SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL FOR SMALL PROJECTS
By volume, sediment pollution is the greatest source of pollution of the streams and waterways of Pennsylvania. Sediment in Pennsylvania's natural waters adversely affect aquatic ecosystems by destroying habitat, disrupting the food chain, impairing aquatic reproduction, and possibly modifying the chemical balances in the stream.
Due to the many problems associated with soil washing from construction sites, Pennsylvania's Environmental Quality Board approved statewide regulations for Erosion and Sedimentation Control in September of 1972. The regulations require all landowners, developers, and contractors who are involved in an earthmoving activity, regardless of the size of the project, to develop and implement a plan to control erosion on the site during and after construction.
The Carbon County Conservation District by delegation agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Land and Water Conservation, has the direct responsibility of administrating the Erosion Control Program in Carbon County. The Carbon County Conservation District will review the erosion control plans to ensure that the plans meet the requirements stated in the regulation. Site inspecting and complaint handling are also completed by the Conservation District.
This document was designed to assist in the development of erosion control plans for smaller, low hazard construction site projects. Existing erosion control publications often need the clarification of qualified professionals and engineers. This document will assist you in the development of an erosion control plan for smaller projects to meet the requirements of the Department's Clean Stream Law and the Erosion Control Regulations. The intent of this document is to give you, the landowner, a step-by-step outlined approach to the development of an erosion control plan suitable for your small project.
Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for small projects properly prepared with the assistance of this document will satisfy the above mentioned requirements. Please be aware that other Federal, State and Local permits may be required. It is recommended that you contact the Conservation District and the local municipality regarding other permit requirements prior to the start of your project.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SAMPLE PLAN WRITE-UPS THAT CAN BE USED TO FILL IN FOR YOUR SITE SPECIFIC EROSION CONTROL PLAN DEVELOPMENT. USE THESE SAMPLES WHEN FILLING OUT YOUR EROSION CONTROL PLAN NARRATIVE.
I. SAMPLE OF AN OUTLINED CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE. THE TEMPORARY EROSION CONTROL MEASURES SHOULD BE INSTALLED PRIOR TO THE START OF CONSTRUCTION. THEY WILL BE IN PLACE , AND FUNCTIONAL, IF A STORM EVENT OCCURS.
1) Install silt fence and/or hay bales as shown on plan map.
2) Install driveway with stabilized stone construction entrance as shown on plan map.
3) Start home construction and septic system construction.
4) Final grade disturbed areas.
5) Stabilize all disturbed areas as indicated.
6) Remove temporary erosion and sedimentation controls (silt fence, hay bales, etc.) after grass stabilization is established. A minimum of 70% stabilization must be achieved before the temporary erosion controls could be removed.
II. TEMPORARY CONTROLS (REFER TO TEMPORARY CONTROLS SAMPLE PLAN WRITE-UP FOR ILLUSTRATING THE TEMPORARY CONTROLS THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING FOR YOUR PROJECT)
-- Silt fence and/or hay bales will be installed as shown on the plan map.
-- A stabilized stone construction entrance will be installed as shown on the plan map where driveway and construction traffic will enter the site.
-- No disturbance is proposed in existing wooded/grassed section below the earth disturbance activity. The existing vegetation will act as a buffer strip to trap sediment. A minimum of 75 feet of existing vegetation will be left undisturbed in this area.
-- Temporary rock filters will be installed as shown on plan map. These rock filters will be used in areas of concentrated flows to trap sediment.
-- A temporary seeding of spring oats, or winter rye, or winter wheat will be applied to all final graded areas. This will be applied because the permanent seeding will not take place immediately following final grading operations.
-- A grass/wooded buffer strip will be used as indicated on plan map
III. PERMANENT CONTROLS -- SAMPLE PLAN WRITE-UP FOR ILLUSTRATING THE PERMANENT EROSION CONTROLS THAT WILL BE USED FOR THIS PROJECT.
-- All disturbed areas will be limed, fertilized, seeded and then mulched.
-- Driveway will be stabilized with shale/stone.
-- Stone will be placed in the road swales to prevent erosion from occurring.
-- Water-bars will be placed on the road following installation procedures outlined in this narrative. These structures will divert runoff from the road that will prevent erosion.
REINFORCED FILTER FABRIC FENCE
Filter fabric fence must be installed at level grade. Both ends of each fence section must be extended at least 8 feet upslope at 45 degrees to the main fence alignment.
Sediment must be removed where accumulations reach 1/2 the above ground height of the fence.
Any fence section which has been undermined or topped must be immediately replaced with a rock filter outlet.
Rock Construction Entrances are used at the entering and exiting points to paved or public roads from your construction site.
For installation on clayey or poorly drained soils, a filter cloth (geotextile fabric) underlayment of a type recommended for such applications by the manufacturer, should be used. This underlayment is placed before the stone as specified in Chapter 5, Standards and Specs. (DEP BLWC Erosion & Sediment Pollution Control Manual).
At the end of each construction day all sediment deposited on public roadways will be removed and returned to the construction site. It is not recommended to wash the roadway with water.
Stabilized construction entrances should be installed first to provide a controlled entrance to and exit from your construction site.
The structure's thickness will be constantly maintained to the specified dimension by adding rock.
A STOCKPILE OF ROCK MATERIAL WILL BE MAINTAINED ON THE SITE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
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Submit the Narrative below along with a sketch of your site plan, the application page and the appropriate fee.
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EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
N A R R A T I V E
Address:____________________________________________________________________________
City:_______________________________State:________Zip:____________Phone:_______________
4. For new home construction project on lots purchased from a larger development, it is necessary to obtain a copy of the erosion and sediment control plan for the development. Please give the name of development, and list any special requirements:
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Attach a copy of a general location map/give written directions for locating the project site:
(Use official soil name(s) from the Carbon County Soil Survey)
D. Estimated dates for project start and completion: START:__________________END:_____________________
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A. Are steep slopes in excess of 15% a part of your project, or the immediate surrounding area? If so, indicate how these areas will be stabilized.
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Will runoff from above the project site present problems or need to be controlled during construction? If so, indicate how runoff will be diverted or controlled.
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In order for an erosion and sediment control plan to be effective, all phases of construction must take place in an orderly sequence. The first step in nearly all projects would be the installation of all temporary controls that are proposed for your project. The sequence should then describe the various construction steps necessary to complete the project and end with the removal of all temporary controls after the final stabilization has been completed.
Please use the space below to illustrate the proposed construction sequence for the project in the order mentioned above. Number each stage individually starting with the installation of the temporary controls.
This section is needed to detail any temporary erosion control practices that will be implemented for your project. In most cases, the temporary controls may be used for erosion and sedimentation control purposes. List each control separately, explain why it is necessary, and the date when it can safely be removed. Drawings and designs for any practice not illustrated in this manual should be attached and referenced in this section.
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PERMANENT CONTROLS
Prior to completion of the project, State Law requires that steps be taken to provide permanent stabilization. All disturbed areas must be protected to prevent accelerated erosion. Soil cannot be left exposed. Re-establishment of vegetation, rock rip-rap stabilization in swales, and stone placement on driveways are examples of permanent erosion controls that could be incorporated into the project. Re-vegetating descriptions should include the seeding mixture(s) to be used, top soil placement, lime and fertilizer application, and mulching requirements.
**ALL DISTURBED AREAS MUST IMMEDIATELY BE TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY STABILIZED WITH CONTROL MEASURES OUTLINED WITHIN THIS BOOKLET**
All erosion control practices require maintenance to function properly. Hay bale dikes deteriorate and clog with sediment. Newly seeded areas may fail to germinate or be washed out by heavy rain. For example, hay bale dikes and filter fabric fences should be cleaned when they are at half of their capacity. Please describe efforts you will make to insure that all erosion control practices continue to function properly and list the person(s) responsible for the maintenance program.
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