Fully half of Virginia is drained by Chesapeake Bay rivers, and two-thirds of the state's population lives within the Bay watershed. From the farm fields of the Shenandoah Valley to the pinewoods of the Eastern Shore, for most Virginians the Bay is as close as the nearest creek or stream.

HOW TO REPORT POTENTIAL EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL PROBLEMS

VA Mud Busters Program | Pollution | E&S Control Guide
Spotting Control Failures | Reporting Control Failures  | Resources | Training

Virginia Mud Busters will assess sites during or after rainstorms to look for signs that erosion and sediment controls are failing and/or pollution is leaving the site.  These are general site evaluations and not formal erosion and sediment control inspections. State-certified professionals will conduct full inspections in response to reports.

Sites must be viewed from public property outside the construction perimeter. It is absolutely essential that Virginia Mud Busters do not trespass on private property. Sidewalks, existing subdivision roads, and adjacent public property that are above the site may provide an appropriate view. Conveyances, storm drains, and streams downstream of the site are also excellent locations to find evidence of on-site problems.

The following process should be followed:

  1. Sign-up for the program.
  2. Document any problems in writing and with photographs. Photographs are absolutely critical. 
  3. Submit your report  to CBF via our online form. Complete as much information as you can. Email your photos to vamudbusters@cbf.org. Each photo must be in .jpg format and under 3MB in size. We can accept up to five photos with each submission. Please include your name and indicate what the photo shows and where it was taken.
  4. If you have completed Mud Busters training, we encourage you to also submit your report via e-mail directly to the appropriate local erosion and sediment control official.
  5. Follow-up with CBF and local officials to confirm response to the report. If you work directly with local officials, update CBF on the status or outcome via the online form below or vamudbusters@cbf.org.
     
Form for Reporting Potential Erosion and Sediment Control Failures
Questions that require an answer are marked with  *
   
1 * Name:
   
 First Name:
 Last Name:
   
2 * Contact Information:
   
 Email:
 Phone:
   
3 Date of visit to construction site:
   
 Date:
   
4 * Location of construction site (street address - or if no address, nearest intersection - county, municipality, and state)
   
   
5 Latitude/Longitude of site from GPS (if available):
   
   
6 Name of developer or contractors, if available:
   
   
7 Weather conditions at time of site visit (clear, rain, after rain, etc.):
   
   
8 * Briefly describe the condition and approximate location of specific erosion and sediment controls at the site, and include photos. Are controls (1) in place, (2) not functioning properly, (3) not being maintained, or (4) completely absent? Add other observ
   
   
9 Briefly describe any evidence of sediment, other water pollution, channel damage, or other construction impacts in offsite areas, including roads, adjacent properties, storm sewers, and waterways.
   
   
10 Provide any other information you think is relevant to the construction site erosion and sediment controls or offsite pollution.