When is a site considered to have achieved final stabilization?

A site is considered to have achieved final stabilization when it has reached a certain level of vegetation cover, specifically 70% or greater. This threshold is crucial because vegetation helps to control erosion, stabilize the soil, and promote water infiltration, which are all essential for enhancing the site's environmental health. Adequate vegetation cover minimizes runoff and sediment transport, reducing negative impacts on nearby water bodies and ecosystems.

Final stabilization ensures that the site is not only safe from erosion but also functioning properly in terms of stormwater management. While other factors such as the completion of structures, cessation of construction activity, and finalization of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) may contribute to site readiness or compliance, they do not directly reflect the ecological stability and erosion prevention that the 70% vegetation cover signifies. Thus, focusing on vegetative stabilization is a key aspect of effective stormwater and erosion control practice.