Updated 04/08
Erosion Control and Sediment Control: Land Clearing and Grading
Contents
- About Erosion and Sediment Control
- General Information
- Ordinance Provisions
- MRSC Related Pages
- Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Storm and Surface Water Management
- Landscaping - Includes landscape preservation
- Local Storm and Surface Water Management Regulations
About Erosion and Sediment Control
Erosion control measures are design to prevent environmental damage caused by pollution, soil erosion and sedimentation from land development. Construction site stormwater runoff is regulated on the local level and at the State level (See Chapter 2 - Regulatory Requirements in Storm Water Manual for Western Washington Volume II - Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention, 2005 Update)
- The Department of Ecology's NPDES Phase II permit requires the permitee to include a construction site stormwater runoff control component in its stormwater management program (SWMP) that the permitee must develop and implement during the term of the permit. Minimum performance standards are provided. See Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, Section S5(C)(4) and Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, Section S5(B)(4)
- Phase I Municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits required large urban cities and counties to adopt ordinances implementing controls for new development and redevelopment, including measures for control of erosion, sedimentation and other pollutants on construction sites.
- Phase II Municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program required many municipalities throughout the state to adopt ordinances implementing controls for new development and redevelopment, including measures for control of erosion, sedimentation and other pollutants on construction sites.
- General Stormwater Permit for Construction Activities (DOE Information) which result in the disturbance of one or more acres of land, including clearing, grading and excavation activities, and discharge stormwater from the site into a surface water or discharge to a storm drain system which discharges to a surface water must apply for coverage under the NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities. Some construction projects may require an individual NPDES permit.
- With the listing of salmon under the Endangered Species Act, more emphasis will be placed on controlling erosion and sediment around streams, wetlands, and other water bodies that contain salmon. This page provides examples from Washington local government storm water management programs. See also MRSC's Local Storm and Surface Water Management Regulations page.
- Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention, Vol. II. Storm Water Management Manual for Western Washington, 2005, Washington State Department of Ecology
- Erosion Control Techniques on Coastal Bluffs, Department of Ecology Web
- Stormwater Erosion and Sediment Control for Small Parcel Construction (
145 KB), Department of Ecology Report WQ-R-93-012 1 #3 of 5
- Stormwater Erosion and Sediment Control for Large Parcel Construction ( 145 KB), Department of Ecology Report WQ-R-93-012 1 #4 of 5
- Water Quality Guide: Recommended Pollution Control Practices for Homeowners and Small Farm Operators Erosion Control, Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program
Ordinance Provisions
- Erosion and Sediment Control Model Ordinances, EPA
- Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Chapter 15.18 - Land Clearing
- Gig Harbor Municipal Code Chapter 17.94 - Land Clearing
- Clark County Erosion Control Program
- Clark County Code Chapter 40.380 - Stormwater and Erosion Control Ordinance
- Issaquah Municipal Code Chapter 16.30 - Erosion and Sediment Control
- King County Erosion and Sediment Control Standards, Appendix D, King County Surface Water Design Manual.
- Longview Municipal Code Chapter 17.80 - Stormwater Runoff and Erosion Controls
- Redmond Community Development Guide, Section 20E.90 - Clearing, Grading, and Stormwater Management Code
- Redmond Ordinance No. 2218 ( 515 KB) amends code to conform to DOE Storm Water Manual and meet NPDES Phase II requirements, passed 6-04
- Redmond Ordinance No. 2218 (
- Seattle Ordinance No. 119965 - Relating to the stormwater, grading and drainage control code, passed June 2000.
- Changes to Stormwater Regulations Adopted, DCLU Info, June 2000.
- Vancouver Municipal Code Chapter 14.24 - Erosion Control
- Whatcom County Ordinance No. 2005-074 ( 310 KB) - Seasonal restrictions on clearing activities in Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish water resource special areas.