Which action corresponds to the third prior installation step for filter soil media?

• A. Install temporary E&S controls for stormwater diversion
• B. Hold reconstruction meeting to confirm drainage area boundaries
• C. Excavate pre-treatment cells first and seal to trap sediments
• D. Rip bottom soils 6-12 inches

Answer: (A)

Establishing temporary erosion and sediment controls to divert stormwater is about securing the site background before you disturb soils. By creating a diversion, you keep runoff out of the work area and reduce the amount of sediment that can reach the filter media as you begin installation. This protective step sets up the site so the subsequent work—like excavating or shaping the treatment cells and sealing them to trap sediments, and then placing the filter media—can proceed without overwhelming sediment loads.

The other options are more about planning or later stages. A pre-construction planning meeting helps coordinate boundaries, but it doesn’t directly manage stormwater during construction. Excavating pre-treatment cells and sealing them is part of the installation sequence itself, which typically comes after controls are in place. Rip‑ping bottom soils is a soil preparation task done later in the prep sequence, not a preliminary control step. Therefore, installing temporary E&S controls for stormwater diversion best fits as the early, third prior installation action.