United States Department of Agriculture 500-CPS-1

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NRCS reviews and periodically updates conservation practice standards. To obtain the current 

version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State office or 

visit the Field Office Technical Guide online by going to the NRCS website at 

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and type FOTG in the search field. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Natural Resources Conservation Service 

CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD 

OBSTRUCTION REMOVAL 

CODE 500 

(no)

DEFINITION 

Removal and disposal of buildings, structures, vegetation, debris, or other materials. 

PURPOSE 

This practice may be applied to achieve one or more of the following purposes: 

• Improve water quality for surface and ground water. 

• Prevent potential flood damage. 

• Facilitate other conservation practices. 

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES 

This practice applies to site conditions where obstruction removal is required to address a resource

concern or support other conservation practices. This practice is not intended for removal of— 

• Obstructions from natural or constructed channels. 

• Trees, stumps, or other vegetation from wooded areas. 

• Underground tanks. 

• Unidentifiable or hazardous materials such as solvents, petroleum oils, and asbestos. 

For removal and disposal of trees, stumps, or other vegetation from wooded areas, refer to NRCS

Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) Land Clearing (Code 460). 

For removal and disposal of obstructions from natural or constructed channels, refer to NRCS CPSs

Clearing and Snagging (Code 326) or Aquatic Organism Passage (Code 396). 

CRITERIA 

General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes 

Use methods that are appropriate for the obstruction to be removed, such as— 

• Demolition. 

• Excavation. 

• Disassembly. 

• Burning. 

Plan removal to meet all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. The landowner must obtain all

necessary permissions from regulatory agencies, or document that no permits are required. 
Conduct demolition work in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

requirements. 

The landowner and/or contractor is responsible for locating all buried utilities in the project area, including

drainage tile and other structural measures. Ensure that all utilities are shut off and disconnected from

structures by a licensed electrician or utility company prior to removal. 

If universal waste materials (e.g., batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps) or

nonhazardous secondary materials (e.g., tires, asphalt shingles, treated wood, or contaminated

construction and demolition materials) are expected or encountered, contact State or local solid waste

management authorities for appropriate methods of handling and disposal. 

Do not mulch, compost, or burn contaminated construction and demolition materials such as wood

products treated with creosote, pentachlorophenol (PCP), or chromated copper arsenate (CCA). 

Dispose of materials in sequence with the proposed construction schedule so that moved materials do not

impede subsequent work. Materials such as rocks, timber, fence posts, lumber products, concrete,

masonry, and metal may be disposed by recycling, reuse, burial, burning, or offsite transport to a

regulated landfill or recycling facility. All disposal methods used must meet local laws and regulations. 

Compact filled areas according to site specific requirements so the areas will drain and blend with the

surrounding landscape. Maintain at least 12 inches of soil cover over buried foundations or other

obstructions below ground which are not removed. 

Vegetate and stabilize all disturbed areas as soon as possible after construction to prevent erosion and

offsite sedimentation. Use NRCS CPSs Critical Area Planting (Code 342) or Mulching (Code 484). 

CONSIDERATIONS 

When applicable, consider recycling or reuse of materials as the first option for disposal of materials from

obstruction removal. 

Consider onsite or local disposal of wood that may be infected with transmittable insects or diseases. 

When disposing materials by burning, use “Basic Smoke Management Practices” (O’Neill et al., 2011) for

planning and mitigating smoke impacts. 

Consider the use of dust suppression methods, such as the application of water, tackifiers, or polymers, if

the demolition will generate objectionable levels of dust. 

Obstruction removal can result in the disturbance of large areas that are subject to erosion during the

demolition process. Where necessary, consider provisions in the plans to control erosion and offsite

sedimentation. Consider providing an increased level of designed treatment for sites with high priority

areas for source water protection or are upstream of community drinking water withdrawal sites. 

Treated wood products can be difficult to identify by color, particularly when they are weathered. When in

doubt, assume all exterior wood is treated and select a different disposal method than mulch, compost, or

burn. 

When revegetation is needed, consider revegetating using species or diverse mixes that are native or

adapted to the site and have multiple benefits. In addition, where appropriate, consider a diverse mixture

of forbs and wildflowers to support pollinator and other wildlife habitat. 

Obstruction removal often involves heavy equipment working in environmentally sensitive areas. Consider

servicing and refueling equipment in a manner that minimizes spills and volatilization. 

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Obstruction removal can present hazards to those doing the work. Consider how the work will be

performed, the hazards it will present to personnel, and what safety equipment and training may be

appropriate. 

Work performed in poorly ventilated areas can present hazards to workers. In areas that are potentially

oxygen-deprived, provide workers with a supplemental oxygen breathing apparatus. In areas where there

are concentrations of mice, roosting birds, and bats, airborne pathogens can be a problem. Provide

workers with appropriate breathing protection to reduce risks from inhaled pathogens. 

Old buildings, structures, and trees that are slated for removal can provide important habitat for some

types of wildlife. Prior to removal, consider how to protect species that are identified. 

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS 

Prepare plans and specifications to address the requirements in this standard. As a minimum, include the

following information on the plan drawings: 

• Plan view showing the location and extent of the obstruction to be removed. 

• Profile(s) showing the natural ground surface, anticipated depth of obstruction removal, soil cover,

and final surface grading, if necessary. 

• Details and site location for the disposal of materials from the obstruction removal. 

As a minimum, include the following construction specifications that provide written instructions for: 

• Suspend all construction activities if underground tanks or hazardous or unidentifiable materials are

encountered during construction. Refer the owner to State or local solid waste management

authorities. 

• Proper handling and disposal of materials. 

• Compacting all earthwork, if necessary. 

• Providing temporary or permanent soil stabilization on removal and disposal areas. 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 

Prepare a site-specific operation and maintenance plan for the landowner or operator. As a minimum,

include— 

• Periodic inspection for excessive settlement at removal and disposal areas which may cause

ponding or equipment damage. Promptly fill areas with excessive settlement. 

• Periodic inspection of disturbed areas for sheet and rill erosion. Repair any problems as soon as

possible. 

• Periodic inspection of vegetative cover. Perform needed maintenance of vegetative protection

which may include mowing, fertilization, weed control, repair of seedbed damage, or reseeding of

bare soil. 

REFERENCES 

O’Neill, S., P. Lahm, and A. Mathews. 2011. Basic Smoke Management Practices. U.S. Forest Service

and USDA-Natural Resources Service Report. Washington D.C.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumptition/download?cid=stelprdb1046311&ext=pdf 

U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Safety and Health Regulations

for Construction, 29 CFR 1926. Washington, D.C. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Official website: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticideproducts and https://www.epa.gov/asbestos. 

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Wood Preservative Science Council. 2008. CCA Treated Wood Disposal. Manakin-Sabot, Virginia.

http://www.woodpreservativescience.org/disposal.shtml.

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