Erosion and Sediment Control Field Guide for the Lake Maumelle Drainage Basin Pulaski County, Arkansas Pulaski County Planning & Development June 2010 Pulaski County Pulaski County Erosion and Sediment Control Field Guide Introduction This Field Guide is a companion to the Pulaski County Stormwater Management and Drainage Manual for the Lake Maumelle Drainage Basin. The Field Guide is a summary of the information contained in the Manual, focusing on the information construction operators need to know while installing and maintaining erosion and sediment control BMPs. Users of the Field Guide are directed to the Manual for additional details about erosion and sediment control BMPs, such as design criteria. Acknowledgements The Manual and Field Guide were developed by Tetra Tech, Inc., under contract to Pulaski County Public Works. Jonathan Smith and John Kosco led development of the Manual and Field Guide, with assistance from Garrett Budd, Scott Job, and Christy Williams (Tetra Tech) and Greg Hoffmann and Cecilia Lane (Center for Watershed Protection). The direction and guidance of Van McClendon (Pulaski County Planning & Development), Sherman Smith (Pulaski County Public Works) and Martin Maner and Jonathan Long (Central Arkansas Water) are greatly appreciated. June 2010 i Pulaski County Erosion and Sediment Control Field Guide Contents Introduction to Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs ............................................................................ 1 Conducting Inspections .............................................................................................................................. 3 Common compliance problems at construction sites............................................................................... 4 Land Grading.......................................................................................................................................... 6 Stabilized Construction Exit................................................................................................................... 7 Temporary Diversion (Berm or Ditch)................................................................................................... 8 Topsoil Stockpiling & Spreading ........................................................................................................... 9 Temporary Seeding .............................................................................................................................. 10 Permanent Seeding............................................................................................................................... 11 Mulching .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Sodding................................................................................................................................................. 13 Dust Control ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Silt Fence.............................................................................................................................................. 15 Other Sediment Barriers....................................................................................................................... 17 Erosion Control Blankets and Turf Reinforcement Mats..................................................................... 18 Temporary Slope Drains....................................................................................................................... 20 Gabion Baskets and Mattresses............................................................................................................ 21 Cellular Confinement Systems............................................................................................................. 22 Curb Inlet Sediment Barrier ................................................................................................................. 23 Drop Inlet Sediment Barrier ................................................................................................................. 25 Culvert Inlet Sediment Barrier ............................................................................................................. 26 Culvert Outlet Energy Dissipator ......................................................................................................... 27 Rock-Lined Ditches and Channels ....................................................................................................... 28 Grass-Lined Ditches and Channels ...................................................................................................... 29 Check Dams for Ditches and Channels................................................................................................ 30 Temporary Sediment (Silt) Traps......................................................................................................... 31 Sediment (Detention) Basins................................................................................................................ 32 Dewatering Devices ............................................................................................................................. 33 Buffer Zones and Filter Strips .............................................................................................................. 34 Temporary Stream Crossing................................................................................................................. 35 Bioengineering: Live Staking............................................................................................................... 36 Wattles (Live Fascines) ........................................................................................................................ 37 Brushlayering ....................................................................................................................................... 38 Material Delivery, Storage, and Use .................................................................................................... 39 Spill Prevention and Control ................................................................................................................ 40 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance................................................................................................... 41 Debris and Trash Management............................................................................................................. 42 Hazardous Waste Management ............................................................................................................ 43 Concrete Waste Management............................................................................................................... 44 Sanitary Facilities................................................................................................................................. 45 Employee Training............................................................................................................................... 46 June 2010 ii Pulaski County Erosion and Sediment Control Field Guide Introduction to Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs Stormwater runoff from construction activities can have a significant impact on water quality. As stormwater flows over a construction site, it can pick up pollutants like sediment, debris, and chemicals and transport them to a nearby storm sewer system or directly to a stream or lake. Excess sediment discharged from construction sites can also increase turbidity in water resources such as Lake Maumelle. Turbidity is a particular concern in Lake Maumelle because it is a drinking water source; if the raw water supply in Lake Maumelle is too turbid (cloudy), it is harder to treat for drinking water. Erosion and sediment control BMPs are used on construction projects to minimize water quality impacts. To control erosion and sediment at a construction site, follow the “Five S’s”: Soak it in. Preserve the existing vegetation on the site, allowing water to infiltrate. Vegetation not only slows down rain water, but the root systems soak up the water like a sponge. If existing vegetation cannot be preserved, it is important to seed and mulch all bare areas as soon as possible. Slow it down. Reduce the velocity of overland flows whenever possible on a contruction site. This is particularly important in areas designed to carry concentrated flows during construction (e.g., grassed swales) and at outlet structures. Remember, it is much easier, and less expensive, to prevent gullies from forming on a construction site than to repair the damage afterwards. Spread it around. Prevent flows from concentrating in areas not designed for that purpose. The greater the volume and velocity of overland flow, the higher the capability to cause erosion. Use upland berms to divert flows from the slopes. Sift it out. Use sediment control BMPs to filter sediment out before the rain water leaves the site. The most common BMP is the silt fence for non-concentrated flows, but other sediment barriers can be used as well, such as brush barriers or fiber rolls. Settle it out. Use sediment traps and basins to pool the water and allow the sediment to settle before discharge. Sediment basins and traps should never be used alone to control sediment discharge from a construction site; however, they are useful as a step in an erosion