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Gaston County Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control
Controlling Erosion and Sedimentation
on
Single Family Home Construction Sites
Why Erosion Control?
What can raise the cost of your water or electric bill?What can close your favorite fishing area, swimming lake or stream?What can destroy wildlife habitat overnight?What can change your valuable property into a worthless piece of land? HINT - It is the single largest pollutant by volume of Gaston County's lakes, rivers and streams - and it's not toxic waste or spilled chemicals.
THE ANSWER - sediment caused by soil erosion.
Erosion from
unprotected
construction sites harm
our rivers, lakes and streams.
The Law
The Gaston County Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance and the State Sedimentation Pollution Control Act require anyone involved in land-disturbing activities to take special precautions to reduce soil erosion and prevent sedimentation that damages waterways and property. Everyone must control erosion and sedimentation.
"Persons conducting land-disturbing activity shall take all reasonable measures to protect all public and private property from sedimentation siltation caused by such activity." (Gaston Ordinance, Section 6. c.)
Before any land-disturbing activity begins, check with the Gaston County Natural Resources Department on regulations for erosion and sedimentation control.
What Can Be Done to Control Sedimentation?
Here are some simple devices that can be used during construction to reduce erosion and minimize sedimentation.
- Temporary and permanent vegetation
- Sediment fence on property border
- Stone construction entrance
- Grass-covered drainage ditches
For more information contact:
Joseph Alm, Administrator
Gaston Natural Resources Department
Telephone: 704-922-4181 Fax: 704-922-2158
Joseph's Desk Phone: 704-922-2157
E-mail: jdalm@co.gaston.nc.us
Sediment Fence - Inspect sediment fences after each rainfall and remove sediment deposits when they reach a height one-third the height of the sediment fence. Sediment removed from behind the fence should be placed on the property and properly stabilized. 
The gravel entrance/exit provides a stable entrance condition from the construction site and keeps sediment off public roads.Inspect entrance/exit pad and sediment disposal area weekly and after heavy rains or heavy use.Reshape pad as needed for drainage and runoff control.
Immediately remove sediment tracked or washed onto public roads.
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