Storm drain inlet protection is a temporary or permanent sediment barrier designed to filter out debris, sediment, and pollutants from stormwater runoff before it enters catch basins, curb inlets, or storm sewer systems.
Typically implemented as part of a construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), these protective devices allow water to pass through while trapping silt, trash, and heavy sediment.…
read moreThe most common methods of land clearing are grubbing and dozing, chainsaw and hand clearing, mulching (forestry mowing), bush hogging, and controlled burning.
Choosing the right method for your property depends on the scope of your project and its topography.…
read moreA bonded fiber matrix (BFM) is a hydraulically applied erosion-control product composed of thermally refined wood fibers, cross-linking hydrocolloid tackifiers, and protective binders.
Upon drying, these components chemically bond to create a continuous, highly porous, and water-resistant mat that anchors directly to the soil surface.…
read moreBrush hogging, also known as rotary cutting, is a cost-effective land clearing and management technique designed to cut through heavy brush, small trees, and tall weeds that conventional mowers cannot handle.
Brush hogs utilize a tractor-mounted rotary cutter with powerful, horizontally spinning blades that mow and flatten dense vegetation without disturbing or uprooting the native soil.…
read moreA silt fence is a temporary sediment barrier made of geotextile fabric attached to supporting posts. It is required on construction sites and near homes when soil-disturbing activities such as clearing, grading, or excavating expose loose soil to stormwater runoff.
The fence functions by ponding water, which slows down the flow and allows suspended soil particles to settle out before the runoff leaves the property.…
read moreMunicipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) operating under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are legally required to develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive Stormwater Management Program (SWMP).
To comply with Clean Water Act regulations, an MS4 must reduce pollutant discharges to the “maximum extent practicable” (MEP) by fully addressing six mandatory minimum control measures (MCMs):
This regulatory framework affects approximately 7,250 permitted MS4 systems nationwide.…
read moreSoil erosion is primarily caused by natural forces like water and wind, which loosen and displace topsoil.
This process is significantly accelerated by human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, intensive farming, and construction, which strip away protective vegetation and leave the soil vulnerable to the elements.…
read moreThe best grass seed for effective erosion control depends on your climate and soil type, but deep-rooted, fast-germinating perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are widely considered the top choices for immediate soil stabilization.
For long-term stabilization, a blend of quick-establishing cool-season grasses paired with hardy, deep-rooted native warm-season grasses (such as Bermuda grass or permanent native mixes) provides the best defense against soil washout on vulnerable hills, slopes, and construction sites.…
read moreInstalling check dams in drainage channels dissipates runoff energy, preventing erosion and sedimentation that can pollute local water systems.
Uncontrolled stormwater runoff is a primary driver of soil loss and water quality degradation on construction and industrial sites. As runoff velocity increases, its erosive power grows exponentially, leading to channel incision and the transport of pollutants into local watersheds.…
read moreA stormwater management plan is a technical document that outlines best management practices (BMPs) to control the quantity and quality of runoff from precipitation.
These documents are officially governed by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies—primarily under the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).…
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