Newletters, helpful advice and other pearls of wisdom from Earthworks' staff.
by Austin Stiles, Lead Compliance Manager - Iowa/Kentucky // 2021-01-21
A 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 SWP...
Read Moreby Matthew Trygg, Lead Compliance Manager - Illinois // 2021-01-21
Who 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 ...
Read Moreby Richard Jackson, Lead Compliance Manager - Atlantic // 2021-01-21
Bioretention – 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 be...
Read Moreby Brian Hartman, Lead Compliance Manager - Minnesota // 2021-01-21
Articulated 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 channe...
Read Moreby Blake Curran, Lead Compliance Manager - Colorado // 2021-01-21
Implementing 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...
Read Moreby Brendan Haugh // 2020-12-07
We’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 s...
Read Moreby Cherie Koester // 2020-09-09
The 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 p...
Read Moreby Brooks Morse // 2020-08-25
Originally 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). Yo...
Read Moreby Matthew Trygg // 2020-08-25
Originally 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 increas...
Read Moreby Don Abresch // 2020-08-25
Originally published in April 2019 in Vol. 2, Issue 1 of Earthworks newsletter. Numerous snowfall records were broken this year. February 2019 has been the 4th all-time snowiest on record with 39”. Normal season snow totals in Minneapolis are 54.2”, the metropolitan area is presently 12...
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