Muddy water can damage stormwater treatment facilities and clog drainage systems. This can lead to poor water quality, flooding, and property damage. Muddy water can also carry mud and nutrients to our streams and lakes. This can lead to sediment deposits, algae blooms, and oxygen levels too low to support fish. Sediment can smother fish spawning gravel, cloud the water, and make feeding difficult for fish and other aquatic animals.
The county is working to continuously improve its Erosion Prevention and Control Program. Contractor certification is one of the proactive approaches the county has included in its regulations starting in 2001. This education based certification program is showing positive results in the field. Because stormwater and erosion control is critical to the protection of fish species, the penalties for erosion control violations were increased in 1999.
For more information, contact Code Enforcement at (360) 397-2375 ext. 4184 or visit the county's erosion control page.
