• Soil erosion and sediment control for new construction and land disturbances:

  • The goal is to limit erosion by stabilizing or covering disturbed soil and/or providing treatment for stormwater with soil sediment. 

  • Action that can help include:

    • Cover practice options include:

      • leaving undisturbed buffer areas or permanent vegetative buffers surrounding the property to help reduce erosion from grading

      • vegetative cover with temporary seeding, grass, trees, shrubs, etc.

      • covering with mats such as jute, synthetic fiber, plastic, etc.

      • planting trees and shrubs along edge of waterways to help absorb excess water and improve sediment control

    • Structural practice options include:

      • additional grading after the house is sited to further reduce erosion and runoff.

      • placing a stone pad (1-3" of stone aggregate) by the construction entrance to reduce debris carried off site by vehicles.

      • using a diversion dike (for perimeter protection of disturbed areas) that prevents stormwater from exiting the worksite or carrying sediment-laden water to the watershed

• Parking Vehicles and Equipment:

  • The goal is to reduce or eliminate contaminated stormwater from public parking lots and driveways.

  • Actions that can help include:

    • Wash your car/boat in the yard to keep the soapy wash from entering the street.

    • When washing or hosing down a parking area, discharge the water to a sanitary sewer or other approved wastewater system.  Do not hose down directly into a receiving water. 

    • Use biodegradable detergents.

    • Sweep parking lots, storage areas, and driveways regularly to collect litter, dirt, waste, and other debris.

    • For larger spills of oil or other auto fluids, cover the spill area with kitty litter and dispose of properly.

• Fueling at dedicated stations:

  •  The goal is to minimize contamination through a series of structural and procedural practices.

  • Actions that can help include: 

    • The facility is constructed on a concrete containment pad and the fueling is conducted under a roof to minimize rainfall and stormwater.  The containment pad (with a 4" side) is sloped to a trench drain, catch basin, or dead-end sump.

    • Operating procedures include:

      • Having a spill response team

      • Employee training and customer communication about proper fueling (e.g., no topping off)

      • Drained oil filters are kept in suitable containers

      • Transfers of fuels use drip pans under all hose connections.

• Maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment

  • As with fueling stations, the goal is to minimize contamination through design and procedures.

  • Actions that can help include:

    • Inspect vehicles, parts, equipment, etc. for leaks.  Use drip pans when emptying or changing fluids.

    • Remove and store batteries in a designated area away from stormwater exposure.  Store cracked batteries in leak-proof non-corrosive container.

    • Empty oil filters and fuel filters before disposal.  Dispose of waste oil and filters at the Oak Island Recycling Center located on 48th St or another recycling center.

    • Do not pour or hose down wash water, liquid waste, or other pollutants into storm drains. 

    • Perform maintenance and repair indoors and on an impervious surface, preferably in a containment area.

    • Store damaged vehicles under shelter.

    • Clean parts with an aqueous detergent or non-chlorinated solvent such as kerosene or mineral spirits.  Use wire brushing or sand blasting whenever practical.  Avoid toxic cleaners.  Choose cleaning agents that can be recycled.

    • Avoid hosing down work areas.  Use dry methods (e.g., kitty litter or sand) for absorbing spills.

    • Recycle greases, used oil, filters, antifreeze, cleaning solutions, etc or dispose during the annual hazardous waste collection drives or remove to a special site that can accommodate these solvents.

    • Do not mix dissimilar or incompatible waste liquids stored for recycling.

• Storage/Transfer of gravel, dirt, compost, etc.:

  •  The goal is to minimize contamination through a series of structural and procedural practices.

  • Actions that can help include:

    • If the material cannot be stored inside, then it is covered with plastic sheeting or other rain repellant tarp.

    • The perimeter of the facility is equipped with a dike or other barricade to prevent sediment from escaping the property.

    • The perimeter may have a vegetative buffer as well.

    • The facility may deposit materials in discrete containers that reduce the leaching of sediment.  If not containers, then specific areas for each material may provide a French drain, trough, or some other mechanism to capture sediment.

    • Transport of materials is in covered vehicles to reduce plumes while driving (as well as broken windshields from flying debris).

    • Site may have a construction grate at the entrance to knock off excess mud and debris as vehicles enter/exit the facility.

Some key BMP for homeowners include:

• Yard Waste:

  • Natural material such as grass clippings and leaves may be blown or washed into the streets, storm drains, or drainage ditches.  In addition to clogging up the stormwater conveyance system, which worsens flooding, it further contributes to algae growth and oxygen depletion. 

  • Actions that can help include: 

    • Leave grass clippings on the lawn to act as a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner.

    • Do not blow or sweep yard waste into the street, storm drain, ditch, or waterway.

    • Compost leaves and grass clippings with shredded newspaper and use as a mulch for garden beds.  Note that this technique will also help reduce herbicide use.

    • Pile yard waste in an area where it won't be easily washed into the stormwater system.

    • For problem areas in the yard, place a raised bed there (if possible) and mulch heavily.  This will help with runoff as well as provide a spot for excess mulch and compost.

• Household Hazardous Waste & Remodeling Supplies:

  • Cleaning agents, solvents, paint, building supplies, and other materials that are disposed of on the grass or dumped in wooded lots will leach into the groundwater and stormwater runoff.  Unused paint in landfills will also leach out into the groundwater.

  • Actions that can help include:

    • Dispose of these materials during the annual hazardous waste collection.

    • Rinse paint supplies out in the sink, which will send material to septic or municipal wastewater treatment.  Do not rinse out in the yard or driveway.

    • Let excess paint dry in can and dispose of in hazardous waste collection drive.

• Fertilizers, Pesticides, & Herbicides:

  • On average, homeowners use 10 times more chemical fertilizers and pesticides per acre than farmers on cropland.  Nitrogen and phosphorous are the chief components of fertilizer, which when applied in excess contribute to algae growth in the watershed.  When algae die off, it uses up the oxygen in the water and leads to fish kills. 

  • Actions that can help include: 

    • Keep hazardous chemicals under dry storage, which will reduce water damage and leaching from rain or flooding.

    • Don't assume every lawn chemical on the shelf is OK to use around water.  The majority are extremely toxic to aquatic life.  Check the labels and use sparingly, if at all.

    • Do a soil test to determine nutrient needs and proper application rates.  Many homeowners apply products needlessly or excessively.

    • Do not fertilize before it rains.

    • Use a drop spreader instead of a broadcast spreader for more precise application.

    • Keep fertilizer off of sidewalks, streets, and driveways.

    • Weed by hand and/or use natural predators such as ladybugs (for aphids) or milky spores (for Japanese beetles).

    • Water the lawn or garden using a slow drip or sprinkler system.  Not only will this reduce water consumption but it will help reduce over-watering.

    • Some vegetables may be grown in pots, which will eliminate exposure to nematodes or other pests in the native soil and thus, no need for pesticides.

    • Finally, if you live next to the water be sure to maintain a riparian buffer so that any runoff has a chance to be filtered through this first.  Allow native sedges, rushes, or grass in and near the water to thrive; don't cut these back.

    • Decrease impervious surfaces by using mulch, stone, or flagstone for paths instead of concrete. 

    • Steps framed with timber and backfilled with pea gravel or mulch will reduce rainfall into adjacent areas.     

• Trash & Litter:

  • Littering contributes to the collection of toxic debris in the conveyance system clogging drains or ditches.  During flooding the debris may also float out of the ditches and directly into the watershed.  Certain types of litter (e.g., plastic bags) may be mistaken by sea turtles as jellyfish causing injury or death.

  • Actions that can help include:

    • Keep your yard and public areas clear of trash and litter.

    • Clean out debris in ditches or areas adjacent to your property, particularly after a major storm.

    • Please notify Jim Musselwhite, Oak Island Stormwater & Public Safety Engineer (jmusselwhite@ci.oak-island.nc.us ) of any problem areas.

    • Help keep the beach clean by picking up trash.

    • Make it a point to pick up litter when you're on the water in your boat, canoe, or kayak.

    • Help organize litter sweeps and clean-up campaigns for roads and areas adjacent to wetlands & waterways.

• Marinas, Docks, & Boat Maintenance Areas:

  • Materials such as fiberglass, epoxy, corrosive washes, petrochemicals, oil, etc. can wash into the watershed when they are dumped in an open area.

  • Actions that can help include: 

    • Wash your boat at a car wash facility or in a dry dock area that drains to a dedicated retention pond or other mitigation.  If not there, then wash it on the grass; just avoid washing it in the driveway or street.

    • Dispose of industrial strength cleaners and other similar chemicals as hazardous waste.

    • If you apply water-repellant to the dock, use a brush or roller instead of spraying on.  Do not wash the decking with chemical detergents; scrub with a stiff brush and hose down with water.

    • Cleaning and repairing your boat in the driveway or parking lot can introduce antifouling paints, strippers, or other chemicals into the waterway.  Use drop cloths or carpet remnants to catch excess material.

    • Cleaning your boat regularly with water and elbow grease will eliminate the need for stronger agents.  Use cleaning agents conservatively rather than slathering the entire vessel.

    • Engine maintenance should be done on dry land.  A single quart of oil can pollute an area up to two acres - nearly three football fields of water surface.

    • Control trash while on the water by stowing it where it can't be blow into the water.  Boaters accidentally contribute to the pollution problem by allowing trash to fly into the water.  Don't toss tangled fishing lines overboard either since these may snag on fish or turtles causing injury or death..

• Septic System Maintenance:

  • Poorly sited septic fields and malfunctioning systems can easily contaminate the watershed.

  • Actions that can help include: 

    • Proper site of the septic tank and effluent/drain field is key.

    • Do not flush coffee grounds; dental floss; paints; varnish; thinners; cigarette butts; disposable diapers; kitty litter; waste oil; sanitary napkins; tampons; pesticides; paper towels; condoms; photographic solutions; or fat/grease/oil into the septic tank.

    • Conserve water, which will reduce the amount entering the wastewater treatment system

    • Divert downspouts or other surface water away from the drain field.

    • Don't drive over the drain field or compact the soil in any way.

    • Don't plant anything in the drain field except grass or small plants.  Roots from nearby trees or shrubs can clog and damage the drain lines.

    • Don't use a garbage disposal if you have a septic system.  This will overload it.

    • Don't allow backwash from water softeners to enter the septic system

    • Know the signs of septic system failure:  sewage backs up, water drains slowly, odors around the house, wastewater appears on the surface of the ground above the system, or lush grass grows over the drain field even during dry weather.