Planning and BMPs for Large LUPs Tanya Bilezikjian, P.E., QSD/P Michael Baker International Western Chapter IECA Construction Site Management Workshop October 2016

How Are Long Linear Projects Different from Traditional Projects? Projects are rarely 100% active at all times Projects may stretch dozens or even hundreds of miles Difficult to complete daily visual site inspections May have multiple contractors on different segments under one SWPPP May have multiple segments and multiple Risk Types Access roads may be difficult or dangerous to travel Project may cross multiple types of terrain Project may have multiple discharge points, hundreds of discrete disturbed areas, and many laydown yards 11/9/2018

Owner Considerations Assign QSD/P responsibility to the contractor or to a third party? Assign to contractor reduces amount of work for owner Assign to third party increases the amount of control for owner Both have potential significant cost and compliance implications How to bid the work? The more information in the bid package, the better Include the SWPPP with the bid package Write VERY clear specs and include language holding the contractor responsible until the NOT is approved Require line item bids per unit cost (e.g., per foot of silt fence, or per bag of bonded fiber matrix) Cost management is essential to find the balance between compliance and budget conservation Owner buy in is essential to project success The $2,000 SWPPP will not work for this type of project Owner must back the QSD and QSP 11/9/2018

QSD Considerations Stay involved throughout the project. Ensure clear understanding of all areas to be disturbed, particularly those not on the grading plans. Coordinate with biologists and other environmental teams working on the project. Consider each site as an individual project for overhead construction. For underground work, consider challenges of trenches and topography. Focus on reducing land disturbance and preserving existing vegetation. Determine final stabilization approach during SWPPP development using RUSLE2. Involvement – further scrutiny on QSDs, COIs may be needed as well as swppp amendments. May include laydown yards, major grading to achieve the final contours Need to understand how other permits affect site closeout bmps and schedule. Also, area restrictions for species habitat or nesting birds may limit ability to inspect, sample, or install bmps. The best bmp is nature. Keep as much natural veg as possible Clearly define final stabilization strategy in the SWPPP using RUSLE2. This is particular necessary if the site is remote and irrigation is not a possibility 11/9/2018

QSP Considerations Coordinate closely with the QSD, contractor, project owner, biologist, engineers and agencies Identify areas that can be closed out via COI as often as possible Thoroughly document pre-construction conditions Review the SWPPP, particularly construction BMPs, final stabilization BMPs, and schedule Educate the contractor on BMP maintenance, preservation of vegetation, BMP installation Ensure yards are maintained and kept neat Daily site inspections are difficult to achieve on a long linear project Sampling may be difficult or unsafe during rain events if access roads are unpaved or steep. Document everything! 11/9/2018

Project Closeout Coordinate with restoration team SWPPP final stabilization may not work with habitat restoration plan Coordinate with Regional Board Discuss closeout and final stabilization plans in relation to restoration to gain buy in Invite to the site to demonstrate level of effort Ensure contractor is aware of seasonal limits on seeding – do not hydroseed between February and October Verify RUSLE2 calculations for final stabilization 11/9/2018

Challenges During Construction Access roads Access to sampling locations Road washout/safety due to rainfall/bad drainage design Birds and other critters Access restrictions and need for monitor to accompany Nesting birds Timing Rainy season starts just as nesting season ends Fire danger may close project sites 11/9/2018

Challenges During Construction Contractor pushback Project team culture Communication Commitment to SWPPP implementation and compliance Lack of owner support Vegetation establishment Seasonal seeding, poor soils, lack of water, poor weather, overcompaction Slow or poor regulatory coordination COIs must be approved before next COI can be submitted RB may distrust project or owner, need to establish good relationship Unanticipated issues 11/9/2018

Questions? Wrap Up and Questions Long linear projects have a lot of unique elements to consider All can be addressed, with good planning and dedication CGP Review Issue #3 addresses much of this topic http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/docs/training/cgp_review_issue3.pdf Questions? Tanya Bilezikjian, P.E., QSD/P, Trainer of Record tanyab@mbakerintl.com Michael Baker International 11/9/2018