New regulation on sediment possible

Sediment is the No. 1 pollution in streams.
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners are expected Friday to put into place a new regulation for developers to follow in managing erosion and controlling sediment at large building sites.
Builders at subdivisions and commercial and industrial sites exceeding five acres would have to seek another level of approval before breaking ground. Agricultural activity and most home construction will be exempt from the regulations.
The rules won't set back construction projects in the county, and don't exceed what the state and national Environmental Protection agencies already require, proponents said.
"These rules are to basically abate the sedimentation of streams and wetlands and township ditches in Trumbull County," explained John Woolard, storm water specialist with the Trumbull County Soil and Water Conservation District. Sediment can contain heavy metals, fertilizer and other dangers.
Best management prqactices
Builders would be required on their construction plans to show the best management practices during construction.
"Sediment is the No. 1 pollution in streams. That's the reason why we're pushing the issue," added Brian Prunty, a SWCD urban stream specialist.
A public hearing on the erosion and sediment control rules was held Monday; another is set for 9 a.m. Friday before the commissioners at 10:30 a.m. meeting. The rules already are on the books in Geauga, Lake, Medina, Summit and Cuyahoga counties, Woolard told commissioners.
Jerre Hentosh Sr., a retired builder whose sons build homes and duplexes, asked questions during Monday's hearing regarding what fees builders could face from the new rules.
Fees not posted
No permit fees have been proposed, but the state EPA charges a $200 minimum fee, plus $20 for each additional acre, not to exceed $500, Woolard noted.
Commissioner James Tsagaris said fees would be discussed with the county prosecutor's office.
One point of the new rules is to prevent adjacent property owners from loss due to sedimentation, erosion and flooding. The soil and water district will inspect construction sites, Woolard said.
"I'm opposed to more control on the land, because I think we already have a lot of things in place," Hentosh said. He noted that developers of large areas already are required to have a drainage plan.
"I've always felt, as a builder, that if we caused drainage onto the neighbors, then they already had recourse under the law," Hentosh said. "These [new rules] are coming in like a double-bang."
Contractors would be required to submit an erosion control plan to the county soil and water conservation district 30 days before starting work.
Exact requirements will depend on the particular site, but can include measures such as staked-down mesh to prevent soil erosion and basins to allow silt to fall out of water runoff.