I. Erosion control

Methods of erosion control

Planting of appropriate grasses, shrubs and trees and the use of buffer strips, catch basins, dry wells, diversion ditches, contour terraces, stone trenches earthen dams, grassed waterways, etc. are all recognized erosion control measures and are to be utilized in appropriate places considering specific sites.

A fabric silt fence is the preferred method of protecting downside areas from erosion during the construction phase. This erosion control method must be shown on the submitted plan and installed on the contour in order to prevent runoff and erosion. It must be maintained intact until the disturbed area is stabilized and revegetated. Straw bales or straw wattles should only be used to support fabric silt fences in steep terrain or wherever else is deemed advisable to protect the buffer zone. The bales and or wattles must also be maintained intact and the disturbed area must be revegetated as soon as the bales are removed.

The silt fence or straw bale/wattle barrier may also serve to delineate a portion of the limit of work on the site and may be required to confine the construction activity as well as to prevent erosion. These must also be placed on the contour.

Revegetation/mulching requirements.

• Any activity that denudes or bares 50 square feet or more of ground surface within 100 feet of a resource area requires immediate seeding of a fast germinating grass such as annual rye grass. Native grass mixes or native groundcovers must be used within 50 feet from the edge of a resource area.
• This area must be covered with a light mulch to enhance germination and to assist in prevention of runoff.
• Construction sites must have some method of erosion control to prevent sedimentation into roadways as a result of the bare ground.
• Erosion control methods may also apply to certain areas outside the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. [See § 196A-2B(3).]