Fast-track erosion protection and sediment control at a Mountain Resort

摘要

Extensive erosion protection and sediment control work was conducted during 1996-97 at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in northern Idaho in response to conditions set forth in a Consent Order previously issued by the State Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The order was intended to correct stormwater management and erosion problems, and thus mitigate sediment delivery to the Schweitzer Creek drainage. The task was challenging due to the steep terrain, high altitude, poor soils, short growing season, and limited working areas on ski runs. In addition, heavy runoff in the early spring of 1997 damaged many of the initial controls and practices installed in 1996, increasing the importance and urgency of work to be completed in 1997. Erosion control methods used during this fast-track operation included surface texturing on bare slopes, revegetation using organic soil amendments, erosion control blankets, wattles, and mulching with wood chips or grass hay. Sediment control practices focused on runoff control structures (including pipe slope drains), rock check dams and wattle check dams in runoff swales, a series of runoff detention basins (that also could serve as sediment ponds), and silt fence. The work proposed for 1997 began in June and continued through the summer as treatment areas dried out; the project was completed by mid-November to meet DEQ criteria. Follow-up inspections in 1996-99 confirmed that the treatments were successful, and that only minor cleanup and maintenance would be needed in some runoff ditches and detention ponds.