Education as a BMP—not a new idea, but one that’s getting more attention lately and some good press in a Virginia newspaper. In this case, it’s not primarily about educating the people who do the work, but rather the public. A well-done series of articles in The News & Advance of Lynchburg, Virginia, collectively titled “Stuck in the Mud,” takes a look at different facets of erosion and sediment control—who does it, why we do it, and what can go wrong.
One article examines the consequences of uncontrolled erosion and sedimentation on local waterways. Another looks at erosion and sediment control from the developers’ point of view—dreading the downpour in the middle of the night and fearing what’s happening at the construction site and whether sediment controls are staying put, for example. Another focuses on regulation and enforcement, and another on site inspections. Several examine the shades of responsibility—real and perceived—for problems that do occur.
It’s great to see well-written articles in the general press on the subject, and it’s something you can pass along to those outside the field to explain what it is you do.