This manual contains tools and information for developing plans to minimize soil erosion and prevent sedimentation associated with land-disturbing activities. The practice standards and specifications are guidelines, intended to minimize the time required to design practices for use under typical site conditions. 

This manual is intended for periodic updates. Therefore, sections of the manual may change as practices for erosion and sedimentation control evolve. This manual was first published in 1988, with revisions in 1993, 1997, 2006, 2008 and 2013.

A Field Manual and Inspector’s Guide are also available on the DEMLR Publications page.

Recent Revisions

This section contains recent revisions and notices about the revisions. These revisions are incorporated into the current version of the NC E&SC Planning and Design Manual but are provided separately here for the convenience of those that have a physical version of the E&SC Planning and Design Manual. These revisions can be printed and inserted into your physical copy to update it to the current version.

2013 Design Manual Updates (revisions only) 

2013 SCC Notice to Revision Recipients 

Errata-June 2006 Revision Packet

NC Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and Design Manual

Complete Manual (33 MB)

Cover and Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - North Carolina Sedimentation and Control Law

Chapter 2 - Processes and Principles of Erosion and Sedimentation

Chapter 3 - Vegetation Considerations

Chapter 4 - Preparing the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan

Chapter 5 - Overview of Erosion and Sedimentation Control Practices
Complete Chapter

Chapter 6 - Practices and Specifications
Complete chapter

Chapter 6 - Practices and Specifications
Download by sections below

I. Site preparation

  • 6.01 Construction Sequence Schedule
  • 6.02 Land Grading
  • 6.03 Surface Roughening
  • 6.04 Topsoiling
  • 6.05 Tree Preservation and Protection
  • 6.06 Temporary Gravel Construction Entrance/Exit

II. Surface Stabilization

  •  6.10 Temporary Seeding
  • 6.11 Permanent Seeding
  • 6.12 Sodding
  • 6.13 Trees, Shrubs, Vines, and Ground Covers
  • 6.14 Mulching
  • 6.15 Riprap
  • 6.16 Vegetative Dune Stabilization
  • 6.17 Rolled Erosion Controlled Products
  • 6.18 Compost Blankets

III. Runoff Control Measures

  • 6.20 Temporary Diversions
  • 6.21 Permanent Diversions
  • 6.22 Diversion Dike (Perimeter Protection)
  • 6.23 Right-of-Way Diversions (Water Bars)
  • 6.24 Riparian Area Seeding 

IV. Runoff Conveyance Measures

  • 6.30 Grass-Lined Channels
  • 6.31 Riprap and Paved Channels
  • 6.32 Temporary Slope Drains
  • 6.33 Paved Flume (Chutes)

V. Outlet Protection

  • 6.40 Level Spreader
  • 6.41 Outlet Stabilization Structure

VI. Inlet Protection

  • 6.50 Excavated Drop Inlet Protection (Temporary)
  • 6.51 Hardware Cloth and Gravel Inlet Protection (Temporary)
  • 6.52 Block and Gravel Inlet Protection (Temporary)
  • 6.53 Sod Drop Inlet Protection
  • 6.54 Rock Doughnut Inlet Protection
  • 6.55 Rock Pipe Inlet Protection

VII. Sediment Traps and Barriers

  • 6.60 Temporary Sediment Trap
  • 6.61 Sediment Basin
  • 6.62 Sediment Fence (Silt Fence)
  • 6.63 Rock Dam
  • 6.64 Skimmer Sediment Basin
  • 6.65 Porous Baffles
  • 6.66 Compost Sock 

VIII. Stream Protection

  • 6.70 Temporary Stream Crossing
  • 6.71 Permanent Stream Crossing
  • 6.72 Vegetative Streambank Stabilization
  • 6.73 Structural Streambank Stabilization
  • 6.74 Buffer Zones

IX. Other Related Practices

  • 6.80 Construction Road Stabilization
  • 6.81 Subsurface Drain
  • 6.82 Grade Stabilization Structure
  • 6.83 Check Dam
  • 6.84 Dust Control
  • 6.85 Sand Fence (Wind Fence)
  • 6.86 Flocculants
  • 6.87 Check Dam with Weir

Chapter 7 - Sample Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan

Chapter 8 - Appendices

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