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DPWES Letters to Industry

Land Development Services
12055 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
703-324-1780, TTY 711

July 11, 2003
03-16

Chemical Erosion and Sediment Controls Use in Fairfax County

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has released Erosion and Sediment Control Technical Bulletin #2, Application of Anionic Polyacrylamide for Soil Stabilization and Stormwater Management. This bulletin indicates that Anionic polyacrylamide (Anionic PAM), a non-toxic chemical material, is being marketed nationwide for controlling soil erosion and sedimentation (E&S) on construction sites. Current independent research by state and federal institutions confirms that application of Anionic PAM, in conjunction with conventional erosion and sediment controls (seed, mulch, perimeter controls, sediment basins, etc.), can be a safe, effective, and economical technique for addressing erosion in problem soils on construction sites when compared to conventional E&S measures alone.

In an effort to promote the use of innovative products aimed at protecting waterways within the Commonwealth of Virginia and natural resources of Fairfax County, Anionic PAM may be used, effective immediately, for controlling E&S on land-disturbing activities as defined in Chapter 104 of The Code of The County of Fairfax, Virginia subject to the regulations and policies referred to or described in this Letter to Industry. The storage, handling, use, discharge, and disposal of Anionic PAM on land-disturbing activities shall also be performed in strict accordance with all federal, state and county laws and regulations, and the supplemental Fairfax County policies noted below.

Supplemental Fairfax County Policies

1. Anionic PAM shall not be used in lieu of, but in addition to, required E&S controls.
   
   
2. The developer or the person responsible for carrying out the E&S control plan shall contact the appropriate County, regional, and/or State authority to confirm and certify that the use of Anionic PAM will not conflict with any site-specific Virginia Discharge Elimination System Permits (VPDES), Virginia Water Protection Permits, or other discharge or wetlands permits.
   
   
3. Site-specific soil and water testing is needed prior to the approval and application of Anionic PAM and shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations by a qualified professional or firm registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Use of Anionic PAM on any land-disturbing activity in Fairfax County will require the inclusion of a site specific soil and water test report as part of the E&S control plan. The report shall be provided for information only as part of the E&S control plan that is submitted to the Environmental and Site Review Division (ESRD) for approval. The E&S control plan shall also contain the manufacturer's material data sheet, and the manufacturer's storage, mixing, application and disposal instructions and recommendations for information only.
   
   
4. The maximum extent of all applications of Anionic PAM shall be depicted on the E&S control plan.
   
   
5. Anionic PAM may only be applied in accordance with the site-specific specifications that are depicted on the approved E&S control plan.
   
   
6. Anionic PAM shall not be applied in a dry form.
   
   
7. A certification prepared by a soil scientist or professional engineer registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia shall be included on the E&S control plan. The certification shall state that the proposed use of chemical erosion and sediment controls, as depicted on the plan, is in compliance with the following:
   
   
   • Erosion & Sediment Control Technical Bulletin #2.
     
     
   • Site-specific Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System (VPDES), Virginia Water Protection, or other discharge or wetlands permits.
     
     
   • The manufacturer's specifications and recommendations.

A typical certification should read as follows:

I hereby certify that the proposed chemical use for Erosion and Sediment control for (project name)_______________________, (plan #)____________________ is in compliance with the DCR Erosion & Sediment Control Technical Bulletin #2, VPDES, Virginia Water Protection, or other discharge or wetlands permits, and the manufacture's specifications and recommendations.

 

(Signature) (Date) (Seal)

 

 

If you have any questions or comments regarding the use, implementation or plan submission requirements associated with use of Anionic PAM for E&S control, please contact ESRD at 703-324-1720, TTY 711.