Geist Watershed Alliance

Runoff Rangers Will Monitor Soil Erosion from Construction Sites

The Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club has started organizing workshops to train volunteers to monitor construction sites for required erosion control measures. The Hoosier Chapter’s liaison to the Geist Watershed Alliance, Bowden Quinn, has been working hard to give Geist residents this opportunity to learn how they can help protect the lake without investing a lot of time and energy. The following is his press release about the upcoming workshop.

Sediment is the largest surface water pollutant by volume in Indiana, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and much of this pollution comes from urban construction sites. New construction sites without erosion controls contribute more sedimentation per acre by volume than an agricultural field.

Soil particles can carry phosphorus into the water, promoting algae and weed growth. Sediment can also degrade fish habitat and decrease the recreational and aesthetic value of a water body. Furthermore, erosion can clog drains, ponds and storm sewers, leading to damage to streets and culverts. Cleaning sedimentation buildups costs taxpayers thousands of dollars a year. Sedimentation can contribute to flooding by decreasing storage capacity in lakes and rivers. Erosion can also remove fertile topsoil, making it harder to establish a lawn or garden on a site.

Simple conservation and site management practices can reduce or eliminate erosion. Builders can generally implement these practices at little or no extra cost. They make the contractor’s job easier and more profitable.

To raise awareness of erosion control practices and the problem of sedimentation, the chapter is organizing workshops to train volunteers to become Runoff Rangers who will monitor construction sites in their area. The first workshop will be in Marion County, in association with watershed alliance members from the Eagle Creek and Geist Reservoir areas. The City of Indianapolis, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Marion County Soil & Water Conservation District have agreed to attend to discuss the problem. The workshop will teach people what types of erosion controls are needed and how to look for sedimentation problems. The workshop will be Thursday, June 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium of the Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis. Anyone interested in attending the workshop should contact Bowden Quinn, the chapter’s conservation program coordinator, at 317-822-3750 or by email at bowden.quinn@sierraclub.org.

We want to organize squads of Runoff Rangers around the state to help educate builders on ways to prevent erosion and to urge local authorities to take enforcement action against contractors who willfully disregard erosion control requirements. People interested in organizing a workshop in their area can contact Bowden for assistance.