br /> problems: <br /> • When topsoil erodes off residential lots, lawns need to be watered more frequently <br /> because of the loss of soil organic matter. <br /> • Soil washed off lots and deposited in the street drains directly into the storm sewer <br /> system. Mud on the streets is a traffic hazard. Sediment clogs sewer pipes. Removing <br /> sediments from the street and sewers is expensive, and taxpayers ultimately pay the bill. <br /> • Storm sewer pipes drain into stormwater basins, wetlands, lakes, streams and rivers. <br /> Sediment causes turbid water conditions and contains phosphorus, a nutrient that <br /> contributes to water quality degradation. <br /> To reduce the effects of soil erosion, the following procedures should be utilized during the <br /> construction process: <br /> • Place soil stockpiles carefully. Stockpiles of soil (and construction materials) should <br /> not be placed in the street or within the "dripline" of a tree. Before you grade, you should <br /> think about where soil stockpiles will be placed. Silt fences should be placed around soil <br /> stockpiles as needed. Cover stockpiles with plastic, straw, hydroseed, or any cover that <br /> prevents erosion of the stockpile. Heavy equipment and vehicular traffic should not be <br /> allowed within the dripline of any tree to be saved because of damage to root systems. <br /> • Restore the vegetation. The best erosion control measure on residential lots is <br /> vegetation. Your lot should be sodded or seeded and mulched as soon as possible. <br /> Place at least two or three rolls of sod along the curb and lot lines if vegetative restoration <br /> will be delayed. <br /> • Place gravel on your driveway as soon as possible. This helps to minimize the <br /> amount of mud tracked onto the street by construction vehicles. Traffic should be limited <br /> to the gravel area. <br /> Keep the streets clean. If mud or sediment ends up on the street, you should remove it <br /> immediately. If you don't keep the street clean, the Public Works inspector will issue a STOP <br /> WORK ORDER that will stay in effect until the street is cleaned by sweeping methods. <br /> WASHING THE STREET IS NOT PERMISSIBLE. <br /> Install silt fences. Silt fence is a specially designed woven fabric that filters sediment from <br /> water flowing through the material. This fabric should be placed around stockpiles of soil from <br /> excavations. It should also be installed along lot lines when runoff from your lot drains onto an <br /> adjacent lot; along the street (installed behind the curb); and along wetlands, streams and lakes. <br /> CALL THE EVERETT PUBLIC SERVICES DIVISION (425) 257-8810 <br /> WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PRACTICES. <br />