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Maple Ridge ESC Plan Checklist Guide

The Maple Ridge Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Checklist outlines the requirements for developers to submit an Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plan as mandated by the Watercourse Protection Bylaw 6410-2006. Key components include detailed plans for sediment control measures, submission of signed documents by environmental monitors and engineers, and adherence to stormwater management standards. Additionally, developers must ensure regular inspections and monitoring to maintain compliance throughout the construction process.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
21 views15 pages

Maple Ridge ESC Plan Checklist Guide

The Maple Ridge Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Checklist outlines the requirements for developers to submit an Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plan as mandated by the Watercourse Protection Bylaw 6410-2006. Key components include detailed plans for sediment control measures, submission of signed documents by environmental monitors and engineers, and adherence to stormwater management standards. Additionally, developers must ensure regular inspections and monitoring to maintain compliance throughout the construction process.

Uploaded by

dstuart
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Maple Ridge Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Checklist

Development applications will require an Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plan as per the
requirements of the Watercourse Protection Bylaw 6410 – 2006. See Attached Checklists
for Consultants on municipal standards and guidelines. Developers and their consultants
must sign off and submit the following documents to the Planning and Engineering
Departments.
An ESC plan must include the following information:
1. Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plans that indicate the method to be used to
prevent the release of sediment into any ravine, watercourse or storm sewer. (See
Attached Example Map) Plans must include the location and description of the following:
 Existing contours (1 metre) and watercourses, wetlands, or pond features.
 Proposed post development drainage flows.
 Sediment control ponds and stormwater detention facilities
 Outfalls and proposed infiltration areas
 Gravel pads and wheel wash facilities at access points,
 Placement and location of silt fences,
 Soil stockpile areas (to be away from roads, sediment controls, and infiltration areas),
 Perimeter and infiltration ditches,
 Watercourse setback area boundary and natural feature or tree retention setback areas.
 Temporary protective fencing around infiltration areas and protected features.

2. Developers and their consultants must sign off and submit the following documents as part
of the engineering design drawings to the Planning and Engineering Departments:
a. Schedules A, D and E of the Watercourse Protection Bylaw 6410-2006 signed off by
both the environmental monitor and developer for Erosion and Sediment Control Plans.
b. ESC plan signed off by both the Engineer of record as well as the Environmental monitor
c. Stormwater Management Plan signed by engineer of record which includes a letter of
assurance for the following:
 The site incorporates site source controls for infiltration and exfiltration where possible in
accordance with current Provincial and GVRD stormwater management standards; and
 The final Erosion Sediment Control Plan will meet DFO stormwater management standards
for water quality, quantity, and velocity.
3. A performance security for environmental protection will need to be submitted to the District in
the amount specified under the Watercourse Protection Bylaw 6410 – 2006 or as part of the letter of
credit under the Servicing Agreement. In addition, an application fee of $500.00 is required.
4. A preliminary and final inspection of the site by the environmental monitor with a letter of assurance
that the developer has met the requirements of the Watercourse Protection Bylaw and ESC Plan
must be submitted to the Planning and Engineering Dept. before clearing begins on site and at the end
of the development construction before the security deposit is released.

1 Version: March, 2011


The following items are required by the District and must be submitted to Planning & Engineering:
1. Calculations for sizing of erosion and sediment control facilities or stormwater management
facilities such as detention or bio-filtration ponds. The District encourages designs that blend in
well with the natural environment. Where possible slopes should be less than 4:1. See current
DFO guidelines and Best Management Practices on urban stormwater design guidelines.
Maximize site source controls using infiltration or exfiltration techniques where appropriate and
attempt to minimize impervious surfaces.
2. Calculations demonstrating compliance with the Provincial three tier stormwater management.
(See Attachment C) A stormwater management plan that utilizes Provincial and GVRD site source
control standards must be used where possible as per the requirements of the Watercourse
Protection Bylaw 6410-2006.
3. For large scale or multi phase developments, the District may require the Developer and the
consultants of record to carry out Post Construction Environmental Monitoring Duties during the
Development Maintenance Period. This is to help determine the adequacy of the proposed facilities.

2 Version: March, 2011


Attachment A. Site Preparation Checklist For Environmental Monitors

� Provide temporary protective fencing during construction around


conservation areas, proposed infiltration areas, and root zones of trees
or vegetation that is to be retained.

� Ensure effective erosion control practices are in place


before and during the construction period. If erosion or
sedimentation issues become a concern, adapt appropriate
mitigation measures and inform the District if problems persist.
� Do not expect to use existing municipal facilities or
designated park areas for placement of facilities.

� Do not compact soil layers in proposed infiltration areas.


Ensure heavy machinery and outfall waters bypass the
proposed infiltration areas during construction where possible.

� Do not place erosion control sediment traps in infiltration


areas unless absolutely necessary. Build erosion control
sediment traps above or around infiltration areas.
� Protect exposed soils, stockpile areas or exposed slopes with
temporary cover of plastic or other mechanisms that will mitigate
erosion or runoff especially in rain periods or shutdown periods.
� Consider staging infiltration area excavation and import
organic soils after all adjacent construction is complete. Building trades
will likely disturb and compact the native surface soils, but when
these soils are removed for the final infiltration facility
construction, the compaction will also be removed.

� No large scale clearing. Ensure phasing of development activity


includes minimizing disturbance to vegetation and soils. Clear only
road and utility corridors during early stages of subdivision, leaving the
development parcels vegetated for as long as possible.

� Unvegetated areas on slopes > 15% must be covered up or


stabilized at all times during the rainy periods. Where a
surface crust has occurred from heavy rainfall, the area must
be scarified prior to adding additional layers or opening for
infiltration use.

� Consider the import and cultivation of fill and organic matter for
establishing infiltration and exfiltration areas where possible.
For slopes > 15%, a geotechnical assessment is required to determine
appropriate drainage mitigation measures.

� Regular maintenance and monitoring of site source controls and


sedimentation facilities is required. Ensure temporary protective
fencing, site cleanup, and regular street sweeping of roads as a part
of the environmental monitoring requirements.

3 Version: March, 2011


Attachment B. Checklist For Developers and Professional Consultants
1. Phasing and Scheduling
The Watercourse Protection Bylaw 6410-2006 requires developers and large scale
builders to comply with the following standards, guidelines, and practices:
� Timing of development activity and inventories during suitable periods. Encourage
development activity between June and September. Bio-physical inventories need
to be carried out at an appropriate time of year.

� Leave existing vegetation in place during the planning and approvals stages. Pre-
clearing vegetation results in increased costs for temporary revegetation and
erosion control, at the same time as increasing runoff and sedimentation
unnecessarily.
� Clear the site in stages as development proceeds. For instance, for larger
developments, clear only road and utility corridors during each phase of subdivision,
leaving the development parcels vegetated for as long as possible.

� Identify areas where vegetation can permanently remain in the development. These
may be areas of steep slope, stream riparian or wetland areas, wildlife or greenway
corridors, specimen trees or other site areas with site constraints.

� Protect tree retention areas, root zones, and infiltration areas during construction. It
is critical to their stormwater performance that these areas not be disturbed or
compacted by equipment or storage during construction. Temporary fencing is likely
required.

� Phased construction schedule and grading plan should be prepared for each of the
following development phases that demonstrate maximum retention of vegetation:
 Clearing and grubbing;
 Servicing works;
 Construction of buildings.
� Slopes and soils must be stabilized and re-planting of all bare or sparsely vegetated
areas within a watercourse protection or natural features development permit area.
The slope stabilization and re-vegetation plan must be prepared by a qualified
environmental consultant. Soil stabilization and re-planting is also required for the
following:
 Interim periods where development is not active for longer than 30 days;
 Where construction activity has destroyed vegetation outside the
developable area on slopes > 15%;
 Encroachment into conservation or riparian protected areas.
� Coordination of professional consultants and their recommendations. This includes
coordination of assessments and recommendations from the following:
 Environmental consultants and professional engineers;
 Developers, architects, and landscape architects;
 Specialized professionals that are required [Link] professionals,
hydrologists, arborists, etc.

4 Version: March, 2011


Attachment C: Checklist for Professional Engineer
The 3 Tier Approach is found in the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection’s Stormwater Planning
Guidebook for British Columbia.

These three rainfall Tiers correspond to three components of the integrated strategy for managing
the sites complete spectrum of rainfall events; rainfall capture (source control), runoff control
(detention), and flood risk management (contain and convey).

Tier One (A) Events are first flush events that are typically less than 50% of the mean annual rainfall.
These represent about 90% of all rainfall. These events should be captured at source to reduce
runoff volume and provide rainfall capture. Tier Two (B) Events are larger rainfall events that are
greater than half the size of the mean annual rainfall. These represent about 10% of the rainfall.
Typically these events are to be managed through detention in concert with infiltration and
exfiltration. Tier Three (C) Events are the extreme rainfall events that may or may not occur in any
given year. These are the traditional subsurface pipe approaches. These type three events need to
meet municipal requirements and typically need to meet the 100 year storm criteria in order to
prevent threats to public safety or property.

Calculations for Three Tier Approach


TIER A (50% of Mean Annual Rainfall (MAR) Event = . mm
 i.e: Permeable pavers: rainfall capture in parking areas etc….
 i.e.: Community gardens: lower road runoff capture in community gardens soils
 i.e.: Surface soil recharge: any release from any buildings? Drainage sumps etc.

TIER B (infiltration/exfiltration for heavier events & 50% MAR) = mm


 i.e:Detention fields: detention in drainage rock detention fields? Low flow outlet sized
to post development runoff to predevelopment levels?
 i.e: detention fields / ponds?

TIER C (10yr / 100yr storm event)


 Connection to municipal storm system? All discharged to __________ Creek?
MAR Measured at AES Station…………______________________?

TIER A
State Facility (sediment pond, biofiltration field etc. )
Total Catchment Area: ....................................................

Objective: Capture 50% of the MAR (non storm events)


50% of MAR = ................................................................
Runoff Area for Infiltration = .........................................
Total Rainfall from Impermeable Area = ......................

Total Rainfall to Infiltrated = .........................................

5 Version: March, 2011


Storage in Sand Field:
Surface Area = ...............................................................
Average Depth = ............................................................
Average Porosity = .........................................................
Sand Storage = ..............................................................
Infiltration from lawns etc = ..........................................
Infiltration required = ....................................................
Excess rainfall conveyed to stream = ..........................

TIER B (Infiltration and Exfiltration)


State Facility (sediment pond, sandcells, biofiltration field etc.)
Total Lot Area .................................................................. m2
Total Impervious Areas ................................................... m2
Total Pervious Areas ....................................................... m2

Predevelopment
Catchment Area .............................................................. m2
Predevelopment runoff coefficient (c)...........................
Rainfall intensity (I)
Predevelopment toc ....................................................... min
From Maple Ridge IDF Curve…
2yr rainfall intensity ............................................... mm/hr

Predevelopment peak flow (Q=CIA) ............................... l/s


Post development
Catchment Area .............................................................. m2
Weighted average from impervious and pervious areas
Impervious runoff coefficient ................................ for X m2

Pervious runoff coefficient ............................................. for X m2


Post development runoff coefficient (c) = .......... for X m2

Rainfall Intensity (I)


Postdevelopment toc...................................................... min
From Maple Ridge IDF Curve…
2yr intensity............................................................ mm/hr
Postdevelopment peak flow (Q=CIA) ............................. l/s

Objective: Capture 50% of the MAR storm events and heavier rainfalls
50% of MAR = ................................................................
Runoff Area for Infiltration = .........................................
Total Rainfall from Impermeable Area = ......................

Total Rainfall to be Infiltrated = ....................................

6 Version: March, 2011


Storage in Sand Field:
Surface Area = ...............................................................
Average Depth = ............................................................
Average Porosity = .........................................................
Sand Storage = ..............................................................
Infiltration from lawns etc = ..........................................
Infiltration required = ....................................................
Excess rainfall conveyed to stream = ..........................

Table 1. Required Storage to limit 10yr predevelopment level


Modified rational method”
Rainfall duration Intensity Peak flow Max release Required Storage
(min) (mm/hr) (l/s) rate (m3)
20
30
60
120
240
480

Peak Storage Req. = ...................................................... m3


Peak Detention Outflow = ............................................. l/s

TIER C (Storm Events)


Tier 3
Main Trunk line needs to be size to municipal standards.
No exfiltration generally required.
Transfer water offsite to municipal drainage facilities.
Energy dissipation requirements?

7 Version: March, 2011


PRELIMINARY LETTER OF INSPECTION
Basic Requirements for Environmental Consultant of Record

1. Contact Information and Coordination of Monitors. It is a requirement of the


Watercourse Protection Bylaw to have contact information readily available on
site for the environmental monitor(s) for developers and builders. Failure to do
so can result in tickets, fines, or stop work orders. If builders hire an
independent environmental monitor for their lots, they should still be working in
coordination with the existing ESC plans and monitor that is working for the
developer’s site. 1
2. ESC plans require Site Source Controls. These controls are required up front
before construction begins and will be implemented in a phased approach where
possible to maximize retention of vegetation on site. It is cheaper and more
effective to focus on site source controls rather than end of the pipe solutions for
developers and builders.
Site source controls and ESCP plans should demonstrate due diligence or else
full requirements associated with monitoring by the QEP will be required.2
3. Monitoring inspections and reports need to be submitted twice a month during
rainy season of October 15 to May 15 by email to the Municipal environmental
technicians unless performance targets are not being met in which case more
frequent reports are required. Recommendations and mitigation required to
encourage work during dry seasons, or additional site stabilization efforts and
monitoring are required during rainy periods.
4. Communications with Municipal environmental technicians through both phone
message and email with details after infraction(s) still occurring after 24 hours.
Communication is also required with site supervisors and contracts on what their
responsibilities are since everyone on site is accountable and can be ticketed,
fined, or charged by Federal Fisheries and Oceans for infractions related to
release or contribution of deleterious substances as well as by municipal
employees.
5. Letters of assurance by monitors that must be submitted to the District’s
Environmental technicians for pre-development and post development inspection
of a site. Consultants must ensure adequate design and implementation of
controls on site before construction activity commences. A final inspection and
letter of acceptance to ensure proper cleanup and decommissioning supervised
by the Monitor at the end of the site servicing and building phases to get ESC
security deposits back.

1. Monitors have a responsibility to remind the developer that any new builders or contractors
on site need to respect the existing ESC plans and monitoring of the developer as infractions
still fall under the responsibility of the developer until final letter of acceptance has been
issued by the Engineering Dept. In some cases, a security bond is held by the developer to
ensure all builders are going to be cooperative.
2. Failure to demonstrate adequate site source controls will require daily monitoring by QEP’s in
accordance with the Bylaw. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in ticketing,
stop work orders, use of the security deposit by the District, and potential removal of the
professional consultants name from the District’s list of acceptable qualified ESC monitors.

District of Maple Ridge 2011


Preliminary Letter of Inspection and Approval For WPDP/NFDP Works

Submit this Letter To: District of Maple Ridge

Environmental Monitor of Record: ________________________________


(insert name and company of QEP monitor)

RE: Inspection For Development or Building Premises located at

_______________________________________________
(insert address)

The environmental professional of record signing this form is the designated environmental
monitor of record for this site.

The QEP or their official designate has completed an inspection of the Premises on the
following date of ______________________________ (provide date of inspection)

In accordance with the Watercourse Protection Bylaw, a preliminary letter of inspection and
assurance from the Qualified Environmental Professional is required to be submitted to the
District’s Engineering Department and to the District’s Environmental Section before any
clearing or disturbance takes place in accordance with the District’s Watercourse Protection
Bylaw.

This letter of assurance provides confirmation that the qualified environmental professional
has carried out the following duties to ensure the required protection and mitigation
measures are in place and operational:
General Site Protection and Landscape Management Standards
 Carefully surveyed the site prior to any disturbance to ensure accurate location for
protection mitigation around protected areas and significant vegetation or natural
features that need to be protected including watercourses, wetlands, ponds, root
protection zones for protected tree stands, bluffs, geotechnical setback areas, active
floodplain areas, steep slopes > 25%, and municipal trails. Temporary snow fencing
should be installed and in place to ensure features are protected.
 Appropriate site source mitigation measures are in place for Erosion control and they
are operational before any disturbance or construction takes place.
 The timing of construction and disturbance does not conflict with critical bird nesting
periods, and the proposed works will cease during heavy rain periods. If not, please
provide justification and approvals.
 Phasing of works to ensure minimal disturbance and clearing where possible to
building lots, soils and vegetation on steep slopes > 15%, especially on larger
development sites.
 Ensure hazard mitigation and drainage mitigation is in place and operational before
disturbance occurs. Ensure there is no conflict with neighbouring properties, other
applicable legislation, municipal regulations, or building code.

District of Maple Ridge 2011


Environmental Consultant of Record
The undersigned professional may be contacted at: _________________________ (insert
business telephone number or best contact number).

CERTIFIED AS OF ________________________(date)

(Print name of environmental monitor and company)

_______________________
Authorized Environmental Monitor Signature

District of Maple Ridge 2011


Basic Requirements for Environmental Consultant of Record

1. Contact Information and Coordination of Monitors. It is a requirement of the


Watercourse Protection Bylaw to have contact information readily available on
site for the environmental monitor(s) for developers and builders. Failure to do
so can result in tickets, fines, or stop work orders. If builders hire an
independent environmental monitor for their lots, they should still be working in
coordination with the existing ESC plans and monitor that is working for the
developer’s site. 1
2. ESC plans require Site Source Controls. These controls are required up front
before construction begins and will be implemented in a phased approach where
possible to maximize retention of vegetation on site. It is cheaper and more
effective to focus on site source controls rather than end of the pipe solutions for
developers and builders.
Site source controls and ESCP plans should demonstrate due diligence or else
full requirements associated with monitoring by the QEP will be required.2
3. Monitoring inspections and reports need to be submitted twice a month during
rainy season of October 15 to May 15 by email to the Municipal environmental
technicians unless performance targets are not being met in which case more
frequent reports are required. Recommendations and mitigation required to
encourage work during dry seasons, or additional site stabilization efforts and
monitoring are required during rainy periods.
4. Communications with Municipal environmental technicians through both phone
message and email with details after infraction(s) still occurring after 24 hours.
Communication is also required with site supervisors and contracts on what their
responsibilities are since everyone on site is accountable and can be ticketed,
fined, or charged by Federal Fisheries and Oceans for infractions related to
release or contribution of deleterious substances as well as by municipal
employees.
5. Letters of assurance by monitors that must be submitted to the District’s
Environmental technicians for pre-development and post development inspection
of a site. Consultants must ensure adequate design and implementation of
controls on site before construction activity commences. A final inspection and
letter of acceptance to ensure proper cleanup and decommissioning supervised
by the Monitor at the end of the site servicing and building phases to get ESC
security deposits back.

1. Monitors have a responsibility to remind the developer that any new builders or contractors
on site need to respect the existing ESC plans and monitoring of the developer as infractions
still fall under the responsibility of the developer until final letter of acceptance has been
issued by the Engineering Dept. In some cases, a security bond is held by the developer to
ensure all builders are going to be cooperative.
2. Failure to demonstrate adequate site source controls will require daily monitoring by QEP’s in
accordance with the Bylaw. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in ticketing,
stop work orders, use of the security deposit by the District, and potential removal of the
professional consultants name from the District’s list of acceptable qualified ESC monitors.

District of Maple Ridge 2011


Letter of Final Inspection and Approval For ESC Plans

Submit this Letter To: District of Maple Ridge

Environmental Monitor of Record: ________________________________


(insert name and company of QEP monitor)

RE: Final Inspection For Development or Building Premises located at

_______________________________________________
(insert address)

This is to certify that in accordance with the requirements of the Watercourse Protection
Bylaw 6410-2006, listed under
 Schedule “A” ESC Plan for developments and large scale BP applications; or
 Schedule “C” for small scale BP applications (section 15),

The qualified environmental professional (QEP) identified of record has inspected the site
and provides the following assurances to the District of Maple Ridge:

1. The environmental professional of record signing this form has been the
designated environmental monitor of record for this site.
2. The QEP or their official designate has completed an inspection of the
Premises on the following date of ___________________________________
(provide date of inspection)
3. The QEP has remediated the premises in accordance with the applicable
Watercourse Protection Bylaw (Schedule A, B, or Schedule C). This includes:
 Clean up, grading, and stabilization of all disturbed or exposed soil
areas on site that still belong to the developer and within adjacent
park conservation areas in accordance with District standards;
 Removal of all temporary ESC control devices, garbage, or
construction debris on site that belongs to developer or within
adjacent park or watercourse setback areas unless specified
otherwise by the District of Maple Ridge;
 Decommissioning of any temporary erosion and sediment control
facilities should include final water quality report on outfalls, bypass
of drainage that meets water quality standards from pond into storm
system where required, pumping of sediment and sediment laden
water into pumper truck, appropriate infill of ponds to specifications
of geotechnical engineer and cleanup of area.
 For builders, completion of all required surface treatments and
landscaping requirements as outlined in the attached District of
Maple Ridge site treatment and landscape management standards.
 The stormwater and rainwater facilities and controls are operational
& comply with DFO and municipal standards. The signature of the
Engineer of Record is required for this.

District of Maple Ridge 2011


Environmental Consultant of Record
The undersigned professional may be contacted at: _________________________ (insert
business telephone number or best contact number).

CERTIFIED AS OF ________________________(date)

(Print name of environmental monitor and company)

_______________________

Authorized Environmental Monitor Signature

Engineer of Record
The undersigned professional may be contacted at: _________________________ (insert
business telephone number or best contact number).

CERTIFIED AS OF ________________________(date)

(Print name of engineering professional and company)

_______________________

Authorized Engineer’s Signature

District of Maple Ridge 2011


ATTACHMENT ONE
FINAL SITE TREATMENT FOR BUILDERS AND THEIR QEP’s.

As per requirements of the Watercourse Protection Bylaw, contractors and their


environmental monitors are responsible for providing assurances that landscaping,
site stabilization, and cleanup has been completed.
For construction of single family dwellings and large scale building applications, a
final inspection of the lot and a signed letter is required by the designated
Environmental Monitor to ensure the developer or builder has successfully completed
the ESC plan requirements including the proper disposal of any construction or waste
materials and stabilization of any exposed or disturbed soils.
The signed letter must be provided to the District prior to inspectors conducting their
final building inspection and prior to the return of the environmental security deposit.

Objectives
 To protect the ecology and natural features of the site – including topography,
watercourses, soils, vegetation – from damage during the construction
process.
 To control erosion and particulate matter and reduce negative impacts on
water and air quality.
 Create a low maintenance, resource efficient and effective landscape
strategy.
General Site Protection and Landscape Management Standards
 Carefully survey the site prior to building and identify protected areas and
significant vegetation or natural features to be retained where required by the
District. Identify protection specifications (i.e. fencing type, signage) and
implement before any construction takes place. The survey is to be provided
by the environmental monitor of record for the site.
 Where possible, retain and protect all significant trees, vegetation, and
natural features on the site such as wetlands or rock bluffs. Preserve natural
slopes and the existing direction of water flow across the site. Ensure there is
no conflict with neighbouring properties, other applicable by-laws, or building
code.
 Work with qualified landscapers, certified landscape architects, or qualified
environmental professionals to provide adequate surface treatments for re-
planting and select native plant species for site restoration and landscaping.
The soil stabilization and replanting plans should be included as part of the
ESC plans to be submitted as part of the building permit application.
 Work and comply with the District of Maple Ridge Soil Surface Treatment
standards handout (see attached standards).

District of Maple Ridge 2011


Soil Surface Treatments Standards and Guidelines
 All materials, labour and plant installation shall be conducted in accordance with the
BC Landscape Standard jointly produced by the BC Society of Landscape Architects
and the BC Nursery Trades Association.
 All debris and / or excess materials from landscape operations shall be collected and
disposed of in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
 All soils to be used as part of the riparian landscaping shall comply with the BC
Nursery Association landscape standards.
 Depth and types of soils and topsoils to be used will be dependant on the condition
of native soils on site, geotechnical considerations, slopes and professional
considerations.

To restore soil conditions on a site back to a respectable condition, basic surface treatments
have to be carried out by the builder before sod or final planting is carried out. To prepare
front yards and back yards for final building inspection, landscaping requirements must meet
District minimal landscape and surface treatment requirements.

District of Maple Ridge Landscape and Surface Treatment Requirements


1. Grading. Water must flow away from footings and foundations. The slopes on site
and surrounding the structure should be designed and graded so drainage flows are
away from the house structure and must respect neighboring properties as well as
other applicable bylaws.
2. Drainage. For drainage purposes, a minimum of three to six (3-6) inches of coarse
sand or sandy loam soils are to be placed on exposed, disturbed, or compacted areas
to allow for adequate drainage, especially where existing soils on site are compacted
or consist mostly of clays. The soil surface should be relatively dry when the sand or
sandy loam layer is placed.
3. Topsoil. A minimum of six to eight inches of appropriate topsoil should be placed
above the sand or sandy loam layer to support re-planting and slope stabilization.
This should be completed for both back yards as well as front yard areas. The topsoil
depth will depend on soil quality. The better the soil, the less depth required.
Topsoil should be seeded or sodded where soils are exposed. For disturbed areas
that require re-planting of trees or riparian areas that are to be enhanced and
replanted, additional top soil may be required as determined by the Environmental
Professional of record for the site.
4. Site stability. For sites that require geotechnical assistance, the professional
engineer of record must be consulted by the landscaper or environmental
professional to ensure surface treatments will not compromise the integrity of the
slopes.
Additional Resources
 BC Landscape Standards 6th edition. BC Landscape Nursery
Association
 Native Plant Society of British Columbia http:
//[Link]/[Link]
 Natural Lawn Care. Greater Vancouver Regional District 2000

District of Maple Ridge 2011

Common questions

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To minimize soil compaction, construction activities including heavy machinery should bypass proposed infiltration areas. Excavation should be staged until surrounding construction is complete. Importing organic soils post-excavation aids natural filtration. Temporary covers like plastic should protect exposed soils during rain, reducing runoff and maintaining infiltration potential .

Developers can integrate ESC methods with natural surroundings by designing sediment control facilities like bio-filtration ponds to blend with the environment. By adhering to site source controls, such as maintaining existing vegetation and minimizing impervious surfaces, developers enhance ecological compatibility. Slopes should not exceed natural gradients to harmonize with the landscape .

QEPs play a critical role by ensuring site compliance with the Watercourse Protection Bylaw, including submitting preliminary letters of inspection and assurance before any disturbance. Their effectiveness is maintained through regular inspections and submission of reports. Continuous monitoring helps identify infractions early, and their failure to perform may result in removal from approved lists and financial penalties .

Erosion control facilities on slopes over 15% require a geotechnical assessment to identify appropriate drainage mitigation measures. Vegetation cover or stabilization techniques must be employed for exposed slopes, particularly during rain. These measures ensure slope integrity and limit sediment transport to nearby water bodies .

Stormwater management techniques should involve site source controls for infiltration and exfiltration, aligning with Provincial and GVRD standards. Large developments may require Post Construction Environmental Monitoring to determine facility adequacy. Compliance with three-tier management guidelines ensures balance among water quality, quantity, and velocity, aligning with DFO standards .

The environmental monitor is responsible for pre and post development inspections, ensuring ESC Plans are followed. They submit letters of assurance to the district, supervise construction compliance, and coordinate with developers to respect ESC Plans. They assess and implement erosion controls and mitigate environmental infraction risks .

An ESC Plan must include methods to prevent sediment release into ravines, watercourses, or storm sewers. It must detail existing contours, proposed drainage flows, sediment control ponds, outfalls, silt fences, and soil stockpile areas. It also includes temporary protective fencing around infiltration areas and watercourse setback boundaries .

If construction coincides with critical bird nesting periods, developers must either cease activities or provide a justification along with necessary approvals. Mitigation measures should include strategic phasing of construction and ensuring work does not conflict with ecological timelines. Temporary works should consider low-impact practices to protect nesting sites .

Phased clearing is recommended to minimize disturbance to soil and vegetation, thereby reducing erosion and sedimentation. This method allows existing vegetation to aid in controlling runoff and maintaining soil structure, which is cost-effective and environmentally sound. It also aligns with strategic scheduling of site activities to ensure minimal environmental impact .

Performance security for environmental protection is established via a specified security deposit under the Watercourse Protection Bylaw or through a letter of credit under a Servicing Agreement. This deposit ensures compliance with protection measures and obligations until development completion and post-construction inspections verify adherence to the ESC Plan .

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