It is not uncommon for the western states to experience a majority of the season’s rainfall February through April. Some of the worst property damage has occurred due to late season storms. The risk of erosion damage is highest during the late winter because the ground is saturated from early season rains and runoff volumes can be much higher. Whether you’re responsible for a small development or a large grading project, there are steps you can take now to improve your site erosion and sediment control, and avoid costly fines later. 

DO YOU NEED A PERMIT?
If you disturbed your site during construction (e.g. stripping, grading, utility installation, etc.), you should already have implemented an erosion and sediment control plan. If you have a larger site, and you will be disturbing one acre or more, you are required to obtain a permit for storm water discharge from the State Water Resources Control Board. Owners of new construction must file a Notice-Of-Intent (NOI) and develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) in accordance with Section A of the General Permit prior to the commencement of soil-disturbing activities. 

IMPLEMENT A PLAN
A SWPPP contains details of the Best Management Practices, sometimes referred to as BMPs, to use on your site for erosion control. Typical Best Management Practices are silt fencing, hydro-seeding, storm drain inlet protection, and other measures. Developing and implementing a SWPPP protects your site from erosion damage and reduces your risk of being fined. Sites subject to permit requirements, which are not in compliance, can be issued a variety of orders from the Board, including a “Cease and Desist Order.” Orders from the State Water Board may include a substantial fine, with typical fines ranging from $3,000 to more than $100,000.  We are aware of one fine of $300,000.

INSPECTIONS
The importance of regular site inspections cannot be overemphasized. Your project SWPPP should be on site at all times and your project should be inspected before and during any significant storm. Inspections immediately after a storm should be treated as though they are occurring immediately before the next storm, because they just might be! Pay close attention to clearing drain inlets, drainage swales, and ditches. Check drain outlets as well. Outlets may get clogged with sediment and debris and quickly become inoperative. Inspections during a rainstorm can be valuable; you get to see where the water goes. You might be surprised at how much runoff occurs in places that you hadn’t expected.

TEND TO Minor PROBLEMS
Minor erosion features may become overwhelming problems. Small gullies should be repaired to help prevent concentrated flows from creating larger gullies. Observe the control of “run-on” water flowing over the top of a slope and creating erosion concerns. It is easier and less expensive to intercept water and convey it in a controlled manner, than to repair damage. Your efforts should concentrate on erosion control rather than sediment control; hold soil in its place and you won’t have to deal with it downstream.

If your site was winterized in the fall based on a detailed SWPPP, review the effectiveness of the Best Management Practices you employed. If hydro-seeded slopes did not germinate, consider re-seeding or adding surface protection such as erosion control blankets or spray-on tackifiers to provide immediate armor against storms. If silt fences or straw bale check dams are damaged or ineffective, repair or replace them.

DON’T TRUST THE BAND-AIDS
If you installed emergency mitigation measures during previous storms, do not rely on them to get you through the rest of the winter. Take advantage of dry days and install a better solution: re‑grade your brow ditch or clear out drainage swales.  SLDT