of materials which will be needed for the project.  Be sure to include erosion control items such as silt fence and hay bales.

8. List and Acquire Materials and Necessary Tools -  Estimate and develop a list of the type and number of tools required (purchase or rental) and the amount of materials necessary to protect the stream and complete the project.  Determine the source of tools and materials.  In some cases, you may have to locate and secure permission to harvest suitable plant materials or find a plant nursery which handles appropriate species.

9. Determine Access and Clean-up Cost - Be sure to consider access to the stream for machinery and vehicles onto your property and possibly your neighbors'.   Typically, due to various site elements such as existing landscaping, irrigation systems, etc., urban sites have major access considerations.  The costs for repairing construction damage also needs to be calculated.

10.  Develop a Safety Plan - You may be working with power tools in wooded areas and adjacent to flowing and sometimes, deep water.  Have appropriate safety devices such as goggles, leather work gloves and chaps for chain saw use.  Consider insect and snake hazards, and avoid deep or stormwater flows.

11. Identify - Estimate the number of people that will be needed to complete the job, the time to complete the job, and assign responsibilities to individuals or teams.

But before you install your project, consider the following tips:

1. Be sure you have contacted the local unit of government for required permits (i.e. public works, engineering or planning and zoning offices).  They can direct you to appropriate state and federal agencies if additional authorization is required.

2. Take steps to ensure that soil does not get pushed or washed into the stream during this project.  Install and maintain sediment control devices where needed.

3. Start your work at the upstream end and work your way downstream.

4. Do not implement measures that restrict the size of the channel.  Practices that restrict channel flow can cause flooding or increased erosion.  Never plan to build out into the stream.

5. Do not use materials that may be poisonous to fish and aquatic life such as asphalt or wood treated with creosote.
6. Keep the stream channel and the banks as natural as possible to maintain habitats for fish, aquatic organisms, birds, and other animals.