Sediment is the number one water quality pollutant originating from construction sites. Construction sites can release significant amounts of sediment into stormwater, and eventually into local receiving waters, like the Poudre and South Platte Rivers. Sediment runoff rates from construction sites are typically 10 to 100 times greater than those of undisturbed land, and several times greater than rates from natural areas such as forests. During a short time span, construction activities can release decades worth of sediment into stormwater drainage systems and local streams and rivers, leading to destruction of riparian habitat and a decline in water quality. Routine activities at construction sites (e.g., storage and handling of construction materials, fueling of equipment) also can result in pollutants being discharged into receiving waters.

The objectives of the City of Greeley's Construction Site Runoff Control (CSRC) program center on the effective implementation and enforcement of Ordinance 15,1996 "Grading and Soil Erosion Control" and Chapter 13 of Design Criteria and Construction Specifications, Volume II - Storm Drainage Design Criteria and Construction Specifications Manual, which addresses addresses Construction Site erosion and sediment control and the Erosion Control and Stormwater Quality Guide manual.

The overall goal of the CSRC program is to implement effective erosion and sediment control BMP's, in addition to good on-site housekeeping practices, as a standard for all land-disturbing activities in the City of Greeley. The City of Greeley is committed to protecting water resources and ensuring that future development continues in an environmentally sound manner.

General objectives of the CSRC program include:

• Implement effective erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMPs) as a standard for 1 acre or more land-disturbing activities to minimize increases in erosion and sedimentation.
• Meet the requirements of the Water Quality Control Division's Stormwater Phase II program.
• Promote proper and consistent design, review, installation, inspection, and maintenance of BMps at development sites throughout Greeley.
• Protect life, property and the environment from loss, injury and damage from stormwater runoff, erosion, sediment transport, ponding, flooding, landslides, accelerated soil creep, settlement and subsidence, and other potential hazards, caused by grading, construction activities and denuded soils related to the development of commercial and residential units.
• Protect surface waters, public rights-of-way (ROW), private property, drainage systems, wetlands, and rivers from increased sediment loads.

One goal of the City's CSRC program is to educate design professionals and contractors on the importance of the use and proper installation of technically sound and acceptable BMps at construction sites throughout the City through the use of criteria that are straight-forward, understandable, up-to-date and effective. Successful implementation of the CSRC program can:

• Reduce or eliminate careless or improper use of BMPs that can result in unacceptable sediment levels reaching local water bodies, like the Poudre and South Platte Rivers, or areas of natural importance via stormwater.
• Minimize sediment discharges that result in negative impacts to wildlife, water quality, health, and eventually damage the quality of life in the City.

THE CONTROL OF SEDIMENT LEVELS IN OUR STORMWATER IS A MAJOR PRIORITY AND FUNCTION OF OUR CSRC PROGRAM.