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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.

Menu of BMPs
Site containing over 120 BMP fact sheets on all stormwater program areas

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.

The California Stormwater Best Management Practice Handbook provides guidance to the stormwater community. Their handbook reflects current practices, standards, and a significant amount of knowledge gained since the early 90s about the effectiveness of BMPs. Search the BMPs database by selecting constituent criteria or a keyword. As of July 2010, CASQA no longer makes available and does not support the 2003 CASQA Construction BMP Handbook. The new 2009 version also reflects a switch from a paper-based handbook format to an interactive web portal format. Therefore, CASQA is not commercially printing the new 2009 version of the Construction Handbook / Portal. Click here for more information about purchasing a New subscription to the Construction BMP Handbook / Portal. Click here for more information about purchasing a Renewal subscription to the Construction BMP Handbook / Portal.

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 Web site, 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.

MCET: Environmentally Sound Practices in the Homebuilding Industry [Maryland Center for Environmental Training, Videos]
You can order this video training package has been prepared for use by developers, homebuilders, architects and planners, and local government plan approval authorities to train their staffs in the basic principles of pollution prevention and environmental compliance for homebuilding projects. Topic areas include the environmental impacts of homebuilding, best management practices for habitat preservation and stormwater management, as well as best management practices for erosion and sediment control.

Stormwater and the Construction Industry Poster - Great for construction sites of all sizes! You can print this poster on 11x17 paper. Side one [PDF Format] of this informative poster illustrates proper installation of common sediment and erosion control practices (best management practices). Side two [PDF Format] describes the process for developing and implementing a stormwater pollution prevention plan and obtaining permit coverage. The complete 30x40 poster [PDF Format] is also available. May be customized. Download the images used for this poster. EPA 833-H-03-001

Montana State University Stormwater Control Resources. Under an EPA funded grant, Montana State University has developed on-line tools to assist contractors in the installation, evaluation and enhancement of stormwater BMPs in the Northern Rocky Mountains. This resource includes The Graphic Guide – an animated and interactive tutorial covering the basics and critical points of stormwater BMPs and Resource Library – a searchable stormwater manual and index of annotated case study photos with captions.