2010-252A (09) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element While the listed reductions were attributed to each BMP individually, the combined use of several BMPs results in even more efficient removal of pollutants. In terms of water quality, stormwater runoff from agricultural operations, runoff from sites that have been cleared for development, and runoff from unpaved roads contribute to the deposit of sediment in the drainage canal network. Because of that sedimentation, more frequent maintenance of drainage canals and more dredging of manmade canals associated with riverfront subdivisions are necessary and costly. On sandy soils and muck soils found in Indian River County, wind erosion is a potential problem, especially during the dry winter months. This wind-borne soil erosion has the potential to damage agricultural crops by sand blasting, spreading plant diseases, insects and weed seeds, and reducing soil fertility. Within the county, localized air quality problems can be attributed to wind-borne soil erosion from areas that have been denuded of vegetation. Negative impacts can include health hazards and cleaning problems. Identifying specific wind erosion problem areas in the county is difficult, in that the occurrence of barren soils from urban development or agricultural land clearing is temporary. Therefore, locations of potential erosion problems change regularly over time as planting and development activities occur. Over the past several years, Indian River County has made some advances in the control of soil erosion: o In 2006, the county began requiring stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) on all new commercial developments. o In 2006, the Indian River County Public Works Department created a new stormwater division. The stormwater division educates the public and enforces stormwater and erosion control standards. o In 2007, the county adopted a revised littoral zone planting ordinance. This ordinance requires that vegetation be planted on the edges of stormwater retention ponds to reduce the amount of pollutants in runoff, create natural habitat, and reduce erosion. Those measures taken to combat erosion have had a positive impact on reducing the amount of erosion occurring in the county, and the county should continue to implement those measures. In 2008, County mining regulations were revised to include erosion control requirements. Those include: Community Development Department Indian River County 92