Ordinance L-2008-1 - Erosion, Sediment and Water Runoff Control

Flow Chart Summary

Erosion Control / Stormwater Mgmt Flyer

Save Money–Use Less Salt This Winter -

Salt and sand contribute greatly to lake and stream pollution.  Once it’s spread on parking lots, streets, sidewalks and driveways, it’s on its way to the nearest lake or stream and cannot be recovered.  Fifty pounds of salt (one large bag) can pollute 10,000 gallons of water.  Municipalities are working to cut salt use while still keeping streets safe.  So, let’s all save money this winter with these helpful tips and help the lakes and streams at the same time:

• Always use a shovel first, especially if the pavement temperature is 32°F or more, don’t waste money on deicers.  Reserve deicers for ice, not snow.

• All salt is not created equal.  Various types of deicers perform differently at different temperature ranges.  The most common and cheapest is sodium chloride (“rock salt”).  But, rock salt doesn’t work when the pavement is colder than 15°F.  Magnesium chloride and calcium chloride cost more, but you’ll use less and it works in colder temps.

• Consider getting a pavement thermometer (~$30) to help determine pavement temperatures, which can vary widely depending on how much sun shines on your driveway.

• Measure your sidewalk and driveway so you know how much you need.  A general guideline is to use 1-3 cups of salt per 1,000 square feet.  Don’t waste money by using more than is needed.

• Consider applying liquid salt to the pavement before the storm and shovel a little while it is snowing.  After the storm, shovel before using any salt.  Often, you won’t need any.  Use deicers on ice, don’t waste it on snow.

• You can use 30% less if you wet your salt with some water before applying it.

• While salt is sometimes mixed with sand to keep the sand from freezing into a solid block, it’s not a good idea to use both at the same time on your sidewalk.  The salt will melt the ice, but if it refreezes, the sand can be frozen below the surface where it can’t do any good.  Choose one or the other.  Try removing the ice by hand first before using either sand or salt.

• If you have an area that tends to ice up, consider making it a priority to remedy next summer so you won’t need to deice in the future.

Caveat Emptor! (Buyer beware!) – Read the label so you know exactly what you are spending your hard-earned cash on.  If the bag doesn’t say otherwise, it’s probably sodium chloride, but you’re better off using something that says exactly what’s in the bag.  Some products claiming to be “green” are simply chloride compounds.  You can always ask for the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product, it will show percentages so that you can see if you are paying for pretty packaging of rock salt.  And while you’re reading, be sure to follow the application rates.  You need much less of some products than others, so be sure not to waste by over applying.

Erosion, Sediment and Water Runoff Control Ordinance

The types of activities regulated by existing county / state erosion control and post-construction stormwater standards typically do not take place in the Village.  Specifically, county and state regulations typically apply only to the following:

• Land disturbing activity covering an area equal to or exceeding 4,000 square feet.
• Creation of 20,000 square feet or more of new impervious area.

Since the Village is fully-built and surrounded on all sides by Lake Mendota , the City of Madison and the University of Wisconsin , these regulations are rarely met.

After much discussion, the Village Stormwater Committee and Stakeholder Group recommended that the Village adopt and administer its own erosion control and stormwater ordinance.  It would be applied to the type of land disturbing development activities that commonly occur in the Village. Specifically, the Committee and Group recommended regulating:

• Land disturbing activities covering 500 square feet or more.
• New impervious surface creation of 250 square feet or more.

Part of an approximate $78,000 dollar stormwater grant the Village received from the DNR was used to hire consultants to help draft the ordinance.  The Village will use a tiered approach to stormwater and erosion control regulation.  Under the proposed ordinance, county and state standards apply to sites that meet the aforementioned state and county applicability criteria. Additionally, under the proposed Village ordinance, full erosion requirements apply to all land disturbing activities taking place less than 50 feet upslope from the lake.  Further more, less stringent regulations apply to sites that involve 500 square feet or more of land disturbing activity and / or that result in the creation of 250 square feet or more of new impervious area. These less stringent regulations include creation and implementation of a simplified erosion control plan, attenuation of 20% of suspended solids in runoff , and infiltration of 90% of rooftop runo ff , to the maxim extent feasible.

Many home remodeling projects that involve additions will fall under these regulations. The Village is now preparing an application manual and simplified instructions on how to comply with the ordinance.  Rain gardens, rain barrels, directing downspouts o ff of impervious areas will all be ways to comply with the new rules.

Here is an interesting project in Portland , Oregon .  They took an existing residential street, and added two curb bump-outs (similar to what is proposed for Shorewood Blvd ).  The two bump-outs were sized to incorporate storm water infiltration.  The pictures make it look quite attractive.

Brian Berquist, Village Engineer

Shortcut to: http://www.asla.org/awards/2007/07winners/506_nna.html