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ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN

PLANNING APPROACH

Issued May 2009

Level II: Introduction to DesignEducation and Certification for Persons Involved in Land Disturbing Activities

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TOOLS TO USE• Site Survey• County Topo Maps• USGS Survey• Soil Survey• Soils Investigation• Wetlands Maps• Phase I Investigation• Recorded Plats• FEMA Flood Maps• Blue Book – GA Stormwater Manual• Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in GA

3http://www.gaswcc.org/docs.htm

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WHAT CAN BE DETERMINED FROM SOIL TYPES• Available water capacity• Depth to bed rock• Depth to water table• Drainage• Erodibility• Fertility• Infiltration• Percolation rate• Permeability• Slope• Shrink-swell potential• Susceptibility to flooding

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PROJECT CONSTRUCTION ISSUES

• Project Location

• Required Predesign Site Visit

• Phasing

• Project Size

• Project Type

• Project Schedule

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REQUIRED PREDESIGN SITE VISIT

APPROVED RULE –

Plan preparer/design professional must certify that a site visit by the plan preparer (or their designee) has been conducted prior to creation of the plan

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SITE VISIT CERTIFICATION ON PLANS

I certify under penalty of law that this plan was prepared after a site visit to the locations described herein by myself or my authorized agent, under my direct supervision.

____________________

Design Professional

Date

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SITE VISIT CHECKLISTTHINGS TO LOOK FOR – • Existing vegetation – specimen trees, etc.• State waters potential• US waters potential• Flood plain• Springs• Soils conditions• Topography• Basin delineation/visual evaluation• Offsite drainage• Offsite/downstream conditions• Wetlands• Archaeological

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STATE WATERS

Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, branches, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, drainage systems, springs, wells and other bodies of surface or subsurface waters, natural or artificial, lying within or forming a part of the boundaries of the state which are not entirely confined and retained completely upon the property of a single individual, partnership or corporation

(Ref. GESA)

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NOT JUST STATE WATERS U.S. WATERS TOO…….

• 404 permits may be required (U.S. Clean Water Act)

• Feds noted that much confusion may exist related to utility and road construction

• Reference EPA letter (appendix)

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STATE/US WATERS ISSUES

• While there may be some activities which are exempt from state regulation, the USACE recommends a developer (permittee) contact them if any amount of fill material may be placed in a water of the U.S.

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U.S. WATERS GUIDELINE

• Projects impacting more than a 0.10 acre of wetlands or 300 feet of stream will likely require an individual Department of the Army Permit.

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Minimum Requirements

• Stripping of vegetation, regrading and other development activities shall be conducted in such a manner so as to minimize erosion

• Cut and fill operations must be kept to a minimum

• Development plans must conform to topography and soil type, so as to create the lowest practicable erosion potential

• Whenever feasible, natural vegetation shall be retained, protected and supplemented(Ref. O.C.G.A. 12-7-6)

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Minimum Requirements

• Disturbed soil shall be stabilized as quickly as practicable

• Temporary vegetation or mulching shall be employed to protect exposed critical areas during development

• Permanent vegetation and structural erosion control measures must be installed as soon as practicable.

• Sediment in runoff water must be trapped by the use of debris basins, sediment basins, silt traps or similar measures until the disturbed area is stabilized

• Adequate provisions must be provided to minimize damage from surface water to the cut face of excavations or the sloping surfaces of fills

(Ref. O.C.G.A. 12-7-6)

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• Cuts and fills may not endanger adjoining property

• Fills may not encroach upon natural watercourses or constructed channels in a manner so as to adversely affect other property owners

• Grading equipment must cross flowing streams by the means of bridges or culverts, except when such methods are not feasible, provided, in any case, that such crossings must be kept to a minimum(Ref. O.C.G.A. 12-7-6)

Minimum Requirements

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• The disturbed area and duration of exposure to erosive elements shall be kept to a practicable minimum.

• Land disturbing activity plans for erosion and sedimentation control shall include provisions for control or treatment of any source of sediments and adequate sedimentation control facilities to retain sediments on site or preclude sedimentation of adjacent waters.

(Ref. O.C.G.A. 12-7-6)

Minimum Requirements

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PLAN CONCEPTS

• Adapt the plan to resources available

• When possible, fit the project into the existing terrain

• Recommendations must be cost-effective

• The plan must be flexible

• Maintain open communication with developer, contractors and local issuing authority

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PLAN CONCEPTS

• Notes and instructions must be clear and simple

• Timing and scheduling are very important

• Establish an effective maintenance program

• Identify critical offsite areas

• Monitor impacts

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CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCING

• Plan sequence with contractor.

• Advise inspector/LIA of sequence at pre-construction meeting.

• Evaluate sequence during implementation.

• Make sequence revisions.

• Provide LIA/GA EPD/contractor documentation of revised design.

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THREE PHASE CONSTRUCTION

• CLEARING PHASE (clearing & grubbing)

• GRADING PHASE (grading & temporary vegetation)

• FINAL PHASE (stormwater management & permanent vegetation)

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PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS…..

TO UNDERSTAND HOW A SITE

ACCOMODATES RUNOFF IN PRE-

DURING AND POST-CONSTRUCTION

CONDITIONS.

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