Newletters, helpful advice and other pearls of wisdom from Earthworks' staff.
During most construction activities, there is some form of concrete that will be utilized, whether it is mixed by hand in wheelbarrows or poured from cement mixing trucks. No matter how the concrete is applied or transported to the site, there will inevitably be remaining concrete waste that is not used and needs to be washed out of the equipment. This remaining waste should be contained in a watertight concrete washout area to ensure that none of the liquid and/or solid materials are able to...
by Johnathan Clayton, Lead Compliance Manager - Florida // 2021-01-21
Read MoreA SWPPP is a dynamic, “living” document. As the construction process progresses, the plans for how construction will occur are always changing. As these adjustments to the construction plans are made, the SWPPP must be amended to reflect the changes that are occurring on site. Amending the SWPPP allows the operator to update their SWPPP book rather than making a new SWPPP to include changes from the initial plans. These amendments not only apply for updates made to the construction plans b...
by Austin Stiles, Lead Compliance Manager - Iowa/Kentucky // 2021-01-21
Read MoreWho does this apply to? In general, construction activities that disturb one or more acres, and discharges from smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development must comply with their states and EPAs Construction General Permit. When closing out the permit you must meet one of the definitions given by that permit to do so. Why? To stay in compliance with your construction general permit, disturbed soil must reach permanent stabilized prior to filing for the Notice o...
by Matthew Trygg, Lead Compliance Manager - Illinois // 2021-01-21
Read MoreBioretention – Bioinfiltration Basin, also known as a Rain Garden, is a vegetated area used to treat stormwater before discharging from a site. Whether or not a retention or infiltration basin can be utilized still depends on the subsoils' predesign testing. These basins are great for sites because they can be constructed in any size, shape, and installed in any area that will be vegetated. They are highly versatile and are aesthetically appealing. With proper construction and design, these b...
by Richard Jackson, Lead Compliance Manager - Atlantic // 2021-01-21
Read MoreArticulated concrete blocks, also known as ACB’s, are a type of energy dissipation used to prevent erosion on the soil. ACB’s are an alternative to rip rap and concrete used for energy dissipation. Generally, ACB’s are installed in areas with high amounts of water flow, such as drainage channels, riverfronts, retention basins, and lake shorelines. The articulated concrete block system is comprised of a flexible mat made up of individual concrete blocks placed together to form an erosion-resis...
by Brian Hartman, Lead Compliance Manager - Minnesota // 2021-01-21
Read MoreImplementing stabilization in the winter can be a daunting task when the days are short and temperatures are cool. Depending on your geographical location you could be limited on the options available to stabilize soils; however, there are options to meet the stabilization requirement for your project all year round. Being proactive in soil stabilization is the best way to reduce and/or minimize erosion. Those pesky steep slopes on your project that are the most likely to erode are the one...
by Blake Curran, Lead Compliance Manager - Colorado // 2021-01-21
Read MoreWe’ve received news regarding regulatory stormwater inspections that we would like to share. ADEQ is currently not on pace to meet their inspection quota for sites operating under the construction general permit. In an effort to meet this quota, they have informed us that we should expect to see an exponential increase in inspections. Henceforth, each inspector has been tasked with completing 4+ residential construction inspections per week. Earthworks will continue to inform you of an...
by Brendan Haugh // 2020-12-07
Read MoreThe Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) in Arizona recently rolled out a new permitting system affecting the Dust Compliance / Earthmoving permits. Earthworks has contacted MCAQD in order to obtain some clarifications, and we’d like to share the following updates: The dust permit project sign should reflect the Facility ID number (F- #). This number will no longer change upon renewal, but remain the same for the life of the project as long as the same permit holder is the one...
by Cherie Koester // 2020-09-09
Read MoreOriginally published in April 2019 in Vol. 2, Issue 1 of Earthworks newsletter. Most cities have their own network of sewer conduit guiding stormwater to outfalls reaching a water of the U.S. This network of sewer conduit is known as an MS4 (Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System). You can find a lot of information regarding what MS4 your project may affect online with your local municipal website. The city of Phoenix, AZ has a great breakdown of their network and where their ...
by Brooks Morse // 2020-08-25
Read MoreOriginally published in April 2019 in Vol. 2, Issue 1 of Earthworks newsletter. Figure showing a strong upward trend in Northeast Illinois summer precipitation. (Illinois State Water Survey) April showers bring May flowers! As you may have noticed there has been an increase of rainfall in Northeast Illinois. In fact, according to the Illinois State Water Survey “precipitation in Northeast Illinois has increased by 10% in the last century, with extreme precipitation events increas...
by Matthew Trygg // 2020-08-25
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