Land development reduces soil infiltration capacity and diminishes the ability to naturally absorb rainwater. While clearing land for a new project, most of the topsoil and vegitation are removed to prepare the land for construction. In doing so, this removes the source of controlling erosion and sediment from taking place during a heavy rainstorm.
A construction site may use various equipment to prepare the land for virtual construction. Bulldozers and excavators can wreak havoc on shaping the land causing dramatic destruction to the ability for land to naturally manage stormwater – eliminating the intrinsic balance of the hydrologic cycle.
Land development is a complex venture. There are many obstacles and decisions that must be made throughout the process. Decisions associated with land feasibility, risk assessments, zoning, and permitting. Once the land is fully cleared will provide the developer with a straightforward picture regarding the next steps forward that must be taken to successfully achieve a positive return. One step that must be addressed is the necessity to protect the environment.
Florida is home to more than 2.5 million acres of freshwater lakes, rivers, springs, and wetlands. There is also the Floridan aquifer, the natural subsurface freshwater reservoir that lies beneath the ground. Land development in Florida has a high percentage chance of occurring near a water body.
During land development, implementing three specific stormwater compliance Best Management Practices (BMPs) can reduce the risk of sediment entering local bodies of water.
- Silt fence is commonly placed around the outer perimeter of a land development site. The effectiveness of silt fence is very dependent on proper installation and maintenance. Silt fence is an excellent BMP to retain soil on disturbed land such as construction sites.
- Another BMP that is quite effective is using turbidity curtains and barriers in and near local water bodies. Turbidity curtains are impermeable barriers that trap sediment in water bodies.
- Stabilize areas close to water bodies by engineering and implementing temporary or permanent berms. Constructing a berm along the edge of existing wetlands, ponds, or other water bodies is an excellent way to divert stormwater and sediment away from water bodies.
KCI has expert stormwater inspectors who can evaluate your current needs for diversion methods and can provide helpful tips that can specifically fit the needs of your site. Contact KCI today, 888-346-7779.