Stabilization

Purpose

Stabilization of a construction site is an important and necessary step when it comes to site development. When an area of land is denuded (a : to strip of all covering or surface layers ,b : to lay bare by erosion) the land, in its raw form, has no measures to protect itself from erosion and impairment of local water bodies. The root systems of various vegetative growth including shrubs, bushes, under story and cover story trees help filter runoff and improve the overall health and quality of nearby water bodies including creeks, streams, lakes, and rivers to name a few.

STABILIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION SITES IN FALL AND WINTER

In order to prevent soil erosion and reduce silt from entering our streams and rivers, you are required to stabilize all denuded areas as soon as the final grades are reached, or when these areas will be left denuded for 14 days or more.

The Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSM) Section 751.01 (I) requires that "Permanent or temporary soil stabilization shall be applied to denuded areas within seven (7) days after final grading is reached on any portion of the site. Temporary soil stabilization shall be applied within seven (7) days to denuded areas that may not be at final grade but will remain dormant for longer than fourteen (14) days, except for that portion of the site on which work will be continuous beyond fourteen (14) days. Permanent soil stabilization shall be applied to areas that are to be left dormant for more than six (6) months. For winter stabilization, any area denuded for more than fourteen (14) days after November 1 and before March 1 shall be mulched and seeded appropriate to the season and site conditions. Preparation of areas for permanent stabilization shall be performed in accordance with standard specification #3.32 of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and per the Erosion and Sediment Control Law, Title 62.1, Chapter 3.1, Article 2.4 of the Code of Virginia."

Following these regulations will save your money and will protect our streams.

If you have any questions, please contact the Watershed Management Branch at (703)792-7070. Please note that our inspectors will strictly enforce these regulations.

STABILIZATION OF SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED DWELLINGS

As part of the building application process, an entity wishing to build a single-family detached dwelling is required to post a lot stabilization escrow. Currently, the lot escrow is $2,000 per lot; this escrow is refundable once construction of the house is complete and there is adequate grass growth with no bare or denuded areas on the lot. In the case of sod being laid, it must be pegged and silt fence must be removed prior to escrow inspection release. Where seed and straw has been placed, the silt fence must remain in place until the grass is grown and the lot is sufficiently stabilized. For people wishing to schedule a lot escrow release inspection, please schedule the lot escrow release (code 126) via e-Portal, or call Watershed at 703-792-7070 for assistance in scheduling this inspection. Until this inspection is completed and the escrow released, your site will still be considered active and under bond.