For land developers and other construction industry professionals, being a good steward of the construction process means considering and preventing erosion issues. Planning and implementing erosion mitigation efforts can yield big results.
Sometimes, erosion control during a construction project is statutorily required. In other instances, construction professionals focus on erosion control regardless of outside regulations. In either case, following certain well-defined steps can help to mitigate erosion at a construction site.
The Planning Process
If you are undertaking a construction project, ensuring that erosion is controlled on the site will be key to your success. Doing so requires careful planning to take several things into account, including the type of construction, the location (e.g. urban vs. rural), and the slope and grade of the land. The development’s proximity to waterways and riverbanks, and the amount of existing vegetation on the land also need to be considered.
The Implementation Process
At a construction site, erosion control should already have been factored into the management of the planned project. As in nature, erosion during construction is largely driven by two natural elements: wind and water. Specific characteristics of the project, namely where it is located, will also impact the amount of erosion that occurs. It’s important to remember that erosion control measures have both on-site and off-site impacts to consider.
Principles of Erosion Control
Erosion control does not have to be an expensive endeavor in order for it to be effective. Effective erosion management can best be achieved by understanding the basic principles of erosion control.
The principles start with increasing resistive forces and reducing erosive forces exerted by wind and water. Construction professionals should also utilize sediment control for cost-effective sediment remediation and limit soil exposure to water and wind.
It’s also important to reduce runoff velocity via grading and slope management. Topography should be modified with short, shallow slopes (where applicable), and erosion-preventative vegetation should be added to longer, steeper slopes. Finally, developers should regularly inspect, evaluate, and repair the site as needed.
Erosion Control Benefits Us All
Just like any other part of the project management plan, erosion control on a construction site should be planned thoroughly. Careful attention to some basic construction activities can help manage erosion for the benefit of the project and the surrounding community.
CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.