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In 2003, federal Environmental Protection Agency rules expanded the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program to cover construction sites. The federal rules govern job sites of about one acre or larger, although smaller projects can generate municipal or local fines.
Federal rules cover the entire country, but it?EUR??,,????'?????<
Levels of enforcement can vary, of course. The Central Valley board takes NPDES standards seriously, having handed out a $450,000 fine to the city of Redding, Calif. three years ago when soil from a sports park flowed into a local creek.
Local laws and regulations are evolving. Starting on Jan. 1, landscape and irrigation contractors in the state of Georgia are required to be officially certified.
The Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center offers contractors and others free information on compliance with federal, state and local regulations. The center?EUR??,,????'?????<
Information on erosion control tools and techniques below is reprinted with permission of the International Erosion Control Association. Visit the association?EUR??,,????'?????<
How They Work: Berms divert runoff water to designated receiving areas and help keep muddy water contained within a construction site. Depending on their composition, berms may also serve to filter runoff water and capture sediment.
Typical Applications: For perimeter controls on construction sites.
Longevity: Temporary -should be removed after construction is completed and runoff has been controlled by other permanent means.
Performance Characteristics: Moderately effective, require regular maintenance to monitor damage from construction traffic, machinery and large storm events.
How They Work: By impeding the flow of water, the check dam slows the velocity of water, allowing larger sediment particles to settle out behind the structure. By slowing the water, the water has less energy for eroding the channel.
Typical Applications: For all areas of concentrated water flow on construction sites ?EUR??,,????'?????<
Longevity: Temporary structures until permanent soil stabilization has been achieved on construction site and in storm water channels.
Performance Characteristics: Moderately to very effective ?EUR??,,????'?????<
How They Work: The rolls are placed on the slope contour and in direct contact with the soil (typically specified to be placed in a shallow trench). Once anchored securely with stakes, the rolls serve as small check structures to intercept and spread sheet flow.
Typical Applications: For any newly created or disturbed slope. Are typically used for slope stabilization associated with road and highway construction, mine reclamation, housing developments, vineyards, ski area maintenance and wildfire rehabilitation. Also used for check dams, perimeter controls, and inlet protection.
Longevity: Temporary and degradable. Period of effectiveness varies with climatic conditions, but typically 1 ?EUR??,,????'?????<
Performance Characteristics: When properly installed and maintained, fiber rolls are good to excellent at their designed purpose. Slope stabilization can be improved further by combining fiber rolls with other treatments such as rolled erosion control products, mulches, and biotechnical applications.
How It Works: Mulch reduces or prevents the movement of soil particles, reduces raindrop impact energy and conserves moisture.
Typical Applications: Applied over all newly seeded areas.
Longevity: Temporary and degradable, typically several months depending on climatic factors.
Performance Characteristics: Varies depending on material, but generally the longer the mulch fiber, the better the mulch performance. Performance can be enhanced with additives such as tackifiers (glues), adhesives, emulsions and polymers. Material selection should consider length and steepness of slope, moisture retention capabilities, ability to bond with soil particles, resistance to displacement by wind and water, weed content, and site access.
How They Work: RECPs reduce erosion by covering the soil and intercepting rain drops, minimizing sheet flow, and enhancing the establishment of vegetation.
Typical Applications: all types of slopes ?EUR??,,????'?????<
Longevity: Temporary, up to several years depending on the composition and climatic conditions.
Performance Characteristics: Provide excellent erosion protection. Performance and selection depends of a variety of factors such as slope length, steepness, overland flow rates, composition of blanket materials and required length of protection.
How It Works: By impounding water and slowly releasing it, sediment settles out and collects in the basin.
Typical Applications: May be required based on total disturbed drainage area. Usually found on larger construction sites.
Longevity: Temporary until site has been successfully stabilized.
Performance Characteristics: Overall, 50 to 70% effective. Very effective for capturing large particle-size sediment, but less so for fine sized sediment such as clay. Effectiveness for removing clay sized particles may be improved with the addition of flocculants. Performance depends on size and shape of the basin, soil properties, runoff volume and flow, water chemistry, permanent vs. dry pond design and other factors.
Typical Applications: Used for both temporary and permanent erosion control. Used for stabilizing cut and fill slopes, overlot graded areas, channels and swales, temporary topsoil stock piles, berms, and other disturbed areas
Longevity: Permanent (assuming growing conditions are sustained), but may be used for short term purposes.
How It Works: By impounding water and slowly releasing it, sediment settles out and collects behind (upstream side) of the fence.
Typical Applications: Perimeters of construction sites to keep sediment off of streets and out of storm drains; around drop inlet structures within a construction site; and around temporary soil stockpiles.
Longevity: Temporary until site has been successfully stabilized and sediment is longer being generated.
Performance Characteristics: Moderate to highly effective depending on installation, maintenance, site location and water volume.
How It Works: Using filtering materials such as geotextiles, rock, fiber or compost rolls, wire mesh and concrete blocks, structures are placed between the storm drain inlet and the water flow. The structures rely on detaining and/or filtering the water flow to cause sediment to be captured prior to entering the storm drain system.
Typical Applications: For any type of storm drain inlet used for streets and roads, medians, fields, and parking lots.
Longevity: Temporary structures until permanent erosion control has been established.
Performance Characteristics: Moderately effective ?EUR??,,????'?????<
How They Work: The 3-dimensional and open structure allows roots to penetrate and intertwine with the matting. This produces a very strong root and stem reinforcing system that anchors vegetation and protects against hydraulic lift and shear forces created by high volume discharges. TRMs provide numerous benefits over hard armor including pollutant removal by vegetation, reduced water temperature increases, improved groundwater recharge and establishment of aquatic habitat.
Typical Applications: Typically used in areas of concentrated or channelized flow such as storm drain channels, ditches, swales and smaller streams. Other applications include spillways and shorelines. May often serve as a suitable and less expensive alternative to riprap.
Longevity: Permanent.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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