What practices should be applied to protect disturbed areas from runoff?

Perimeter control is an essential practice when it comes to protecting disturbed areas from runoff. This method involves implementing barriers around the perimeter of a construction site or an area that has been disturbed to manage water flow and prevent sediment and pollutants from moving off-site. By effectively directing stormwater away from these areas, perimeter control helps to minimize erosion and reduces the risk of sedimentation in nearby water bodies.

These barriers can take various forms, such as silt fences, straw bales, or filter berms, which collectively serve the purpose of containing and filtering runoff before it leaves the site. This practice ensures that sediment does not wash away due to rainwater or melting snow, thereby maintaining the integrity of both the construction area and the surrounding environment.

In contrast, while silt fencing is a component of perimeter control, it is only one part of a broader strategy. Soil compaction and dewatering techniques do not directly address the challenge of preventing runoff from disturbed areas, making perimeter control the more comprehensive and effective choice for safeguarding against runoff-related issues.