A new Lincoln City Public Works Department erosion control program is aiming to continue recent improvements seen locally in this basic area of environmental protection. Timed to coincide with the onset of the busy summer construction season in Lincoln City, Public Works has created the Contractor Erosion Control Outreach Program. This offers contractors the chance to bring a Public Works staff member to their place of work in order to conduct a half-hour long course on sediment and erosion control. According to Public Work engineering technician Todd Pote, the goal of the new program, at least locally, is to provide every person working in the construction field with at least a basic knowledge of erosion control and prevention. The city of Lincoln City, together with the Devils Lake Water Improvement District, already hosts an annual erosion control workshop each autumn for those wishing to learn about the topic.
Erosion occurs when vegetation is removed from the soil and the ground is disturbed.
This exposes the soil to wind and water. Erosion can occur naturally as part of events such as fires and earthquakes. But it primarily takes place because of human activity centered around excavation and construction. Because of this, Pote says, the responsible property owner or contractor will take care to ensure all proper controls and procedures are followed. They all usually have safety meetings with their employees, so we think that will be an ideal time to give this course and get people on board with erosion control.