Erosion prevention practices - temporary seeding and stabilization
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Contents
Temporary Seeding and Stabilization
Definition
The MPCA Construction General Permit defines stabilization, stabilized, and stabilize as meaning that “the exposed ground surface has been covered by appropriate materials such as mulch, staked sod, riprap, erosion control blanket, mats or other material that prevents erosion from occurring. Grass, agricultural crop or other seeding alone is not stabilization.”
Stabilization includes a wide range of erosion prevention practices that cover exposed soil such as the use of straw, mulch, erosion control blankets, plastic sheeting or tarpaulins. Temporary seeding is a soil stabilization practice involving the establishment of temporary vegetative cover to reduce erosion on construction sites that have disturbed areas that are temporarily idle (i.e., where no soil disturbing activities occur on that portion of the site for 14 or more consecutive days). Erosion prevention practices like stabilization are generally less costly and more effective than sediment control measures, which involve settling or filtering mobilized soil particles before they are transported by runoff to surface waters.
Purpose and Function
Temporary seeding and stabilization are intended to counteract the erosive influences of rainfall, rain and snowmelt runoff, and wind on bare soil. Stabilization prevents the mobilization and subsequent transport of soil particles by preventing erosion. Stabilization practices, which mostly include temporary vegetated cover and the application of a mulch, blanket, mat, or other cover on bare soil, is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective approach for addressing sediment loss (muddy runoff and dust) from construction sites. Since temporary seeding is only effective for erosion control once vegetation has established, mulch or other temporary cover is needed to protect seeded areas until vegetation emerges. A good stand of vegetation will protect soil from erosion by raindrop impact and help slow runoff to prevent rill erosion. The vegetation can also act as a filter, trapping coarse sediment particles carried by runoff.
Applicability
Temporary seeding and stabilization apply to areas of construction sites where soil-disturbing activities have temporarily ceased, and/or immediate measures are needed to prevent erosion and sediment runoff at its source during anticipated rainfall or snowmelt events. Note: Temporary seeding information is presented in this subsection; information on other approaches for temporary stabilization (e.g., blankets, mats, mulches, hydraulically applied products, etc.) can be found in other subsections.
Site Applicability
Construction sites often have areas where soil disturbing activities such as clearing, grading, or cut/fill work has stopped for a period of time. Bare areas that are not actively under construction need some type of temporary cover to prevent or minimize erosion in the event of rainfall or snowmelt. Applicable areas include topsoil stockpiles, rough graded areas, sediment basin dikes, ditches, temporary earthen structures, and graded areas undergoing settlement.
Permit Applicability
The MPCA Construction General Permit has several requirements regarding temporary stabilization.