Today, Anne Arundel County announced new guidance for construction site property owners and contractors in an effort to reduce sediment pollution.

The County’s Department of Inspections and Permits released the guidance calling for more sediment and erosion controls on construction sites in advance of wet weather, and increased enforcement of all sites near the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The new guidance alerts contractors and property owners that the Department may require additional stabilization of exposed areas with straw or wood mulch prior to wet weather when soil is especially prone to erosion. The guidance is designed to help individuals and businesses from violating County law.

From the press release:

“We all see the water coming off some construction sites looking like chocolate milk, and we know that water carries pollution that harms our streams and puts our Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts at risk,” said County Executive Pittman. “This guidance is a common sense and targeted approach that simply asks construction crews to cover bare ground before the rains wash it away. It also sends a message that we will hold folks accountable for pollution to our streams and the Chesapeake Bay.”

For more information, view the full press release.