Start with the Soil: Changing Construction Site Soil and Vegetation Management in Washington

The first tool in the Low Impact Development toolbox should be preserving existing soil and vegetation where possible, and then restoring minimum soil function on areas that are disturbed during construction by reducing compaction and reusing high quality topsoil or amending site soils with compost. Science and practice demonstrate that these "soil BMPs" not only enhance stormwater infiltration and water quality, they also reduce long-term needs for irrigation water, fertilizer, and pesticides, promote healthier landscape establishment, and create more attractive, marketable projects. In Washington, a collaborative effort by State stormwater regulators, local governments, the compost industry, and the design and building industries is bringing these soil BMPs to construction sites throughout western Washington. This project is being used as a model for soil standards around the U.S.