A proper Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) plan starts with applying the appropriate principles to the area that will be affected. This means for those who plan to such work in the greater Calgary area, they must follow the rules and regulations as laid out by the city.
The last thing you want is to start a construction project, only to make major changes to comply with the law. Getting it right from the start saves you time, effort, and expense thanks to filing a proper ESC plan. What follows is a general breakdown of the requirements that you will need to follow for compliance with the rules and regulations governing the erosion and sediment control in the city of Calgary.
Outline
Your ESC plan will depend on three primary factors;
- Type of Construction
- Length of Construction
- Area of Construction
You will need all parties involved communicating effectively when developing your ESC plan that accounts for the following factors in terms of what is going to be done.
- Description of the Project: Including the expected disturbance to the area
- Identification of Area Affected
- Size of Construction: Both in terms of temporary and permanent change
In other words, what will be done and what will remain after the construction phase is over. This will define the project in terms of its parameters and timeframe. Another consideration is just how much of the site will change due to the project. Knowing if the new features are permanent, how much space they will take up on the property, and the overall size of the new features will need to be assessed.
Inspection
The architecture of the new construction, the equipment being used, and the overall change will need to be determined first. Next, the site where the construction takes place will need to be properly characterized.
- Inspection of the Site
- Soil Characteristics: The texture, chemistry, and permeability of the soil greatly affects erosion
- Contours of the Site: Slopes, gradient, and general features of the terrain
- Location of Drainage Areas: Where the expected areas of drainage will be
It all starts by going to the site and making a full inspection of what is present. This includes the overall terrain, identification of exactly where any new structure will go, the effect of the land outside the structure where heavy equipment will be used, and so forth.
As part of the inspection, the soil will need to be tested which may affect the construction itself because of its composition. Some soils are more resistant to erosion that others, which means that depending on its composition, the land may need additional work. Add to this the contours of the site which will be changed by the construction itself which may affect the area around the site.
And, the areas of drainage due to precipitation will have to be identified and augmented so it can handle the expected runoff. This goes along with the general contours of the land which may require additional work to limit erosion. As part of this evaluation, you will need to account for the following;
- Expected Weather Conditions for Duration of Construction
- Accessibility to the Site
- Cost of Erosion and Sediment Control
How long the construction will take place means knowing what the expected weather conditions will be over its duration. This will help determine the steps necessary to create a proper ESC plan. Plus, the site will need to be accessible to all equipment expected to be used, such as those that provide hydroseeding and so forth. Once all this is considered, an estimate can be made to the overall cost of the ESC plan. Keep in mind that unexpected events, such as heavier than normal precipitation, may not be accounted for in the plan itself.
In addition, if the project is expected to take place during the winter months, then there must be plans for any shutdown due to the extreme weather conditions. Quite often, construction companies will have pre-set times put in place for shutdowns. This will allow for proper planning to control erosion and sediment on the site during the dormant times
ESC Practices
Once you have the plan in place, the next step will be to implement it accordingly. You’ll need to consider the following in that regard.
- Diversion of Runoff from Site: Installation of diversion to safely convey water runoff
- Establish Drainage Channels: Consider the sensitive areas and apply appropriate measures
In this regard, some practices may be permanent to the site, such as adding turf, creating dams, or adding rock or grass lining to limit erosion. You will need to protect existing vegetation as well.
- Determination of Vegetation Cover: Using suitable vegetation to cover exposed areas.
- Identifying Sediment Control: Applying city requirements to limit buildup of sediment
This means creating drainage areas sufficient to handle large runoff with limited erosion. The new drainage additions can be done at once or phased in over time. You will need to account not only for the site itself, but how runoff will affect the surrounding area. You may also find that water which enters the site from other locations will need to be accounted for as well.
Specifications by Manufacturer
Depending on the ESC practices that are implemented, there may be specifications such as C or P values along with the installation, maintenance, and overall performance that is expected by what the manufacturer requires.
Once you have taken all appropriate factors into account, you can create a proper ESC plan and submit it to the city.
Contact Alberta Erosion and Sediment Control
If you are looking for assistance in creating an ESC plan that complies with all rules and regulations from the city of Calgary, we are here to help. Our company, Alberta Erosion and Sediment Control Control offers the knowledge, experience, and expertise in developing ESC plans that follow erosion and sediment control guidelines. If you need to develop an ESC plan that abides by the law and is effective in controlling erosion and sediments, then please give us a call today at (403) 460-0022.
Tag: Sediment, Erosion, Calgary, Control, alberta, inspection
