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Camden County Soil Conservation District |
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control of Developing Lands
Chapter 251 Program
Of all the various forms of pollution, sediment is one of our largest pollutants
by volume, with its most devastating impact seen in the State waterways and
aquatic systems. Some of negative impacts of soil erosion and sedimentation
include, but are not limited to, reduced carrying capacity of waterways,
increase in flooding, stressed aquatic ecosystems due to the reduction of
dissolved oxygen and reduced infiltration of sunlight. In addition, the
economical costs associated with soil erosion include the extremely high costs
of dredging silted waterways to improve navigation and increase the carrying
capacity of waterways to reduce flooding.
In the early 1970's, the New Jersey State Legislature
realized this problem and the impacts on New Jersey’s environment, economics,
and quality of life. In 1975, the State Legislature passed Chapter 251, P.L.
1975, the Soil
Erosion and Sediment Control Act of New Jersey.
This legislation gave the District’s the power to control soil erosion and sedimentation by requiring the submission of a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for almost all soil disturbances over 5,000 square feet. Most agricultural activities are exempt from the requirements of the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act.
The Camden County Soil Conservation District is responsible for reviewing and certifying all Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for almost all soil disturbances over 5,000 square feet within Camden County. District staff are also responsible for performing subsequent inspections to insure compliance with the soil erosion and sediment control practices shown on the certified plans.
All
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans are reviewed by the District to assure
design compliance with the Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
in New Jersey. The Standards for Soil Erosion
and Sediment Control are developed by the technical committee of the State Soil
Conservation Committee and are broken into engineering, vegetative, and runoff
treatment standards.
Without Chapter 251, P.L. 1975, the Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control Act of New Jersey, soil would easily find it’s way into the
local streams, lakes and rivers from construction sites.
By working cooperatively with the development community,
local, state and federal agencies, the District has succeeded and will continue
to succeed in conserving and protecting our natural resources.
