The Sediment Source Control Handbook presents a set of principles and practices for sediment source control on disturbed sites in the West. It has been developed to help people better understand the fundamental concepts of soil protection and restoration, and also to offer specific guidance for those desiring or required to protect or rebuild disturbed soil. Ostensibly, this is a guidebook for reducing erosion on disturbed lands. It is also a methodology guidebook for planning, implementing, and assessing projects of all kinds. In essence, this Handbook is intended to guide users through a process of restoring function to the soil and the plant community that depends on that soil. If the soil and plant community are robust, healthy, and stable, erosion will ultimately by limited. And if you, as a user of this manual, can glean additional understanding of process, practice, and progress of restoration projects, we will all benefit.