Erosion prevention practices

Application of mulch at a construction site.

Slope properly stabilized with mulch to prevent erosion.

Failed mulch application, showing significant erosion.

Erosion is the process by which soil, rock, or other material is moved from one location to another, typically through the action of water or wind. Erosion prevention practices are designed to prevent or minimize erosion. Typical erosion prevention practices involve one or more of the following.

• Planning approaches that minimize the size of the bare soil area and the length of time disturbed areas are exposed to the elements – especially for long, steep slopes and easily erodible soils
• Diverting or otherwise controlling the location and volume of run-on flows to the site from adjacent areas
• Keeping concentrated flows in ditches stabilized with vegetation, rock, or other material
• Covering bare soil with vegetation, mulch, erosion control blankets, turf reinforcement mats, gravel, rock, plastic sheeting, soil binder chemicals, etc.

This page provides links to several pages in this manual that address erosion prevention at construction stormwater sites.

Stabilization practices

• Erosion prevention practices - temporary seeding
• Erosion prevention practices - mats and mulches
• Erosion prevention practices - hydraulic mulch/tackifiers/soil stabilizers
• Erosion prevention practices - erosion control blankets and anchoring devices
• Erosion prevention practices - turf reinforcement mats

Warning: The Construction Stormwater General permit states "The Permittee(s) must stabilize all exposed soil areas (including stockpiles)." For more specific information, see Part IV.B.2 of the permit.