A publication of the Southeast Pennsylvania

Association of Conservation Districts

Bucks, Chester, Delaware, & Montgomery Counties

Spring 2016

Preventing Soil Compaction to Preserve Infiltration

By: Cathy Leonard, Montgomery County Conservation District

To prevent increasing the runoff from the pervious are-as of a construction site, it is important to maintain the existing infiltration capabilities. Earthmoving can substantially reduce the infiltration capabilities of soils by compacting it. Experi-ments on a variety of soil types, both sand and clay, show a 70 to 99% reduction in infiltration capacity after being compacted. The amount of topsoil compaction is related mostly to ground contact pressure of the earthmoving equipment. To reduce ground contact pressure on the soil, reduce the tire pressure, use large or dual tires or tracked vehicles. The amount of upper subsoil (12” – 20” deep) compaction is related to the ground contact pressure and the ax-le load, while the amount of lower subsoil (deeper than 20”) compaction is determined only by the axle load. A single axle load of less than 7 tons compacts the soil to an approximate 20” depth (upper subsoil). An axle load of 10 tons compacts the soil to 26” (lower subsoil). To prevent deep compaction, increase the number of axles or use a lighter ve-hicle. For example, a Caterpillar D4 dozer weighs 9 tons. Some additional methods to prevent compaction are limiting the area of disturbance, directing repeated travel into a traffic lane that can be remediated later, and driving faster to reduce equipment time upon the soil. Wet soil is compacted to greater densities and depths than dry soil. Soils that have drained for two to three days after a rain are at field capacity. Soils at or below field capacity have drained water from the larger pores and are less prone to compaction. Silt loam and clay loam soils above field capacity form a soft plastic ball that leaves a heavy,

continuous mud coating on your fingers when you squeeze it. Free water is visible on the soil surface after squeezing the ball. Compac-tion resistant soils below field capacity will not show free water on the surface of the squeezed ball; the ball will be slightly firmer and will leave an uneven, thin coat of mud on your fingers. If you want to try this method or find the weight of your construction equipment, consult the references listed at http://montgomeryconservation.org. To more efficiently remediate compac-

tion, add lime to help stabilize the soil structure

and temporarily stabilize with grass. Vegeta-

tion will dry the soil, making surface tilling and

deep ripping more effective. Working wet soil

is unlikely to have any benefits. It is important

to prevent compaction because it is not possi-

ble to completely reverse it with tilling and sub-

soil ripping. Soil compaction efforts will pay off

with increased infiltration, less erosion and

healthier vegetation.

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Workshop – NPDES Construction Permitting May 24, 2016

Changes to Chapter 102, NPDES, and Post Construction Stormwater Management requirements have been signifi-cant recently. This training will help provide guidance and direction for you on how these changes are being implement-ed. This session will be conducted with Conservation District staff and DEP staff and will present information for the beginner as well as serve as an update for the veteran plan designer.

The training will be held at the Science Center auditorium 213 at Montgomery County Community College. Regis-tration time will include a continental breakfast. The workshop is a joint effort of the Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery County Conservation Districts. We would like to encourage plan designers, E.I.T.’s, new engineers, and municipal officials to attend. Registrations will be accepted on a first come / first serve basis. The deadline for register-ing is May 13, 2016. If you experience delays in having a check cut, please reserve your seat by faxing the registration form to us at (610)892-9489. Your check should be mailed as soon after as possible. A box lunch will be provided as part of the $90.00 registra-tion fee. Exhibitor Space (6ft Table) is available (however, limited) for a fee of $200.00. Please contact Ed Magargee at DCCD (610) 892-9484 to make arrangements.

The workshop will take place in the Science Center Auditorium (#213) at Montgomery County Community College. The college is located at 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Montgomery County Community Col-lege is not affiliated with the event and the College should NOT be con-tacted regarding the program.

Questions:

Bucks C.D. (215) 345-7577 Chester C.D. (610) 925-4920 Montgomery C.D. (610) 489-4506 Delaware C.D. (610) 892-9484

Registration Deadline: May 13, 2016

Workshop - May 24, 2016

Attendees:

1.___________________________________________

2.___________________________________________

3.___________________________________________

*E-Mail:_____________________________________ *Parking Pass will be emailed. Seats Required________ X $90.00 = $____________ (No Refunds are Available)

Company:____________________________

Address:_____________________________

City:_____________ State:____ Zip:_______

Phone: ( ) ________________________

Send completed form & check payable to “S.E. PA R.C.&D. Council” to:

S.E. PA Resource Conservation & Development Council

Rose Tree Park– Hunt Club 1521 N. Providence Road

Media, PA 19063

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Tim Steinhofer Conservation Program

Representative

Jeff Griffiths Agricultural Resource

Conservationist

Molly received her undergraduate degree in Biological Systems Engi-neering with a concentration in Land and Water Resources from Virginia Tech in 2009 and ob-tained her PE in Civil Engineering in 2013. At CCCD she is responsi-ble for providing technical guid-ance and engineering support for post-construction stormwater man-agement NPDES plan reviews.

Molly Deger, P.E. Conservation District

Engineer

Jeff served six years in the Navy primarily as a search & rescue swimmer. He also served four tours of duty overseas. Jeff at-tended Humboldt State and West Chester Universities and graduated in 2013 with an undergraduate degree in geography and planning. At CCCD he is responsible for guiding farmers through the RCPP cost incentive program.

Tim received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from New York State College in 2006. Tim previously worked as a consultant conducting wetland de-lineations for linear pipeline per-mitting. At CCCD he works in a continued partnership with Stroud Water Research Center implement-ing detailed BMP practices in the White Clay Creek watershed.

New Staff at Chester County CD

CONSERVATION & YOU 688 Unionville Rd, Suite 200 Kennett Square, PA 19348

Bucks County Conservation District 1456 Ferry Road Suite 704 Doylestown, PA 18901 (215) 345-7577

Chester County Conservation District 688 Unionville Road Suite 200 Kennett Square, PA 19238 (610) 925-4920 www.chesco.org/conservation

Delaware County Conservation District Rose Tree Park - Hunt Club 1521 N. Providence Road Media, PA 19063 (610) 892-9484 www.delcocd.org

Montgomery County Conservation District 143 Level Road Collegeville, PA 19426-3313 (610) 489-4506 www.montgomeryconservation.org

New Staff at Bucks County CD

New Staff at Montgomery County CD

Kelly Steelman Erosion &

Sedimentation Technician

Kelly is the newest Erosion and Sedimentation Technician at the Bucks County Conservation District. Prior to joining the BCCD, Kelly was em-ployed at Earth Engineering, Inc. as a Field Geologist. Kelly is a graduate of Susquehanna University and has a B.S. Degree in Earth and Environ-mental Science. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and cooking.

Gary Kulp, P.E. Conservation

District Engineer

Gary has a background in stormwater management and the land develop-ment process having worked as an engineer in the southeast PA region for over 20 years. He eared a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a B.S. in Architec-tural Engineering from Drexel University, a Graduate Certificate in Urban Water Resources Design and a Master of Civil Engineering from Villano-va, and obtained his Professional Engineer license in 2002. In his spare time, Gary enjoys reading, camping, hiking, the shore, and Phillies games.