Erosion and Sediment Control 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. 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. Why is it important to prevent erosion and sedimentation? 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. Announcements 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. New advisory document: Hurricane Weather Advisory for Construction Sites (PDF) As we enter hurricane season, there exists the possibility that sites in development will be adversely impacted, regardless of the measures that are in place to control stormwater and sediment runoff. However, proper planning can minimize damage and the work effort to restore the site to pre-storm conditions. This document contains suggestions for pre-storm preparation, and conditions under which land-disturbing activities may be necessary. Workshops: Information on upcoming workshops will be posted here as it becomes available. 2021 NC E&SC Workshop - Dec. 2, 2021 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 Workshop materials have been posted to our event page. 2022 Local Program Workshop - Apr. 19 & 20, 2022 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. SCC 2022 Meeting Dates Feb. 22, 2022 May 19, 2022 Aug. 18, 2022 Nov. 15, 2022 For more information on the SCC and the quarterly meetings refer to the SCC webpage. E&SC Listservs 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. Contact Information 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.
Erosion and Sediment Control 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. 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. Why is it important to prevent erosion and sedimentation? 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. Announcements 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. New advisory document: Hurricane Weather Advisory for Construction Sites (PDF) As we enter hurricane season, there exists the possibility that sites in development will be adversely impacted, regardless of the measures that are in place to control stormwater and sediment runoff. However, proper planning can minimize damage and the work effort to restore the site to pre-storm conditions. This document contains suggestions for pre-storm preparation, and conditions under which land-disturbing activities may be necessary. Workshops: Information on upcoming workshops will be posted here as it becomes available. 2021 NC E&SC Workshop - Dec. 2, 2021 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 Workshop materials have been posted to our event page. 2022 Local Program Workshop - Apr. 19 & 20, 2022 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. SCC 2022 Meeting Dates Feb. 22, 2022 May 19, 2022 Aug. 18, 2022 Nov. 15, 2022 For more information on the SCC and the quarterly meetings refer to the SCC webpage. E&SC Listservs 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. Contact Information 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.
