However, citizens can petition for an EAW on any project that they believe will have some unwanted impact on the environment. Most EAWs that are prepared or reviewed by the Scott County Environmental Health EAW Preparation Team are mandatory. Quite often the main issues that are encountered involve surface water management. Most projects result in more storm water runoff than what occurred previously. That water must be managed so it does not cause problems for neighboring property owners or the environment.
Current practices are for construction of storm water retention ponds on the project site.
Storm water contains pollutants that are not wanted in lakes or rivers. These same contaminants can present a real threat to ground water. Other questions that require answers in an EAW are potential impacts to wild life, destruction of protected plants, noise problems, traffic problems, land use conflicts, air pollution, archeological or historical resources, scenic views and availability of public utilities. These all are important issues for the Responsible Units of Government to keep in mind when considering development proposals. Undoubtedly, they have helped Scott County look more carefully at all developments, regardless of size, in order to avoid future problems.