Best Management Practices (BMPs) prevent soil and other materials from leaving your construction site. While these practices should be implemented year around, BMPs are required after October 15 and throughout the rainy season. Follow these steps to make sure your site is in compliance:

For All Projects

• Review BMPs for construction
  
  • For a list of common BMPs, access Construction Site Guidelines for Water Quality Protection (PDF)
  • For a complete list of BMPs, access the Arcata BMP Manual (PDF)
• Select the BMPs that are right for your site.
• Install BMP measures at your site by October 15.

Less Than 1 Acre
For projects grading less than 1 acre:

• When you apply for a City of Arcata grading permit, complete and submit this form (PDF) to the Community Development Department along with your grading permit application. For more information on the form, contact the Environmental Services Department at 707-822-8184.

Greater Than 1 Acre
For projects grading greater than 1 acre:

• When you apply for a State of California construction general permit, integrate your selected BMPs into the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. For more information on the permit, contact Water Resources Control Board’s Construction Storm Water Unit by email or by phone at 866-563-3107.

If you would like assistance with your BMPs, please contact the City of Arcata Environmental Services Department.

Low Impact Development Plans
The City also encourages developers to consider Low Impact Development plans. Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management approach that is modeled to manage rainfall at the source. LID's goal is to mimic a site's pre-development hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff close to its source. To learn more, visit the State of California Water Resources Control Board website on Low Impact Development (LID) or view their collection of Stormwater management films.