Site Stabilization and Erosion Control Services

AEI commonly utilizes eight types of controls as a part of the overall site stabilization process. 1. Construction Entrance

A temporary rock or geosynthetic mat located at points where vehicles enter and exit construction sites. Some sites install wash racks near the entrance to wash off mud. This control reduces mud transported onto public roads and other paved areas, where it can be introduced to off-site sewers and waterways.

2. Site Stabilization

Grass (either seeding or sod), mulch, straw, and geosynthetic mats or blankets are used for temporary or permanent soil stabilization. Temporary stabilization must quickly follow the clearing of a site, so that exposed mud will not wash off in a rainstorm. Mulch or straw mixed with grass seed is commonly used for flat areas, and geosynthetic mats or netting are used for areas for steep terrain. Trees, shrubs, and grass are planted as permanent stabilization on finished sites. This control is the first line of defense for preventing introduction of mud into runoff.

3. Sediment Barriers

The most common sediment barrier controls are silt fences and straw bales. Silt fences are long sheets of woven black plastic fabric 2 to 3 feet high that are fastened to wooden or metal stakes. Fabric must be kept taut, erect, and anchored to the ground. Straw bales are staked to the ground end-to-end in a tight row, with no spaces between them. Both silt fences and bales are designed to catch mud on the site and slow rainwater that flows through them.

4. Stockpile Protection

Piles of soil are often stored on the site, and must be protected using the site stabilization controls and sediment barrier controls (see above). This control prevents stockpiled material from leaving the storage area or leaving the site.

5. Inlet Protection

Inlet protection is a barrier or filter placed at the mouth of storm drains, culverts, or sewers. Storm drains left unprotected on or below a construction site can allow mud and other pollutants from the site to flow into public sewers or streams. Drains may be completely capped or protected by rock, sand bags, or the barriers controls noted above. This control is used to prevent mud from entering into a drainage system prior to permanent site stabilization.

6. Conveyance Channels

Stormwater conveyance channels are permanent, designed waterways lined with appropriate vegetation or rock. This control is used to safely convey runoff within or off a site. Roadside ditches are a common example.

7. Sediment Traps

Sediment traps are small ponds created to slow down and store water and allow sediment to settle before water leaves a site. Traps are only temporary, and should be replaced by permanent stormwater ponds that serve the finished development.

8. Outlet Protection

Outlet protection is large, loose, angular rock (called ‘riprap”) permanently placed at the outlet of conveyance channels, sediment traps, and pipes. This control is used to slow down water and prevent erosion at or below the point of discharge.