SECTION 209 - SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL (Last Revised January 2019)
209-1 DESCRIPTION. This work shall consist of furnishing, installing, inspecting, maintaining, and
removing soil erosion and sediment control measures as shown on the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
209-1.01 Erosion Control. Erosion Control is any action taken to reduce soil erosion and control
sedimentation, including the use of mulch, straw/wood fiber mulch, seed and mulch, seed and straw/wood fiber mulch, rolled erosion control products, soil stabilizers, and pipe slope drains.
209-1.02 Sediment Control. Sediment Control is any action taken to minimize suspended solid material
transport by water, including the use of sediment traps, turbidity curtains, sediment filter logs, silt fence, check dams, drainage structure inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrance/exits.
209-2 Materials.
209-2.01 General. None specified.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
209-2.02 Mulch-Temporary. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of
§700 Materials and Manufacturing. Straw 713-19 Wood Fiber Mulch 713-11
209-2.03 Seed-Temporary. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of
§700 Materials and Manufacturing. Seeds 713-04 Water 712-01 Seed shall be ryegrasses (annual or perennial) or cereal grasses suitable for the area as a temporary cover and which will not compete with the grasses sown later for permanent cover.
209-2.04 Check Dams. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of
Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Stone Filling 733-21 Coarse Aggregate 703-02 Sediment Filter Logs 713-20 Geotextile 737-01
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Stone shall meet the requirements of §703-02 Coarse Aggregate, size designation 1 as described in Table 703-4. Stone filling shall be placed over the geotextile apron. Refer to the standard sheets for additional information.
209-2.05 Linear Measures. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections of
Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Geotextiles 737-01 Sediment Filter Logs 713-20
209-2.06 Sediment Traps-Temporary. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following
subsections of §700 Materials and Manufacturing: Stone Filling 733-21 Geotextile 737-01
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Sieve Size Percent Passing by Weight 6 inch 90 – 100 3/4 inch 50 – 100 1/4 inch 40 – 90 #40 30 – 85 #200 25 - 75
209-2.07 Pipe Slope Drain-Temporary. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following
subsections of §700 Materials and Manufacturing. Smooth Interior Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe 706-12 Corrugated Interior Polyethylene Pipe 706-14 Corrugated Steel Pipe 707-02 Corrugated Aluminum Pipe 707-13 Stone Filling 733-21 Coarse Aggregate 703-02 Geotextile 737-01
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
209-2.08 Rolled Erosion Control Products and Soil Stabilizers. The materials shall meet the
requirements of the following subsections of Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Rolled Erosion Control Products and Soil Stabilizers 713-07 The Type and Class shall be as specified in the contract documents.
209-2.09 Stabilized Construction Access. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following
subsections of this Section and §700 Materials and Manufacturing. Straw 713-19 Wood Fiber Mulch 713-11 Seeds 713-04 Water 712-01 Coarse Aggregate 703-02 Geotextiles 737-01
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
209-2.10 Turbidity Curtain-Temporary. The materials shall meet the requirements of the following
subsections of §700 Materials and Manufacturing. Turbidity Curtain 737-01F. The Turbidity Curtain shall be a commercially available, pre-assembled system, including a geotextile, flotation system, bottom weight, and anchoring and securing mechanism. If assembled in panels, it shall include a secure mechanism for joining panels together. Hemmed pockets shall be sewn or heat bonded to contain flotation material, bottom weights, and for anchor lines. The flotation material shall maintain buoyancy if punctured or cut. The bottom weight shall be sufficient to hold the curtain in a vertical position. For sites not subject to tidal or heavy wave action, the curtain shall be capable of molding to conform to bottom contours so that suspended sediment is prevented from escaping underneath the curtain. Anchorage lines shall be provided of sufficient strength and number to support the curtain and maintain it in position under normally expected conditions. End anchors shall be provided, with intermediate anchor points (for stakes or anchors) such that unanchored spans do not exceed 100 feet, sufficient to maintain the turbidity curtain in place. Where the turbidity curtain is constructed in panels, anchor-line and shackle connections securing the panels together shall be sufficient for normally expected current, wind, or wave conditions.
209-2.11 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection-Temporary. The materials shall meet the requirements
of the following subsections of Section 700 Materials and Manufacturing. Coarse Aggregate 703-02 Geotextiles 737-01 Sediment Filter Logs 713-20
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
209-3 Construction Details.
209-3.01 General. In the event of conflict between these requirements and pollution control laws, rules,
regulations or permit conditions by other federal or state agencies, the more restrictive shall apply. Soil erosion and sediment control shall be performed consistent with §107-12 Water Quality Protection and included as part of the construction schedule submitted by the Contractor in accordance with §108-01 Start and Progress of Work. To the extent practicable, this work shall be coordinated with other items of work specified elsewhere in the contract documents. The intent is to assure effective and continuous erosion and sediment control throughout the construction phase and post construction to reduce the impacts of soil loss on receiving waters and adjacent properties.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Sediment controls shall be installed prior to performing grubbing, excavation, and borrow or fill operations, except for those actions necessary to install the sediment controls. The Contractor shall limit the area of clearing and grubbing, excavation, borrow and embankment operations in progress commensurate with their capability to minimize erosion and sediment transport and keep the finish grading, mulching, seeding and other temporary and/or permanent control measures current in accordance with the approved schedule. The Engineer may determine that a potential for erosion or sediment transport exists and direct the Contractor to install temporary erosion controls earlier. When permanent soil erosion and sediment control measures cannot be installed due to seasonal or other limitations, temporary soil erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed. Prior to removing or disturbing any erosion or sediment control measure that may be required to be reestablished due to continual grading operations, the Contractor shall verify the proposed progression of operations and the reestablishment of control measures with the Engineer to ensure the continuity of erosion and sediment control. Sediment control measures shall not be removed without the Engineer’s approval.
209-3.02 Mulch-Temporary. The Contractor shall have the capability to mulch any disturbed areas on
any given day (e.g., those areas where earthwork operations are ongoing, etc.). The Contractor shall apply mulch on disturbed areas consistent with the approved project schedule or no later than seven days after grading. Straw mulch shall be spread uniformly in a continuous blanket at a rate of 2 tons per acre. Wood fiber mulch shall be applied at a rate of 1.5 tons per acre. Mulch may be spread by hand, mechanical spreaders, or blowers.
209-3.03 Seed and Mulch-Temporary. The Contractor shall apply seed and mulch on disturbed areas
that will remain idle for more than fourteen days and regraded at a later date. The Contractor shall clean all equipment involved in seeding to remove all unwanted plants, seeds and propagules prior to starting work.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Prior to the application of seed, all areas where compaction has occurred shall be scarified. The seed bed shall be loose and friable for positive seed retention. The Contractor shall spread ryegrass at a rate of 30 pounds per acre or cereal grasses spread at a rate of 100 pounds per acre to uniformly cover the ground. The Contractor shall evenly distribute seed by any method of sowing that does not injure the seeds in the process of spreading. The Contractor shall spread mulch immediately following application of seed. If using straw mulch, it shall be spread uniformly in a continuous blanket at an approximate rate of 2 tons per acre by hand, or by mechanical spreaders or blowers. Mulch and seed shall not be placed simultaneously, except in the case of hydroseeding. The Contractor shall secure straw mulch to the soil surface by crimping or applying a soil stabilizer immediately after mulching, then water the seeded area. The application of water shall not result in damage to the seeded area including the redistribution of seeds (congregating seeds as a result of ponding or pooling water) or soil erosion (rilling). The Contractor shall water the temporary seed and mulch area until seed has germinated. Maintenance of temporary seed and mulch areas shall include re-seeding, as necessary, to achieve temporary stabilization.
209-3.04 Check Dams. Check dams shall be constructed in accordance with the standard sheets and to
the dimensions and locations shown in the contract documents. A bedding type geotextile (§737-01 Geotextiles) or stone (§733-21 Stone Filling, Light or §703-02 Coarse Aggregate) scour protection shall be placed as indicated in the contract documents. Temporary Silt Dike check dams shall be attached to the ground with wire staples. Staples shall be placed according to Manufacturer’s instructions. Sediment Filter Log prefabricated check dams shall be installed according to Manufacturer’s instructions. Sediment Filter Logs shall be removed at the end of the contract, unless noted otherwise in contract documents.
209-3.05 Linear Measures. Linear measures shall be constructed in accordance with the standard sheets
and to the dimensions and locations shown in the contract documents.
209-3.06 Sediment Trap-Temporary. Sediment traps shall be constructed in accordance with the
standard sheets and to the dimensions and locations shown in the contract documents. The area under which the berm will be constructed shall be cleared, grubbed and stripped of any vegetation and root mat. The pool area shall be cleared of woody vegetation. All work shall be performed in accordance with §201 Clearing and Grubbing and paid for separately.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Proctor Maximum Density. Impervious embankment material shall then be deposited in lifts not exceeding 8 inches and compacted to not less than 95 percent of Standard Proctor Maximum Density. The moisture content of all impervious embankment material shall not be greater than 2 percent above Optimum Moisture Content as determined by AASHTO T-99 Standard Method of Test for Moisture-Density relations of Soils using a 5.5 pound Rammer and a 12 inch Drop, Method C at the time of compaction.
209-3.07 Pipe Slope Drain-Temporary. Pipe slope drain shall be installed in accordance with the
contract documents and standard sheets. Additional right-of-way may be required to accommodate this practice.
209-3.08 Rolled Erosion Control Products and Soil Stabilizers. Rolled Erosion Control products and
Soil Stabilizers shall be installed or applied as specified in the contract documents and/or according to Manufacturer’s instructions. For areas at final grade, all loose stones, clods, sticks, or other undesirable material shall be removed in accordance with the Manufacturer’s recommendations or as specified in the contract documents. Where topsoil is specified, the rolled erosion control product will be installed within 2 work days of topsoil placement and soil stabilizers shall be applied according to Manufacturer’s instructions.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
209-3.09 Stabilized Construction Access. Stabilized Construction Access shall be placed where shown
in the contract documents and constructed in accordance with the standard sheets, or as otherwise approved by the Engineer. The Contractor shall grade, including excavating or placing fill, to prepare the original ground surface for the placement of a stabilized pad of at least 6 inches of coarse aggregate material, underlain by a geotextile. If necessary, a drainage pipe shall be installed to maintain the capacity of the ditch. The pipe dimension shall be consistent with the modified soil erosion and sediment control plan approved by the Engineer. All areas cut or filled and not stabilized by the stabilized construction access material shall be covered with an erosion control treatment (temporary mulch, temporary seed and mulch, etc.) and shall be included in this pay item. When wheel washing is performed, the washing area shall be located away from the stabilized construction access in an area which will drain into an approved sediment control measure(s). The stabilized construction access shall be maintained in a condition which will prevent tracking or flowing of sediment onto a paved public roadway. All sediment spilled, dropped, washed or tracked onto paved public roadway shall be removed immediately. In the event the stabilized construction access is no longer performing properly (i.e. the course aggregate becomes clogged with sediment), the Contractor shall top- dress the stabilized construction access with additional coarse aggregate material.
209-3.10 Turbidity Curtain-Temporary.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
209-3.11 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection-Temporary. Drainage structure inlet protection shall be
placed where shown in the contract documents and constructed in accordance with the standard sheets.
209-4 Method of Measurement.
209-4.01 General. Vacant.
209-4.02 Mulch-Temporary. The quantity to be measured for payment will be in square yards to the
nearest whole square yard of mulch-temporary installed.
209-4.03 Seed and Mulch-Temporary. This work will be measured in square yards to the nearest whole
square yard of seed and mulch-temporary installed.
209-4.04 Check Dam.
209-4.05 Linear Measures. The work will be measured as the number of linear feet to the nearest whole
linear foot of silt fence or sediment filter logs installed. No additional measurement will be made for seams or overlaps.
209-4.06 Sediment Traps-Temporary. The work will be measured as the number of sediment traps
installed.
209-4.07 Pipe Slope Drains-Temporary. The work will be measured as the number of pipe slope drains
installed.
209-4.08 Rolled Erosion Control Products and Soil Stabilizers. The work will be measured as the
number of square yards to the nearest square yard of rolled erosion control products and soil stabilizers installed.
209-4.09 Stabilized Construction Access. The work will be measured as the number of square yards to
the nearest square yard of construction stabilized construction access installed.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
209-4.10 Turbidity Curtain-Temporary. This work will be measured in linear feet, to the nearest whole
linear foot, of turbidity curtain installed.
209-4.11 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection-Temporary. This work will be measured as the number
of linear feet to the nearest whole linear foot of drainage structure inlet protection installed. No additional measurements will be made for seams or overlaps.
209-5 Basis of Payment.
209-5.01 General. The unit price bid for all work items shall include the cost of all labor, equipment, and
materials necessary to satisfactorily complete the work, including the cost of removal of accumulated sediment. Progress payments will be made for all sediment control measures as follows: Seventy-five percent of the price bid will be paid after installation of Check Dams, Silt Fence-Temporary, Stabilized Construction Access, Drainage Structure Inlet Protection-Temporary, Sediment Filter Logs and Turbidity Curtain-Temporary. Fifty percent of the price bid will be paid after installation of Sediment Traps and Pipe Slope Drains. The remaining percentage will be paid when the temporary practice is removed and the remaining area is permanently stabilized. Payment for Mulch-Temporary, Seed and Mulch-Temporary and Rolled Erosion Control Products and Soil Stabilizers will be paid in full after installation of the practice.
209-5.02 Mulch-Temporary. The unit price bid per square yard of mulch-temporary shall include the
cost of all labor, equipment, and materials necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
209-5.03 Seed and Mulch-Temporary. The unit price bid per square yard seed and mulch-temporary
shall include the cost of all labor, equipment, and materials necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
209-5.04 Check Dams. The unit price bid for check dams shall include the cost of all labor, material and
equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
209-5.05 Linear Measures. The unit price bid for silt fence-temporary or sediment filter logs shall
include the cost of all labor, materials and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
209-5.06 Sediment Traps-Temporary. The unit price bid for sediment traps-temporary shall include the
cost of all labor, material and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work. Temporary seed and mulch and rolled erosion control product will be paid for separately.
209-5.07 Pipe Slope Drains-Temporary. The unit price bid for pipe slope drains-temporary shall include
the cost of all labor, material and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work, including gravel bags, stone, sediment filter logs, manufactured silt dikes and/or other materials necessary to construct the practice.
209-5.08 Rolled Erosion Control Products and Soil Stabilizers. The unit price bid for rolled erosion
control products and soil stabilizers shall include the cost of all labor, material and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
209-5.09 Stabilized Construction Access. The unit price bid for stabilized construction access shall
include the cost of all labor, material and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work. Payment will not be made for construction entrances associated with the Contractor’s facilities (e.g., staging areas, storage yards, borrow sites, etc.).
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
209-5.10 Turbidity Curtain-Temporary. The unit price bid for turbidity curtain-temporary shall include
the cost of all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.
209-5.11 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection-Temporary. The unit price bid for drainage structure
inlet protection – temporary shall include the cost of all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 209.100101 Mulch-Temporary Square Yard 209.100102 Seed-Temporary Square Yard 209.1003 Seed and Mulch-Temporary Square Yard 209.110101 Check Dam (Ditch Bottom Width 0.0 to 3′), Stone-Temporary Each 209.110102 Check Dam (Ditch Bottom Width >3′ to 6′), Stone-Temporary Each 209.110103 Check Dam (Ditch Bottom Width >6′ to 10′), Stone-Temporary Each 209.110104 Check Dam (Ditch Bottom Width >10′), Stone-Temporary Each 209.110201 Check Dam (Ditch Bottom Width 0.0 to 3′), Gravel Bag-Temporary Each 209.110202 Check Dam (Ditch Bottom Width >3′ to 6′), Gravel Bag-Temporary Each 209.110203 Check Dam (Ditch Bottom Width >6′ to 10′), Gravel Bag-Temporary Each 209.110204 Check Dam (Ditch Bottom Width >10′), Gravel Bag-Temporary Each 209.1105 Check Dam, Prefabricated-Temporary Foot 209.110601 Check Dam, (Ditch Bottom Width 0.0 to 3′), Stone-Permanent Each 209.110602 Check Dam, (Ditch Bottom Width >3′ to 6′), Stone-Permanent Each 209.110603 Check Dam, (Ditch Bottom Width >6′ to 10′), Stone-Permanent Each 209.110604 Check Dam, (Ditch Bottom Width >10′) Stone-Permanent Each 209.13 Silt Fence-Temporary Foot 209.1401nn Sediment Trap, Earth Berm-Temporary Each 209.1402nn Sediment Trap, Sand Bag-Temporary Each 209.1403nn Sediment Trap, Ditch Dam-Temporary Each 209.1501 Turbidity Curtain-Temporary Foot 209.160103 Pipe Slope Drain, 12" -Temporary Each 209.160105 Pipe Slope Drain, 18" -Temporary Each 209.160106 Pipe Slope Drain, 24" -Temporary Each 209.1701 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection, Silt Fence-Temporary Foot 209.1702 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection, Gravel Bag-Temporary Cubic Yard 209.1703 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection, Prefabricated-Temporary Foot 209.1704 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection, Concrete Block-Temporary Foot 209.1705 Drainage Structure Inlet Protection, Excavated-Temporary Foot 209.1801 Rolled Erosion Control Product, Class I Type A, Short Term Square Yard 209.1802 Rolled Erosion Control Product, Class I Type B, Short Term Square Yard 209.1803 Rolled Erosion Control Product, Class I Type C, Short Term Square Yard 209.1901 Rolled Erosion Control Product, Class II Type A, Intermediate Square Yard 209.190201 Rolled Erosion Control Product, Class II Type B, Intermediate Square Yard 209.190301 Rolled Erosion Control Product, Class II Type C, Intermediate Square Yard 209.1904 Rolled Erosion Control Product, Class II Type D, Intermediate Square Yard 209.200101 Turf Reinforcement Mats, Class III Type A, Permanent Square Yard 209.200201 Turf Reinforcement Mats, Class III Type B, Permanent Square Yard 209.200301 Turf Reinforcement Mats, Class III Type C, Permanent Square Yard 209.200401 Turf Reinforcement Mats, Class III Type D, Permanent Square Yard 209.2101 Soil Stabilizers, Class IV Type A Square Yard 209.2102 Soil Stabilizers, Class IV Type B Square Yard
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 209.22 Stabilized Construction Access Square Yard 209.2103 Soil Stabilizers, Class IV Type C Square Yard 209.2301 Sediment Filter Log, 12″ Foot 209.2302 Sediment Filter Log, 18″ to 20″ Foot 209.2303 Sediment Filter Log, 24″ Foot NOTE: nn denotes serialized pay item. These items will be paid for within established size groups.
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