Winter Months Bring More Stringent Guidelines for Soil Stabilization — November 15th – April 1st

Prepare Your Construction Sites for NYS DEC Winter Stabilization Guidelines:

1. Maintain a 25-foot buffer from silt fence and perimeter controls. Mark silt fence with taller stakes for increased visibility above snowpack.

2. If your work area drains to and is within 100 feet of a water body, add a second row of silt fence (spaced 5 feet apart).

3. Keep snow off of drainage structures to prevent ice jams that can cause flooding.

4. Install silt fence prior to frozen ground conditions.

5. Install silt fence 15 feet from stockpiles (versus 10 feet).

6. Stabilize soils within 3 business days (versus 7 or 14) of inactivity.

7. Spread straw at 4 tons per acre if seed is not used (2 tons per acre with seed).

8. Prepare for melting events by stabilizing soils at the end of the business day unless soils are to be worked within 24 hours and no precipitation is in the forecast.

9. Use 10-foot-wide stone paths to stabilize equipment access perimeters of buildings.

BME’s qualified SWPPP inspectors monitor construction sites, provide reporting, and manage required documentation and notifications. Contact Kim Boyd at BME for more information.