(1) Plan required. All activities which involve filling, grading, excavation or other similar activities which result in unstabilized soil conditions and which require a permit shall require a written soil erosion and sedimentation control plan.
(a) The plan shall be submitted to the permitting authority for approval and shall include, where applicable, provisions for:
[1] Mulching and revegetation of disturbed soil.
[2] Temporary runoff control features such as hay bales, silt fencing or diversion ditches.
[3] Permanent stabilization structures such as retaining walls or riprap.
(b) Activities which require site plans or approval from the Planning Board are to be prepared in accordance with prevailing best management practices as referenced in the current issue of Maine Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook for Construction: Best Management Practices. The Code Enforcement Officer may also require the applicant to obtain approval from the Soil and Water Conservation District prior to a permit being issued.
(2) Development. In order to create the least potential for erosion, development shall be designed to fit with the topography and soils of the site. Areas of steep slopes where high cuts and fills may be required shall be avoided wherever possible, and natural contours shall be followed as closely as possible.
(3) Duration of plan. Erosion and sedimentation control measures shall apply to all aspects of the proposed project involving land disturbance, and shall be in operation during all stages of the activity. The amount of exposed soil at every phase of construction shall be minimized to reduce the potential for erosion.
(4) Exposed ground area. Any exposed ground area shall be temporarily or permanently stabilized within one week from the time the work was started, by use of riprap, sod, seed, and mulch, or other effective measures. In all cases, permanent stabilization shall occur within nine months of the initial date of exposure. In addition:
(a) Where mulch is used, it shall be applied at a rate of at least one bale per 500 square feet and shall be maintained until a catch of vegetation is established.
(b) Anchoring the mulch with netting, peg and twine or other suitable method may be required to maintain the mulch cover.
(c) Additional measures shall be taken where necessary in order to avoid siltation into the water. Such measures may include the use of staked hay bales and/or silt fences.
(5) Drainageways. Natural and man-made drainageways and drainage outlets shall be protected from erosion from water flowing through them. Drainageways shall be designed and constructed in order to carry water from a twenty-five-year storm or greater, and shall be stabilized with vegetation or lined with riprap.
(6) Soil and erosion control methods. All best management practices must be installed at the minimum principal and accessory setback as specified in
§ 185-15B, or to the greatest practical extent as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.
Refer to the Code Enforcement Department's
MyGov Portal to apply.
