Erosion Control

Erosion from construction projects is a common environmental hazard. Sediment and silt from construction and excavation can cause water quality impairments that have adverse effects on aquatic life.

The City of Portsmouth asks all developers to comply with the low impact development guidelines detailed in Article 7 of the Portsmouth Site Plan Review Regulations. Please take a moment to review these guidelines (pg 46)– and keep them in mind when planning future projects in the city.

Considerations include:

  • Low Impact Development -- Applicants shall incorporate Low Impact Development (LID) site planning and design practices to the maximum extent practical (MEP) to reduce stormwater runoff volumes, maintain predevelopment site hydrology, and protect water quality in receiving waters. LID practices may include site design techniques (e.g., maintenance of vegetated buffers, minimizing of disturbance footprint) and structural measures to promote infiltration such as porous pavement, rain gardens or the capture / reuse of stormwater to reduce the stormwater volume discharged from the site. If LID practices are not proposed, the applicant shall fully demonstrate in writing why these practices are not feasible.
  • Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Plan -- The Applicant will prepare and submit a Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Plan (SMECP) to the Planning Board that describes relevant details on the various best management practices that will be used to protect water quality and prevent flooding post-construction.
  • Construction Erosion Control Design Standards -- Detailing the standards that shall be applied in selecting and designing appropriate stormwater management and erosion control measures during the construction phase. If a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) has been prepared to comply with the EPA Construction General Permit (CGP), relevant portions of the SWPPP can also be utilized to satisfy the required SMECP contents, provided the listed required elements are included in the SWPPP