FREE Erosion Control - it's everywhere
You could say this #BMP is your excuse to not pull weeds or cut the grass.
What is it?
“Preservation of existing vegetation” AKA SS-2 or EC-2 is the practice of protecting plant life on your site. The idea behind this Best Management Practice is to leave as much vegetation as possible throughout your project. If you don’t have to rip it out to perform construction, let it grow!
Why it matters:
Vegetation is a really effective form of erosion control. Loose, crumbly soil can easily be eroded away by the elements and contribute to stormwater pollution (not to mention turbidity exceedances). Existing vegetation helps stabilize this soil and keep it in place to prevent turbid runoff.
Keeping plants intact isn’t just for looks, vegetation utilizes its protective leaves and grounding roots to keep soil locked in. You can think of them as a #natural anti-erosion tool.
It’s what lies underneath—the roots—that counts (awww how sweet).
How to use it effectively:
Preservation of existing vegetation is all about taking the time to figure out where natural vegetation can be found on-site, and whether or not it has to go. Identify the location of trees, shrubs, grasses, and more, then reference your plans and schedule to see how much of it can be left undisturbed by current and planned construction activities.
Here are some tips to get you started...
Work with a #Biologist to identify any Environmentally Sensitive Areas or Species Protection Areas
Map out the limits of your soil disturbance
Map out your staging area and access roads
Map out strategic areas of plant preservation that keeps a buffer on the downhill portion of your site
Use fencing and other BMPs to mark out preservation areas
Educate your team on the importance of preserving this vegetation and what areas to stay out of - TL;DR lesson, it saves your a**!
Maintain the fencing throughout the course of construction, and enforce the boundaries with your crew
At the end of your project remove all of the fencing and clean up any degraded materials to prevent polluting the space with trash
Give your vehicle and equipment traffic a clear path that avoids vegetated areas. Keep in mind to stay 10 feet away from the base of a tree to protect the roots and irrigation systems. Clearly mark preservation areas with temporary ESA fencing for visibility. Prevent equipment and employees from walking on plants and vegetation.
Fun Fact - Vegetation can actually help to filter and treat stormwater runoff, like a free mini ATS that cleans your stormwater before it enters a waterbody (or the underlying groundwater reservoirs)
Before we leave you, we wanted to invite you to enter into our NEWSLETTER GIVEAWAY. Every month we give away an epic prize to our subscribers. This month we're giving away a BESTWAY HYDRO FORCE TROPICAL BREEZE FLOATING ISLAND - check it out here. To enter, head over to https://www.tullygroup.com/sign-up.
We're not about that #spam life, we want to send you useful and digestible information to keep you compliant. It's news and tips generated from experienced SWPPP inspectors designed to give you that leg up. Sign up by filling out this form.
Need a SWPPP? We've got you covered. Our team is EASY TO WORK WITH, experienced, and trained. We don't say that lightly.
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Written by Mae Shulman & Edited by Kaeli Tully, QSP
