Winter construction practices for site stabilization, erosion prevention and sediment control

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Winterization Planning

Projects that will either extend more than one season or will still be active during the winter months need to take special considerations when planning for winter shutdown or an active winter construction season. A winter construction plan should be developed to specifically address shutdown procedures or active construction plans. Projects that plan to continue construction during the winter seasons should sequence construction events such that areas having high potential for erosion and sedimentation be fully constructed and stabilized prior to the presence of frozen conditions whenever possible.

Winter Shutdown

All winter shutdown activities should be performed before frozen conditions are present and must be completed within 14 days following the end of construction for the season. BMPs should not be installed on top of snow when used as part of winter shutdown.

• Seed all proposed vegetated areas prior to October 1st to ensure germination.
• Stabilize all slopes no later than October 15th with either rock, permanent or temporary vegetation, straw mulch secured with netting (slopes less than 15%), erosion control blanket (slopes 15% or greater). Vegetated slopes that have not germinated with at least 70% cover by October 15th should augment with another method in these areas.
• Stabilize all areas of bare soil (not including road, parking and staging areas) with a temporary seed mix or straw mulch crimped into the soil.
• Apply temporary seed or mulch stockpiles of soil materials with hay or straw at twice the normally recommended rate, with a minimum thickness of 3 inches having 80% to 90% cover. A 4-inch layer of erosion control mix may also be used.
• Install all sediment barriers with adequate area to allow access for inspection and maintenance. Install vertical markers every 100 feet to identify their locations during melt conditions to ensure performance.
• All road, parking and staging areas that have not been fully constructed prior to winter shutdown should be stabilized with a minimum of 3 inches of a sand and gravel mix with a gradation such that less than 12% of the sand passes the number 200 sieve.