What is the maximum drainage area allowed for a Combination Inlet Protection practice?

The maximum drainage area allowed for a Combination Inlet Protection practice is ¼ acre. This specification is based on the need to effectively control sediment and manage stormwater runoff while preventing overwhelming the protective measures put in place around inlets during construction activities. Restricting the drainage area to a smaller size, like ¼ acre, helps ensure that the installation remains effective in capturing sediment and debris, which reduces the potential for pollution and downstream sedimentation. Larger areas might lead to ineffective performance of the inlet protection measures, as the volume and velocity of runoff could exceed the designed capacity, leading to bypassing or failure of the control system. Therefore, maintaining this limit promotes better compliance with environmental regulations and enhances overall site management.