DAYTON, Ohio — Silt fences, straw wattles, check dams; these are just a few of the erosion prevention methods to be discussed during the Sediment & Erosion Control for Contractors Field Day in Clayton, Ohio, Nov. 18.

While the workshop is designed with contractors in mind, farmers are also a target audience at this one-day affair, which promotes sediment control. “Both the urban and rural dwellers need to do their part in controlling erosion and sediment runoff,” said John Matthews, of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“It’s important to encourage farmers and contractors to use buffers along ditches and streams for sediment to fall out as it’s heading towards a creek. No-till farming helps, but there’s additional things that can be done to control erosion.”

Matthews, storm water specialist with the DNR, is one of three keynote speakers at this year’s field day. He will address sediment runoff issues and explain what goals lie ahead in terms of good environment, stewardship and ethical practices. He will stress the problems with runoff.

“Examples of erosion problems would be Lake Erie and the Gulf of Mexico,” Matthews said. “Both have areas that are depleted of oxygen, or dead zones. The nutrients that caused this problem came from runoff. A similar problem can occur here in Ohio if we don’t use alternative ditch designs that encourage flood plains to be used as a treatment.

“Natural streams have a flood plain so sediments go out of bank and sit in those areas. If you have a standard trapezoidal ditch, there’s not much room for sediment in there. In Ohio the landowner has to pay for such structures themselves, but they’re working to have those paid for under the farm bill program. Indiana has it in their list of practices.”

Other speakers include David Coyle, president of Coyle SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans). Coyle, a certified professional in erosion and sediment control, will discuss the basics in erosion control and progress made in this area. He provides creative solutions to storm water and erosion challenges.

Chris Cotton of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will outline the sediment and erosion control provisions in Ohio. Cotton will give the regulatory overview and what’s expected of construction workers and those in rural settings.

“The runoff from a farm will do a lot of harm to any stream,” said Kristin Lauer, education specialist with Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). “Erosion control on a farm takes on a whole different meaning. This is where cover crops, no-till and wind breaks come into play.

“Farmers do a lot of construction on their own, and they have the know-how to do their projects. With this field day they can see how to keep from impacting the land they’re farming. Farmers attending this field day will learn a lot about erosion prevention on their farm.”

The field day will conclude with an hour of demonstrations that include silt fencing, mulch berms, straw wattles, concrete washouts, fabric application in drainage ways, inlet protection devices and soil stabilization.

The Sediment & Erosion Control for Contractors Field Day will be at the Miami Valley Career & Technology Center, 6800 Hoke Road in Clayton. Registration is limited to the first 75 people. The cost is $20. Checks should be mailed to 10025 Amity Road, Brookville, OH 45309.

For more information, contact the Montgomery County SWCD at 937-854-7645.