Winter operations have a direct impact on the quality of the stormwater being captured and deposited into the MS4 at UDOT facilities along with roadways and highways that UDOT maintains. As part of the Pre-winter Kickoff planning meeting Maintenance personnel should review and discuss the SOPs and BMPs associated with winter operations.

• Brine Making Operations

• Liquid Control 

• Material Handling and Storage

• Salt Storage

• Spill Prevention and Control 

• Vehicle and Equipment Fueling 

• Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance

• Vehicle and Equipment Washing

Maintenance crews do a variety of paving projects, whether they are self performing or working with a contractor, using asphalt, concrete, chip seals, or crack sealing. With all paving activities care needs to be taken to protect paving materials from entering into the MS4. Locations need to be identified and the proper BMPs placed before paving operations begin. As discussed above, performing a pre-site visit before starting work can ensure the identification of storm drains or other elements that need to be taken into consideration before starting work.

Stormwater Features Map to be aware of before starting work activities.

Shoulder maintenance, special shoulder maintenance: Placement of material to restore and build up shoulders, care needs to be taken to ensure no material either being placed or removed can enter into open storm drains. 

Maintenance forces routinely perform vegetation control that provides protection (fire control) along Utah’s highway by controlling the height of vegetation that can reduce line of sight for vehicles and alternate modes of transportation. Vegetation control can inadvertently place mowing clippings, or herbicide control substances within the MS4 and BMPs and SOPs should be followed and locations identified before performing these types of operations.

• Mowing (7S32)

• Contractual Vegetation – Chemical (7M61)

• Roadside Landscape (7S42)

A properly functioning drainage system is an essential component of a transportation system. The ability to drain and control the flow of stormwater, snowmelt runoff, and keeping the drainage system functioning and operating as designed is a critical component that ensures the stability and durability of the transportation system. As maintenance crews perform activities centered around the cleaning, inspecting, repair, and replacement of drainage assets a discussion of work activities and impacts to the MS4 should and BMP’s identified. Also, as described earlier in this section the waste disposal tracking form must be filled out when disposing of waste at an appropriate waste disposal facility. 

Susceptible to filling with pollutants, debris, and silt drainage, pipes can adversely affect the quality of stormwater. Maintenance forces should establish a priority plan for cleaning and inspecting the culvert and drainage systems to ensure proper operation of the storm drain system. Overtopping and flooding can occur when the drainage system is not properly maintained and forcing the stormwater to travel in unintended paths.

• Detention Pond Maintenance (7D58)

• Drainage Hydro-Vacuum Cleaning (7D61)

• Drainage Program Maintenance (7S51)

• Contractual Drainage Program (7M62)

• Maintenance and Replacement of Curb and Gutter (7S43)

• Contractual Curb and Gutter (7M74)

• Contractual Detention Pond Maintenance (7M32)

• Paved/Concrete Open Drainage Maintenance (7S46)

• Cut Ditch Clean and Reshape (7S52)

• Erosion and Slope Repair (7S55)

• Roadside Drainage Inspection (7S26)

• Contractual Roadside Drainage Inspection (7M28)

When maintenance crews perform activities on structures they should identify the location of approach slab or deck drains and take caution when placing material (joint seal, hot seal, HMA for overlays, deck seal material) so that it does not enter the MS4 system.

UDOT crews are also asked to remove graffiti from structures, walls, and other assets; when doing so it is important to have a protection plan in place outlining how the work will be performed and how the environment will be protected. The plan should include the removal as well as the placement of the protective coating.

• Graffiti Removal (7S58)

• Contractual Graffiti Removal (7M78)

UDOT is tasked with maintaining and placing pavement markings along with pavement messages on all state highways and freeways. When UDOT or contractual forces are asked to perform this activity it is important to identify locations of catch basins which may be in the direct path of where paint is to be applied (.i.e; against the barrier on an interstate where catch basins are placed). Also if pavement markings are to be removed ensure that all contaminants are collected and removed and disposed of in a proper manner. Also on narrow roadways where the outside shoulder is to be painted which may contour in and out be sure to place paint on a paved surface and not on the shoulder.

• Painting Parking Lots (7D69)

• Epoxy Striping (7D70)

• Pavement Striping (7D71)

• Pavement Messages (7D72)

• Contractual Pavement Striping (7M65)

• Pavement Marking Removal (7D74) 

• Traffic Island Maintenance (7S67)

Maintenance forces need to plan and schedule their facility maintenance activities on a routine basis as dictated by the preventive maintenance guide along with the SWPPP. Scheduling and performing these activities on a regular basis will ensure that systems and components of the facility are operational and functioning correctly. As listed above in the chapter, general housekeeping, and performing the monthly, semi-annual and annual inspections of the facilities will ensure that potential problems areas are identified and repaired. Maintenance should coordinate with the RSC to ensure that their SWPPP is up to date based on any changes that may occur. 

• Facility Detention / Retention Pond Maintenance (7S86)

• Contractual Facility Detention / Retention Pond Maintenance (7M27)

• Facility Supplies and Service (7M90)

• Facility Utility Services (7M93)

• Facility Wastewater Removal (7S85)

• Contractual Wastewater Removal (7M96)

• Facility Oil Water Separator Maintenance (7S23)

• Contractual Facility Oil Water Separator Maintenance (7M31)

• Facility Yard Maintenance (7S24)

• Contractual Facility Yard Maintenance (7M24)

• SWPPP Inspections (7S57)

• Contractual SWIPP Inspections (7M97)

• Disposal of Stored Waste (needs code 7S27)

• Thermal Evaporator Maintenance (needs code 7S21)

Even though there are no direct activities associated with SOPs with the administrative tasks, be sure to use the correct activity codes associated when performing work directly associated with MS4 activities or tasks (See the UDOT Supervisor Handbook). 

Maintenance forces use a variety of vehicles and equipment in their day to day operations (more information is provided on the various types of vehicles and equipment in Chapter 7 Equipment - Appendix 1). Before using and/or operating any vehicle or piece of equipment be sure to read and understand the following SOPs to prevent any spills or illicit discharges. 

• Used Oil, Solvent and Cleaner SOP

• Vehicle and Equipment Fueling SOP

• Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance SOP

• Vehicle and Equipment Washing SOP

• When maintenance forces are performing activities associated with construction projects, be aware of the Contractor’s SWPPP plan and the required BMPs. Make sure that the contractor is complying with the SWPPP and the BMPs have been installed correctly. If the contractor fails to comply with the SWPPP or the installation of the BMPs, notify the Resident Engineer immediately. 

• All maintenance activities are listed by category and provide additional detail on how and when they should be performed. For more information please see the latest version of the Maintenance Asset and Activity Handbook.