Ten Elements of an Effective ESC Plan
1. Minimize Needless Clearing and Grading
2. Protect Waterways and Stabilize Drainage Ways
3. Phase Construction to Limit Soil Exposure
4. Stabilize Exposed Soils Immediately
5. Protect Steep Slopes and Cuts
6. Install Perimeter Controls to Filter Sediments
7. Employ Advanced Sediment Settling Controls
8. Certify Contractors on ESC Plan Implementation
9. Adjust ESC Plan at Construction Site
10. Assess ESC Practices After Storms
Notes:
This watershed protection tool seeks to reduce sediment loss during construction and to ensure that conservation areas, buffers, and forests are not cleared or otherwise disturbed during construction. Every community should have an effective erosion and sediment control program to reduce the potentially severe impacts generated by the construction process.
There are numerous techniques to provide erosion and sediment control (ESC), and the most effective is to minimize clearing. Some examples include regulations that require exposed soil must be stabilized within 7 to 10 days. Other common methods of erosion and sediment control include sedimentation basins and silt fences. Unfortunately, without proper installation and maintenance, erosion and sediment controls are ineffective.
An effective erosion and sediment control (ESC) plan should include the 10 elements listed on this slide.