Newletters, helpful advice and other pearls of wisdom from Earthworks' staff.
by Matthew Trygg // 2020-08-03
The Illinois Urban Manual is a technical reference for those involved in the inspecting and/or installing Best Management Practices (BMPs) for soil and erosion control on construction sites in the state of Illinois. The manual has been put together and updated by the state of Illinois and...
Read Moreby Haley Daily // 2020-08-03
States are required to follow the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has authorized most states to perform their own permitting, administrative and enforcement aspects of the program (NPDES, 2020...
Read Moreby Brian Hartman // 2020-07-30
The main purpose of BMPs (Best Management Practices) on a construction site are to keep lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands free of sediment pollution. Sediment pollution can negatively impact the environment in many ways, including the degradation of plant and animal life. Turbid water ...
Read Moreby Johnathan Clayton // 2020-07-30
Temporary stabilization is a soil stabilization measure that is generally used for disturbed areas of a construction site that have a planned period of inactivity. In Florida, the Construction General Permit (CGP) calls for temporary stabilization to be implemented when an area of disturb...
Read Moreby Matthew Trygg // 2020-07-30
Water used in the concrete washout process has a high level pH, that pH level can be near 12, which is essentially the same as liquid drain cleaner, ammonia or other household cleaning detergents. The safe pH ranges for aquatic life habitats are 6.5 – 9 for freshwater and 6.5 – 8.5 for saltwat...
Read Moreby Mark Hubbard // 2020-07-30
A Stormwater pollution prevention plan is essential for the development of measures aimed at the elimination of illicit discharges. Although most of the attention toward pollution prevention in the Stormwater Plan is given to the structural BMPs, a plan for the use of non-structural BMP c...
Read Moreby Rick Jackson // 2020-07-25
Slope stabilization techniques have been around for a long time. However, what many do not realize is that not all stabilization techniques are suitable for every situation. Most traditional methods, i.e., natural fiber stabilization blankets, are only suitable for shallower slope (3:1 and sha...
Read Moreby Brooks Morse // 2020-07-25
A common question with the NPDES inspection process regards trash or construction debris and if it relates to the stormwater plan. It absolutely does! Trash and debris directly affect the stormwater plan and is a specific requirement in state Construction General Permits (CGP) to maintain...
Read MoreFive years ago, Cherie Koester left a prominent job with Maricopa County to start her own business. From her residence in Queen Creek, Koester founded Earthworks Environmental LLC. As the woman- and minority-owned environmental consulting firm celebrates its fifth anniversary, the Mesa-based c...
Read More