Official Site of The State of New Jersey

About

Since 1976, New Jersey has required the management of soil erosion and stormwater from virtually all non-agriculture, construction-based soil disturbances through its adoption of the NJ Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act (N.J.S.A. 4:24-39 et seq). Implemented by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) and the State’s soil conservation districts (Districts), the Act requires that all construction activities greater than 5,000 square feet be developed in accordance with a plan to control erosion during construction. The plan must also ensure that erosion will not occur once construction is completed. These land disturbance activities include, but are not limited to, residential and commercial development, transportation and utility infrastructure, public facilities, and mining.

A suite of design practices known as the “ SESC Standards” are used by engineers and architects to develop soil erosion and sediment control plans which are reviewed and subsequently certified by local soil conservation districts. District staff inspect these sites to verify compliance with the plan. Districts and the NJDA work cooperatively with designers, builders, and local and state government to ensure effective management of soil and water resources during construction.

The current edition of the Standards, revised in 2017, contains 32 practices. Ten focus on the establishment of vegetation as a means to stabilize soil after disturbance. The remaining twenty-two standards address either temporary control measures or permanent engineering designs for the safe conveyance of runoff offsite.

Hydrologic and stormwater management data associated with the plans is collected by conservation districts and uploaded to the Department's web database, the NJ Hydrologic Modeling Database where it is available for public use. 

For assistance with program administration, please contact:

Frank Minch

Executive Secretary

NJDA – State Soil Conservation Committee

frank.minch@ag.nj.gov

For technical and engineering assistance related to the NJ Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act, please contact:

John A. Matos Ramos, P.E. - NJDA State Erosion Control Engineer

john.matos-ramos@ag.nj.gov

Kelly C. Doyle, P.E. - NJDA State Erosion Control Engineer

kelly.doyle@ag.nj.gov