Walworth County staff is grateful to these watchdogs.
Walworth County Land Conservation Division staff provides Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control Permit coverage for more than 400 construction sites throughout Walworth County each year. Most of these permits are for construction sites within 1,000 feet of a lake or 300 feet of a stream. I can report that erosion and sediment control and housekeeping measures on construction sites throughout Walworth County can be better.
During construction inspections, Walworth County Land Conservation Division staff often note uncontained disturbed areas, lack of site stabilization on bare soil for long periods of time, and poor housekeeping practices, such as un-managed building waste and concrete or mortar washout. Site containment or perimeter control practices are required and commonly include the installation of silt fencing.
Many people think of the black silt fence as the primary way to contain sediment on a construction site. But this practice is only one small part of site containment, and does not always do the job. Silt fences are often installed improperly or installed and neglected. A silt fence is a sediment-control practice, not an erosion control practice. I have always said, the best silt fence is the one that is not needed. Instead, disturbed areas should be covered up with an erosion-resistant cover, such as vegetation, mulch, or other approved covering material.
