Stormwater and Erosion Control
ACG’s mission is to provide exceptional customer service and to comply with best practices at all construction sites. This includes implementing environmental and stormwater management processes that comply with industry best practices. We strongly emphasize the importance of our erosion control measures and practices. Our standard procedures call for daily walks of the perimeter to ensure that there are no breaches and if any discovered to remedy immediately. We recognize that there can be NO breaches or leaks in the erosion control measures.
Our Services
Our services begin with the installation of all temporary erosion control measures including silt fences, sediment traps, diversion ditches, and temporary ponds. As our grading operations are completed, we install all storm drain piping to manage the flow to ponds and filtering devices. Our storm drain scope involves pipe sizes from 12” all the way up to large multi-barrel box culverts handled by crane.
At ACG we place tremendous importance on ensuring a site is prepared as well as possible for any pending natural event, such as extensive storm forecasts and hurricanes. We take supplemental measures to lessen the possibility or extent of erosion impact. It is our goal to avoid any “Notice of Violations” from the applicable regulatory authority.
Just as we prepare sites pending natural events, we get back on the site as quickly as possible after such events to identify remedial actions that may be required. We give these the highest priority and go into action immediately, deploying maximum resources. We attempt to reduce project delays at all costs and to lessen any negative ramifications from runoff or other erosion issues.
At project close-out, ACG offers the service of converting all temporary ponds to permanent devices, including landscaping and plant material, and we can facilitate the certification for acceptance by the governing authorities.
The Need for Stormwater Management
As stormwater flows over a construction site, it gathers materials such as sediment, debris, oil, grease, and other pollutants, and transports them to storm drains or directly to nearby waterbodies. Most storm drain systems don’t perform any treatment on the water they collect, which makes it essential to prevent the contamination of stormwater. If we fail to do this, the polluted runoff will be discharged, untreated, into waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water.
State Permit Laws
Under the Clean Water Act, many state regulations require construction sites to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage for stormwater runoff. The permits make provision for site operators to take stormwater management measures that prevent sediment and other pollutants from flowing into nearby streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.
Activities Covered by Permits
All land-disturbing activities, including clearing, grading, and excavation, that disturb one or more acres of land are required to be covered under an NPDES construction stormwater permit prior to land disturbance. Small construction activities that disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, such as a single lot within a larger subdivision, are also required to obtain permit coverage.
Developing a Management Plan
Developing a comprehensive construction environmental management plan is essential to apply for the required permits. Components of this plan include the stabilization of the bare earth and reducing the risk or erosion through measures such as the diversion of stormwater runoff, construction of drains, temporary ponds and other protections, preservation of the site’s vegetation, and appropriate grading. [1]
At ACG, we are committed to ensuring the environmental and stormwater management aspects of our work are carried out with the same dedication and integrity we bring to every activity. A well-executed construction environmental management plan helps to ensure construction can proceed without unnecessary delays and the customer can have confidence in the success of the project.
[1] Ref: U.S. EPA Interim Revised NPDES Inspection Manual | 2017, Chapter 11