Sustainable BMPs and SWPPP Design with Joe Moore from Siltworm & ECS

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Key Points Discussed

00:00 Welcome, Guest intro, and session goals “Today we’re gonna talk about achieving SWPPP success and really using sustainable BMPs to achieve results.” ~Joe Moore

05:10 What sustainability means per EPA “To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony.” ~Joe Moore

08:02 Why stormwater was early to sustainability

10:00 Geotextiles 101 and microplastics concerns

14:59 USFWS 2022 findings on plastic netting and silt fence

18:01 Better specifications and installation details that matter “Are we impacting the animals in a negative way? The answer is of course yes.” ~Joe Moore

23:33 Jobsite realities: straw wattles, wildlife, roadway safety

25:04 Five technologies to know: B-netting, Flexamat, FODS, GatorBox, permeable systems “We really wanted to design one that could be left behind.” ~Joe Moore

33:43 Post-construction ideas: manage runoff where it falls

35:03 Global water context and why choices matter

40:00 Spec book gaps and a Virginia update example

44:01 FAQ: cost and whole-life value versus first cost

46:12 FAQ: regulatory adoption and landfill fate “We gotta pivot and do it a little differently, or put a little bit more forethought.” ~Ty

51:10 Joe’s personal why and first-fish story “I’m a clean water freak.” ~Joe Moore

“The first one of the trip always gets a kiss on the lips.” ~Joe Moore

In this episode, Stormwater World host Ty hosts Joe Moore of Siltworm and ECS to dig into practical sustainability for construction stormwater. Joe discusses what “sustainable” really means in stormwater practice, especially for SWPPP design that protects water, wildlife, and budgets over the full lifecycle. They unpack risks from polymer-based BMPs, including microplastics and wildlife entanglement, and highlight U.S. Fish and Wildlife guidance favoring loose-weave or natural-fiber blanket options. Joe walks through practical alternatives such as biodegradable perimeter controls, vegetated hard-armor like Flexamat, reusable entrance mats from FODS, and portable dewatering units like GatorBox, while stressing that long-term maintenance and risk often outweigh lower upfront costs. The conversation closes with data trends, why many spec books lag field reality, and Joe’s personal “why” for clean water.

 

The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.

Connect with Joe Moore:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemoore6/

Email: [e-mail]

Website: https://erosionconstructionsolutions.com/

 

Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP: 

Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/

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