What are construction BMPs? Best management practices (BMPs), are strategies, techniques, and controls used on construction sites to reduce environmental impacts, prevent pollution, and protect water quality.
Simply put, BMPs are the methods that help you manage erosion, sediment, and runoff, keeping your construction project compliant with regulations while protecting nearby ecosystems.
Why BMPs Matter
Best management practices are essential in construction because construction activities can disturb soil and vegetation, generating runoff that carries pollutants into streams, rivers, and lakes. Implementing BMPs reduces the risk of fines, project delays, and environmental damage.
Not only do BMPs protect the environment, but they also help you avoid fines, delays, and other costly issues. For sites that require a SWPPP, BMPs are the backbone of your compliance plan.
Types of BMPs
Here are some examples of different types of BMPs in construction:
- Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs
- Silt fences
- Straw wattles
- Sediment basins and traps
- Mulching and vegetation
- Runoff Control BMPs
- Diversions and berms
- Temporary drainage channels
- Check dams
- Pollution Prevention BMPs
- Proper material storage and handling
- Spill containment
- Street sweeping and dust control
These categories should give you a clear picture of how BMPs work together to keep your construction site safe and compliant.
How to Select the Right BMPs for Your Project
Picking the right BMPs depends on your site’s size, slope, soil type, rainfall patterns, and nearby water bodies.
Start by identifying potential sources of erosion or pollution, then choose BMPs that target those risks. Often, combining multiple BMPs gives the best protection.
For projects that need a SWPPP or NOI, your BMP choices should also align with your permit requirements to keep everything above board.
Temporary vs. Permanent BMPs
Knowing the difference between temporary and permanent BMPs helps with planning, budgeting, and long-term site protection.
Temporary BMPs are installed during construction and are removed once the site is stable. Some examples include silt fences, straw wattles, and temporary sediment basins.
Permanent BMPs remain after construction to manage long-term runoff and erosion, such as retention ponds, permanent vegetation, and stabilized channels.
Maintenance, Inspection, and Training
BMPs only work if they’re maintained properly. Regular inspections, debris removal, and timely repairs are essential. Your team should be trained to spot issues, understand how BMPs work, and take quick action if something goes wrong.
Keeping good records of inspections and maintenance is also a key part of SWPPP compliance.
BMPs for SWPPP & NOI Requirements
Implementing SWPPP BMPs effectively reduces environmental risk and demonstrates regulatory compliance.
For most construction projects, BMPs are a required element of the SWPPP. The SWPPP outlines the site-specific BMPs used to control erosion, sediment, and pollution, and ensures adherence to local, state, and federal regulations.
Filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) often requires a SWPPP that details which BMPs will be used, their installation, and ongoing maintenance plan.
The Bottom Line About Construction BMPs
BMPs are tools that help you keep your construction site safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible. By using the right combination of temporary and permanent measures, you can reduce pollution, manage runoff, and protect your project timeline. A well-planned SWPPP with effective BMPs makes construction smoother for your team and better for the environment, so everyone wins.
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