Merced County, CA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

53's construction site stormwater runoff controls, requires that before any soil is disturbed, the operator of a construction activity project prepare a Sediment Control Plan (SCP) and submit it to the department of public works for review and approval. The SCP must be incorporated as separate sheets within the civil portion of the project plans and must identify the best management practices (BMPs) to be used during and after construction, conforming to the California Storm Water Quality Association (CASQA) BMP Handbooks or an equivalent standard.

The plan must be prepared by a certified Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD). 010(C) defines the triggering 'construction activity' as clearing, grading, grubbing, excavation, or demolition disturbing one acre or more, activity disturbing less than an acre if it is part of a larger common plan of development or sale of one acre or more, and agricultural land converting to industrial-scale uses such as dairy barns or food processing facilities. Operators must also submit evidence that other required permits, including the State Water Board's Construction General Permit, a Section 401 water quality certification, an Army Corps Section 404 permit, and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Section 1600 agreement, have been obtained where applicable.

If the state's Construction General Permit already requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for the project, that SWPPP may substitute for the county's SCP, provided a copy is submitted to the county for review and approval. Routine agricultural disking, harrowing, and soil preparation, and construction disturbing less than an acre outside a larger development plan, fall outside the requirement.