NRCS Illinois Urban Manual

...technical solutions for protecting and enhancing
natural resources in expanding communities...

Making Constructive Progress

Urban and rural communities in Illinois are expanding everyday in order to meet the demands of growing populations. More homes and schools are needed, more shopping centers, and of course, more roads must be built to connect these services with people.

Local developers, planners, engineers, government officials, and resource agencies must respond to these demands. At the same time, they must collectively manage land development and work to reduce potential negative impacts that community development activities can have on the environment.

Developing areas account for a significant amount of soil erosion and offsite damage from sediment--often many times greater per acre than land used for agricultural production! While individual construction sites may be less than one acre in size, simultaneous development of 20 or 30 community sites can leave a substantial amount of land unprotected.

With urban development comes more impervious surfaces, which increase runoff and the possibility of flooding. Runoff from such sites can degrade the quality of water entering streams, lakes, and wetlands.

Illinois' communities across the state are expanding and will continue to do so. Just as new community residents want homes, businesses, and roads, they also want to maintain the aesthetics and ecological integrity of the environment. Both community growth and ecological issues can be addressed successfully with the use of natural resource conservation measures.

Technical Expertise & Experience

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, has worked with landowners, land managers, and community officials for more than 60 years.

NRCS technical specialists assist in the development of soil erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and natural area protection plans. By implementing best management practices, natural resources and the environment are protected during construction and development activities.

Working with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC), U.S. EPA, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and others, NRCS has developed the Illinois Urban Manual, a technical manual designed to assist in natural resource protection in developing areas. Initially released in 1995, the Manual is being revised as needed, by a committee made up of federal and state resource agencies, regional planning commissions, local units of government, and the private sector.

The Urban Manual addresses the realities of land development activities and the natural resource needs of conservation-minded communities

"Urban Manual"––What's in it?

The NRCS Illinois Urban Manual is a technical manual designed for urban ecosystem protection and enhancement. The Manual provides detailed information and direction on sound planning procedures and principles. It includes detailed data on more than 40 conservation practices designed to reduce erosion and address water quality and stormwater management problems.

For each practice, the Manual includes:
• Definition, practice purpose, and conditions where practice applies
• Design criteria
• Construction and materials specifications
• Operation and maintenance information
• Computer Aided Designs & Drawings (CADD)

The Manual provides a matrix to evaluate the physical effects that specific practices may have on surrounding natural resources, such as soil, water, air, plants, and animals. This can help support a more holistic approach to site protection by emphasizing the interrelatedness of all resources in community settings.

The NRCS Illinois Urban Manual represents up-to-date conservation engineering and planning technology by updating previously issued "similar" manuals. It is dynamic and will be updated on a regular basis in order to keep up with changing technology and user needs.

The Manual is available in hard copy or disk format for easy use and reference. It is a valuable technical reference for those involved in land use planning and site development as it contains data accepted as minimum standards for many local ordinances as well as other state and federal regulatory programs.

The Urban Manual is a guidance document designed to assist in the preparation of plans for the control of erosion, sedimentation, flooding, and water pollution often associated with construction activities.

The Illinois Urban Manual provides standards, specifications, and CADD
drawings for more than 40 urban conservation practices:

• Diversions
• Inlet Protection
• Permanent and temporary seedings
• Level spreader
• Rock outlet protection
• Silt fence
• Stabilized construction entrance
• Straw bale barrier
• Streambank stabilization
• Temporary sediment trap
• Temporary slope drain
• Topsoiling
• ... and many others!

To order a copy of the NRCS Illinois Urban Manual, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District office. The Urban Manual can also be accessed through the NRCS Homepage at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov under "Manuals."

Need more information on NRCS products and services for conservation assistance in your community? Call your local NRCS office today!

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

July 1997
 

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