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Field Maintenance of Structural and Vegetative

Measures

Level 1A: Fundamentals Seminar

Education and Certification for Persons Involved in Land Disturbing Activities

Issued May 2009

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Maintenance

• In order to effectively control erosion and prevent sedimentation, a series of properly designed, installed, and MAINTAINED BMPs must be utilized

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Best Management PracticesBMPs

Required on LDAs by the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act of 1975, as

amended.

Three keys to BMPsProper Design, Installation, and MaintenanceErosion Control versus Sediment Control

Vegetative PracticesControl ErosionTreat the Source

Structural PracticesControl SedimentationTreat After Erosion Has Begun

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The revised 2002 “Field Manual For Erosion and Sediment Control In Georgia”

specifies the required

maintenance

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In the Field Manual, each BMP has a section for:

• BMP Definition

• BMP Purpose

• Proper Installation

• Proper Maintenance

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Example from Field Manual

• Construction Exit (Co)

– Definition:

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• Construction Exit (Co)

– Purpose:

Example from Field Manual

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Example from Field Manual

• Construction Exit (Co)

– Installation:

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Example from Field Manual

• Construction Exit (Co)

– Maintenance:

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Information found in Maintenance section

• Vegetative Practices: Lime requirements, fertilizer requirements, re-seeding, mowing, etc.

• Structural Practices: Inspections and monitoring, clean out and de-mucking requirements, replacing materials, etc.

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The Erosion, Sedimentation and

Pollution Control Plan• The ES&PC plan specifies the location,

design specifications, installation directions, and maintenance requirements for all necessary BMPs using GSWCC code.

• Use only the approved plan!

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The ES&PC Plan

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Field Maintenance of

Vegetative Measures

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Field Manual specifies straw or hay mulching depths should be 2-4”

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Proper Mulch Depth

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Slope needs stabilization

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The slope is now properly stabilized

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Maintenance is required

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Temporary stabilization is required

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Area now has vegetation, but maintenance is required

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Proper temporary stabilization

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Field Maintenance of

Structural Measures

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Field Manual specifies the clean out height as one-half full

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Type C silt fence is supposed to be trenched in 6 inches

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Curb inlet protection properly installed and maintained?

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Is a board in the Manual?

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Co in need of serious maintenance

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Is maintenance needed here?

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Picture taken on 9/20/04

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Same pond, one month later…

Are BMPs being maintained?

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Is maintenance the problem here?

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Regardless of recorded readings, this is not working!!!

Note monitor for water quality

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Why maintain BMPs???

• Possible enforcement action by regulatory agencies

• Loss of soil and water resources

• Impacts on the environment and economy

• Citizen Complaints

– Civil suits

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Agencies Involved in Citizen Complaint

Resolution• Local Issuing Authorities

• Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts

• Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission

• Environmental Protection Division

• Environmental Protection Agency

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Citizen complai

nts

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Property Damage

• Adjacent property owner’s lake impacted due to poor installation and maintenance of BMPs.

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Property Damage

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Summary

• Erosion and sedimentation is a serious problem associated with active construction sites.

• Implementing a series of sound Best Management Practices that are properly designed, installed, and maintained is the only way to prevent problems.

• Use the approved erosion and sediment control plan and the Field Manual for guidance.

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Questions ?