Construction projects remove vegetation and cause land disturbance that alters the natural topography that shields surface soils from erosion by wind and stormwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that without sound erosion controls in place, an average construction site can discharge into waterbodies more than 1,000 tons of sediment per acre per year, while forested lands contribute only 1 ton of sediment (0.1% of the amount from construction site runoff). To limit the amount of pollutant-carrying stormwater that discharges from construction sites, builders must obtain stormwater permits, prepare Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, and implement best management practices on-site. Unfortunately, not all developers follow these permits and plans.

HELP US CATCH CONSTRUCTION SITE POLLUTERS!!!

To volunteer for Riverkeeper's Construction Watch, contact:
Hearty Look, Volunteer Coordinator
914-478-4501
hlook@riverkeeper.org