Sediment is one of the largest pollutants by volume - with its most devastating impact - seen in the waterways and aquatic systems. Some of the negative impacts of soil erosion and sedimentation associated with construction projects include reduced carrying capacity of waterways, increase in flooding, stressed aquatic ecosystems due to the reduction of dissolved oxygen and reduced infiltration of sunlight. Additionally, the costs associated with soil erosion include dredging silted waterways to improve navigation and increase the carrying capacity of waterways to reduce flooding.

In the early 1970's, the New Jersey State Legislature realized this problem and the effects it was having on New Jersey's environment, economics, and quality of life. In 1975, the State Legislature passed the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act of New Jersey. This legislation gave authority to Soil Districts (see below for links) throughout the State and gave them the authority to control soil erosion and sedimentation by requiring the submission of a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for almost all soil disturbances over 5,000 square feet.

According to the Gloucester County Soil Conservation District, number one on the list of Tips to Keep Your Project in Compliance is:

Gloucester County Soil Conservation District	Burlington County Soil Conservation District
Camden County Soil Conservation District	Cumberland-Salem Conservation District
Cape Atlantic Conservation District

Chester County Conservation District