The requirement for an Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Control Plan in Washington, DC depends on the amount of land disturbance a project proposes.
As your Civil Engineer in Washington, DC, we can help answer the following questions to determine if your land development project will require us to prepare an Erosion & Sediment Control Plan.
1. Is the total land disturbance under 50 square feet?
- If the project’s total land disturbance (areas involving stripping, grading, grubbing, trenching, excavating, transporting or filling of land) is under 50 square feet, an E&S Control Plan is not required to be submitted during the permit process.
2. Is the total land disturbance between 50 and 5,000 square feet?
- An E&S Control Plan is required as part of the permit process for building construction and redevelopment projects.
3. Is the total land disturbance 5,000 square feet or greater?
- An E&S Control Plan is required to be submitted as well as a Stormwater Management Plan. See our blog post on Stormwater Management Plans for more information.
What is an Erosion & Sediment Control Plan (E&S Plan)?
An E&S Control Plan is designed to mitigate the adverse effects of soil erosion and sedimentation resulting from soil disturbance during construction. The primary purpose of the plan is to prevent or minimize the movement of sediment from a site into surrounding water bodies or onto adjacent properties. The E&S Plan also delineates a “Limits of Disturbance” (LOD) area for a permitted area to be disturbed by construction. All construction activities must remain inside the LOD area to comply with permit requirements.
Common erosion and sediment control features that our plans may propose include:
Silt Fencing:
Silt fences are temporary barriers made of geotextile fabric installed along the perimeter of the construction site to contain sediment-laden runoff. They help filter sediment from stormwater runoff before it leaves the construction site.
Filter Sock:
Filter socks, also known as sediment socks or silt socks, are devices used to filter sediment and control erosion during land development projects. They are commonly installed on hard surfaces, like pavement, where it is not practical to install a silt fence.
Stabilized Construction Entrance:
Stabilized Construction Entrances (S.C.E.) are typically the designated access point to construction sites. The primary purpose of the S.C.E. is to minimize the tracking of sediment and construction debris onto public roads or alleys. They are typically composed of crushed bluestone or recycled concrete. If planned and maintained correctly, the stone from a S.C.E. can be left in place at the end of the project and can be used as the stabilized base stone for a new driveway.
Tree Protection:
Tree protection fencing is typically a welded-wire fence or super silt fence erected around trees to safeguard them from damage during construction or landscaping activities.
What Type of Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Do I Need?
Depending on the complexity of the project, E&S Control Plans are often designed in phases:
Phase I - Raze/Demolition Erosion & Sediment Control Plan
If your project involves the partial or complete demolition of any on-site features and/or buildings, we can assist in designing the appropriate erosion and sediment controls. The first E&S Control Plan phase will utilize silt fencing and a stabilized construction entrance to properly control runoff and identify existing site features to be removed during demolition. Once Phase I Erosion Controls are in place, this will allow the appropriate machinery to enter and exit the site for demolition and land clearing activities. If any trees are proposed to be saved, tree protection fencing will be included in our plans from the beginning of the project throughout construction.
Phase II - Erosion & Sediment Control Plan
After demolition activities are complete and vertical construction activities commence, areas of silt fencing may be adjusted or removed and the construction entrance may be relocated (depending on the final site layout). We will develop the second phase of E&S Control Plans with our Site Plan drawings to ensure the project proceeds efficiently from start to finish.
Contact Us for Erosion & Sediment Control Services
Whether you need a quote on just an Erosion & Sediment Control Plan or the full Site Plan Package on your next project, contact DeMarr Engineering for a quote. We can handle your project from start to finish!
