Sedimentation is a critical issue that demands our attention. The increasing volume of sediment accumulating at the bottom of urban creeks, rivers, and lakes cannot be ignored. Historically, sedimentation, primarily originating from non-point sources such as agriculture and timber harvesting practices, has inflicted severe damage on America’s water bodies over centuries. However, the problem intensifies when erosion from graded construction sites accelerates sedimentation in our watersheds exponentially due to inadequate design, installation, and maintenance of vegetative and structural measures to prevent stormwater discharges laden with sediment.
The United States stands apart in its commitment to addressing sedimentation in its watersheds. Unlike many other countries that neglect this issue, the U.S. has established a highly effective system for improving and maintaining surface water quality, primarily outlined in Part 402 of the Clean Water Act through NPDES Permit compliance.
When drafting America’s water quality regulations and guidance, the importance of tackling water pollution was clearly understood by both the writers and the public who supported them. However, over subsequent generations, the political resolve to enforce NPDES permit compliance has weakened, with many government leaders seemingly unaware of the lessons learned from neglecting to regulate point source pollution.
President Theodore Roosevelt eloquently stated on August 31, 1910, “I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land, but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.” Indeed, implementing the best management practices necessary to “eliminate” pollutants from discharge entails significant costs for construction site owners/operators. However, it is this commitment to safeguarding water quality that has shaped America’s current environmental landscape—a testament to our ethos of paying it forward.
Today, there appears to be a disconnect among many young people graduating from high school regarding the importance of economic growth, often viewing industries as adversaries to water quality. Yet, history tells a different story, highlighting how a robust economy serves as the financial backbone for funding water quality initiatives and maintaining a high quality of life. Without the resources generated by successful projects, we lack the means to finance the design, installation, and maintenance of BMPs crucial for safeguarding our watersheds.
It is imperative to support efforts aimed at economic growth and capitalism, which provide jobs for Americans. However, it is equally imperative to recognize that underfunding or dismantling programs designed to protect water quality is unacceptable. Economic prosperity and environmental protection must be balanced carefully. Without this equilibrium, neither can be sustained.