24. Construction Stormwater General Permit

Authorities: 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.: Federal Water Pollution Control Act; 40 CFR 122: EPA Administered Permit Programs: National Pollution Discharge Elimination System.

Jurisdiction: Discharges to the navigable waters of the United States.

Applicability: Operators of large and small construction activities must obtain coverage under an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) construction stormwater permit. A large construction activity is generally one that will disturb five or more acres of land. A small construction activity will disturb one or more but less than five acres of land.

Regulatory Summary: Under the NPDES provisions of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates water quality, sediment, and pollutant discharge of stormwater runoff from construction sites. Currently, only large construction activities are permitted. Stormwater from small construction sites will be regulated in the year 2003 under Phase II of NPDES.

Review Process: Construction projects that propose the alteration of five acres or more of land must obtain coverage under the NPDES Stormwater Construction General Permit. The project proponent must submit a one page registration form known as a Notice of Intent to EPA and must develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP details construction activities, erosion control measures, and inspection schedules to be implemented during construction to ensure that the construction activities do not have an adverse impact on wetlands and waterways.

Forms: General Information Form 1 - Consolidated Permits Program at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/form_1.pdf.

Fees: None.

Website: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes.

Contact: U.S. EPA Region I, NPDES Stormwater Coordinator (617) 918-1615.