Historically, road construction and maintenance activities have been major contributors of sediment and loss of riparian areas. Many roads compete with streams and rivers for the same space. Flashier streams due to replacement of natural vegetation with impermeable surfaces, and historical removal of enormous amounts of streambed materials for road construction have led to increased erosion. Also, roads next to streams are rip rapped with large rocks to prevent damage, but this has also increased erosion on other sites.
Today, we understand it is cost efficient to construct and maintain roads so that they are not washed out in rainstorms. We have also greatly improved our knowledge of the link between the aquatic and riparian environments.
For more information on maintaining good roads, see the links below.
US Environmental Protection Agency - US EPA offers information on this web page regarding nonpoint source pollution runoff from road, highways and bridges.
Vermont Better Back Roads Programs - The Vermont Better Backroads Program is a partnership between the Vermont Local Roads Program, Vermont’s Resource Conservation and Development Councils, and the VT Department of Environmental Conservation. Please contact Susan Warren at susan.warren@anr.state.vt.us.
In This Section
Acid Mine Drainage
Bank Erosion & Sediment
Basin Planning
Fisheries
Floodplain Management
Good Road Maintenance
Grants
Invasive Species
Mercury
Non-Point Source Pollution
Organizations
Permits
Riparian Buffer Zones
Wastewater Treatment
Water Quality Studies
Water Supply Protection
Wetlands