The construction and maintenance of roads can result in the erosion of soil and sediment generation. This can have significant impacts on waterways resulting in a deterioration and destruction of flora, fauna, aesthetic features, structures and water quality.
We have developed guidelines to assist those involved in roading construction with selection and design of erosion and sediment control practices and have collated some useful resources relating to best practice sediment control practices during maintenance activities.
eLearning
The Transport Agency developed a series of eLearning modules in 2013, which introduces the key concepts of air quality and transport related assessment processes.
There are stormwater management and erosion and sediment control eLearning modules are available at http://nzta.onlearn.co.nz/ .
Note: Please ensure that popups are not blocked to load the eLearning module.
Erosion and sediment control
Overview
Erosion and sediment control is a range of techniques that can be used to prevent sediment entering natural waterways. These techniques may include:
- managing the quantity of water entering the site
- controlling how water flows through a site
- stabilising the soil
- removing sediment from water before it leaves the site
Our commitment to erosion and sediment control
We have developed a draft erosion and sediment control standard for our state highways to help us:
- ensure construction and maintenance activities avoid, remedy or mitigate effects of soil erosion, sediment run-off and sediment deposition
- identify areas susceptible to erosion and sediment deposition and implement measures appropriate to each situation with particular emphasis on high-risk areas
- use bio-engineering and low-impact design practices where we can.
Erosion and sediment control guidelines for state highway infrastructure
Our Erosion and sediment control guidelines were developed to assist roading practitioners with the selection and design of erosion and sediment control practices during construction.
The accompanying inspection sheets are designed to provide guidance on how to implement erosion and sediment control practices on the ground.
Erosion and sediment control guideline and inspection sheets
Research into sediment control
Value-for-money assessments
A value-for-money assessment was undertaken to compare the existing stormwater treatment requirements (phase one) with what would be required had our standard been in place (phase two) for six capital projects.
Guidelines for erosion & sediment management during roadworks
In 1999 a research report was released which focused on how the effects from road construction would meet the legal requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 in regards to erosion and sediment control
For further information contact environment@nzta.govt.nz .