10 ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTION / THIRD QUARTER 2025 / IECA.ORG By Christina N. Kranz, Ph.D. COVER STORY Updates from IECA Standards and Practices Committee Current Projects, Future Goals The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) Standards and Practices Committee has been creating new standards for the erosion control industry. The Committee works to develop, refine and disseminate best management practices (BMPs) for mitigating environmental impacts from construction. These standards serve as a foundation for professionals tasked with balancing the demands of infrastructure development with the duty to comply with environmental regulations. The Committee uses modeling and research to guide the way erosion control is approached to ensure standards follow BMPs. The standards are comprehensive and address everything from technical specifications to inspection and maintenance, and they aim to empower stakeholders across the industry to adopt solutions that are practical and sustainable. This commitment has made the Committee a resource in the field of erosion and sediment control. For more information about the Committee, go to ieca.org/sp. Progress and Development 1. Erosion and Sediment Control Terminology Standardization To streamline communication across the industry, the Committee has developed a comprehensive glossary of erosion and sediment-control terminology. Key terms include: • BMPs – Defined as a collection of measures to effectively mitigate erosion and manage sedimentation. Cover. Sediment basin with porous baffles and a skimmer on a roadway construction project. SEDIMENT CAPTURE PEER REVIEW • Forebay – Described as an impoundment intended to slow down water and facilitate sedimentation when placed upstream of detentionbased practices. • Hydraulic Growth Medium – Clarified by hydraulically applied media that promote vegetation when topsoil is absent or deficient. It is a useful resource, especially for those newer to the erosion and sediment control industry, to look up terms that are not familiar. This glossary standardizes language, which promotes consistency and understanding among professionals. 2. Temporary Sediment Basin Standard Temporary sediment basins are essential for capturing sediment-laden runoff on construction sites before water discharge. The new standard introduces: • Optimal Design – Updated specifications on basin size, geometry and detention times to maximize sediment-capture
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