FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EROSION AND
SEDIMENTATION CONTROLS
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1. What are Erosion Controls?
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They are specific steps, guidelines and devices taken to protect the disturbed ground. Some typical examples of
erosion controls are silt fencing, hay bales, sequencing the limit of disturbance, sediment traps, channels and
seeding/mulching.
ANYTIME there are earthmoving activities – disturbances of the ground – controls are required to be used. Keeping
your disturbances contained, and the receiving watercourses clean, are not only the main goal, but also the law.
3. When is an Erosion Control plan approval required?
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Major land disturbance activities, such as an addition to a structure or the use of heavy equipment to move dirt
require an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan.
When there are any other environmental permits required for the proposed activity (stream-crossing, joint permit,
NPDES permit, water obstruction).
When a municipality requests to have an Erosion Control approval (if required for the grading permit or if they
just wish to have it reviewed by the District office for Erosion Control).
When the Conservation District office, The DEP or the Fish and Boat Commission requests a plan and an
approval.
If you are planning to conduct an earth disturbance activity, make sure that you are doing your part. Proper
planning and use of Best Management Practices is the key to a successful project and the protection of the
Commonwealth's water resources.
Before beginning your project, become familiar with the requirements and inform your contractor or equipment
operator of the need for Erosion and Sediment Control Plans as part of the project.