Program Overview
The mission of the Erosion and Sediment Control (E&SC) Program is to allow development within our state while preventing pollution by sedimentation.
In cooperation with the Sedimentation Control Commission and pursuant to the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973, the Erosion and Sediment Control Program:
- Develops, adopts, and revises rules and regulations for erosion and sediment control.
- Assists and encourages local programs and other agencies in developing erosion and sedimentation control programs.
- Develops and distributes recommended methods of erosion and sedimentation control, including the E&SC Planning and Design Manual.
- Develops and distributes other material relating to erosion and sediment control including technical, instructional, and educational material, including the Field Manual, Inspector’s Guide, E&SC Practices Videos, and the Erosion and Sedimentation Newsletter.
- Conduct educational programs in E&SC for State and local governmental officials, persons engaged in land-disturbing activities, and interested citizen groups such as the general public, students, and educators.
- Requires the submission of erosion and sedimentation control plans, and completes or delegates the completion of the review, inspection, and enforcement of those plans and their associated projects.
New Online Erosion and Sediment Control Application
The Erosion and Sediment Control Application is now available online, learn how to apply online here.
More information about the AccessDEQ digital hub can be found here.
Fee Update
As of November 19, 2021, the E&SC application fee is $100/per acre for new or revised plans. The express fee is unchanged.
Workshops:
Information on upcoming workshops will be posted here as it becomes available.
2024 NC E&SC Workshop
December 5, 2024
McKimmon Center
Raleigh, NC
Presented by: N.C. DEQ – Land Quality Section
In partnership with: Southeast Chapter – International Erosion Control Association (SE-IECA) and NCSU Department of Crop & Soil Sciences
Interested in presenting at this or future workshops? Email the Sediment Education Specialist.
2025 Local Program Workshop
April 23 & 24, 2025
Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center
Pittsboro, NC
Presented by: N.C. DEQ – Land Quality Section
In partnership with the NC Water Resources Research Institute
This event is specifically for the local government programs that have delegated erosion and sediment control programs; registration and workshop information will be sent directly to these programs.
Interested in presenting at this or future workshops? Email the Sediment Education Specialist.
Upcoming SCC 2024 & 2024Meeting Dates
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Thursday, November 20, 2025
For more information on the SCC and the quarterly meetings refer to the SCC webpage.
Erosion is the detachment and movement of soil particles by water, wind, and ice. Sedimentation is the process by which eroded soil is deposited into water bodies or onto land surfaces. Natural erosion occurs primarily on a geologic time scale, but when human activities alter the landscape, the erosion process can be greatly accelerated.
Each year, thousands of acres of land in NC are exposed during the course of construction and development. Without protective practices, the land is left vulnerable to the ravages of wind and rain. The four types of soil erosion on exposed terrain are: splash, sheet, rill/gully, and stream/channel erosion that strip the land of the nutrient-rich topsoil. This causes soil degradation such as decreased soil productivity and increased loss of soil structure.
Sediment that erodes from these exposed areas accumulates in lakes, natural watercourses, and on adjoining properties. When sediment travels off-site with runoff into water bodies, it can accumulate on the bottom, harm aquatic life, increase turbidity, and restrict the amount of sunlight reaching aquatic plants. Sediment can also decrease the storage volume of water bodies and clog sewer storm drains which can increase the potential of flooding. Sediment in our water also increases the costs of power production and of treating municipal drinking water.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be used to control erosion and prevent off-site sedimentation, thus reducing water pollution due to sedimentation.
For a brief history in erosion and sedimentation control as it relates to construction review the Sediments Newsletter articles “A Long History of Erosion” Part 1 & Part 2 by Dr. Rich McLaughlin.
E&SC Homepage: www.deq.nc.gov/E&SC
E&SC Education page: www.deq.nc.gov/E&SCedu
E&SC Sediments Newsletter page: www.deq.nc.gov/SEDIMENTS
DEMLR Homepage: www.deq.nc.gov/DEMLR
There are two available Listservs to stay up to date with E&SC information in NC :
- The E&SC Interested Parties listserv is run by NCDEQ E&SC Program staff for those interested in being notified regarding rule amendments, rule proposals, public hearings, and public comment periods. To subscribe go to https://lists.deq.nc.gov/ enter your name and email and then select “DEQ.DLR.Erosion.Sediment.Interested.Parties” from the drop down list.
- The Sediments listserv is run by the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) of the UNC System. This listserv is used to advertise E&SC training information, the Sediments newsletter and share other related information. To subscribe, follow the Sediments listserv directions on the WRRI Listservs page.
If you have questions or concerns related to erosion and sediment control or off-site sedimentation from construction in NC, contact:
The appropriate Local Government Program,
The DEMLR staff at the appropriate Regional Office,
The E&SC Central Office Staff, or
The DEMLR toll-free hotline, 1-866-STOPMUD
You can also refer to our Erosion and Sediment FAQs page for answers to common questions.