Protection Measures Selection Tool

Material used for bank stabilization or in-water restoration will minimize discharge sediment or other forms of waste to waters of the United States or other aquatic habitat suitable for Covered Species. Construction will occur from the top of the stream bank, on a ground protection mat underlain with filter fabric, or a barge. All materials placed in streams, rivers, or other waters will be nontoxic. Any combination of wood, plastic, cured concrete, steel pilings, or other materials used for in-channel structures will not contain coatings or treatments, or consist of substances toxic to aquatic organisms (e.g., zinc, arsenic, creosote, copper, other metals, pesticides, or petroleum-based products) that may leach into the surrounding environment in amounts harmful to aquatic organisms. Except for the following conditions, equipment must not be operated in standing or flowing waters without site-specific approval from the USFWS Field Office:

– All construction activities must be effectively isolated from water flows, to minimize the potential for runoff. This may be accomplished by working in the dry season or dewatering the work area in the wet season.

– When work in standing or flowing water is required, structures for isolating the in-water work area and/or diverting the water flow must not be removed until all disturbed areas are cleaned and stabilized. The diverted water flow must not be contaminated by construction activities.

– All open-flow temporary diversion channels must be lined with filter fabric or other appropriate liner material to prevent erosion. Structures used to isolate the in-water work area and/or divert the water flow (e.g., cofferdam or geotextile silt curtain) must not be removed until all disturbed areas are stabilized.