The Erosion Control Program is designed to reduce or eliminate sediment discharge and other pollutants onto Boise City streets and into the City storm water collection and drain system. This system is under the jurisdiction of the Ada County Highway District.
The program includes:
- Application by the developer, builder or contractor for an Erosion & Sediment Control permit
- Payment of fee
- In some cases, submittal of an Erosion & Sediment Control Plan for review and approval
- The inspection of construction sites
- Enforcement measures, outreach and educational activities for construction site planners, developers, builders and operators.
Requirements extend to all construction activity within the municipality and all construction sites, regardless of size or ownership. The ordinance applies to Commercial & Industrial operations, Residential practices, and Construction Site operations.
Authority for this program is provided for in Boise City Ordinance 8-17, Construction Site Erosion Control Ordinance . The ordinance was in part enacted to "manage and control the amount of pollutants in storm water discharges, soil erosion, sediment discharge, and mud and dirt deposits on public roadways cause by or a result of construction activities."
Why is Erosion a Problem?
Storm water (or other runoff), as it flows across hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt pavement, or roofs picks up sediment, pet wastes or other pollutants such as lawn chemicals, automobile oil and grease, airborne dust and construction site soil and rock. These pollutants are then deposited into either the Boise River through the storm drain system or indirectly into our ground water by way of infiltration or seepage beds.
Many people mistakenly believe sediment, household chemicals, oil, paint or yard wastes which enter the storm drain system are "cleaned up." They aren't - they either end up in the Boise River or enter directly or indirectly into our ground water system.
Many organic type (chemically engineered, and do not occur naturally) solvents and chemicals are not filtered by surface soil, clay, sand or rock above our water tables. These chemicals may go directly into the ground-water system and can travel for miles through ground-water aquifers. We still have many people in the Boise Valley and surrounding areas who depend on water wells and a clean water supply for their daily needs.
The Boise River provides numerous recreation opportunities for our residents. This includes swimming, floating, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. It is in our best interest to protect this valuable resource by eliminating sediments and pollutants at the source area.