Sediment is erosion made up of soil and other materials transported through water.

Sediment is the No. 1 pollutant, by volume, in Butler County streams. Sediment kills aquatic life and large amounts could contribute to flooding.

Temporary and permanent conservation practices for all earthmoving activities in Butler County can help prevent this.

One of the causes of this earthmoving is rainfall eroding exposed and disturbed soil. The threat of accelerated erosion is especially great as land development continues to increase in the county.

Erosion and sedimentation pollution control plans are reviewed by Brett Hilderbrand, Ian Harrell and Leo Rosenbauer, county conservation district technicians.

According to the Clean Streams Law of Pennsylvania, all earthmoving activities must have a pollution control plan available on site.

If one acre or more of earth disturbance or stream encroachment is involved, one or more permits is required from the Department of Environmental of Protection.

The control plans consider these factors:

• The topographic features of the land

• The types, depth, slope and extent of the soil

• The proposed alteration of the land

• The amount of runoff from the project and the upstream watershed

• The staging of earth moving activities

• Temporary control measures and facilities used during earth moving

• Permanent control measures and facilities for long-term protection.

• A maintenance program for the control facilities, including a way to dispose of materials.

Stormwater problems are handled by the local municipalities.

Ron Fodor is manager of the Butler County Conservation District.