31 01 00 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND OWNER INTENT

.01 Earth Disturbance Management Guidelines

1. Introduction
   1. Public education
   2. Public participation
   3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination
   4. Construction storm water management
   5. Post construction storm water management
   6. Pollution prevention
1. On March 13, 2003, the Pennsylvania State University commitment to erosion and sedimentation control was elevated to a new level when the University submitted its municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit application.  The MS4 permit requires the University to manage storm water using the six best management (BMP) practices of:
2. The following guidelines address the University’s commitment to addressing construction storm water management.  This will be addressed in a five level system that outlines the practices that need to be used in all earth disturbance situations.  All disturbances less than 5000 ft2 shall be handled with OPP staff, while those above 5000 ft2 shall be submitted to the local conservation district for approval.
3. These guidelines utilize Engineering Services as the contact and manager of the permits and E&S plans.  This centralization of the permits will allow the management of all permits’ requirements.  All renewal and revision tracking will be the responsibility of Engineering Services.  All fees and professional services associated with renewing or revising these permits will be the responsibility of the project for which coverage exists.
2. Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Levels
   • Level 1 disturbances are less than 1000 ft2 and with slopes less than 5% such as tree planting, garden management, flower bed restoration, minor turf restorations, and flower planting.  Aeration and over seeding activities of turf areas of unlimited size are included in this level. 
   • In most cases these activities are of short duration, 1 to 2 days, and provide little or no opportunity for sediment pollution.  The control measures associated with this work would consist mostly of installation of mulch at the conclusion of work and clean up of adjacent landscape.
   • Level 2 disturbances are less than 1000 ft2 and will cover earth disturbances that involve the use of heavy construction equipment, durations greater than 2 days, slopes greater than 5%, and in close proximity to storm water features.  Examples of these disturbances would be utility work, landscape installation, turf restoration on slopes and or in close proximity to storm inlets and flower beds on slopes greater than 5%.
   • Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) for such activities will be at the discretion of the project leader.  In most cases, this would include, but not be limited to, mats for access, silt fence, silt socks, inlet bagging, and a filter bag for pumping.  Project leaders will require training on E&S controls.  Projects managed by leaders not trained will be required to follow Level 3 criteria.  In the event of complication, the Manager of Engineering Services or his designee will provide direction as required.
   • All earth disturbances greater than 1000 ft2 and less than 5000 ft2 will require an E&S plan.  This plan, while not requiring approval by the conservation district, must be protective of the waters of the commonwealth and as such should follow the 25 PA Code 102.
   • These plans will consist of a map of the area that delineates the disturbance and the best management practices or E&S controls to be utilized during the disturbance.  A narrative should describe the area in ft2, the sequence of operations, erosion control installation, maintenance, and removal determinations.  Details for E&S control measures are available in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Erosion Control Manual.  All E&S plans for projects greater than 1000 ft2 and less than 5000 ft2 will be approved by the campus designee and a copy kept on file.  All projects in this category at University Park will be entered into a spreadsheet and reported to the local conservation district for monthly review.
   • Earth disturbances greater than 5000 ft2 must be covered by an E&S plan.  When such a disturbance is within an existing NPDES permit boundary, the E&S plan will serve as a revision to the permit.  (See flowchart “PSU Earth Disturbance Process” )  The E&S plan must be developed and submitted to the local conservation district for approval.  The plan shall be developed using 25 PA Code 102 as a reference.  All plans for the University shall be submitted to the local conservation district through the Manager of Engineering Services or his designee.  Submissions should be comprised of 4 plan sets, an application, and a check made payable to the local conservation district.  Upon approval by the conservation district, the plan information will be logged, and approvals will be copied and approvals attached to the file copy for forwarding to the appropriate project manager for distribution to the contractor.  All originals will be maintained at Engineering Services.  Note:  An approved copy must be at the job site at all times.
   • When earth disturbances are greater than one acre with a point source discharge to the waters of the commonwealth or greater than five acres, a NPDES permit is required.  If sufficient development will take place on the campus over the next ten years, the total campus area or a manageable section of the total area should be included in the NPDES permit boundary.
   • The application process for the General and Individual permit is shown in the referenced flow chart.  The professional will submit four sets of E&S plans, NPDES application form (Individual or General), application fee, and the General Information Form to the Manager of Engineering Services for logging, review, and submission.
   • Once the permit is reviewed and issued by the Conservation District or DEP, it will be logged, approvals copied and attached to the file copy for forwarding to the appropriate project manager for distribution to the contractor.  All originals will be maintained at Engineering Services.  Notes:  Prior to starting the earth disturbance, a copy of the original permit will be required to be on site.  All jobs excavated by outside contractors will require permit coverage through a co-permittee agreement.
1. Level 1 - Minor Earth Disturbances Less Than 1000 ft2
2. Level 2 - Earth Disturbances Less Than 1000 ft2
3. Level 3 - Earth Disturbances Greater Than 1000 ft2 and Less Than 5000 ft2
4. Level 4 - Earth Disturbances Greater Than 5000 ft2
5. Level 5 - NPDES Permits
3. Erosion and Sediment Control plan notes.
• Visual site inspections are to be performed on at least a weekly basis and after each measurable precipitation event to ascertain that the E&S BMP’s are operational and effective.  Record all inspections on Penn State’s “Sedimentation Control Inspection Log Sheet”.  All preventative and remedial maintenance work, including clean out, repair, replacement, regrading, reseeding, remulching, or renetting, must be performed immediately.  The contractor and permittee must attempt, whenever possible, to recycle all waste generated on-site during this project.  All waste material not recycled must be disposed of at an approved waste site.  For all sites covered by an NPDES Permit, the outside contractor, when applicable, shall develop and implement a Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency (PPC) Plan.

.02 Test Borings

1. Data on indicated subsurface conditions are not intended as representations or warrants of continuity of such conditions between soil borings.  The complete foundation investigation including boring logs and recommendation is available for review from the Professional upon request.  It is expressly understood that the University will not be responsible for interpretations or conclusions drawn therefrom by the Contractor.  Additional test borings and other exploratory operations may be made by the Contractor at no cost to the University, with the understanding that he is fully responsible for any damage resulting therefrom and he restores the site to its original condition upon completion.

.03 Inspection and Testing

1. Continuous inspection and testing by a testing laboratory with a Soils Engineer as approved by the Professional shall be provided during filling and compaction.  All footing excavations shall be inspected by a qualified inspector to ascertain that all excavations have penetrated topsoil, soil with organic matter, or fill to undisturbed soil; that the bottom of the excavation is on suitable bearing material; and that all loose material, water and water-softened material has been removed just prior to placing concrete.  The Contractor shall contract and pay for the services of the testing laboratory and the Soils Engineer.  Copies of the reports from the testing laboratory shall be forwarded to the Contractor, the University, and the Professional.
2. Compaction Tests (if required)
1. The Contractor shall employ a recognized testing laboratory, approved by the Professional, to perform verification testing of compaction.
2. The Professional and the University reserve the right to direct where tests shall be taken.
3. Certification of compliance from testing laboratory shall be provided to the Professional, which shall state that the earth compaction conforms to the requirements of these specifications.  Certificates shall be received and approved by the Professional prior to concreting operations.

.04 Soil Protection Zones