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

2. 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
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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!
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. 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
Questions?
Tanya Bilezikjian, P.E., QSD/P, Trainer of Record
Michael Baker International
11/9/2018