Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District celebrates 70 years

Before...

From press release

This past May marked the 70th anniversary of the Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District’s service to the community.

Originally, the district—a locally-led unit of government—focused on controlling soil erosion on farmland. However, the district has since expanded its services to urban areas, including construction sites.

Soil erosion from construction sites has been a concern of the district since the early 1990s. Construction sites often have accelerated erosion rates because of mass grading and long durations of bare soil.

Through agreements with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and Winnebago County, the district has annually inspected more than 75 sites over the last eight years. Without erosion control practices in place, it is estimated that one-and-a-half dump-truck loads of soil per acre can erode from the average construction site.

District staff provide technical information and resources to the development community regarding the IEPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which regulates construction activity involving soil erosion and sediment control. Through the agreement, district staff work with municipalities, engineers, homebuilders, site managers, inspectors, and others involved in a construction project to ensure soil migration is managed and water quality is not impaired. The district offers sediment and erosion control workshops, either annually or bi-annually, to professionals in or who work with the construction industry.

The district’s efforts protect and restore the soil, water and related resources by providing technical and educational resources. They have the knowledge and commitment to continue their role from the past into the future, and look forward to carrying on their roles and responsibilities for another 70 years.

If you would like more information about the district or its involvement with erosion control, call (815) 965-2392, ext. 3.

From the June 16-22, 2010 issue

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