Dirt road sediment ranks second only to row cropping as the primary
source of sediment flowing into our streams. The picture is a spray
application of 'Coherex' in Gilmer County. This is a stable, nonvolatile
non-leachable water emulsion consisting of approximately 60% petroleum
resins and 40% wetting solution. When in contact with ground surfaces,
it coats soil particles and forms membranes that attach themselves to
adjacent particles. This results in large agglomerates too heavy to
be easily dislodged and carried away by water.
Two Rivers RC&D received
a grant from the Georgia EPD covering 5 watersheds in the state, one
of which is the Sallacoa Creek located in the Coosa watershed. LVRCD
will partner with Two Rivers RC&D on approximately 3 sediment and
erosion projects in the Sallacoa creek system. These projects will utilize
Best Management Practices (BMPs) to help 'restore impaired waters to
meet designated use standards'. We will also be involved in the educational
outreach portion of the grant for each of our counties. This involves
workshops, demonstrations and publication of 'Georgia Better Back Roads
Sediment Reduction' manual to be distributed to all county road maintenance
departments.
The field manual and fact sheet for 'Georgia Better Back Roads Manual'
can be downloaded by visiting the
Two Rivers RC&D
Better Back Roads site.