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Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control (GESC)

SEMSWA has a permitting program for Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control on public and private construction projects.

The Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control (GESC Manual) describes the permitting program that has been adopted to promote environmentally-sound construction practices within SEMSWA’s service area. The goal of the GESC Permit Program is to implement effective erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMPs) as a standard for all land disturbance activities to reduce increases in erosion and sedimentation over pre-development conditions.

Construction work with concrete being poured, workers spreading it, and a crane near a building.
When land is disturbed as part of the construction process, best management practices (BMPs) are used to prevent sediment from mobilizing and moving off-site during rain and storm events.

Why have GESC?

During the relatively short period of time when undeveloped land is converted to urban uses, a significant amount of sediment can erode from a construction site and be transported to adjacent properties and receiving waters. Erosion caused by construction and downstream sedimentation can damage property and degrade the quality of our streams and lakes.