The sediment control program is a state mandated program delegated to Harford County in the late 1970's. The most recent two year delegation was approved by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in December 1998. The purpose of sediment control is to minimize the amount of sediments leaving a construction site. Several sediment control practices exist. They include stabilized construction entrances, earth dikes, temporary swales, sediment traps, sediment basins, silt fence, and super silt fence.

All new development in Harford County that disturbs more than 5,000 square feet of area must address sediment control. Water Resources Engineering is responsible for the review and approval of sediment control design plans.

As part of the sediment control program, an environmental inspector with the Bureau of Construction Management is required to inspect each site that requires the installation of sediment control practices. The inspector determines whether the practices are installed properly and correspond to the approved sediment control design plans.

The MDE reviews Harford County’s Sediment Control Program on a bi-ennial basis to determine if the County’s program is in compliance with the mandated requirement. This includes the County’s inspection and enforcement of the sediment control program and also the plan approval process.