Erosion Control

Erosion is a natural process which normally occurs at a very slow rate. In Santa Cruz County, however, accelerated erosion is resulting from increases in population and construction. Soil particles are carried by runoff and deposited as sediment in streams and on valuable property. Many problems result and we all pay a price in terms of decreased property values, undermined foundations, road washouts, expensive filtering systems for drinking water, gullies, landslides, unbuildable construction sites, increased flood hazards, clogged drainage structures, destruction of fish habitats, and loss of valuable commercial and leisure activities.

PREVENTION IS THE KEY

Correct problems on your property before they become costly hazards, and protect yourself from liability for damages on neighboring property. Protect our environment and ensure desirable living conditions, recreational and commercial opportunities, and even pure drinking water.

DESIGN THE PROJECT TO FIT THE SITE:

Use step or pole foundations on steep slopes to minimize grading. Locate access roads on slopes less than 30% and where cuts and fills will be less than 5 feet in height.

SUBMIT AN EROSION CONTROL PLAN:

An erosion control plan is required for all development. This plan shall be submitted in conjunction with applications for building and grading permits.

MAINTAIN RUNOFF RATES AT OR BELOW PREDEVELOPMENT LEVELS:

• Retain runoff onsite by filtering it back into the soil whenever possible and always where percolation rates are 2" per hour or greater. Consider use of percolation trenches, basins and dry wells for this purpose. Note: Retention is not recommended on unstable slopes or in areas where high water tables exist.
  
• If retention is not possible, detain runoff with detention basins or other runoff collection devices and release it in a controlled fashion, possibly into pipes or lined ditches.
  
• Direct released runoff flows onto established vegetation, paved areas, or other adequate energy dissipators such as rock rip rap.
  
• Keep sediment on site by filtering runoff with gravel berms, vegetated filter strips, catch basins, etc. Never pile soil where it may wash into streams or drainage ways!
  Use berms or swales to divert runoff away from sensitive areas such as unstable slopes.

KEEP GRADING AND LAND CLEARING TO A MINIMUM: VEGETATION AND NATURAL SOIL STRUCTURE HELP PREVENT EROSION

• Begin land clearing only after approval of your Erosion Control Plan.
• Obtain a permit to clear more than one (1) acre. Land clearing is prohibited in sensitive habitats, including riparian corridors and land clearing of one-quarter acre or more requires a permit when on slopes greater than 30%, or in the Coastal Zone in areas of high erosion hazard or water supply watershed.
• Stockpile and reapply topsoil on slopes less than 20%.

• Use appropriate grass/legume seed mixes and/or straw mulch for temporary cover. Plant permanent vegetation to include natives and drought tolerant plants.
• Seeding and revegetation may require special soil preparation, fertilizing, irrigation, and mulching.

• Install erosion control measures before winter rains (October 15 - April 15). This includes drainage structures for roads and driveways such as waterbars, culverts, or roadside ditches. Erosion-proof road surfacing may be necessary.
• Protect all disturbed soils with vegetation and/or mulch. Retain sediment with dikes, gravel or vegetated filter strips, and catch basins.
• Keep all culverts and drainage facilities free of silt and debris.
• Keep emergency erosion control materials such as mulch, plastic sheeting, and sandbags on site. Install these at the end of each day as necessary.
• Operations may be delayed by the County if a high potential of erosion exists.

EXEMPTIONS:

In general, accelerated erosion existing before the adoption of the Erosion Control Ordinance (October 2, 1980) is not exempt. There are certain types of work exempt from specific provisions of the ordinance, but they must not cause accelerated erosion. These include permitted activities such as timber harvesting, agricultural grading, well drilling and repair, quarrying, septic installation, and resource management by public agencies.

VIOLATIONS:

Violation of the Erosion Control Ordinance may result in the issuance of a Notice of Violation, which describes the actions necessary to correct the problem and may include restoration of the area to its original condition. If the required corrective actions are not taken promptly, the Notice of Violation is recorded on the title to the property and becomes part of the public record. In addition, the current property owner is subject to a levy of all enforcement costs incurred by the Code Compliance staff in obtaining compliance as well as the possible imposition, through legal action, of penalties of up to $2,500 a day while the violation exists.

LET US HELP!

For additional help, contact environmental planning for questions regarding erosion control plans or see our Erosion and Sediment Control On Your Construction Site brochure