This manual contains tools and information for developing plans to minimize soil erosion and prevent sedimentation associated with land-disturbing activities. The practice standards and specifications are guidelines, intended to minimize the time required to design practices for use under typical site conditions.
This manual is intended for periodic updates. Therefore, sections of the manual may change as practices for erosion and sedimentation control evolve. This manual was first published in 1988, with revisions in 1993, 1997, 2006, 2008, 2013 and ongoing updates beginning in 2026.
A Field Manual and Inspector’s Guide are also available on the DEMLR Publications page.
Recent Revisions
This section contains recent revisions and notices about the revisions. These revisions are incorporated into the current version of the NC E&SC Planning and Design Manual but are provided separately here for the convenience of those that have a physical version of the E&SC Planning and Design Manual. These revisions can be printed and inserted into your physical copy to update it to the current version.
January 2026 Design Manual Updates (revisions only, includes TOC, 6.06, 6.15, 6.65)
2013 Design Manual Updates (revisions only)
2013 SCC Notice to Revision Recipients
Errata-June 2006 Revision Packet
NC Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and Design Manual
Complete Manual (includes Jan. 2026 revision) (36 MB)
Cover and Table of Contents (includes Jan. 2026 revisions)
Chapter 1 - North Carolina Sedimentation and Control Law
Chapter 2 - Processes and Principles of Erosion and Sedimentation
Chapter 3 - Vegetation Considerations
Chapter 4 - Preparing the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan
Chapter 5 - Overview of Erosion and Sedimentation Control Practices
Complete Chapter
Chapter 6 - Practices and Specifications
Complete chapter (includes Jan. 2026 revisions)
Chapter 6 - Practices and Specifications
Download by sections below
6.0 Site preparation (includes Jan. 2026 revisions)
- 6.01 Construction Sequence Schedule
- 6.02 Land Grading
- 6.03 Surface Roughening
- 6.04 Topsoiling
- 6.05 Tree Preservation and Protection
- 6.06 Temporary Gravel Construction Entrance/Exit (Revised Jan. 2026)
6.1 Surface Stabilization (includes Jan. 2026 revisions)
- 6.10 Temporary Seeding
- 6.11 Permanent Seeding
- 6.12 Sodding
- 6.13 Trees, Shrubs, Vines, and Ground Covers
- 6.14 Mulching
- 6.15 Riprap (Revised Jan. 2026)
- 6.16 Vegetative Dune Stabilization
- 6.17 Rolled Erosion Controlled Products
- 6.18 Compost Blankets
- 6.20 Temporary Diversions
- 6.21 Permanent Diversions
- 6.22 Diversion Dike (Perimeter Protection)
- 6.23 Right-of-Way Diversions (Water Bars)
- 6.24 Riparian Area Seeding
6.3 Runoff Conveyance Measures
- 6.30 Grass-Lined Channels
- 6.31 Riprap and Paved Channels
- 6.32 Temporary Slope Drains
- 6.33 Paved Flume (Chutes)
- 6.40 Level Spreader
- 6.41 Outlet Stabilization Structure
- 6.50 Excavated Drop Inlet Protection (Temporary)
- 6.51 Hardware Cloth and Gravel Inlet Protection (Temporary)
- 6.52 Block and Gravel Inlet Protection (Temporary)
- 6.53 Sod Drop Inlet Protection
- 6.54 Rock Doughnut Inlet Protection
- 6.55 Rock Pipe Inlet Protection
6.6 Sediment Traps and Barriers (includes Jan. 2026 revisions)
- 6.60 Temporary Sediment Trap
- 6.61 Sediment Basin
- 6.62 Sediment Fence (Silt Fence)
- 6.63 Rock Dam
- 6.64 Skimmer Sediment Basin
- 6.65 Porous Baffles (Revised Jan. 2026)
- 6.66 Compost Sock
- 6.70 Temporary Stream Crossing
- 6.71 Permanent Stream Crossing
- 6.72 Vegetative Streambank Stabilization
- 6.73 Structural Streambank Stabilization
- 6.74 Buffer Zones
- 6.80 Construction Road Stabilization
- 6.81 Subsurface Drain
- 6.82 Grade Stabilization Structure
- 6.83 Check Dam
- 6.84 Dust Control
- 6.85 Sand Fence (Wind Fence)
- 6.86 Flocculants
- 6.87 Check Dam with Weir