Soil Erosion & Sediment Control

As part of your construction plan submission please complete and submit a Construction General Permit SWP3 Checklist along with your prepared Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3). Tools, templates, and checklists for completing a complete SWP3 are provided to the right. 

Check out Ohio EPA's storm water program website to learn more about permitting at the state level. You can also find more technical assistance and compliance materials here. 

When soil is exposed to the impacts of rainfall, there is an increase in the volume and velocity of runoff.  This sets off a chain reaction that results in the transport and deposition of sediment, reduced stream capacity, and ultimately increased stream scour and flooding. Additionally, suspended sediment contributes to a decline in water quality by blocking sunlight, reducing photosynthesis, decreasing plant growth, destroying bottom dwelling species’ habitat, carrying attached pollutants such as phosphorous, and so on. The list of negative impacts is long. 

Erosion and Sediment Control practices though temporary protect water resources from sediment pollution and increases in runoff associated with active land development and redevelopment activities. By retaining soil on-site, sediment and attached nutrients are prevented from leaving disturbed areas and polluting streams. Construction that occurs within our urban area is located within the lower main stem of the Great Miami River Watershed therefore, managing and maintaining quality runoff from construction activity minimizes any resulting impacts to receiving water and is critical to Middletown’s ability to reduce the levels of nutrients and sediment in the Great Miami River which eventually flows into the Ohio River. 

Middletown’s Erosion, Sediment, and Post-Construction Storm Water Control Rules and Regulations (ESPSC Rules and Regulations) specify the general provisions for program implementation; criteria for plan submittal, review, and approval; procedures for inspection and enforcement; and incorporate State and Federal regulations and requirements. These rules and regulations establish technically feasible and economically reasonable standards to achieve a level of erosion and sediment control and post-construction storm water management that will minimize damage to property and degradation of water resources and wetlands and will promote and maintain the health and safety of the citizens of the City of Middletown. 

Proper design, installation, and maintenance of erosion and sediment control practices are essential to having an effective storm water management program.