Erosion and Sediment Control
Best Management Practices (BMPs)

EPA defines stormwater BMPs as "methods that have been determined to be the most effective, practical means of preventing or reducing pollution from nonpoint sources." There are many types of BMPs.? At construction sites, disturbed areas may include relatively flat areas as well as slopes

Typically, steep slopes and large exposed areas require the most robust erosion controls; flatter slopes and smaller areas still require protection, but less costly materials may be appropriate for these areas.? The key is matching the BMP solution to the stormwater problem.?

Below are various BMPs resources that may be helpful when developing your erosion and sediment control plan.

BMP Locator. Use this unique CICA on-line tool to locate instructions and specifications for construction stormwater best management practices (BMPs) published by EPA and state agencies.

EPA’s Construction Site Runoff Control Menu of BMPs
Links to 39 fact sheets outlining various IDDE best management practices.

EPA has prepared a detailed guidance manual (Stormwater Management for Construction Activities: Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices) that provides detailed guidance on the identification of best management practices (BMPs) for construction activities and development of storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPP). It includes a set of worksheets, a checklist, and a sample SWPPP.

New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (April 2004) [NJDEP, Document]
The Stormwater Management rules, N.J.A.C. 7:8 specify stormwater management standards that are mandatory for new major development. The New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (BMP manual) is developed to provide guidance to address the standards in the proposed Stormwater Management Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:8. The BMP manual provides examples of ways to meet the standards contained in the rule. The methods referenced in the BMP manual are one way of achieving the standards. An applicant is welcome to demonstrate that other proposed management practices will also achieve the standards established in the rules. The BMP Manual is a developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, municipal engineers, county engineers, consulting firms, contractors, and environmental organizations.

National Stormwater Best Management Practice Database [Urban Water Resources Research Council, Website]
This database provides access to BMP performance data in a standardized format for over 190 BMP studies conducted over the past fifteen years. The database may be searched and/or downloaded on this website, and is also available on CD-ROM. Additional BMP studies are currently being prepared for the database. The database was developed by the Urban Water Resources Research Council (UWRRC) of ASCE under a cooperative agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency.