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YCCD
Standard Underground Utility Line Erosion
& Sediment (E&S) Control Plan Format Introduction
The following sections A-C detail specific recommendations for improving the submittal and timely review of underground utility line E&S plan drawings and narratives submitted to the YCCD. For more information on the background and benefits of utilizing the District’s recommended standard plan format see the original YCCD residential subdivision standard E&S plan format. The attached White Oak Sewer Interceptor E&S plan incorporates all of the below recommendations and serves as a standard plan format model plan for an underground utility line installation. Additionally, the White Oak Sewer Interceptor E&S plan demonstrates a number of Best Management Practices (BMPs) typical of linear underground utility line projects (see Section D below). A special thank you to Timothy L. Mellott, P.E. of Mellott Engineering, Inc. for volunteering his time and expertise in developing this model plan.
Section A - Plan Drawings The YCCD offers
the following recommendations to improve the submittal and timely review of
underground utility E&S plan drawings and details: 1)
First sheet in set to
include (with original
plan date or most recent revision date consistent with narrative title sheet): (Please note that given underground utility E&S plans typically serve
two purposes – as E&S plans and as the final construction plans -
the plan preparer has sheet 1 as his construction drawing cover sheet and
sheet 14 as his construction detail sheet (ex. sanitary sewer manholes, etc.)
that are not a required component of E&S plans.
Sheets 1 and 14 were removed consistent with the standard plan format
which recommends eliminating information which is unnecessary or not applicable
to the E&S plans. However, by simply adding sheets 1 and 14 to the E&S
plan set, the plan preparer has a full construction drawing set.
▪
Location map – Locate on first sheet in upper right hand corner.
Fold plans to expose location map.
▪
Drawing index – i.e. a Table of Contents
▪
Mapping legends – right side of sheet
-
site features legend - erosion and
sediment control legend
▪
Maintenance program –
Standard
notes # 20-22
▪
Standard erosion and sediment control note section
- List Standard
notes
# 1, 2, 7, 23-27
- All notes not applicable to the project at hand should be removed from the
plan drawings. - Refer to the District’s standard
plan notes
and
technical
plan review checklist for
recommended locations of all other
standard notes.
▪ Site-specific construction sequence.
Left side of sheet. - Standard
notes # 5 & 6
should be listed prior to the construction sequence. - Standard
notes # 3 & 4
should be listed as stages 1 & 2 of the construction sequence
respectively. - Standard BMP
installation & maintenance notes should not be placed within the
construction sequence. -
The construction sequence should be a straight forward logical and practical
staging of site-specific BMP installation prior to each stage of earth
disturbance activity. The simpler (less “wordy”) the better.
Contractor-input is always recommended. -
Lettered sub-stages are recommended for construction activities that may occur
independently (ex. separate drainage areas) and simultaneously. -
Construction sequencing is broken up into sections based on clearly identifiable
landmarks (ex. manholes) and available access points to limit the time and
extent of disturbance and to limit the impact to streams and wetlands being
crossed. -
Provide a separate detailed construction sequence for all stream and wetland
crossings. The District recommends
locating the sequence with the stream/wetland crossing details or blow-ups.
- Standard
notes #8 & 9
should be listed at the end of the construction sequence.
▪ Resolutions to the identified site-specific soil limitations.
- List only site-specific
soil resolutions ▪
Stabilization specifications - standard
stabilization notes #
17-19
(See White Oak Sewer Interceptor plan
for modified note #19) - topsoil
replacement instructions
- surface
roughening instructions
- straw
mulch anchoring instructions
- permanent
seed, lime, fertilizer, and mulching (include seeding dates and seed mixes for
varying site
conditions – ex. wet areas, steep slopes, etc.) -
temporary seed, lime,
fertilizer, and mulching ▪
PA One Call Decal and phone number ▪
DEP Approval Stamp – leave
at least 3” by 4” space in lower right corner for placement of approval
stamp. Fold plans to expose stamp. 2)
Second sheet to serve as an overview sheet of the existing conditions of the entire project.
▪ Soils legend
and locations
▪ Existing contours and land use (ex. woods, fields, etc.)
▪ All existing improvements
▪ NPDES permit boundary =
outside construction easement line whether the temporary or permanent
construction easement ▪ All Waters of the Commonwealth including 100 yr. floodway
boundary.
▪ North arrow (upper left
corner) 3)
Third sheet + to include 1”=50’ scale or larger scale drawings with:
▪ Sheet matchlines
▪ Station numbers along the entire length of the project. ▪
Existing contours with maximum 2’ contour interval.
Proposed contours are only needed where the final grade changes from
the original grade. ▪
All proposed improvements and BMP locations ▪
All waters of the Commonwealth ▪
North arrow (upper left corner) ▪
Limits of disturbance = outside construction easement line whether the temporary
or permanent construction easement ▪
Pipe profile (located at bottom of each sheet) showing concrete encasement at
stream crossings and trench plugs at wetland
crossings. 4)
Clearly label the plan drawings as “Erosion and Sediment Control.” 5)
Construction details should be placed after the 1”= 50’ scale or larger plan
drawings. 6)
Use the standard E&S construction details provided in the E&S Program
Manual (with site-specific modification(s) as necessary).
. 7)
Place all standard BMP installation and maintenance notes with the relevant BMP
standard construction detail. Avoid
placing notes in long lists separate from the standard construction details. 8)
Keep all BMP construction details grouped together and on the same sheet when
possible. 9) Avoid using all capital letters on the plan drawings
which are difficult to read and give the appearance of “shouting” at the
contractor. 10) Utilize Arial font for easier to read text.
Make sure the font is large enough to easily read in the field. 11)
Avoid use of excessive “flags” that clutter the plan drawings. 12)
Avoid the use of cross-hatching to represent the application of an erosion control blanket on steep
slopes. Recommend that a light
shading be used in lieu of cross-hatching on slopes. 13)
Utilize “blow-ups” of critical areas such as stream crossings and
other heavily detailed areas that are difficult to read. 14)
Use color to make the drawings more legible. Section
B - Plan Narrative The YCCD offers
the following recommendations to improve the submittal and timely review of
E&S plan narratives: 1)
Organize the plan narrative in order with the
technical
plan review checklist
(11
required items). The
narrative should be composed of the below 7 bulleted items and little else. ▪
Title Sheet with original plan
date or most recent revision date consistent with drawing sheets ▪
Plan preparer’s name, contact information, and qualifications (click
for sample
in Word format)
▪
Introduction/Summary
- Discuss
project location and nature of project i.e. proposed land use
(improvements) -
Brief summary of the BMPs to
be utilized so an untrained third party could understand concept/intent of plan.
-
Existing land use (s). - Past
land use(s) (at least past 50 years, discuss any soil contamination/potential
pollution issues as a result of past land use(s).
- Discuss
receiving watercourse(s) and the Chapter 93 and/or existing use designation. ▪
USGS Topographic Map with
project boundaries clearly outlined and offsite drainage areas clearly
delineated and identified. ▪
List of all soil types
occurring on the project site with site-specific soil limitations and
resolutions. Include copy of soil map from the county
soil survey. Copies of soil survey
descriptions and tables do not need to be included in the plan narrative.
▪
Channel design information (if applicable).
- Standard
Worksheet #18 information for all channels (or) all standard worksheets required
for channel design methodology (ex. TR-55
– Standard Worksheets #2, 3, & 4). - Standard
worksheet #21 for all channels for both temporary and
permanent channel lining condition. Channel
design software output/spreadsheets
are unnecessary. - Channel lining
manufacturers’ specifications including permissible
velocity or shear stress. ▪
Outlet protection design information (Standard Worksheet 23 and
Figures 21 or 22)(if
applicable).
- Include all necessary pipe flow calculations.
▪
Alternative BMP design information (if applicable).
-
Manufacturer’s specs. /
independent testing results 2)
Use the standard worksheets for channels
and outlet protection provided in the E&S Program Manual.
This ensures all the required information is provided and is familiar to
the plan reviewer which speeds up the plan review process. 3)
Standard notes, standard construction details, the construction sequence, and
stabilization specifications are not needed in the plan narrative given
this information is already provided on the plan drawings. . 4)
Avoid placing and binding the NOI, PNDI, Act 14 notifications, GIF forms, and
other NPDES permit information in the E&S plan narrative. 5)
Make double-sided pages to conserve paper and file space. 6)
Avoid using 3-ring binders which use up valuable file space. 7)
Utilize Arial font for easier to read text. 8)
Wetland determination letters, delineation reports, DEP permits or completed
permit applications, and US Army Corp of Engineers Jurisdictional Determination
letters should be submitted as separate documents not bound in the E&S plan narrative. Section
C - Other Recommendations 1)
Submit only folded plan drawings (due to District’s filing system and limited
file space). Avoid folding each
sheet separately. 2)
Submit only one set of E&S plan drawings and narrative with each submission
rather than three sets which typically must be disposed of due to necessary
changes, technical deficiencies, and limited file space.
If additional sets are needed for review by the public, the District will
contact the plan preparer for additional clean sets. 3)
Provide specific page numbers and locations of information on the 4)
Use the most current 5)
Use the Technical
Plan Review Checklist
dated 6)
When re-submitting revised plans, highlight the revisions/additions on the
District’s copy and provide an item-by-item detailed response letter.
Also highlight any other revisions made that were not requested by the
District. 7)
Submit half-size plan drawings (as long as legible) upon plan approval for
larger projects. Half-size plans
take up less file space, conserve paper, and are easier to handle in the field.
Section
D - Underground Utility Line Best Management Practices (BMPs)
See DEP’s
Erosion & Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual ( 1)
The temporary construction
easement serves as the limit of disturbance and NPDES permit boundary.
A note is placed on the plans
(prior to the construction sequence) instructing the contractor to limit the
clearing and grubbing of any trees and other vegetation within the temporary
construction easement but outside the permanent construction easement to only
that which is absolutely necessary. Protecting
trees is particularly important within the riparian buffer of streams given
trees stabilize streambanks and cool the water by shading. 2)
Construction sequencing providing
for temporary straw mulching of all disturbed areas on a daily on-going basis
(as trench is backfilled) until soil conditions allow for proper final grading
and permanent seeding and mulching/blanketing.
Wet soil conditions are often encountered on sanitary sewer projects
(typically located in low-lying areas along streams and in wetlands) which may
not allow for immediate permanent seeding and mulching/blanketing due to
settling, tire ruts, and over-compaction of the soil. 3)
Construction sequencing is broken
up into sections based on clearly identifiable landmarks (ex. manholes) and
available access points to limit the time and extent of disturbance and to limit
the impact to streams and wetlands being crossed. 4)
The construction sequence proposes
the installation of the perimeter silt fence or mulch berm simultaneously with
the clearing and grubbing operation (in wooded areas only).
Installing the silt fence or mulch berm prior to the clearing and
grubbing often results in the silt fence being knocked down by equipment and
falling trees or pulled out of the ground as tree and shrub root masses are
being grubbed. 5)
18” standard silt fence (or
30” reinforced silt fence where in close proximity to the stream) or
equivalent compost mulch filter socks or mulch berms) is proposed despite the
upslope areas (outside of construction easement) exceeding the maximum allowable
slope lengths listed in the E&S Program Manual ( 6)
Mulch berms have been proposed
where disturbance has been permitted (by DEP) in wetlands.
Field experience has shown that silt fence is ineffective in saturated
mucky soils given that the silt fence trench can not be properly backfilled and
compacted. Mulch berms do not
require trenching and will naturally biodegrade thereby eliminating the need to
remove the mulch berm (or silt fence) and avoiding further earth disturbance to
the wetlands after the area has been restored and native vegetation has
re-established. Wood mulch is
also a cheap available material generated from clearing and grubbing of wooded
sections of the construction easement.
Wood mulch berms can also be utilized in non-wetland areas and used to
stabilize sections where grass is not desired or required (ex. cleared sections
of temporary construction easement). 7)
Replacement of all original
topsoil stripped from the construction easement with no less than 6” depth of
topsoil to aid in establishment of permanent vegetation and to promote
post-construction stormwater infiltration. 8)
Restoration of all disturbed
compacted soils within the construction easement to original soil density to aid
in establishment of permanent vegetation and to promote post-construction
stormwater infiltration. 9)
Restoration of grading to the
original contour of the land (hence why no proposed contours are provided). 10)
The
use of timber mats for wetland crossings to protect existing wetland vegetation
(root mass) and avoid creating deep water-filled tire ruts. 11)
Hydric
soils are segregated and placed back in the disturbed wetlands to promote
re-establishment of the native hydrophytic vegetation (via seedbank).
Only a clean straw mulch is proposed to be applied to the disturbed
wetlands. 12)
Standard
note #19 provided on the plans
has been revised to only require an erosion control blanket in areas of
concentrated flows, slopes steeper than 3:1, and within 50’ of the stream at
any stream crossings. A clean straw
mulch has been proposed in relatively flat or gently sloping sections of the
construction easement (despite being located within 50’ of the stream) given
erosion control blankets often entangle reptiles, amphibians, and birds
frequenting the riparian zone. |