Which item is not an erosion control BMP?

Which item is not an erosion control BMP?

• A. Placement of pavement
• B. Diverting channels
• C. Establishing vegetation
• D. Construction of homes

Answer: (D)

Erosion control BMPs are practices used to prevent soil from eroding or transporting sediment off the site. Diverting channels is a clear BMP because it changes the flow path to keep water away from disturbed areas, reducing erosive power. Establishing vegetation is another BMP since ground cover and roots stabilize soil and lessen raindrop impact. Placing pavement can reduce erosion by covering soil and limiting exposed surface, which lowers both runoff and erosion potential, though it’s more a site-design choice than a typical erosion-control technique. Construction of homes, however, is the activity that creates disturbed soil and triggers the need for BMPs; it’s not itself a method used to control erosion or sediment. So the item that isn’t an erosion control BMP is the act of constructing homes.

Erosion control BMPs are practices used to prevent soil from eroding or transporting sediment off the site. Diverting channels is a clear BMP because it changes the flow path to keep water away from disturbed areas, reducing erosive power. Establishing vegetation is another BMP since ground cover and roots stabilize soil and lessen raindrop impact. Placing pavement can reduce erosion by covering soil and limiting exposed surface, which lowers both runoff and erosion potential, though it’s more a site-design choice than a typical erosion-control technique. Construction of homes, however, is the activity that creates disturbed soil and triggers the need for BMPs; it’s not itself a method used to control erosion or sediment. So the item that isn’t an erosion control BMP is the act of constructing homes.