Report on Pollution Abatement on Highway Construction and Maintenance

About the report:

This study was initiated by Commissioner Fugate in March 1970. The purpose of the study was to investigate the ways in which highway construction and maintenance were contributing to pollution and to provide recommendations that would abate serious pollution. The following recommendations are made as a result of the study:

1) It is recommended that the responsibility for the pollution abatement program be assigned to a single individual or office within the Department. 2)  It is recommended that new discussions among the top management of the Virginia Department of Highways, the State Water Control Board, and the U. S. Soft Conservation Service be undertaken to establish more precisely the role that each can play in abating highway induced pollution. 3) It is recommended that where local anti-pollution programs have higher standards than those of the Virginia Department of Highways, the higher standards be followed. 4) It is recommended that a special catch-up program to provide vegetative cover on bare secondary road slopes be initiated in urban areas having intensive anti-siltation programs. 5) It is recommended that the responsibility for pollution control in those areas having intensive anti--pollution programs be vested in a single individual in each area. 6) It is recommended that an intensive research effort be undertaken to determine the most effective means of slope stabilization in urban areas. 7) It is recommended that all plans be reviewed specifically for erosion control features and the engineer(s) designated to review the plans be given the opportunity to become familiar with the erosion control work being done in Fairfax County, Virginia, and to take part in educational programs related to erosion control. 8) It is recommended that further discussion with officials of the U. S. Conservation Service be held to assure the continuance of their participation in the Small Watershed Program. 9) It is recommended that an inspection report containing pollution abatement items be required on all interstate and primary construction projects at intervals not exceeding three months. 10) It is recommended that a one-day anti-pollution educational program be developed for presentation to field forces during winter months beginning the winter of 1970-71. 11) It is recommended that certified compliance by aggregate producers with existing anti-pollution laws be made a prerequisite for the use of mineral aggregate on any contract or state work. 12) It is recommended that a flexible policy be established permitting the use of a dust palliative in instances where dust from an unpaved road is a substantial nuisance to a human facility regardless of the distance of the facility from the
road.

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