Helpful Information
- Bioretention Techniques
- EPA: Best Management Practices
- Plant More Plants Campaign
- Pollution Control Programs
- Ponds: Planning, Design and Construction
- Rain Gardens
- Regulatory Permitting Program
- Soil Erosion Control Tips
- Soil Test in the Fall
- Seeding Specifications
- State and Federal Contacts
- Stormwater Management
Bioretention Techniques
Bioretention areas function as soil and plant-based filtration devices that remove pollutants through a variety of physical, biological and chemical treatment processes. Studies have found that properly designed and constructed bioretention cells are able to achieve excellent removal of heavy metals. For more information about the watershed benefits of bioretention, visit the Urban Design Tools Low Impact Development Center's Bioretention page.
EPA Best Management Practices
The following information from the Environmental Protection Agency may be useful in developing Best Management Practices for development and stormwater control:
Plant More Plants Campaign
Prince George County is working with the Plant More Plants campaign to reduce runoff, limit erosion and improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Trees, shrubs and hardy perennials can beautify your home and help reduce runoff. Plant More Plants provides information, tips and resources for anyone looking to continue the growth and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay and our local waterways. You can join the discussion community, share ideas and grow some good.To view the Plant More Plants website, go to www.plantmoreplants.com.
Pollution Control Programs
The County administers several pollution control programs as regulated by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. View our information on Pollution Control programs.
Ponds: Planning, Design and Construction
Ponds are one of the most reliable and economical sources of water. Ponds are now serving a variety of purposes, including water for livestock and for irrigation, fish production, field and orchard spraying, fire protection, energy conservation, wildlife habitat, recreation, erosion control, and landscape improvement.
The National Design, Construction, and Soil Mechanics Center of the USDA National Resources Conservation Service provides technical support for complex engineering projects essential to resource conservation, environmental enhancement and agricultural productivity. The Center's Agricultural Handbook 590: Ponds - Planning, Design, Construction (PDF), provides useful information for the construction of ponds.
Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a garden planted with native plants that can be placed within your yard. It captures the first flush or runoff from a rain event. By capturing the runoff in the rain garden, you will not only provide runoff reduction benefits, you may also produce substantial neighborhood and community benefits. As a landscape tool that doubles as a bio-retention technique, a rain garden can solve drainage problems, address erosion problems, improve water quality, create wildlife habitat and create a garden focal point. Rain gardens can provide:
- an increase in the vegetation mixture in your yard that will provide habitat for insects and birds;
- an enhancement of the beauty of your yard, thereby improving the landscape in your neighborhood;
- an increase in the amount of groundwater renewal;
- the bringing together of your family and neighbors for a fun physical activity;
- plant material that can provide shade and a light or noise screen; and
- a layer of vegetation to include a canopy, understory or ground cover.
- Virginia Department of Forestry's Rain Garden technical guide (PDF)
- James River Association's guide to How to Build a Rain Garden at Your Home (PDF)
Regulatory Permitting Program
The US Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, has provided information about their Regulatory Permitting Program. The Norfolk District Regulatory Office is dedicated to protecting the nation's aquatic resources while allowing reasonable and necessary development, as wetlands filter pollutants from runoff, help store and slow floodwaters during storm events, and provide habitat for many different types of plants and animals. The office issues permits for regulated activities proposed throughout the state of Virginia. For more information on this program, you can view the USACE Norfolk District's Regulatory Permitting Pamphlet (PDF).
Soil Erosion Control Tips
When natural landscape is converted to accommodate houses, subdivisions, shopping centers, and roads in rural areas, or development and redevelopment within cities and towns, these land use conversions are collectively referred to as urbanization. Water-generated accelerated erosion is unquestionably the most severe erosion in areas undergoing urbanization. View our information on Soil Erosion Control Tips.
Soil Test in the Fall
A soil test can provide information on the proper amount of lime and fertilizer to apply to your lawn, garden and other areas of your landscape. When gardeners apply only as much lime and fertilizer as is needed and at the appropriate time, nutrient runoff into surface or ground water is minimized, money is saved and plant health is optimized. Soil testing can also be used to diagnose common nutrient deficiencies for plants that are growing poorly.The reliability of the soil test, however, can be no better than the sample you submit. For results you can depend on, it is important that you take samples correctly to accurately represent the soil in your landscape.
You may pick up a soil sample kit at the Virginia Cooperative Extension office for Prince George at6380 Scott Memorial Park Drive, Prince George, VA 23875. For more information about soil sampling, call the Prince George County office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension at (804) 733-2686 or visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension's Soil Sampling for the Home Gardener pageSeeding Specifications
- Permanent Seeding Guide (PDF)
- Temporary Seeding Guide (PDF)
Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff is water flowing overland into surface waters or that which is channeled into natural or man-made conveyance systems during and after rainfall or during snowmelt. Unmanaged stormwater can cause erosion and flooding. It can also carry excess nutrients, sediment and other contaminants into our waters. Properly managed stormwater protects our lands from erosion, properties from flooding, waters from pollutants, and ensures our general health, safety and welfare. More Information
State and Federal Contacts
Community Development
calendar