Logs

Keeping inspection and maintenance logs current and performing regular inspections and maintenance demonstrate an active SWPPP compliance effort. A pre-storm inspection is done whenever the National Weather Service declares a 40 percent chance or better for rain. Interim inspections are needed for every 24-hour period that rain continues and an inspection within 24 hours after the rain stops.

As graded slopes were finished, several methods of stabilization were used. Erosion blankets and hydroseeding with a quick cover of annual rye grass and native seed blends for longer termed protection were used.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

All construction projects over one acre required a SWPPP, per the Clean Water Act. The vehicle created out of this law is the National Pollution Distribution Elimination System (NPDES). NPDES requires municipalities with a storm water system to prepare a SWPPP.

BMPs

The most prominent element of SWPPP is best management practices (BMPs). These are the methods employed to prevent common construction pollutants, including soil, from leaving the site. BMPs employed include: proper handling of concrete products and waste via a wash-out containment area; contained mixing areas and liquid storage areas (on pallets) with secondary containment (e.g., a pit lined with poly sheeting with a perimeter berm; stockpile containment (e.g., fill soil covered with poly sheeting); erosion blankets and planting for slope stabilization; sandbag lines along curbs to prevent other excavation spoils from entering storm water drains; gravelbags for lot perimeters and street run-off controls; lot silt fences and blankets; hydromulch (straw blanket held in place with a hydrospray of wood mulch and organic binder); tackifiers (soil stabilizers); contained areas for heavy equipment parking, with booms placed across outlet points to absorb any oil; stabilized construction entrances; sandbag chevrons in newly graded roads and at toes of slopes; sandbag check dams or silt fences for temporary slope stabilization, especially during the rainy season.

In longer-term landscape areas, erosion blanket and planting (or bark and tackifier) were used for slope stabilization.

Lots were then sprayed with a quick cover hydroseed. After several months of rains, the lots were covered with native grasses (see below)

that stabilized the soil and helped filter the water prior to leaving the lot pad. Once this system was in place and functioning the rainwater coming off the lots was nearly clear and as clean as a mountain stream. A bonded fiber matrix (BFM) was often sprayed as a short term (up to six months) stabilization method.

A Rewarding Project

This has been a challenging and rewarding project. A key factor is the willingness of the developer to understand the law and commitment to doing the right thing. It is so very important to research and find seasoned and knowledgeable professionals to help design, implement, monitor and maintain NPDES compliant programs on all construction sites. I know for a fact that doing it right the first time does save money and headaches. The resulting satisfaction from doing the right thing for your client, Mother Nature and future generations is also a great feeling.

About the author and company:
Eric Woodhouse, CPESC (ewoodhouse@landscapedevelopment.com) is a certified professional in erosion and sediment control. He is the division president of earth services for Landscape Development, Inc. Landscape Development, Inc. (landscapedevelopment.com) is located in Southern Calif., with office and yard locations in L.A., Ventura, Inland Empire, San Diego and Bakersfield. The company has provided erosion control and storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) compliance designs and installations since 1991. The project featured in this article is Country Club Estates, Moorpark, Calif., for Toll Brothers, Inc.