As compliance managers in Florida, we inspect sites frequently. With that experience, potentially most common issue noticed in Florida, would be erosion onto streets. Some seem to take a reactive approach to this sediment issue rather than our clients who take a proactive approach. One of the most effective approaches to keeping the streets clear of sediment would be a back-of-curb BMP. There are a few back-of-curb BMP’s that are commonly used during different stages of construction.

When a site reaches temporarily stabilization, with streets paved and curb/gutter complete, a good back-of-curb BMP to utilize throughout the site would be a sod grass buffer. Once the sod is laid, it requires little to no maintenance to be effective. The sod grass buffer uses vegetation to stabilize the back of the curb, which helps mitigate sediment erosion from a lot into the street. The dimensions of the sod strip vary depending on the slope and type of soil but typically should be around 18 inches wide.

Once a lot transitions from temporary stabilization to active construction, the sod grass buffer becomes less effective as it gets damaged from contractors and trades driving over the buffer during construction. A back-of-curb BMP that is easily maintained and effective during active construction is a curb-cut-back. A curb -cut-back is essentially a temporary sediment trap that is installed behind the curb. This sediment trap allows sediment eroded from the lot to settle in the trap before water exits onto the street. The dimensions for a cut-back-curb are normally between 3-4 inches deep and 3-4 feet wide. Once the cut-back-curb reaches 75 percent capacity, it should then be re-established.

A curb-back-of BMP is important to keep maintained once your site is paved. This BMP is designed to keep sediment off the street. As mentioned above, having sediment in the street makes a site look unkept and is often the first problem an inspector will see during an inspection. Most of the time, this would be cause for an inspector to take a closer look at records and maintenance issues. Having clean streets is an important step to having a clean regulatory inspection report.