Illinois Success Story

New "TOP 40" CD Hits
The Illinois Urban Manual

By: Jill Creamean, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist
Date: November 2002

NRCS recently finalized revisions and upgrades to the Illinois Urban Manual, a manual that serves as the scientific standard for engineering design and activities on construction sites in urban and developing areas. The Manual is used by NRCS, SWCDs, county/city engineers, private engineering firms, and state level agencies, such as Illinois Department of Transportation.

"We’ve just converted the hard copy manual into a digital format that is available online and on CD ROM," says NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle. The new format makes the standards, specifications, and engineering drawings easier to use and access. Plans are to provide the CD to communities and county level units of government that face community planning issues and urban sprawl and development—all which put soil and water resources at risk.

"The point isn’t to STOP development, but to manage it and ensure that resources are adequately protected by contractors and builders," adds Gradle. "The Urban Manual gives local units of government the teeth and the quality levels they need to establish and enforce ordinances that do just that."

John Rowley, Agriculture Specialist for the Bureau of Design and Environment at IDOT and Member of the Erosion Control Education Team, stated "IDOT was proud to be a part of the State Wide Committee that assisted in the development of the Urban Manual. The Standards developed are compatible with IDOT Standards and they complement one another. Availability of these Standards in Erosion and Sediment Control Plans have been a real asset to Contractors, Designers and consultants serving both local and State Agencies."