161.1General Description
This Work includes using best management practices (BMPs) shown on the Plans, ordered by the Engineer, or as required during the life of the Contract to control soil erosion and sedimentation through the use of any of the devices or methods referred to in this Section. 161.1.01 Definitions Certified Personnel— certified personnel are defined as persons who have successfully completed the Level IA, or higher, certification course approved by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. For Department projects the certified person must also have successfully completed the Department’s Worksite Erosion Control Supervisor (WECS) certification course. Design Professional — as used within this specification, means that which is defined in the current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Infrastructure Permit No. GAR100002, Part I.B. 161.1.02 Related References A.Standard Specifications
S ection 109— Measurement and Payment
S ection 434— Asphalt Paved Ditches
ection 603— Rip Rap
Erosion control measures contained in the Specifications include: 131 131 131 131 131 131 131 131 131 131
Erosion Control Measure Section Concrete Paved Ditches 441 Check Dams 163.3.05.J Mulching 700.3.05.G Erosion Control Mats (Slopes) 716 Grassing 700 Maintenance of Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control Devices 165 Turf Reinforcement Matting 711 Reclamation of Material Pits and Waste Areas 160 Rip Rap 603 Restoration or Alteration of Lakes and Ponds 166 Asphalt Ditch Paving 434 Temporary Sediment Basin 163.3.05.C Silt Control Gates 163.3.05.A Silt Retention Barrier 170 Sod 700.3.05.H & 700.3.05.I Mulch 163.3.05.G Temporary Grass 163.3.05.F Silt Fence 171 Temporary Slope Drains 163.3.05.B Triangular Silt Barrier 720 Silt Filter Bag 719 Organic and Synthetic Material Fiber Blanket 713 B.Referenced Documents NPDES Infrastructure Permit No. GAR100002 GDOT WECS seminar Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Certification Level IA and Level II coursesEnvironmental Protection Divisions Rules and Regulations (Chapter 391-3- 7) OCGA Sec 12 -7-1 et seq. Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Plan (ESPCP) 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132
161.1.03 Submittals A.Status of Erosion Control Devices The Worksite Erosion Control Supervisor (WECS) or certified personnel will inspect the installation and maintenance of the Erosion Control Devices according to Subsection 167.3.05.B and the ESPCP. 1.Submit all reports to the Engineer within 24 hours of the inspection. Refer to Subsection 167.3.05.C for repor t r equirements. 2.The Engineer will review the reports and inspect the Project for compliance and concurrence with the s ubmitted reports. 3.The Engineer will notify the WECS or certified personnel of any additional items that should be added to the re ports. 4.Items listed in the report requiring maintenance or correction shall be completed within seventy- two (72) hours. 5.BMP(s) that has failed or is deficient beyond routine maintenance and has resulted in sediment deposition intowaters of the State shall have immediate reasonable steps taken to address the condition, including but no t l imited to cl eaning up any contaminated surfaces so the sediment material will not discharge in subseq uents torm events. When the repair does not require a new or replacement BMP or significant repair, the BMP failure or deficiency must be corrected by the close of the next business day from the time of discovery. If the co rrection requires a new or replacement BMP or significant repair, the correction must be completed and operational within seven (7) days from the time of discovery. If seven (7) days is infeasible, the Contractor must document the reasons why the timeframe is infeasible and coordinate with the Engineer to schedule the co rrection as soon as feasible after the seven (7) day timeframe. The Department must be in agreement wi th t he infeasibility assessm ent.
1.Project Plans An Erosion , Sedimentation and Pollution C ontrol P lan (ESPCP) for the construction of the project will b e prov ided by the Department. The ESPCP will be prepared for the various stages of construction necessary to complete the project. If the Contractor elects to alter the stage construction from that shown in the plans, i t wi ll be the responsibility of the Contractor to have the plans revised and prepared in accordance with the cur rent GAR100002 NPDES permit by a Design Professional to reflect all changes in Staging. This will also include any revisions to erosion and sedimentation control item quantities. If the changes affect the C omprehensive Monitoring Program (CMP), the Contractor will be responsible for any revisions to the CMP a s wel
2.Haul Roads, Borrow Pits, Excess Material Pits, etc.The Contractor is responsible for amending the approve d erosion , sedimentation and control plans if they a dd a haul road that is outside of the project roadway but within the right of way or construct any borrow pits, or excess material pits inside the Right of Way. Prepare these plans for all stages of construction and include the ap propriate items and quantities. Submit these plans to the Engineer for review prior to land disturbing activities. These plans are to be prepared by a Design Professional. If construction of haul roads, or borrow pits, or excess material pits, etc., (inside the Right of Way) encro ach wi thin the 25 foot (7.6 m) buffer along the banks of all state waters or within the 50 ft. (15 m) buffer along the b anks of any state waters classified as a “trout stream”, a state water buffer variance must be obtained by the C ontractor prior to beginning any land disturbing activity in the stream buffer. 3.Erosion Control for Borrow and Excess Material Pits Outside the Right-of -Way Erosion control for borrow pits and excess material pits outside the right of way is the responsibility of the Contractor. If borrow or excess material pits require coverage under the National Pollutant Discharg e E limination System permit (NPDES) or other permits or variances are required, submit a copy of all documentation required by the permitting agency to the Engineer. All costs associated with complying wi th l ocal, state, and federal laws and regulations are the responsibility of the Contractor. 133 133 133 133 133 133 133 133 133 133
4.Culverts and Pipes The ESPCP does not contain approved methods to construct a stream diversion or stream diversion channel. The Contractor shall prepare a diversion plan utilizing a Design Professional as defined in the current NPDESpermit. See Subsection 161.3.05 G for additional information. 5.Temporary Asphalt or Concrete Batch Plants In addition to the requirements of any applicable specifications, if the Department authorizes the temporary installation and use of any asphalt, concrete or similar batch plants within its right of way, the contractor shallsubmit an NOI to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for coverage under the following NPDES permits; The Infrastructure permit for the construction of the plant, and the Industrial permit for the operatio n o f, such a plant. The contractor shall submit the NOIs as both the Owner and the Operator.
161.2Materials
General Provisions 101 through 150. 161.2.01 Delivery, Storage, and Handling General Provisions 101 through 150.
161.3Construction Requirements
161.3.01 Personnel A.Duties of the Worksite Erosion Control Supervi sor Before beginning Work, designate a Worksite Erosion Control Supervisor (WECS) to initiate, install, maintain,inspect, and report the condition of all erosion control devices as described in Sections 160 through 171 or in the C ontract and ESPCP documents. The designee shall submit their qualifications on the Department provided resume form for consideration and approval. The contractor may utilize additional persons having WECSqualifications to facilitate compliance however, only one WECS shall be designated at a time. The WECS and alternates shall: • Be an employee of the Prime Contractor. • Have at least one year of experience in erosion and sediment control, including the installation,inspection, maintenance and reporting of BMPs. • Successfully c ompleted the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Certification Cours e Lev el IA and the Department’s WECS Certification Course. • Provide phone numbers where the WECS can be located 24 hours a day. T he WECS’ duties include the following: •Be available 24 hours a day and have access to the equipment, personnel, and materials needed tomaintain erosion control, and to the extent practicable, flooding control. An approved representativ e can be substituted for the WECS in regard to 24 hour availability. This representative shall be at least GSWCC Level IA, or higher, but is not required to be certified as a WECS. •Inform the Engineer in writing whenever the alternate WECS will assume project responsibilities for more than 3 (three) days. •Ensure that erosion control deficiencies are corrected within seventy -two (72) hours. •Ensure that erosion control deficiencies that resulted in sediment deposition into waters of the S tate ar e corrected. •Deficiencies that interfere with traffic flow, safety, or downstream turbidity are to be corrected immediately. 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134
•Be on the site within three (3) hours after receiving notification of an emergency prepared to positively respond to the conditions encountered. The Department may handle emergencies without notifyin g the Contractor. The Department will recover costs for emergency maintenance work according to Subsection 105.15, Failure to Maintain Roadway or Structures. •Maintain and submit for project record, “As- built” Erosion, Sedimentation and Control Plans thats upplement and graphically depict EC -1 reported additions and deletions of BMPs. The As -Built plans ar e to be accessed and retained at a Department facility at all times. •Ensure that both the WECS and the alternate meet the criteria of this Subsection. •The WECS shall maintain a current certification card for the duration of the Project. Recertification o f the WECS may begin within three hundred sixty five (365) days of the expiration date of the curr ent cer tification and upon receiving a passing examination grade; the current expiration date shall b e extended three (3) years. Certification shall be allowed to occur without a lapse of the credential for a p eriod not to exceed ninety (90) days after the current expiration date. If the allowed ninety (90) days has lapsed, the individual is no longer certified to serve in a WECS capacity on the Project until the i ndividual attends and passes the course examination. 161.3.02 Equipment General Provisions 101 through 150. 161.3.03 Preparation General Provisions 101 through 150. 161.3.04 Fabrication General Provisions 101 through 150. 161.3.05 Construction A.Control Dust Pollution The contractor shall keep dust pollution to a minimum during any of the activities performed on the project. It maybe necessary to apply water or other BMPs to roadways or other areas reduce pollution. B.Perform Permanent or Temporary Grassing Perform permanent grassing, temporary grassing, or mulching on cut and fill slopes weekly (unless a shorterperiod is required by Subsection 107.23) during grading operations. When conditions warrant, the Engineer mayrequire more frequent intervals. Under no circumstances shall the grading (height of cut) exceed the height operating range of the grassing equipment. It is extremely important to obtain a cover, whether it is mulch, temporary grass or permanent grass.Adequate mulch is a must. When grading operations or other soil disturbing activities have stopped, perform grassing or erosion control as shown in the Plans, as shown in an approved Plan submitted by the Contractor, or as directed by the Engineer. C.Seed and Mulch Refer to Subsection 161.3.05 B, Perform Permanent and Temporary Grassing. 135 135 135 135 135 135 135 135 135 135
basins, shall be installed prior to major clearing and grubbing operations. Minor clearing and grubbing are allowed for the sole purpose of installing perimeter controls and other initial phase BMPs.
The Engineer has the authority to: • Limit the surface area of erodible earth material exposed by clearing and grubbing. • Limit the surface area of erodible earth material exposed by excavation and borrow and fill operations. • Limit the area of excavation, and embankment operations in progress to correspond with the Contractor’s ability to keep the finish grading, mulching, seeding, and other permanent erosion control measures current. • Direct the Contractor to provide immediate permanent or temporary erosion control to prevent contamination of adjacent streams or water courses, lakes, ponds, or other areas of water impoundment. Such Work may include constructing items listed in the table in Subsection 161.1.02.A, Related References or other control devices or methods to control erosion.
NOTE: Never allow the surface area of erodible earth material exposed at one time to exceed 17 acres (7 ha) except as approved by the State Construction Engineer. The maximum of 17 acres (7 ha) of exposed erodible earth applies to the entire Project and to all of its combined operations as a whole, not to the exposed erodible earth of each individual operation. Upon receipt of a written request from the contractor the State Construction Engineer, or his designee, will review; the request, any justifications and the Project conditions for waiver of the 17 acres (7 ha) limitation. If the 17 acre limitation is increased by the State Construction Engineer, the WECS shall not be assigned to another project in that capacity and should remain on site each work day that the exposed acreage exceeds 17 acres. After installing temporary erosion control devices, e.g., grassing, mulching, stabilizing an area, and having it approved by the Engineer, that area will be released from the 17 acres (7 ha) limit.
Perform the following grading operations:
136 136 136 136 136 136 136 136 136 136
G.Perform Construction in Rivers and Streams Perform construction in river and stream beds as follows: 1.Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Engineer, restrict construction operations in rivers, streams, and impoundments to areas where channel changes or access for construction are shown on the Plans to co nstruct temporary or permanent structures. 2.If channel changes or diversions are not shown on the Plans, the Contractor shall develop diversion plansprepared in accordance with the current GAR100002 NPDES Infrastructure Construction permit utilizing adesign professional as defined within the permit. The Engineer will review prepared diversion plans for contentonly and accepts no responsibility for design errors or omissions. Amendments will be made part of the p roject plans by attachment. Include any associated costs in the price bid for the overall contract. Any contract time associated with the submittal or its review and subsequent response will not be considered foran extension of Contract time. All time associated with this subsection shall be considered incidental. 3.If additional access for construction or removal of work bridges, temporary roads/access or work platforms isnecessary, and will require additional encroachment upon river or stream banks and bottoms, the contractorshall prepare a plan in accordance with the current GAR100002 NPDES Infrastructure Construction permi t uti lizing a design professional as defined within the permit. Plans should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the date the associated work is expected to begin. If n ecessary, the plan will be provided to the appropriat e r egulating authority, e.g. United States Army Corps of Engineers by the Department for consideration and approval. No work that impacts areas beyond what has been shown in the approved plans will be al lowed t o b egin until written approval of the submitted plan has been provided by the Department. Approved pl an amendments will be made part of the project plans by attachment. Include any associated costs in the price b id for the overall contract. Any contract time associated with the submittal or its review and subseq uent r esponse will not be considered for an extension of Contract time. All time associated with this subsectio n s hall be considered incidental. 4.Clear rivers, streams, and impoundments of the following as soon as conditions permit: • Falsework • Piling that is to be removed • Debris • Other obstructions placed or caused by construction operations 5.Do not ford live streams with construction equipment. 6.Use temporary bridges or other structures that are adequate for a 25 -year storm for stream crossings. Includ e co sts in the price bid for the overall contract. 7.Do not operate mechanized equipment in live streams except to construct channel changes or temporary orpermanent structures, and to remove temporary structures, unless otherwise approved in writing by the E ngineer. H.State Water Buffers and Environmental Restrictions 1.The WECS shall review the plans and contract documents for environmental restrictions, EnvironmentallySensitive Areas (ESA), e.g. buffers, etc prior to performing land disturbing activities. 2.The WECS shall ensure all parties performing land disturbing activities within the project limits are aware of allenvironmental restrictions. 3.Buffer delineation shall be performed prior to clearing, or any other land disturbing activities. Site conditionsmay require temporary delineation measures to be implemented prior to the installation of orang e b arrier/safety fencing. The means of temporary delineation shall have the Engineer’s prior approval. 4.The WECS shall allow the Engineer to review the buffer delineation prior to performing any land disturbingactivities, including but not limited to clearing, grubbing and thinning of vegetation. Any removal andrelocation of buffer delineation based upon the Engineer’s review will not be measured for separate payment. 5.The WECS shall advise the Engineer of any surface water(s) encountered that are not shown in the plans. T he W ECS shall prevent land disturbing activities from occurring within surface water buffers until the Engineer provides approval to proceed. 137 137 137 137 137 137 137 137 137 137
I.Maintenance Projects Projects that consist of asphalt resurfacing, shoulder reconstruction and/or shoulder widening; schedule and perform the construction of the project to comply with the following: 1.After temporary and permanent erosion control devices are installed and the area permanently stabilized (temporary or permanent) and approved by the Engineer, the area may be released from the 1 acre (0.4 ha)limit . 2.T he maximum of 1 acre (0.4 ha) of erodible earth applies to the entire project and to all combined operations, including borrow and excess material operations that are within the right of way, not 1 acre (0.4 ha) o f exp osed erodible earth for each operatio n. 3.Do not allow the disturbed exposed erodible area to exceed 1 acre (0.4 ha). This 1 acre (0.4 ha) limit includesall disturbed areas relating to the construction of the project including but not limited to slope and shoulderconstruction. 4.At the end of each working day, permanently stabilize all of the area disturbed by slope and shoulderreconstruction to prevent any contamination of adjacent streams or other watercourses, lakes, ponds or otherareas of water impoundment. For purposes of this Specification, the end of the working day is defined aswhen the construction operations cease. For example, 6:00 a.m. is the end of the working day on a proj ect that allows work only between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.) 5.Stabilize the cut and fill slopes and shoulder with permanent or temporary grassing and a Wood Fiber Blank et ( Section 713, Type II). Mulching is not allowed. Borrow pits, soil disposal sites and haul roads will not requir e da ily applications of wood fiber blanket. The application rate for the Wood Fiber Blanket on shoulder reconstruction is the rate specified for Shoulders. For shoulder reconstruction, the ground preparatio n r equirements of Subsection 700.3.05.A.1 are waived. Preparation consists of scarifying the existing shoulders 4 to 6 in. (100 to 150 mm) deep and leaving the area in a smooth uniform condition free from stones, lumps,roots or other material. 6.If a sudden rain event occurs that would not allow the Contractor to apply the Type II Wood Fiber Blanket perSection 713, install Wood Fiber Blanket Type I per Section 713 if directed by the Engineer. Wood FiberBlanket Type I application is for emergency use only. 7.Install temporary grass or permanent grass according to seasonal limitations and Specifications. W hen temp orary grass is used, use the over seeding method (Subsection 700.3.05.E.4) when planting per manent g rass. 8.R emove and dispose of all material excavated for the trench widening operation at an approved soil disposal site by the end of each working day. When shoulder reconstruction is required, this material may be used toreconstruct the graded shoulder after all asphaltic concrete pavement has been placed. 9.Provide immediate permanent and/or temporary erosion control measures for borrow pits, soil disposal sitesand haul roads to prevent any contamination of adjacent streams or other watercourses, lakes, ponds or otherareas of water impoundment. 10.Place asphalt in the trench the same day as the excavation occurs. Place asphalt or concrete in drivewaysand side roads being re- graded the same day as the excavation occurs. Stabilize any disturbed or exposed soil that is not covered with asphalt with a Wood Fiber Blanket (and grass seed). Payment will be made for the W ood Fiber Blanket and grass seed only if the shoulder has been constructed to final dimensions and grad e and no further grading will be required. 11.Do not allow the grading (height of cut or fill) to exceed the operating range of the grassing equipment. 12.When grading operations or other soil disturbing activities are suspended, regardless of the reason, promptlyperform all necessary permanent stabilization and/or erosion control work. 13.Use temporary erosion control measures to: • Correct conditions that develop during construction but were unforeseen during the design stage. • Use as needed before installing permanent erosion control features. • Temporarily control erosion that develops during normal construction practices but are no t as sociated with permanent control features on the Project. 14.When conditions warrant, such as unfavorable weather (rain event), the Engineer may require more freq uent i ntervals for this work. 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138
On non- NOI construction projects that have minimal amounts of grading with the installation of BMP’s, the C ontractors qualified personnel shall be required to submit a weekly EC- 1 inspection form in accordance with Section 167. This weekly EC -1 inspection shall begin when BMP’s are installed and continue until the acceptance of permanent stabilization. 161.3.06 Quality Acceptance Before Final Acceptance of the Work, clean drainage structures within the project limits, both existing and newly constructed, and ensure that they are functioning properly. Costs to accomplish this work are incidental and shall be included in the overall bid for the Contract. 161.3.07 Contactor Warranty and Maintenance Maintain the erosion control features installed to: •Contain erosion within the limits of the right-of -way •C ontrol storm water discharges from disturbed areas Effectively install and maintain the erosion control features. Ensure these features contain the erosion and sediment within the limits of the rights of way and control the discharges of storm- water from disturbed areas to meet all local, state, and federal requirements on water quality.
161.4Measurement
Control of soil erosion and sedimentation is not measured separately for payment. 161.4.01 Limits General Provisions 101 through 150.
161.5Payment
When no pay item is shown in the Contract, the requirements of this Specification and the Erosion, Sed imentation and Pollution Control Plan shall be in full effect. The cost of complying with these requirements will not be paid for separately, but shall be included in the overall bid submitted with the exception of inspections performed by qualified person nel which will be included in Section 167. When listed as a pay item in the Contract, payment will be made at the unit price bid for each particular item. No payment will be made for erosion control outside the Right- of-Way or construction easements except as provided for by the Plans. 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139
161.5.01 Enforcement and Adjustments A.Failure to Provide WECS If a designated WECS is not maintained, activities will cease except traffic control and erosion control work. Monies that are due or may become due could be withheld according to the Specifications. B.Failure to Comply with Specifications If the Contractor repeatedly fails to comply with any of the requirements of this Specification, all activities shouldcease immediately except traffic control and erosion control related work. Monies that are currently due or that may become due shall be withheld according to the specifications. I n ad dition, nonrefundable monies shall be deducted from the contract as shown in the Schedule of Deductions tabl e b elow. These deductions are in addition to any actions taken in the above subsections. Deductions assessed for uncorrected deficiencies shall continue until all corrections are completed to the satisfaction of the Engineer.Failure of the WECS or alternate to perform the duties specified in the Contract, or whose performance, has resulted in a citation being received from a State or Federal Regulatory Agency, e.g. the Georgia EnvironmentalProtection Division, should result in one or more of the following; • Suspension of the WECS’ certification for a period of not less than 30 days • Removal of the Contractor’s project superintendent in accordance with Subsections 105.05 and
108.05for a period not less than 14 days
• Department wide revocation of the WECS certification for a period of 12 months • Removal of the Contractor’s project superintendent in accordance with Subsections 105.05 and C. Receipt of a Consent Order, Notice of Violation, etc. Regulatory enforcement actions will be resolved including the minimum following steps: •The Department will perform an internal review of the alleged violations •The Department will then meet with the Contractor to review and further determine responsibilities f or the alleged violations •The Department will then arrange to collectively meet with the regulatory agencies to negotiate r esolutions and/or settlements. The Department does not waive any rights of the Contractor to resolve such matters however, in the event that regulatory agency communication is addressed jointly to the Department and to the contractor, the Department reserves the right to coordinate all communications, e.g., written correspondence, and to schedule jointly attended meetings with Regulatory agencies such that timely and accurate responses are known to the Department. Such Orders or Notices may result in the assessment of Deductions from the table below for each day the condition remains non- compliant following an agreed remedy. Monetar y penalties for which the contractor is obligated for as a result of regulatory enforcement may be withheld from future monies due the contractor. Schedule of Deductions for Each Calendar Day of Erosion Control Deficiencies Initial Occurrence* Original Total Contract Amount From More Than To and Including Daily Charge 0 $100,000 $750 $100,000 $1,000,000 $1125 $1,000,000 $5,000,000 $2000 $5,000,000 $15,000,000 $3000 $15,000,000 - $5000 *Continued non- compliance with the requirements of this specification may result in the doubling o f the above tabulated Daily Charge. Upon written request from the Contractor, the Engineer may allow, limited activities to concurrently proceed once significant portions of the corrective work have been completed. This authorization may be similarly rescinded if in the opinion of the Engineer corrective work is not being diligently pursued. 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140