For the qualified designer creating an Erosion and Sediment Control (ECS) plan, the first step is to consider the ESC practices in terms of the schedule being made. This means communicating with all parties involved to ensure that full awareness is made of the ESC practices that will be put into place. To create the most effective plan and employ the proper ESC practices, you will need to do the following.
Define the Project
This means describing the full extent of the project along with the proposed activities that will be performed. This means doing the following.
- Full Description of the Project
- Identify the Areas that will be Controlled
- Establish the Construction Phasing, if needed
In other words, describe what is to be done and where it is to occur. Include any adjacent areas that might be affected, such as wetlands, ponds, residential areas, and the like. Such areas need to be addressed. And, if the construction work is going to take a considerable amount of time, then the different phases of the project must be laid out with proper management controls and practices put into place.
Describe Existing Conditions on the Site
You will need to visit the site to ensure that all the conditions are identified and addressed in the ESC plan.
- Determine the Characteristics of the Soil
- Establish the Contours of the Topography
- Identify and Define the Drainage Areas along with the Patterns
The soil characteristics include the texture, structure, chemistry, and permeability. The topography focuses on the inclines, gradients, and similar characteristics that define water runoff. This may mean creating new drainage areas or expanding older ones to compensate for the change in water flow.
In other words, large, flat areas of land will need different approaches compared to hilly terrain or areas with slopes, ditches, or rolling characteristics. In addition, the accessibility to the site for specialized equipment may be needed. Also, the seasonal impacts of the weather which has an effect on the soil. And finally, the evaluation of the costs necessary to employ the proper practices to fulfill the ESC plan.
ESC Practices
This includes the diversion of runoff away from the site and into the proper areas. Such runoff may be increased or decreased due to the activities involved in construction. Other concerns include the following.
– Temporary & Permanent Erosion Control for Drainage
– Using Vegetation for Erosion Control
– Determination of Sediment Control Requirements
This means the use of materials and equipment to create erosion control methods to maximize soil stability. This includes using vegetation to limit erosion of the soil, particularly on slopes and inclines. With sediment being eroded due to the water runoff, adequate controls must be put into place to limit the erosion potential.
In addition, for long-term projects that are shutdown over the winter months, controlling the erosion during that time is also needed. Be sure to consult with the manufacturer specifications when choosing the right ESC practices for the project itself.
Tag: soil, erosion control, Sediment Control, esc plan, drainage, land, characteristics, design considerations, project, structure, texture
