12.08.590 Erosion and sediment control.
The faces of cut-and-fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained to control against erosion. Best management practices for erosion and sediment control shall be incorporated into all grading plans, substantially in conformance with those contained in the following publication: Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for Developing Areas of the Sierra Foothills and Mountains (High Sierra RC&D Council, October 1991), and all subsequent revisions. Alternative BMPs may also be considered by the Planning Department; however, in all cases the following shall apply to the control of erosion and sediment from grading operations:
A. Grading plans shall be designed with long-term erosion and sediment control as a primary consideration. Erosion prevention and source control are to be emphasized over sediment controls and treatment.
B. Grading operations shall provide erosion and sediment control measures, except upon a clear demonstration, to the satisfaction of the Planning Department, that at no stage of the work will there be any substantial risk of increased sediment discharge from the site. Temporary mulch, revegetation, or other stabilization methods shall be applied to areas where permanent revegetation or landscaping cannot be immediately implemented. Unless otherwise exempted in this chapter or by the Planning Director, grading activity must be scheduled to ensure completion or stabilization and winterization by October 15th of each year (ref. SCC 12.08.220(D) and (E)).
C. Grading activity shall be conducted such that the smallest practicable area of erodible land is exposed at any one time during grading operations and the time of exposure is minimized. Land disturbance shall be limited to the minimum area necessary for construction.
D. Natural features, including vegetation, terrain, watercourses and similar resources shall be protected and preserved wherever possible. Boundaries of grading shall be clearly defined and marked to prevent damage by construction equipment.
E. Permanent vegetation and structures for erosion and sediment control shall be installed as soon as possible.
F. Adequate provision shall be made for effective maintenance of temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control structures and vegetation. Sediment and other construction-related wastes shall be retained and properly managed on the site or properly disposed of off site.
G. No topsoil shall be removed from the site unless otherwise directed or approved by the Planning Department. Topsoil overburden shall be stockpiled and redistributed where appropriate within the graded area after rough grading to provide a suitable base for seeding and planting. Runoff from the stockpiled area shall be controlled to prevent erosion and resultant sedimentation of receiving water.
H. Runoff shall not be discharged from the site in quantities or at velocities substantially above those which occurred before grading except into drainage facilities, whose design has been specifically approved by the Planning Department or County Engineer.
I. The permittee shall take reasonable precautions to ensure that vehicles do not track or spill earth materials into public streets and shall immediately remove such materials if this occurs.
J. All cut-and-fill slopes shall be adequately stabilized to prevent erosion and failure through temporary and permanent means.
K. Control measures shall be employed to prevent transport of dust off the project site or into any drainage course or water body.