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Soil and Nutrient Runoff Control in Urban Area Development
Throughout the state, urban areas have been expanded to meet the growing demand for housing and industry in populated areas. As the areas surrounding cities is being developed, land that was listed as undesirable for development is now being used for industrial parks, roads, subdivisions and individual homes.
In some development areas, soil erosion amounts have exceeded 100 tons per acre. The soil erosion and sedimentation problems create problems in local streams, stormwater drains, on streets and sidewalks and can contribute to excessive flooding in some areas. The removal of topsoil during construction has contributed not only to soil erosion problems but nutrient and pesticide runoff during lawn development. Each of these concerns contributes to nonpoint source pollution problems that degrade the waterways streams of the surrounding area.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project will focus on reducing soil erosion/sedimentation, pesticide runoff and nutrient runoff from the time construction begins until lawn establishment is completed on a building site. The city of Columbia, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Columbia Home Builders Association (HBA) will work cooperatively in developing a plan for contractors/developers to incorporate the most effective and environmentally sound methods for controlling soil erosion before during and after construction.
Homeowners, real estate professionals, lending institutions and others will be given information on controlling soil erosion, pesticide runoff and nutrient runoff when establishing and maintaining lawns at new building sites. Demonstration sites will be developed for short term and long-term evaluation of the methods used for soil erosion control. University Outreach and Extension will offer educational programs in cooperation with the NRCS, the City of Columbia and the Home Builders Association. These educational programs will contain information on soil erosion control, pesticide management and nutrient management when establishing and maintaining a lawn.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this project is to provide demonstrations, information and education that will assist contractors and homeowners in reducing nonpoint source pollution in urban settings. This will be done by:
1. Educating contractors and developers on suitable alternatives to soil erosion practices from construction sites.
2. Educating contractors and homeowners on the proper use and handling of pesticides and fertilizers for establishing and maintaining lawns.
3. Development of guidelines for implementing and maintaining soil erosion and sedimentation control, and for reduction of nutrient run-off from lawn establishment practices.
PRODUCTS
Demonstration sites will be developed to show the effectiveness of various means of sediment, nutrient and pesticide management from construction sites, and from sites in which new lawns are being established. Informational guidesheets informing homeowners and contractors of best management practices during construction and lawn establishment will be developed, and made available through the University of Missouri Outreach and Extension distribution network.
Educational meetings and demonstrations will be held in conjunction with events sponsored by the City of Columbia. Through the use and adoption of management practices by contractors and homeowners in Columbia and Boone County, sediment, nutrient and pesticide runoff from construction sites should be lessened.
PROJECT SPONSOR
Water Quality Program, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension
COOPERATING AGENCIES
City of Columbia, the Columbia Homebuilders Association, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Boone County Soil and Water District, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension and the University of Missouri Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
CONTACT
Water Quality Program
University of Missouri Outreach and Extension
205 Agricultural Engineering
Columbia, MO 65211
Robert Broz
telephone: 573-882-0085
email: brozr@.missouri.edu
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