Reduce Soil Erosion — Maine's #1
Water Pollutant
Soil erosion is a natural process where soil is moved by water or
wind. Soil erosion is not a problem IF soil is
removed at the same rate that soil is formed; however this typically
is not the case. Soil erosion often occurs at a rate much greater
than soil formation. In the United States, soil is eroding roughly
17 times the rate at which it is formed! Eroded soil harms aquatic
life because it acts like sandpaper to fish gills and makes it hard
for them to breath, and destroys their spawning habitats by filling
them in. Soil erosion can affect swimming by filling in deep holes
with loose sediment, or affect boating by increasing the chances of
running aground or hitting underwater hazards. According to the
Maine DEP, soil erosion also reduces water quality, lowers
shorefront property values, increases property taxes, and causes a
loss of business and jobs. The best way to reduce soil erosion is to
reduce the amount of bare soil.
Soil 'Undercover' Tips:
-
Plant shrubs and trees to
create a buffer between your property and any waterway (ditch,
driveway, road) to filter out pollutants.
-
Seed and mulch any bare soil
on your land.
-
Repair and stabilize places
where you see soil eroding.
-
Minimize the time soil is
exposed when you do construction or landscaping.
|
Before: an
unstable shoreline is eroding and allowing soil to enter the lake.
After: large
stones have been placed to break up the shoreline, and vegetation
has been planted and mulch has been spread to stabilize the soil. |
