WHEN BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BECOME WORST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

On February 17, 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published their ruling for reissuance of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permits. The ruling outlined Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommended for controlling sediment from construction sites. However, not all BMPs are effective in controlling sediment in runoff waters and erosion. Unfortunately, the EPA ruling did not provide guidelines as to when mitigation measures are not to be installed. As a result, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans are being developed with, and contractors are installing, mitigation measures that often increase the potential for erosion, increase downstream flooding, and increase downstream sedimentation. This article reviews the proper use and limitation of different BMPs, including straw or hay bale barriers, rock barriers, silt fence barriers, rolled erosion control products, and curb and gutter sediment traps. If reduction of sediment in runoff is to occur, it is important that limitations be recognized with all structural and nonstructural methods.