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

Iowa Cities Subject to Phase I and II of NPDES Des Moines Area Cedar Rapids Area Waterloo/Cedar Falls Quad Cities Council Bluffs Area Sioux City Area Dubuque Area Iowa City Area Marshalltown Ottumwa Storm Lake

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Planning (SWPPP) 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 ErosionGully 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 at North High School in Davenport.

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

Final Thoughts Practices as of 2004 Design Standards & Specifications Statewide Urban Design and Specifications manual (SUDAS) Helpful Websites: ia.nrcs.usda.gov iamu.org urbanwaterquality.org epa.gov stormh2o.com cwp.org lowimpactdevelopment.org stormwatercenter.net greeninfrastructure.net rmi.org iowadnr.com ia.nrcs.usda.gov iamu.org urbanwaterquality.org epa.gov stormh2o.com cwp.org lowimpactdevelopment.org stormwatercenter.net greeninfrastructure.net rmi.org iowadnr.com

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Iowa State University Extension Service Urban Resources & Borderland Alliance Network (URBAN) Developed in cooperation with: The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.