Effective since August 1, 2000, Georgia’s erosion control laws are the toughest in the country. Designed to address turbidity (suspended solids in water), this legislation affects all construction projects in the state that disturb between 5 and 250 ac. of land. Sites smaller than 5 ac. also are affected if they are part of a common development. In 2003, the regulations will apply to all sites that disturb 1 ac. or more of land.The law established the following requirements:An NOI to discharge stormwater must be submitted seven days prior to the start of construction.The NOI must include a comprehensive monitoring plan (CMP) that has been prepared by a state-licensed professional in the field of engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, geology, or land surveying.The CMP must include state-approved BMPs to control soil erosion and sedimentation.Permittees must record rainfall measurements daily.Permittees must take samples for turbidity within 45 minutes of specified rainfall events.BMPs must be inspected by a qualified person who has taken a state-approved erosion and sedimentation course.BMPs must be inspected daily in areas with construction activity, where petroleum is stored, and in construction exit areas. BMPs must be inspected weekly in disturbed areas without final stabilization and in material storage areas exposed to rain without final stabilization or structural control areas.BMPs must be inspected monthly in all areas that have undergone final stabilization, structural control measures, and receiving water bodies.Construction-site exit roadways must be constructed of 1.5- to 3.5-in. stone, be a minimum of 6 in. thick, extend 50 ft. into the site, and be at least 20 ft. wide.Geotextile matting or mulching must be used on any slope with a 2.5:1 pitch that is 10 ft. or more in length.Any slope greater than 3:1 requires roughing prior to mulching or geotextile matting.State warm-water fisheries must have a 25-ft. undisturbed buffer. State trout fisheries must have a 50-ft. undisturbed buffer.Once soil is exposed to the elements, it must be protected with mulch, temporary vegetation, or geotextile matting within 14 days.Excavated topsoil to be reused must be stockpiled and encircled with silt fencing.BMPs must be properly designed, installed, and maintained to qualify the site for complete protection under the law.
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