# Erosion & Sediment Control
While the ground is open during construction, rain washes soil off-site — polluting streams and violating your stormwater permit. **Erosion and sediment control (E&SC)** prevents that.
## Common measures
- **Silt fence** and **wattles** to catch sediment.
- **Construction entrances** (rock pads) to keep mud off public roads.
- **Inlet protection**, **sediment basins**, and **stabilized slopes**.
- **Seeding/mulching** to revegetate disturbed areas quickly.
## Compliance
Your **SWPPP** (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) lists required controls, inspection frequency, and recordkeeping. Inspectors check it; violations bring **stop-work orders and fines**. Keep controls installed and maintained throughout construction.
**Takeaway:** Keep erosion controls installed and maintained — violations bring stop-work orders and fines.
> *Educational content — not legal, engineering, or financial advice. Requirements vary by jurisdiction; always confirm with the local authority and your professional team.*
