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  Soil and Water Protection

The frequency of floods in my community is not increasing.

My community has not seen a significant increase in space covered by impervious surfaces like roads, rooftops and parking lots.

Road ditches are left vegetated when sediment build-up is removed.

Trees and other vegetation are being preserved on stream banks, shorelines and street sides.

Many large tracts of forest and farm land have been left undeveloped.

My community is drafting, or has already implemented a stormwater management plan.

Site plans for new development projects are actively reviewed in my community to minimize impacts on the land and local water quality.

My community has drafted and regularly updates its emergency action plan in case of an extreme flooding event.

Any land use changes that occur within a community impact water quality in the watershed. Healthy functioning natural systems within a watershed help regulate water levels during snow melts and storm surges. Nature’s sponge-like function is lost when vegetated open space is drained and paved over. Well-planned development with properly designed and maintained storm and waste-water treatment systems protect the environment and public health.

Saving Lake George One Storm Drain at a Time

In the 1980’s sediment washing downstream began establishing deltas at stream mouths and that had been clean gravel stream beds flowing into Lake George. In 2001, Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District received funding to develop stormwater treatment retrofits to capture sediment that was entering streams and adding to the already expanding delta.  Seven treatment systems were installed to capture sediment and infiltrate stormwater into the ground for further treatment. These installations keep over 20,000 lbs. of sediment laden with phosphorus and nitrogen from reaching the lake. As maintenance is key to proper stormwater management, the Town of Lake George uses its street sweeper and a suction vacuum each spring to remove accumulated sediment from the treatment system.

Know your watershed! Visit www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/ to learn more about watersheds, consult your County Soil and Water Conservation District to find out about local water quality issues, and talk to your local officials about how your community is mitigating the impacts of land use changes.  Use the Home*A*Syst guide to evaluate what you can do around your home to prevent your contribution of polluted runoff.

Respond to these statements about your local environment and what you and your community are doing to protect your basic survival needs.  If some statements do not apply to your community, consider them in the context of your watershed.  See the Technical and Financial Assistance Guide for resources regarding “False” and “Find Out!” responses, and contact your County Soil and Water Conservation District.