Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Best Management Practices for Maintenance Activities in and around Streams

Public concern about the environment, a commitment to environmental stewardship, environmental laws and regulations, and a desire to increase operational efficiency are prompting state and local governments to mitigate, reduce and eliminate the environmental impacts of highway maintenance. At the same time, these agencies must remain focused on their fundamental mission of providing a safe driving condition, offering the level of service customer's desire, and preserving the highway infrastructure. Public accountability also requires cost-effective use of public funds. One major area of maintenance involves work in and around streams and rivers. Drainage structures and channels must be kept open and clear of debris to minimize the possibility of wash outs and undermining of adjacent embankments. Additionally, emergency repairs to structures and roadway fills caused by flooding have to be accomplished to protect the integrity of the structure and the roadway. All these activities have the potential to damage streams and subsequently degrade the water quality through the action of erosion and sedimentation.