Erosion and Sediment Control
Best Management Practices for Construction Activites
Erosion and Sediment ControlsVegetative
ControlsStructural ControlsHelpful HintsStormwater
ManagementMaterial Storage
Erosion and Sediment
Controls
Any site where soils are exposed to water, wind or ice can have
soil erosion and sedimentation problems. Listed are seven
ways to limit and control potential problems.
- Leave as much vegetation onsite as possible.
- Minimize the time that soil is exposed.
- Prevent runoff from flowing across disturbed areas.
- Stabilize the disturbed soils as soon as possible.
- Slow down the runoff flowing across the site.
- Provide drainage ways for the increased runoff.
- Remove sediment from storm water runoff before it leaves the
site.
Selecting the best set of sediment and erosion preventive
measures for your industry depends upon the nature of the
activities and other site-specific conditions (soil type, climate
and season).
The local Natural Resource Conservation Service can provide
information on any special measures necessary to promote the
establishment of vegetation, (918) 280-1596 ext 3.
Vegetative
Controls
Vegetative cover reduces erosion potential in four ways:
- By shielding the soil surface from direct erosive impact of
raindrops;
- By improving the soil's water storage porosity and capacity so
more water can infiltrate into the ground;
- By slowing the runoff and allowing the sediment to drop out or
deposit; and
- By physically holding the soil in place with plant roots.
Common vegetative practices:
- Preservation of Natural Vegetation
- Buffer Zones
- Stream Bank Stabilization
- Mulching, Matting and Netting
- Temporary Seeding
- Permanent Seeding and Planting
- Sodding
- Chemical Stabilization
Structural
Controls
Structural practices used in sediment and erosion control divert
storm water flows away from exposed areas, convey runoff, prevent
sediments from moving offsite, and can also reduce the erosive
forces of runoff water. The controls can either be used as
permanent or temporary measures. Measures can include the
following:
- Interceptor Dikes and Swales
- Pipe Slope Drains
- Subsurface Drains
- Filter Fence / Silt Fence
- Straw Bale Barrier
- Brush Barrier
- Gravel or Stone Filter Berm
- Storm Drain Inlet Protection
- Sediment Trap
- Temporary Sediment Basin
- Outlet Protection
- Check Dams
- Surface Roughening
- Gradient Terraces
Visit the US EPA website for more
information on construction site runoff.
Helpful
Hints
All sediment and erosion control practices must be inspected every
14 days and within 24 hours after a 0.5 inch or more rain. If any
visible sediment is leaving the site, corrective action must be
taken.
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3), consists of phases
and activities to, first, characterize your site, and then, select
and carry out actions which prevent the pollution of storm water
discharges. The SWP3 and weekly reports must be kept and available
for authorized inspectors.
A Notice of Intent (NOI) is a formal notice to the Oklahoma
Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) submitted by the
owner/operators of a construction site 1 acre or greater. The
NOI provides information on the permittee, location of discharge,
type of discharge and certifies that the permittee will comply with
conditions of the general permit. A copy of the NOI and Permit
number should be kept at the construction site with the SWP3.
Storm Water
Management
Using the enclosed measures to control soil erosion and
sedimentation is an important part of storm water management. Other
methods of management may include:
- Detention structures or retention structures;
- Velocity dissipation devices;
- Sequential systems (which combine several practices);
- Control Flow by use of open vegetative swales and natural
depressions.
Good
Housekeeping For Material Storage
- Provide curbs and dikes to contain contaminants, should any
spill.
- Contain and clean up any spills immediately.
- Handle potential contaminants as infrequently as possible.
- Follow recommended application rates and methods.
- Designate a specific area for delivery and storage.
- Store material in a dry, covered area.
- Stockpile topsoil in a central location and revegetate or cover
until it is needed.
