EPA Storm Water Guide

8/3/2019 EPA Storm Water Guide

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Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention PlanA Guide for Construction Sites

Who?Construction site operators (generally, the person who has operational control over construction plans and/or

the person who has day-to-day supervision and control o activities occurring at the construction site)

Where?Construction sites required to comply with stormwater discharge requirements

What?A guide to help you develop a good Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

Why?Stormwater runo rom construction sites can cause signifcant harm to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters

A SWPPP is required (by your construction general permit) and will help you prevent stormwater pollution

A SWPPP is more than just a sediment and erosion control plan.

It describes all the construction site operators activities to prevent stormwater contamination, control

sedimentation and erosion, and comply with the requirements o the Clean Water Act

Purpose of this Guidance DocumentThis document provides guidance to construction site operators that need to prepare a SWPPP in order to

receive NPDES permit coverage or their stormwater discharges. The Clean Water Act provisions, EPA regulations

and EPAs Construction General Permit described in this document contain legally binding requirements. This

document does not substitute or those provisions, regulations or permit, nor is it a regulation or permit itsel. It also

does not substitute or requirements under State law or construction general permits issued by States. It does not

impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or the regulated community, and may not apply to a particular

situation based upon the circumstances. EPA and State decisionmakers retain the discretion to adopt approaches

on a case-by-case basis that di er rom this guidance where appropriate. Any decisions regarding a particular

construction site will be made based on the applicable statutes, regulations and/or permit terms. Thereore, interested

parties are ree to raise questions and objections about the appropriateness o the application o this guidance to

a particular situation, and EPAor the applicable NPDES permitting authoritywill consider whether or not therecommendations or interpretations in the guidance are appropriate in that situation based on the law and regulations.

This guidance document occasionally uses language describing mandatory requirements or construction

site operators and those covered by a general permit or stormwater discharges rom such sites. This language

is generally intended to refect requirements applicable where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority. Although

requirements in jurisdictions where EPA is not the permitting authority may resemble these requirements, the reader

should not assume that this guidance accurately describes those requirements. Rather, the reader should consult

the applicable regulations and any applicable NPDES permit.


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Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide or Construction Sites

Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1A. Why Should You Use this Guide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

B. What Is Stormwater Runo and What Are Its Impacts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

C. How Can Construction Site Operators Prevent Stormwater Pollution? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Chapter 2: Getting Started 4A. What Are the Federal Requirements or Stormwater Runo rom Construction Sites? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

B. Who Is Required to Get NPDES Permit Coverage? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

C. What Elements Are Required in a SWPPP? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

D. SWPPP Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

E. Common SWPPP Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chapter 3: SWPPP DevelopmentSite Assessment and Planning 10A. Assess Your Site and Proposed Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

B. Identiy Approaches to Protect Natural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

C. Develop Site Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Chapter 4: SWPPP DevelopmentSelecting Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs 17

Chapter 5: SWPPP DevelopmentSelecting Good Housekeeping BMPs 24

Chapter 6: SWPPP DevelopmentInspections, Maintenance, and Recordkeeping 28A. Describe Your Plans and Procedures or Inspecting BMPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

B. BMP Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

C. Recordkeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Chapter 7: Certication and Notication 31A. Certifcation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

B. Notifcation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Chapter 8: SWPPP Implementation 33

A. Train Your Sta and Subcontractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

B. Ensure ResponsibilitySubcontractor Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

C. Implement Your SWPPP Beore Construction Starts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

D. Conduct Inspections and Maintain BMPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

E. Update and Evaluate Your SWPPP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Chapter 9: Final Stabilization and Permit Termination 37A. Final Stabilization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

B. Permit Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

C. Record Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Reerences 40

AppendicesAppendix A SWPPP Template (available at wwwepagov/npdes/swpppguide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Appendix B Inspection Report (available at wwwepagov/npdes/swpppguide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Appendix C Calculating the Runo Coefcient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Appendix D Resources List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45


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How to Use This Guiden Thisguidewasdevelopedasahelpulreerenceguideorconstructionsiteoperatorsacrossthecountry.Wehavetriedtoaccommodatethewiderangeoknowledgeandexperienceaboutstormwaterpollutionpreventionthatcurrentlyexistsamongoperatorsromnovicetoexpert.

Iyouarerelativelynewtomanagingstormwaterataconstructionsite,youwillprobablywanttoreadthisentireguide.

Iyouareveryexperiencedandamiliarwiththerequirementsinyourstate,thisguidemayhelpyoubrushuponcertainrequirementsorprovideyouwithideastoimproveyourSWPPP.Youmightwanttoreviewthetableocontentsandskiparound.BesuretotakealookattheSWPPPtemplate(AppendixA)toseeiyoucanmakeimprovementsinthewayyoudevelopandmaintainyourSWPPP.

n Thisguideiswritteninageneralormatandcanbeusedatmostconstructionsitesinanystate,territory,orinIndiancountry.ThedocumentassumesthatyouwillobtaindischargeauthorizationunderanappropriateNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)constructiongeneralpermitanduseboththepermitandthisguidancetoassistindevelopingyourSWPPP.Inthisguide,wemakesomereerencestotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencysConstructionGeneralPermitorillustrativepurposes.You should always consultyour applicable NPDES permit or the exact requirements that apply to you .

n RememberthatyouaredevelopingyourSWPPPorbothyouruseandorreviewbytheregulatoryagenciesresponsibleoroverseeingyourstormwatercontrols.Assuch,oneoyourgoalsindevelopingyourSWPPPshouldbetopresenttheinormationinawaythatclearlydemonstratesthatitmeetsalltherequirementsoyourNPDESpermit.

n Youcanobtainanelectroniccopyothisguide(PDFormat),theSWPPPtemplate,andinspectionorm(inMicrosotWord)atwww.epa.gov/npdes/swpppguide

What is a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)?A SWPPP may be called many things Your state may use terms like:

Construction Best Practices Plan

Sediment and Stormwater Plan

Erosion, Sediment, and Pollution Prevention Plan Construction Site Best Management Practices Plan

Erosion Control Plan and Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices Plan

Erosion and Sediment Control Plan

Regardless o the title used in your state, these documentsand the

stormwater permits that require themtend to have many common

elements This guide is intended to help you develop a better SWPPP or your

construction siteExample sketch dentyng varous ponts to

address n the SWPPP.


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Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter providesan orientation to this

guide and its contents

and describes why

stormwater controls

at construction sites

are necessary

A Why Should You Use this Guide?Iyouareresponsibleorerosionandsedimentcontrolandstormwatermanagementatapermittedconstructionsite,thenthisguidemaybeuseultoyou.Thisguideisdesignedtowalkyouthroughthestepsordevelopingandimplementinganeectivestormwaterpollutionpreventionplan(SWPPP).Thebasicoutlineotheguideispresentedbelow:

Fgure . SWPPP Process


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B What Is Stormwater Runo and WhatAre Its Impacts?

Stormwaterrunoisrainorsnowmeltthatowsoverlandanddoesnotpercolateintothesoil.Stormwaterrunooccursnaturally,insmallamounts,romalmostanytypeolandsurace,especiallyduringlargerstormevents.

Impervioussuraces,suchasbuildings,homes,roads,sidewalks,andparkinglots,cansignifcantlyalterthenaturalhydrologyothelandby

increasingthevolume,velocity,andtemperatureorunoandbydecreasingitsinfltrationcapacity.Increasingthevolumeandvelocityostormwaterrunocancauseseverestreambankerosion,ooding,anddegradethebiologicalhabitatothesestreams.Reducinginfltrationcanlowergroundwaterlevelsandaectdrinkingwatersupplies.

Inaddition,asstormwaterrunomovesacrosssuraces,itpicksuptrash,debris,andpollutantssuchassediment,oilandgrease,pesticidesandothertoxics.Changes

inambientwatertemperature,sediment,andpollutantsromstormwaterrunocanbedetrimentaltoaquaticlie,wildlie,habitat,andhumanhealth.Soilexposedbyconstructionactivitiesisespeciallyvulnerabletoerosion.Runoromanunstabilizedconstructionsitecanresultinthelossoapproximately3545tonsosedimentperacreeachyear(ASCEandWFF,1992).Evenduringashortperiodotime,constructionsitescancontributemoresedimenttostreamsthanwouldbedepositednaturallyoverseveral

Fgure . Typcal eroson rates rom land-based actvtes.

(Dunne, T. and L. Leopold, 1978; NRCS, 2000; NRCS,

2006; ASCE and WEF, 1992)

decades.Excesssedimentcancloudthewaterreducingtheamountosunlightreachingaquaticplants,clogfshgills,smotheraquatichabitatandspawningareas,andimpedenavigationinourwaterways.

Theprimarystormwaterpollutantataconstructionsiteissediment.Tocontrol

erosionataconstructionsite,itisimportanttounderstandthedierenttypesoerosionthatcanoccur.Erosionbeginswhenraindropsbreakdownthesoilstructureanddislodgesoilparticles.Runocarryingthesoilparticlesbecomessheeterosionwhicheventuallyormssmallerrillsandlargergullies.Thebestwaytostoperosionistokeepthesoilinplacethroughvegetation,erosioncontrolblankets,orothermethodsthatpreventthesoilrombecomingdislodgedduringrainevents.

Theerosionprocessistypicallyinuenced

byclimate,topography,soils,andvegetativecover.Understandinghowtheseactorsinu-enceerosionwillhelpyouselectanddesignappropriatecontrolstominimizeerosionromyourconstructionsite.

What s a SWPPP?

A SWPPP is a site-specic, written document that:

Identies potential sources o stormwater pollution at the construction site

Describes practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges rom the

construction site. Reduction o pollutants is oten achieved by controlling the volume

o stormwater runo (e.g., taking steps to allow stormwater to inltrate into the soil). Identies procedures the operator will implement to comply with the terms and

conditions o a construction general permit

Take a Closer Look

What does this mean to me?Failure to implement your SWPPP

could result in signicant nes

rom EPA or a state environmental

agency. Thereore, it is important

that you develop your SWPPP to

address the specic conditionsat your site, ully implement it,

and keep it up-to-date to refect

changes at your site.

A SWPPP can have dierent names

A SWPPP may also be called a construction

best practices plan,sediment and stormwater

plan,erosion, sedimentation, and pollution

prevention plan,or similar term. The SWPPP

(or similarly named plan) is generally required

to comply with EPAs or the states stormwater

construction general permit.


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Climate. Therequency,intensity,anddurationorainallaretheprincipalactorsinuencingerosionromaconstructionsite.Knowtheweatherpatternsinyourareaand,ipossible,planyoursoildisturbanceactivitiesorperiodsohistoricallylowerrainall.

Topography. Thelongerandsteeperaslope,thegreaterthepotentialthereisorerosionromthatslope.Usepracticessuchasdiversionsorfberrollstobreakuplongslopes.Considerminimizingsoildisturbanceactivitiesonsteeperslopes.

Soils. Soiltypecanalsoimpacterosion.Soiltexture,structure,organicmattercontent,compaction,andpermeabilitycanallinuenceerosionrates.

Vegetative cover. Vegetativecoverprovidesanumberocriticalbeneftsinpreventingerosionitabsorbstheenergyoraindrops,slowsvelocityoruno,increasesinfltration,andhelpsbindthesoil.Soilerosioncanbegreatlyreducedbymaximizingvegetativecoverataconstructionsite.

C How Can Construction Site OperatorsPrevent Stormwater Pollution?

An eective SWPPP is the key! Isedimentanderosioncontrolsandgoodhousekeepingpracticesarenotollowed,constructionactivitycanresultinthedischargeosignifcantamountsosedimentandotherpollutants.ThetermBest Management PracticesorBMPsisotenusedtodescribethecontrolsandactivitiesusedtopreventstormwaterpollution.

BMPscanbedividedintotwocategoriesstructuralandnon-structuralBMPs.Structural

BMPsincludesiltences,sedimentationponds,erosioncontrolblankets,andtemporaryorpermanentseeding,whilenon-structuralBMPsincludepickinguptrashanddebris,sweepingupnearbysidewalksandstreets,maintainingequipment,andtrainingsitestaonerosionandsedimentcontrolpractices.Inthisdocument,thetermBMPsisusedbroadlyandincludesbothstructuralandnon-structuralcontrolsandpractices.

A SWPPP is more than just a sediment

and erosion control plan. MostSWPPPs

arewrittendocumentsthatdescribethepollutionpreventionpracticesandactivitiesthatwillbeimplementedonthesite.Itincludesdescriptionsothesiteandoeachmajorphaseotheplannedactivity,therolesandresponsibilitiesocontractorsandsubcontractors,andtheinspectionschedulesandlogs.Itisalsoaplacetodocumentchangesandmodifcationstotheconstructionplansandassociatedstormwaterpollutionpreventionactivities.

Fgure . Types o eroson.

Randrop erosonDislodging o soil particles by raindrops

Sheet erosonThe uniorm removal o soil without the development o visiblewater channels

Rll erosonSoil removal through the ormation o concentrated runo thatcreates many small channels

Gully erosonThe result o highly concentrated runo that cuts down into the

soil along the line o fow

Streambank erosonFlowing water that erodes unstable streambanks

Erosion versus Sedimentation

Erosion is the process by which the land surace

is worn away by the action o water or wind.

Sedimentation is the movement and settling out

o suspension o soil particles. It is usually easier

and less expensive to prevent erosion than it is to

control sediment rom leaving a construction site.


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Chapter 2: Getting Started

EPA Permts vs. State-Issued Permts

At the time o publication, EPA was the NPDES permitting authority in

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Idaho, Alaska, the District

o Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. territories (except the Virgin Islands),

most Indian country lands, and or ederal acilities in our states. For an

up-to-date list o NPDES permitting authorities, visit www.epa.gov/npdes/

stormwater/constructon or www.ccacenter.org/swrl.html

Take a Closer Look

What does this mean to me?Because EPA and state-issued permits can

be dierent, you should make sure you read

and apply or the correct permit. Use the

links on either o the web sites listed to the

let to determine which agency issues NPDES

permits where your construction activity will

occur.

A What Are the Federal Requirements or Stormwater Runo romConstruction Sites?TheCleanWaterActandassociatedederalregulations(Title40othe Code o Federal

Regulations[CFR]123.25(a)(9),122.26(a),122.26(b)(14)(x)and122.26(b)(15))requirenearlyallconstructionsiteoperatorsengagedinclearing,grading,andexcavatingactivitiesthatdisturb one acre or more, including smaller sites in a larger commonplan o development or sale,toobtaincoverageunderaNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permitortheirstormwaterdischarges.UndertheNPDESprogram,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)canauthorizestatestoimplementtheederalrequirementsandissuestormwaterpermits.Today,moststatesareauthorizedtoimplementtheNPDESprogramandissuetheirownpermitsorstormwaterdischargesassociatedwithconstructionactivities.

Eachstate(orEPA,inthecaseostatesthatarenotauthorized)issuesoneormoreNPDESconstructiongeneralpermits.Thesepermits,generally,canbethoughtoasumbrellapermitsthatcoverallstormwaterdischargesassociatedwithconstructionactivityinagivenstateoradesignatedtimeperiod,usually5years.Operatorsoindividualconstructionssitesthenapplyorcoverageunderthispermit.Beore applying or permitcoverage, you should read and

understand all the provisions o the

appropriate construction general

permit and develop a SWPPP.Because authorized states develop

their own NPDES requirements,you should careully read yourstates construction general

permit and ollow the specicinstructions it contains.

This chapter

describes some o

the basic things youll

want to determine

(Do you need permit

coverage? What

permit applies to

you?), as well as someo the materials and

inormation you may

need to develop your

SWPPP Collecting this

inormation beore

you start will help you

develop your SWPPP

more eciently Keep

in mind that you may

also need to gather

this inormation and

develop your SWPPP

beore you complete

your Notice o Intent

(NOI) and le or

permit coverage (note

that ling an NOI is

not discussed until

Chapter 7)

Dont orget about common plans odevelopment or sale

A common plan o development or sale includes

larger-scale plans or land development to be

carried out by one or more entities. Examples

include housing developments and subdivisions,

industrial parks, and commercial developments.

EPA has described this term in the act sheet

accompanying its Construction General Permit

as including: any announcement or piece o

documentation (including a sign, public notice

or hearing, sales pitch, advertisement, drawing,

permit application, zoning request, computer

design, etc.), or physical demarcation (including

boundary signs, lot stakes, surveyor markings,

etc.) indicating construction activities may occur

on a specic plot. Each permitting authority may

review documentation to determine i common

plan requirements apply.


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Local Requirements

Operatorsoconstructionsitesshouldkeepinmindthatlocalgovernments(cities,towns,counties)otenhavetheirownrequirementsorconstructionsites(e.g.,localpermitsorgrading,sedimentanderosion,utilities).Compliance with local requirements

does not mean compliance with ederalNPDES requirements or vice versa, unless

the authorized state agency or EPA hasspecically designated the local program a

qualifying local program.

Qualiying Local Programs

Insomestates,theNPDESpermittingagencyhasidentifedcertainlocalconstructionstormwatercontrolprogramsthathaverequirementsthatareequivalentormoreprotectivethanthestatesrequirements.Ioneotheselocalstormwaterprogramshasbeendesignatedbythepermittingagencyasa

qualiying local program,theconstructionsiteoperatormaysimplyreadandollowthelocalrequirements.Thepermittingagency(stateorEPA)mightchoosetowaivetherequirementtofleaNoticeoIntent(NOI)orsimilarapplicationormorsmallconstructionsitesoperatingwithinthejurisdictionoaqualiyinglocalprogram.Iwaived,thesesiteswouldbecoveredundertheappropriateconstructiongeneralpermitautomatically.Checkyourconstructiongeneralpermit

careully.

TheNPDESpermittingauthoritymustidentiyanyqualiyinglocalprogramsintheconstructiongeneralpermit.ViolationsothelocalrequirementsarealsoconsideredviolationsotheNPDESrequirementsandmaybeenorcedaccordingly.

Mostconstructiongeneralpermitscontainsimilarelements:

Applicabilitydescribesthegeographicareacoveredandwhoiseligibletoapply

Authorizationdescribesthetypesostormwater(andnon-stormwater)dischargesthatarecovered

SWPPPrequirementsoutlinestheelementsthatshouldtobeaddressedtopreventthecontaminationostormwaterrunoleavingtheconstructionsite

Applicationincludesinstructionsorobtainingpermitcoverage,usuallybyflinganapplicationorNoticeoIntent(NOI)orm

ImplementationBMPinstallation,inspection,andmaintenancerequirements

Otherrequirementsmayincludeadditionalrequirementssuchasspill

prevention StandardconditionslistoconditionsthatareapplicabletomostNPDESpermits

Terminationlistsconditionsorterminatingpermitcoverageaterconstructioniscomplete

What Construction Activities Require NPDESPermit Coverage?

Inthisdocument,constructionreerstoactionsthatresultinadisturbanceothe

land,includingclearing,grading,excavating,andothersimilaractivities.Italsoincludesconstruction-related activities,areasthatsupporttheconstructionprojectsuchasstockpiles,borrowareas,concretetruckwashouts,uelingareas,materialstorageareasandequipmentstorageareas.

Constructionactivitiesthatdonotdisturbland,suchasinteriorremodeling,generallydonotrequireNPDESpermitcoverage.

Are There Situations Where a Permit Is Not

Needed?Generally,permitcoverageisnotrequiredoractivitiesthatareconsideredroutinemaintenance,suchaslandscaping,roadmaintenance,andmaintainingstormwaterBMPs.SomestatesandEPAoertheoptionoawaiverorsmallsites(disturbinglessthan5acres)inareasandtimesotheyearwithlowpredictedrainall.Tobeeligibleorthewaiver,youwouldhavetomeettherequirementsspecifedintheregulations.

Read Your General Permit!

You should thoroughly read and understand

the requirements in your general permit. This

includes requirements on eligibility (whether

your site qualies or the general permit),

application (how to notiy EPA or the state that

youd like to be covered by the general permit),

SWPPPs, and termination (stabilizing your site

and notiying EPA or the state that your project

is complete). By applying or coverage under

the general permit, you are telling EPA or your

state that you will comply with the permits

requirements, so read your permit careully!


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B Who Is Required to Get NPDES PermitCoverage?

ConstructionsiteoperatorsareresponsibleorobtainingNPDESpermitcoverageortheirstormwaterdischarges.Eachstatehasitsowndefnitionothetermoperator.Operatorsmayincludeowners

(e.g.,developers),generalcontractors,independentsubcontractors,governmentofcials,companies,orcorporations.ThissectionreectsEPAsunderstandingomostNPDESpermitrequirementsorstormwaterdischargesthroughoutthecountry.Youshould,ocourse,consultyourconstruct iongeneralpermitortherequirementsthatapplytoyou.Insomecases,stateshavedefnedtheoperatorasasingleentity,usuallythelandowneroreasementholder.Inotherstates,severalentitiesmaymeetthedefnitionooperator.Forinstance,theownermaycontrol

theprojectsplansandspecifcations,andthegeneralcontractormaycontrolthesitesday-to-dayoperations.Insuchcases,bothmaybedefnedasoperators.Iasitehasmultipleoperators,theymaycooperateonthedevelopmentandimplementationoasingleSWPPP.OperatorsgenerallyobtaincoverageunderanNPDESpermit,otenbyflingaormcalledaNoticeoIntent(NOI).

EPAsConstructionGeneralPermit(whichappliesonlywhereEPAisthepermittingauthorityseeChapter2SectionA)defnesoperatorasanypartythat:

Hascontrolovertheconstructionplansandspecifcations

and/or

Hasday-to-dayoperationalcontrolothesite,includingactivitiesnecessarytoimplementtheSWPPP

Regardlessowhetherornottheoperatorisacorporationorgovernmentalentity,someonemustdirecttheSWPPPspreparationandimplementationandapplyorNPDESpermitcoverageorthestormwaterdischarges.Inmostcases,thiswillbeahigh-levelofcial,suchasacorporateofcer,managerorelectedofcial,oraprincipalexecutiveofcer.Forspecifcinstructions,reertotheappropriate

NPDESstormwaterpermit.

Multiple Operators

Inmanyinstances,theremaybemorethanonepartyatasiteperormingtasksrelatedtooperational controlandmorethanoneoperatormayneedtosubmitanNOI.Dependingonthesiteandtherelationshipbetweentheparties(e.g.,owner,developer,generalcontractor),therecaneitherbeasinglepartyactingassiteoperatorandconsequentlyresponsibleorobtaining

permitcoverage,ortherecanbetwoormoreoperatorsallneedingpermitcoverage.Exactlywhoisconsideredanoperatorislargelycontrolledbyhowthe ownerotheprojectchoosestostructurethecontractswiththecontractorshiredtodesignand/orbuildtheproject.Theollowingarethreegeneraloperatorscenarios(variationsonanyothesethreearepossible,especiallyasthenumberoownersandcontractorsincreases):

Owner as sole permittee.Thepropertyownerdesignsthestructuresorthesite,

developsandimplementstheSWPPP,andservesasgeneralcontractor(orhasanon-siterepresentativewithullauthoritytodirectday-to-dayoperations).Theownermaybetheonlypartythatneedspermitcoverageunderthesecircumstances.Everyoneelseonthesitemaybeconsideredsubcontractorsandmightnotneedpermitcoverage.Fgure . Use sgnage to help educate constructon sta.


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Eroson Control vs. Sedment Control

When developing a SWPPP, it is important to understand the dierence

between erosion control and sediment control. Erosion control measures

(e.g., mulch, blankets, mats, vegetative cover) protect the soil surace and

prevent soil particles rom being dislodged and carried away by wind or

water. Sediment control measures remove soil particles ater they have been

dislodged (typically through settling or ltration). It is usually easier and less

expensive to prevent erosion than it is to control sedimentation.

Take a Closer LookWhat does this mean to me?You should try to use erosion control

BMPs as the primary means o preventing

stormwater contamination, and sediment

control techniques to capture any soil

that does get eroded. Because no one

technique is 100 percent eective, a

good SWPPP will use both kinds o BMPs

in combination or the best results.

Contractor as sole permittee.Thepropertyownerhiresonecompany(i.e.,acontractor)todesigntheprojectandoverseeallaspectsotheconstructionproject,includingpreparationandimplementationotheSWPPPandcompliancewiththepermit(e.g.,aturnkeyproject).Here,thecontractorwouldlikelybetheonlypartyneedinga

permit.Itisunderthisscenariothatanindividualhavingapersonalresidencebuiltorhisownuse(e.g.,notthosetobesoldorproftorusedasrentalproperty)wouldnotbeconsideredanoperator.However,individualpropertyownerswouldmeetthedefnitionooperatorandmayrequirepermitcoverageitheyperormgeneralcontractingdutiesorconstructionotheirpersonalresidences.

Owner and contractor as co-permittees.Theownerretainscontroloveranychanges

tositeplans,SWPPPs,orstormwaterconveyanceorcontroldesigns;butthecontractorisresponsibleoroverseeingactualearthdisturbingactivitiesanddailyimplementationoSWPPPandotherpermitconditions.Inthiscase,whichisthemostcommonscenario,bothpartiesmayneedtoapplyorpermitcoverage.

However,youareprobablynotanoperatorandsubsequentlywouldnotneedpermitcoverageioneotheollowingistrue:

Youareasubcontractorhiredby,and

underthesupervisiono,theownerorageneralcontractor(i.e.,ithecontractordirectsyouractivitieson-site,youprobablyarenotanoperator)

TheoperatorothesitehasindicatedintheSWPPPthatsomeoneotherthanyou(oryoursubcontractor)isreponsibleoryouractivitiesastheyrelatetostormwaterquality(i.e.,anotheroperatorhasassumedresponsibilityortheimpactsoyour

constructionactivities).Thisistypicallythecaseormany,inotmost,utilityservicelineinstallations.

Inaddition,ownertypicallyreerstothepartythatownsthestructurebeingbuilt.Ownershipothelandwhereconstructionisoccurringdoesnotnecessarilyimply

thepropertyownerisanoperator(e.g.,alandownerwhosepropertyisbeingdisturbedbyconstructionoagaspipeline).Likewise,itheerectionoastructurehasbeencontractedor,butpossessionothetitleorleasetothelandorstructuredoesnottooccuruntilaterconstruction,thewould-beownermaynotbeconsideredanoperator(e.g.,havingahousebuiltbyaresidentialhomebuilder).

Transerring Ownership

Inmanyresidentialdevelopments,an

overalldeveloperappliesorthestormwaterpermitcoverage,conductsgradingactivities,andinstallsthebasicinrastructure(e.g.,utilities,roads).Individuallotsarethensoldtobuilderswhothenconstructthehouses.Unlessthedeveloperisstillresponsibleorstormwaterontheseindividuallots(whichistypicallynotthecase),itislikelythatthebuilderwillneedtoapplyorNPDESpermitcoverageorstormwaterdischargesduringhomeconstruction.

Subcontractors

Itistypicallyagoodideatoincludespecifccontractlanguagerequiringsubcontractorstoimplementappropriatestormwatercontrols.SubcontractorsshouldbetrainedonappropriateBMPsandrequirementsintheSWPPPandshouldnotdisturborremoveBMPs.SomecontractorswillincludespecifcpenaltiesinsubcontractoragreementstoensuresubcontractorsdonotdamageorremoveBMPs.


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C What Elements Are Required in aSWPPP?

TheSWPPPlaysoutthestepsandtechniquesyouwillusetoreducepollutantsinstormwaterrunoleavingyourconstructionsite.Thereore,properdevelopmentandimplementationoyourSWPPPiscrucial.

Firstandoremost,yourSWPPPmustbedevelopedandimplementedconsistentwiththerequirementsotheapplicableNPDESstormwaterconstructionpermit.Theollowingdiscussiondescribesrequirementsthatarecontainedinmostothesepermits.

YourSWPPPisusedtoidentiyallpotentialpollutionsourcesthatcouldcomeintocontactwithstormwaterleavingyoursite.ItdescribestheBMPsyouwillusetoreducepollutantsinyourconstructionsitesstormwaterdischarges,anditincludeswrittenrecords

oyoursiteinspectionsandtheollow-upmaintenancethatisperormed.

YourSWPPPshouldcontaintheollowingelements:

Cover/titlepage

ProjectandSWPPPcontactinormation

Siteandactivitydescription,includingasitemap

Identifcationopotentialpollutantsources

Descriptionocontrolstoreducepollutants

Maintenance/inspectionprocedures

Recordsoinspectionsandollow-upmaintenanceoBMPs

SWPPPamendments

SWPPPcertifcation

Chapters36othisguidedescribehowtodevelopaSWPPPromsiteevaluationanddatacollectiontoselectingappropriateBMPsandassigningmaintenanceandinspectionresponsibilities.

D SWPPP Roles and ResponsibilitiesTheoperatorhastheleadordevelopingandimplementingtheSWPPPandcommitingresourcestoimplementtheBMPs.Stormwaterpollutioncontrolistypicallythejobomorethanasingleperson;theSWPPPdevelopmentprocessprovidesagoodopportunityto

defnerolesandresponsibilitiesoeveryoneinvolved.RolesandresponsibilitiesaretobedocumentedclearlyintheSWPPPandsubcontractoragreementsasnecessary.YourSWPPPshoulddescribe:

Whoisonthestormwaterpollutionpreventionteam?

Whowillinstallstructuralstormwatercontrols?

Whowillsuperviseandimplementgoodhousekeepingprograms,suchassitecleanupanddisposalotrashand

debris,hazardousmaterialmanagementanddisposal,vehicleandequipmentmaintenance,andsoon?

WhowillconductroutineinspectionsothesitetoensureallBMPsarebeingimplementedandmaintained?

WhowillmaintaintheBMPs?

WhoisresponsibleordocumentingchangestotheSWPPP?

WhoisresponsibleorcommunicatingchangesintheSWPPPtopeopleworkingonthesite?

Whenyouapplyoryourstormwaterpermit,theapplicationmayaskoraSWPPPcontact.Thiscouldbetheconstructionsiteoperator,butinmanycasesitsastaperson(e.g.,projectsuperintendent,feldmanager,constructionmanager,stormwatercomplianceofcer)attheconstructionsitewhoisresponsibleorconductinginspections,ensuringBMPsareinstalledandmaintained,andupdatingtheSWPPPwhennecessary.

Erosion Control Certifcation

Several programs promote the training and

certication o individuals in erosion and sediment

control. Some states have developed certication

programs and require construction sites to have a

certied individual on-site at all times. The Soil and

Water Conservation Society and the International

Erosion Control Association sponsor a national

certication program, the Certied Proessional in

Erosion and Sediment Control (www.cpesc.org)


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E Common SWPPP ObjectivesTheSWPPPoutlinesthestepsyouwilltaketocomplywiththetermsandconditionsoyourconstructiongeneralpermit.KeepingtheollowingobjectivesinmindasyoudevelopyourSWPPPwillhelpguideyouinaddressingyourpermitrequirementsandinprotecting

waterquality. Stabilize the site as soon as possible.Getyoursitetofnalgradeandeitherpermanentlyortemporarilystabilizeallbaresoilareasassoonaspossible.Takeintoconsiderationgerminationtimesorthegrassesorothervegetationselected,andprovideadditionalstabilization(mulches,matrices,blankets,soilbinders)onerosion-proneareassuchasslopesanddrainageways.Alsoconsiderseasonallimitationstoplantestablishmentandgrowth,suchasdroughtorcoldtemperatures,andmakeaneorttoensurethatareasthatarenotshowingadequatevegetationestablishmentarereseededormulchedimmediately.Areasneededorutureroads,construction,orotherpurposesshouldbetemporarilystabilized(seeyourpermitorrequirementsrelatedtoareasothesitenotcurrentlyunderactiveconstruction).Establishingavegetatedcoveronasmuchothesiteaspossiblewillhelptominimizeerosionandsedimentproblems.Perimetercontrolsshouldremaininplaceuntilfnal

stabilizationhasbeenachieved. Protect slopes and channels.Conveyconcentratedstormwaterrunoaroundthetoposlopesandstabilizeslopesassoonaspossible.Thiscanbeaccomplishedusingpipeslopedrainsorearthenbermsthatwillconveyrunoaroundtheexposedslope.Avoiddisturbingnaturalchannels

andthevegetationalongnaturalchannels,ipossible.

Reduce impervious suraces and promoteinfltration.Reducingimpervioussuraceswillultimatelyreducetheamountorunoleavingyoursite.Also,divertrunoromrootopsandotherimpervioussuracestovegetatedareaswhenpossibletopromoteinfltration.

Control the perimeter o your site.Divertstormwatercomingontoyoursitebyconveyingitsaelyaround,through,orunderyoursite.Avoidallowingrun-ontocontactdisturbedareasotheconstructionsite.Fortherunoromthedisturbedareasothesite,installBMPssuchassiltencestocapturesedimentbeoreitleavesyoursite.RememberDivertthecleanwater,trapthedirtywater.

Protect receiving waters adjacent to yoursite.Erosionandsedimentcontrolsareusedaroundtheentiresite,butoperatorsshouldconsideradditionalcontrolsonareasthatareadjacenttoreceivingwatersorotherenvironmentallysensitiveareas.Remember, the primary purposeo erosion and sediment controls is toprotect surace waters.

Follow pollution prevention measures.Providepropercontainersorwasteandgarbageatyoursite.Storehazardous

materialsandchemicalssothattheyarenotexposedtostormwater.

Minimize the area and duration o exposedsoils.Clearingonlylandthatwillbeunderconstructioninthenearuture,apracticeknownasconstructionphasing,canreduceo-sitesedimentloadsby36percentoratypicalsubdivision(Claytor2000).Additionally,minimizingthedurationosoilexposurebystabilizingsoilsquicklycanreduceerosiondramatically.

Incentves to preserve open space

It should be the goal o every construction

project to, where possible, preserve open

space and minimize impervious suraces

through practices such as clustering houses.

Open space preservation can provide

signicant water quality and economic

benets to property owners.

Take a Closer LookWhat does this mean to me?From a marketing perspective, studies have shown that lots abutting

orested or other open space are initially valued higher than lots with

no adjacent open space, and over time their value appreciates more

than lots in conventional subdivisions (Arendt 1996). For example, lots

in an open space subdivision in Amherst, Massachusetts, experienced

a 13 percent greater appreciation in value over a comparable

conventional development ater 20 years even though the lots in the

conventional development were twice as large (Arendt 1996).


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0 Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide or Construction Sites

Chapter 3: SWPPP DevelopmentSite

Assessment and Planning

ThischapterdescribesanumberostepsthatwillhelpprovideagoodoundationoryourSWPPP,including:

Assessingcurrentconditionsatthesite

Establishingpollutionpreventionandwaterqualityprotectiongoalsoryourproject

Developingarameworktohelpyoumeetthosegoals

A Assess Your Site and Proposed ProjectThefrststepindevelopingyourSWPPPistoevaluateyourproposedconstructionsite.YourSWPPPshoulddescribethe

undevelopedsiteandidentiyeaturesothelandthatcanbeincorporatedintothefnalplanandnaturalresourcesthatshouldbeprotected.UnderstandingthehydrologicandothernaturaleaturesoyoursitewillhelpyoudevelopabetterSWPPPand,ultimately,tomoreeectivelypreventstormwaterpollution.

Visit the Site

ThepeopleresponsibleorsitedesignanddratingtheSWPPPshouldconductathoroughwalk-throughotheentireconstructionsitetoassesssite-specifcconditionssuchassoiltypes,drainagepatterns,existingvegetation,andtopography.

AvoidcopyingSWPPPsromotherprojectstosavetimeormoney.EachconstructionprojectandSWPPPisunique,andvisitingthesiteistheonlywaytocreateaSWPPPthataddressestheuniqueconditionsatthatsite.

Assess Existing Construction Site Conditions

Assesstheexistingconditionsattheconstructionsite,includingtopography,drainage,andsoiltype.Thisassessment,sometimescalledfngerprinting(seetextboxonpage11)istheoundationorbuildingyourSWPPPandordevelopingyourfnalsiteplan.Inthisassessment,useorcreateatopographicdrawingthat:

Indicateshowstormwatercurrentlydrainsromthesite,andidentiythelocationodischargepointsorareas

Identifesslopesandslopelengths.Thetopographiceaturesothesiteareamajoractoraectingerosionromthesite

Identifessoiltype(s)andanyhighlyerodiblesoilsandthesoilsinfltrationcapacity

Identifesanypastsoilcontaminationatthesite

Identifesnaturaleatures,includingtrees,streams,wetlands,slopesandothereaturestobeprotected

The rst step in

developing a SWPPP

is assessing the

site and identiying

measures to protect

natural eatures

A SWPPP is a detailed plan that:

Identies potential sources o stormwater

pollution

Describes the practices that will be used

to prevent stormwater pollution. These

should include: erosion and sediment control

practices, good housekeeping practices,

conservation techniques, and inltration

practices (where appropriate), and

Identies procedures the operator will

implement to comply with all requirements

in the construction general permit


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Inmostcases,thesitedesignercancompileallthisinormationonadigitizeddrawingthatcanthenbeadaptedtoshowtheplannedconstructionactivity,thephasesoconstruction,andthefnalsiteplan.

TopographicmapsarereadilyavailableontheInternet(e.g.,www.terraserver.comorwww.mapquest.com)orbycontactingtheU.S.GeologicalSurveystore(http://store.usgs.gov).Iyouneedhelpdeterminingyoursoiltype,contactyourlocalNaturalResourceConservationService(NRCS)ofceorextensionserviceofce.TofndtheNRCSofcenearesttoyoursite,visittheU.S.DepartmentoAgriculturesServiceCenterLocatorwebsite(http://oces.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app).SoilinormationisalsoavailableonlineromNRCS(http://soils.

usda.gov).

Identiy Receiving Waters, Storm Drains, andOther Stormwater Conveyance Systems

YourSWPPPshouldclearlyidentiythereceivingwatersandstormwatersystemsthroughwhichstormwaterromyoursitecouldow.Manystatesrequireplanningoraspecifcstormeventorstormevents.Thesestormeventsarereerredtobytheirrecurrenceintervalanddurationsuchas1-year,6-hourstormora100-year,24-hour

storm.Theseeventsthentranslateintoaspecifcrainallamountdependingonaverageconditionsinyourarea.

Iyoursitesstormwaterowsintoamunicipalstormdrainsystem,youshoulddeterminetheultimatedestinationothatsystemsdischarge.Thismaybeobviousandeasytodocument.However,insomesystems,youmayhavetoconsultwiththelocalagency

responsibleorthestormdrainsystemtodeterminethewaterbodytowhichyouaredischarging.

Iyoursitesstormwaterrunsotoareasnotconnectedtothestormdrainsystem,

youshouldconsideryourlandstopographyandthenidentiythewaterbodiesthatitcouldreach.Manysiteswilldischargesomestormwatertoastormdrainsystemandsometootherareasnotconnectedtothesystem.Iyoursitesstormwatercouldpotentiallyreachtwoormorewaterbodies,notethatinyourSWPPP.Remember,stormwatercantravellongdistancesoverroads,parkinglots,downslopes,acrossfelds,andthroughstormsewersanddrainageditches.

Describe Your Construction Project

YourSWPPPshouldcontainabriedescriptionotheconstructionactivity,including:

Projecttypeorunction(orexample,low-densityresidential,shoppingmall,highway)

Projectlocation,includinglatitudeandlongitude

Estimatedprojectstartandenddates

Sequenceandtimingoactivitiesthatwill

disturbsoilsatthesite

Sizeotheproject

Estimatedtotalareaexpectedtobedisturbedbyexcavation,grading,orotherconstructionactivities,includingdedicatedo-siteborrowandfllareas

Percentageoimperviousareabeoreandaterconstruction

Fngerprntng Your Ste

When you evaluate your construction site, you should clearly identiy

vegetation, trees, and sensitive areas, such as stream buers, wetlands,

highly erodible soils, and steep slopes at your site. You should protect theseareas rom disturbance. Inventorying a sites natural eatures is a technique

called ngerprinting. Fingerprinting identies natural eatures that you can

protect rom clearing and heavy equipment by signage or physical barriers.

Take a Closer Look

What does this mean to me?Fingerprinting your site will help

ensure that you dont damage natural

eatures such as waterways or wetlands.

Conducting construction activity in a

waterway or wetland without the proper

permits can result in signicant penalties.


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1 The runo coefcient is the partial amount o the total rainall which will become runo. Runo coe fcients generally range rom 0.95 (highly impervious) to 0.05 (vegetated surace that

generates little runo ). For more inormation on calculating the runo coefcient or your site, see Appendix C.

Runocoefcient1beoreandaterconstruction

Soiltypes

Constructionsitelocationandanynearbywatersorwetlands

Describeandidentiythelocationo

otherpotentialsourcesostormwatercontamination,suchasasphaltandconcreteplants,stuccooperations,paintandconcretewashout,andsuch

Identiy Pollutants and Pollution Sources

Identiythepollutantsandsourcesthatarelikelytobeoundonthesite.Theprinciplepollutantoconcern,ocourse,issediment.Thereare,however,otherpollutantsthatmaybeound,usuallyinsubstantiallysmalleramounts,instormwaterrunorom

constructionsites.Thesecanincludenutrients,heavymetals,organiccompounds,pesticides,oilandgrease,bacteriaandviruses,trashanddebris,andotherchemicals.Ateridentiyingthepollutantsandsources,beasspecifcaspossibleinyourSWPPPabouttheBMPsyouwillusetoaddressthem.Thetableattheletliststhesourcesopollutantsatconstructionsites,includingsediment,theprimarypollutantandotherpollutantsthatmaybepresentatconstructionsites.

Fgure . Make sure storm dran nlets

are protected.

Constructon Ste Pollutants

Areas o Consderaton

Prmary

Pollutant

Other Pollutants

Nutrents

Heavymeta

ls

pH

(acds&

bases)

Pestcdes&

herbcdes

Ol&

grease

Bactera&

vruses

Trash,

debr

s,solds

Othertoxc

chemcals

Sedment

Clearing, grading,

excavating, and

unstabilized areas

Paving operations

Concrete washout and

waste

Structure construction/

painting/cleaning

Demolition and debris

disposal

Dewatering operations

Drilling and blasting

operations

Material delivery and

storage

Material use during

building process

Solid waste (trash and

debris)

Hazardous waste

Contaminated spills

Sanitary/septic waste

Vehicle/equipment ueling

and maintenance

Vehicle/equipment use

and storage

Landscaping operations


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Non-Stormwater Discharges

Mostpermitswillrequireyoutoidentiyanynon-stormwaterdischargesinyourSWPPP.Certainnon-stormwaterdischargesmaybeallowedunderthetermsandconditionsoyourpermit,however,youshouldmakeeveryeorttoeliminatethesedischargeswhere

possible.YoushouldidentiythesesourcesinyourSWPPPandidentiypollutionpreventionmeasurestoensurethatpollutantsarenotintroducedtothesedischargesandcarriedtonearbywaterbodies.

EPAsCGPidentifestheseallowablenon-stormwaterdischarges:dischargesromfre-fghtingactivities,frehydrantushings,watersusedtowashvehicles,buildings,andpavementswheredetergentsarenotused,waterusedtocontroldust,potablewater(includinguncontaminatedwaterline

ushings),uncontaminatedairconditioningcondensate,uncontaminatedgroundwaterorspringwater,amongothers.Thepermitgoesontosaythatnon-stormwaterdischargesshouldbeeliminatedorreducedtotheextenteasibleandthattheSWPPPshouldidentiyandensuretheimplementationoappropriatepollutionpreventionmeasuresorthesedischarges.Morediscussionopollutionpreventionmeasuresorsomeothesenon-stormwatersourcescanbeoundinChapter5.

Permanent Stormwater Controls

(Post-Construction)Thetopicodesigning,installing,andmaintainingpermanentorpost-constructionstormwatercontrols,althougharequirement,isbeyondthescopeothisSWPPPguide.ASWPPPcompiledinsupportocoverageunder

EPAsConstructionGeneralPermit,however,needstoincludeadescriptionoallpermanentstormwatercontrolsthatwillbeconstructedalongwiththebuildings,roads,parkinglots,andotherstructures.YoushouldincorporatesedimentanderosioncontrolsintoyourSWPPPorareaswherepermanentstormwatercontrols,suchaswetponds,swales,and

bioretentioncellsaretobeconstructed.

Eectivelymanagingstormwateroverthelong-termlongatertheactualconstructionprocessisoverisasignifcantchallenge.Manycommunities(andaewstates)haveoraredevelopingcomprehensiverequirementstobettermanagepermanent(orpost-construction)stormwaterruno.Tobemosteective,youshouldconsiderintegratingyourdesignprocessoryourpermanentstormwatercontrolsintoyouroveralldesignoryoursite.Planningoryourpermanentstormwater

controlscouldaectyourdecisionsaboutsitedesign,locationobuildingsandotherstructures,grading,andpreservingnaturaleatures.Bypreservingnaturaldrainagepatterns,trees,nativevegetation,riparianbuers,andwetlands,youmightneedtoconstructewerorsmallerstructuralstorm-watercontrolstocopewithrunoromyoursite.Permanentstormwatercontrolsshouldbedesignedwithtwoimportantgoalsinmind:(1)reductionothevolumeandvelocityoruno,and(2)reductionothepollutantsinthestormwaterthatdoesleaveyoursite.

Techniques,suchasLow Impact Development,BetterSiteDesign,orConservation

Development,whichemphasizeaddressingstormwaterwhereitalls,infltratingit,preservingnaturaldrainagepatterns,and

Specmen Trees and Natural Vegetaton

Beore a site plan is prepared, identiy and

clearly mark existing trees and vegetation you

want to preserve. Some communities have tree

preservation ordinances, and local extension

service oces and oresters will oten provide ree

advice on tree and plant preservation. Remember

to notiy all employees and subcontractors about

trees and areas you intend to preserve and mark

them clearly.

Take a Closer Look

What does this mean to me?Large trees and other native vegetation can represent signicant value

in the long term to property owners and the community at large.

Many studies document that the presence o trees on residential and

commercial sites provide many benets including improved aesthetics,

habitat or birds and other wildlie, and energy savings (shade) that

ultimately enhance the economic value o the site. Trees also provide

shade and act as windbreaks, which can reduce energy costs over the

long term. By protecting existing trees, you can reduce landscaping

costs and improve the appearance o a newly developed property.

According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, trees around a home

can increase its value by 15 percent or more.


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preservingnaturalvegetationoerthebestopportunitytoprotectnearbyrivers,lakes,wetlands,andcoastalwaters. Incorporatingthese ideas and concepts into the design oryour project beore it is built also oers the

opportunity to reduce capital inrastructureand long-term maintenance costs.

Attheneighborhoodorevenatthewatershedscale,Smart Growthtechniquescanhelpusdesignneighborhoodsthatminimizeimpactsonwaterquality,reduceairpollution,andimprovethegeneralqualityolieorresidents.In theResources list in AppendixD, you will nd a list o suggestions on this

topic, including how to incorporate SmartGrowth and Low Impact Developmenttechniques into the design o your site.

B Identiy Approaches to Protect Natural

ResourcesPreservationonaturalareas,waterbodies,andopenspacehasnumerouseconomic,aesthetic,community,andenvironmentalbenefts.Preservationeortsalsootenincreasethevalueolotsandhomesandhelptoreduceoverallexpendituresoninrastructure.Specifcally,thesekindsoconservationeortscanhelptosignifcantlyreducethevolumeandvelocityostormwaterrunoandthepollutantsthatmaybecarriedwithit.

Protect Nearby Waters

YourSWPPPshoulddescribehowyouwillpro-tectandpreserveanystreams,wetlands,pondsorotherwaterbodiesthatareonyourpropertyorimmediatelyadjoiningit.Riparianareasaroundheadwaterstreamsareespeciallyim-portanttotheoverallhealthotheentireriver

system.Manystatesandcommunitieshavebuerorshorelineprotectionrequirementstopreservesensitiveareasaroundwaterbodies.

Manystatesapplyspecialdesignationstohigh-valueorhigh-qualitywaters.Checkwithyourstatewaterpollutioncontrolagencytodetermineiyourprojectcoulddischargetooutstandingorspecialprotectionwaters(suchaswetlands,orsalmonandtroutstreams).Youmightbesubjecttoadditionalrequirementstoprotectthesewaterbodies.

Wetlandareas,includingbogs,marshes,

swamps,andprairiepotholesmaybeoundinareasadjacenttorivers,lakes,andcoastalwatersbutmayalsobeoundinisolatedplacesarromothersuracewaters.ManytypesowetlandsareprotectedundertheCleanWaterActandconstructionactivitiesinandaroundtheseareasmayrequireanadditionalpermitromtheArmyCorpsoEngineers.Constructionsiteoperatorsshouldmakeeveryeorttopreservewetlandsandmustollowapplicablelocal,state,andederalrequirementsbeoredisturbingthemorthe

areasaroundthem.Toensuretheprotectiononaturalareasduringtheconstructionperiod,youshoulduseacombinationotechniques,includingtemporaryencing,signage,andeducatingstaandsubcontractors.

Assess Whether Your Project Impacts anImpaired Waterbody

UndertheCleanWaterAct,statesarerequiredtodetermineirivers,lakes,andotherwatersaremeetingwaterqualitystandards.When

awaterbodydoesnotmeetwaterqualitystandardsbecauseooneormoresourcesopollution,thestateliststhewaterasimpaired.Whenawaterisdeterminedtobeimpaired,thestateorEPAdevelopsaplanorcorrectingthesituation.ThisplaniscalledaTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL).IstormwaterromyourprojectcouldreachanimpairedwaterwithorwithoutanapprovedTMDL(eitherdirectlyorindirectlythroughamunicipalstormdrainsystem),yourpermit

Tree Preservation Resources

For more on tree preservation, contact your

local extension service oce or orester. Also,

American Forests has useul inormation and

tools at their website,

www.amercanorests.org/

resources/urbanorests. The

Center or Watershed Protection

in cooperation with the U.S.

Forest Service has developed

a series o manuals on urbanorestry. Part two, titled

Conserving and Planting Trees

at Development Sites will be o

particular interest. You can nd

these manuals at www.cwp.org


19/50


mayincludeadditionalrequirementstoensurethatyourstormwaterdischargesdonotcontributetothatimpairmentandyourstormwatercontrolsareconsistentwithplanstorestorethatwaterbody.YourSWPPPshoulddescribethespecifcactionsyouwilltaketocomplywiththesepermitrequirementsorimpairedwaters.

Youshoulddetermine,beoreyoufleorpermitcoverage,ithereceivingwatersoryourprojectareimpairedandiso,whetheraTMDLhasbeendevelopedorthiswaterbody.VisitEPAsEnviromapperwebsite(www.epa.gov/waters/enviromapper)orcontactyourstateenvironmentalagencyormoreinormation.

Assess Whether You Have Endangered Plant orAnimal Species in Your Area

The ederal Endangered Species Act protectsendangered and threatened species and their

critical habitat areas.(Statesandtribesmayhavetheirownendangeredspecieslaws.)Indevelopingtheassessmentoyoursite,youshoulddeterminewhetherlistedendangeredspeciesareonornearyourproperty.Criticalhabitatareasareotendesignatedtosupportthecontinuedexistenceolistedspecies.Youshouldalsodeterminewhethercriticalhabitatareashavebeendesignatedinthevicinityoyourproject.ContactyourlocalofcesotheU.S.FishandWildlieService(FWS),

NationalMarineFisheriesService(NMFS),oryourstateortribalheritagecenters.TheseorganizationsotenmaintainlistsoederalandstatelistedendangeredandthreatenedspeciesontheirInternetsites.Formoreinormationandtolocatelistsoryourstate,visitwww.epa.gov/npdes/endangeredspecies

Additionally,yourstatesNPDESstormwaterpermitmayspecifcallyrequirethatyouaddresswhethertheactivitiesandthestormwaterdischargedbyyourconstructionsitehavethepotentialtoadverselyaect

threatenedorendangeredspeciesorthecriticalhabitatareas.YoumightneedtoconductabiologicalinvestigationorassessmentanddocumenttheresultsotheassessmentinyourSWPPP.Thestatemayreerenceederal,state,ortribalendangeredspeciesprotectionlawsorregulations.

EPAsConstructionGeneralPermitcontainsdetailedprocedurestoassistconstructionsiteoperatorsindeterminingthelikelyimpacto

theirprojectsonanyendangeredspeciesorcriticalhabitat.ConstructionsiteoperatorsinareascoveredbyEPAsConstructionGeneralPermitarerequiredtoassesstheimpactotheiractivitiesandassociatedstormwaterdischargesonspeciesandhabitatintheprojectareawhichmayextendbeyondthesitesimmediateootprint.

Assess Whether You Have Historic Sites thatRequire Protection

TheNationalHistoricPreservationAct,andanystate,localandtribalhistoricpreservationlaws,applytoconstructionactivities.Aswithendangeredspecies,somepermitsmayspecifcallyrequireyoutoassessthepotentialimpactoyourstormwaterdischargesonhistoricproperties.However,whetherornotthisisstatedasaconditionorpermitcoverage,theNationalHistoric

PreservationActandanyapplicablestateortriballawsapplytoyou.ContactyourStateHistoricPreservationOfcer(www.ncshpo.org/stateinolist/ulllist.htm)oryourTribalHistoricPreservationOfcer(grants.cr.nps.gov/thpo/tribaloces.cm).

C Develop Site MapsThefnalstepinthesiteevaluationprocessistodocumenttheresultsoyoursiteassessmentandyourplannedphasesoconstructionactivityonadetailedsitemap

ormaps.Thisincludesdevelopingsitemapsshowingplannedconstructionactivitiesandstormwaterpracticesorthevariousmajorstagesoconstruction,protectedareas,naturaleatures,slopes,erodiblesoils,nearbywaterbodies,permanentstormwatercontrols,andsoon.YoumustkeepyourSWPPPandyoursitemapsup-to-datetoreectchangesatyoursiteduringtheconstructionprocess.

Location Maps

Agenerallocationmapishelpultoidentiy

nearby,butnotadjacent,waterbodiesinproximitytootherproperties.Youcanuseanyeasilyavailablemapsormappingsotwaretocreatealocationmap.

Site Maps

Thedetailedconstructionsitemapsshouldshowtheentiresiteandidentiyanumberoeaturesatthesiterelatedtoconstructionactivitiesandstormwatermanagementpractices.


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Map of undeveloped or existing site.Formanysites,amapotheundevelopedorexistingsite,notingtheeaturesthatyouidentifedinSectionAothisChapter,willhelpyoudevelopyourSWPPPandidentiycurrentsiteeaturesthatyouwanttopreserve.Onthismapnotecurrentdrainagepatterns,stormdrains,slopes,soiltypes,watersandothernaturaleatures.Alsonoteanyexistingstructures,roads,utilities,andothereatures.

Map or series of maps for construction plans. Sitemapsshouldshowtheconstructionactivitiesandstormwatermanagementpracticesoreachmajorphaseoconstruction(e.g.,initialgrading,inrastructure,construction,andstabilization).Thesitemapsshouldlegiblyidentiytheollowingeatures:

Stormwaterowanddischarges.Indicateowdirection(s)andapproximateslopesatergradingactivities,aswellaslocationsodischargestosuracewatersormunicipalstormdrainsystems.

Areasandeaturestobeprotected.Includewetlands,nearbystreams,rivers,lakes,andcoastalwaters,maturetreesandnaturalvegetation,steepslopes,highlyerodiblesoils,etc.

Disturbedareas.Indicatelocationsandtimingosoildisturbingactivities(e.g.grading).Markclearinglimits.

BMPs.Identiylocationsostructuralandnon-structuralBMPsidentifedin

theSWPPP,aswellaspost-constructionstormwaterBMPs.

Areasostabilization.Identiylocationswherestabilizationpracticesareexpectedtooccur.Markareaswherefnalstabilizationhasbeenaccomplished.

Otherareasandroads.Indicatelocationsomaterial,waste,borrow,orequipmentstorage.

YoushouldcompleteyoursitemapsaterreviewingChapters4and5andanyapplicableBMPdesignmanualtoselectappropriateBMPsoryoursite.

Use Site Maps to Track Progress

Developandkeepup-to-datesitemapsshowingnon-structuralBMPsthatchange

requentlyinlocationastheworkonaconstructionsiteprogresses.YourpermitrequiresthatyoukeepyourSWPPPup-to-date,somarkupthesitemapwiththelocationotheseBMPs.Indicatethecurrentlocationotheollowing:

Portabletoilets

Materialstorageareas

Vehicleandequipmentuelingandmaintenanceareas

Concretewashouts

Paintandstuccowashouts

Dumpstersorothertrashanddebriscontainers

Spillkits

Stockpiles

Anyothernon-structuralnon-stormwatermanagementBMPs

AnytemporarilyremovedstructuralBMPs

AnychangestothestructuralBMPs

Iamarked-upsitemapistooulltobeeasilyread,youshoulddateandoldit,putitintheSWPPPordocumentation,andstartanewone.Thatway,thereisagoodhardcopyrecordowhathasoccurredon-site.

Constructionsitesaredynamic.Asconditionschangeattheconstructionsite,suchasthelocationsoBMPs,yourSWPPPmustreectthosechanges.

Fgure . Example ste map.


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Chapter 4: SWPPP DevelopmentSelecting

Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs

ThisdocumentisnotintendedasanengineeringordesignmanualonBMPs.Theengineerorotherqualifedpersonthatdevelopsthedetailsoyoursedimentanderosioncontrolplanshouldbeusingtheappropriatestateorlocalspecifcations.Thedescriptionsbelowprovideakindochecklistothethingstolookorandsomehelpulinstallationandmaintenancehints.

Erosionandsedimentcontrolsarethestructuralandnon-structuralpracticesusedduringtheconstructionprocesstokeepsedimentinplace(erosioncontrol)andtocaptureanysedimentthatismovedbystormwaterbeoreitleavesthesite(sedimentcontrol).ErosioncontrolskeepingsoilwhereitisaretheheartoanyeectiveSWPPP.YourSWPPPshouldrelyonerosioncontrolsastheprimarymeansopreventingstormwaterpollution.Sedimentcontrolsprovideanecessarysecondline

odeensetoproperlydesignedandinstallederosioncontrols.ThesuiteoBMPsthatyouincludeinyourSWPPPshouldreectthespecifccondi-tionsatthesite.TheinormationthatyoucollectedinthepreviousstepsshouldhelpyouselecttheappropriateBMPsoryoursite.AneectiveSWPPPincludesacombinationorsuiteoBMPsthataredesignedtoworktogether.

Ten Keys to Eective Erosion andSediment Control (ESC)TheultimategoaloanySWPPPistoprotectrivers,lakes,wetlands,andcoastalwatersthatcouldbeaectedbyyourconstruct ionproject.TheollowingprinciplesandtipsshouldhelpyoubuildaneectiveSWPPP.Keep in mind that there are many BMP

options available to you. We have selecteda ew common BMPs to help illustrate the

principles discussed in this chapter.

This chapter presents

a brie discussion o

erosion and sediment

control principles and

a discussion o some

commonly used BMPs

Erosion Control (keeping the dirt in place) andMinimizing the Impact o Construction

1 Minimize disturbed area and protect natural eatures and soil

2 Phase construction activity

3 Control stormwater fowing onto and through the project

4 Stabilize soils promptly

5 Protect slopes

Sediment Controls (the second line o deense)

6 Protect storm drain inlets

7 Establish perimeter controls

8 Retain sediment on-site and control dewatering practices

9 Establish stabilized construction exits

10 Inspect and maintain controls

BMPs n Combnaton

BMPs work much better when they are used in

combination. For instance, a silt ence should not be

used alone to address a bare slope. An erosion control

BMP should be used to stabilize the slope, and the silt

ence should serve as the backup BMP.

Take a Closer Look

What does this mean to me?Wherever possible, rely on erosion controls to keep sediment

in place. Back up those erosion controls with sediment

controls to ensure that sediment doesnt leave your site.

Continually evaluate your BMPs. Are they perorming

well? Could the addition o a supplemental BMP improve

perormance? Should you replace a BMP with another one

that might work better? Using BMPs in series also gives you

some protection in case one BMP should ail.


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Erosion Control and Minimizing the Impact oConstruction

ESC Principle 1: Minimize disturbed area

and protect natural eatures and soil. AsyouputtogetheryourSWPPP,careullyconsiderthenaturaleaturesothesitethatyouassessedinChapter3.Bycareullydelineating

andcontrollingtheareathatwillbedisturbedbygradingorconstructionactivities,youcangreatlyreducethepotentialorsoilerosionandstormwaterpollutionproblems.Limitdisturbedareastoonlythosenecessaryortheconstructionoyourproject.NaturalvegetationisyourbestandcheapesterosioncontrolBMP.

ProtectingandpreservingtopsoilisalsoagoodBMP.Removingtopsoilexposes

underlyinglayersthatareotenmorepronetoerosionandhavelessinfltrationcapacity.Keepingtopsoilinplacepreservesthenaturalstructureothesoilsandaidstheinfltrationo

stormwater.

ESC Principle 2: Phase constructionactivity. Anothertechniqueorminimizingthedurationoexposedsoilisphasing.Byschedulingorsequencingyourconstructionworkandconcentratingitincertainareas,youcanminimizetheamountosoilthatisexposedtotheelementsatanygiventime.LimitingtheareaodisturbancetoplaceswhereconstructionactivitiesareunderwayandstabilizingthemasquicklyaspossiblecanbeoneoyourmosteectiveBMPs.

ESC Principle 3: Control stormwaterfowing onto and through your project. Planoranypotentialstormwaterowscomingontotheprojectarearomupstreamlocations,anddivert(andslow)owstopreventerosion.Likewise,thevolumeandvelocityoon-sitestormwaterrunoshouldbecontrolledtominimizesoilerosion.

Example BMP: Diversion Ditches or Berms

Description:Diversionditchesorbermsdirectrunoawayromunprotectedslopesandmayalsodirectsediment-ladenrunotoasediment-trappingstructure.Adiversionditchcanbelocatedattheupslopesideoaconstructionsitetopreventsuracerunoromenteringthedisturbedarea.Ditchesorbermsonslopesneedtobedesignedorerosivevelocities.Also,ensurethatthedivertedwaterisreleasedthroughastableoutletanddoesnotcausedownslope

ordownstreamerosionorooding.

Installation Tips:

Divertrun-onandrunoawayromdisturbedareas

Ensurethatthediversionisprotectedromerosion,usingvegetation,geotextiles,orotherappropriateBMPs

Divertsediment-ladenwatertoasediment-trappingstructure

Usepracticesthatencourageinfltrationostormwaterrunowhereverpossible

Maintenance: Inspectdiversionsandberms,includinganyoutlets,regularlyandatereachrainall

Removeanyaccumulatedsediment

Fgure . Illustraton o a constructon berm to dvert

stormwater away rom the dsturbed constructon

area.

Fgure . Protect vegetated buers by usng slt ence

or other sedment controls.


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ESC Principle 4: Stabilize soils promptly.Whereconstructionactivitieshavetemporarilyorpermanentlyceased,youshouldstabilizeexposedsoilstominimizeerosion.Youshouldhavestabilizationmeasuresinplaceatergradingactivitieshaveceased(manypermitsrequirestabilizationwithinaspecifedtimerame).Youcan

provideeithertemporaryorpermanentcovertoprotectexposedsoils.TemporarymeasuresarenecessarywhenanareaoasiteisdisturbedbutwhereactivitiesinthatareaarenotcompletedoruntilpermanentBMPsareestablished.Topsoilstockpilesshouldalsobeprotectedtominimizeanyerosionromtheseareas.Temporary-coverBMPsincludetemporaryseeding,mulches,matrices,blanketsandmats,andtheuseosoilbinders(theremaybeadditionalstateandlocalrequirementsortheuseochemical-basedsoilbinders).Permanent-coverBMPsincludepermanentseedingandplanting,sodding,channelstabilization,andvegetativebuerstrips.Siltenceandothersedimentcontrolmeasuresarenotstabilizationmeasures.

Example BMP: Temporary Seeding

Description: Temporarilyseedinganareatoestablishvegetativecoverisoneothemosteective,andleastexpensive,methodsoreducingerosion.Thisapproach,asasingleBMP,mightnotbeappropriateon

steepslopes,whenvegetationcannotbeestablishedquicklyenoughtocontrolerosionduringastormevent,orwhenadditionalactivitiesmightoccursooninthearea.

Installation Tips:

Seedandmulcharea(themulchprovidestemporaryerosionprotectionbyprotectingthesoilsurace,moderatingtemperature,andretainingmoisturewhileseedsgerminateandgrow)

Waterregularly,ineeded,toensurequickgrowth

MaintainbackupBMPs,suchassiltenceorsettlingponds

ESC Principle 5:Protect slopes. Protectallslopeswithappropriateerosioncontrols.Steeperslopes,slopeswithhighlyerodiblesoils,orlongslopesrequireamorecomplexcombinationocontrols.Erosioncontrolblankets,bondedfbermatrices,ortur

reinorcementmatsareveryeectiveoptions.Siltenceorfberrollsmayalsobeusedtohelpcontrolerosiononmoderateslopesandshouldbeinstalledonlevelcontoursspacedat10-to20-ootintervals.Youcanalsousediversionchannelsandbermstokeepstormwateroslopes.

Example BMP: Rolled erosion control products

Description: Erosioncontrolproductsincludemats,geotextiles,anderosioncontrolblanketsandproductsthatprovidetemporarystabilizationandhelpto

establishvegetationondisturbedsoils.Suchproductshelpcontrolerosionandhelpestablishvegetationandareotenusedonslopes,channels,orstreambanks.

Fgure . Illustraton o eroson control blankets

nstalled on slope.

Wind Control BMPsIn areas where dust control is an issue, your

SWPPP should include BMPs or wind-erosion

control. These consist o mulching, wet

suppression (watering), and other practices.

Final Stabilization

Once construction activity in an area is

completed and the area is stabilized (typically

by achieving 70 percent permanent vegetative

cover), you can mark this area on your SWPPP

and discontinue inspections in that area. Bybringing areas o your site to nal stabilization,

you can reduce your workload associated with

maintaining and inspecting BMPs. For more

inormation on nal stabilization, see Chapter 9.


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0 Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide or Construction Sites

Installation Tips:

Userollederosion-controlproductsonslopessteeperthan3to1(horizontaltovertical)andinswalesorlongchannels

Trenchthetopotheblanketintotheground

topreventrunoromowingundertheblanket

Overlapthelowerendothetopmatoverthetopothedownslopemattoensurethatrunostaysontopotheblanketsandmats

Stapleblanketsandmats

accordingtospecifcations

Maintenance:

Periodicallyinspectorsignsoerosionorailure

Repairtheblanketormatinecessary

Continueinspectionsuntilvegetationisestablishedatthelevelrequiredtoqualiyasfnalstabilization

ESC Principle 6: Protect storm drain

inlets. Protectallinletsthatcouldreceivestormwaterromtheprojectuntilfnalstabilizationothesitehasbeenachieved.Installinletprotectionbeoresoil-disturbingactivitiesbegin.Maintenancethroughouttheconstructionprocessisimportant.Uponcompletionotheproject,stormdraininletprotectionisoneothetemporaryBMPsthatshouldberemoved.Stormdraininletprotectionshouldbeusednotonlyorstormdrainswithintheactiveconstructionproject,butalsoorstormdrainsoutsidetheprojectareathatmightreceivestormwaterdischargesromtheproject.Itherearestormdrainsonprivatepropertythatcouldreceivestormwaterrunoromyourproject,coordinatewiththeownersothatpropertytoensureproperinletprotection.

Example BMP: Storm Drain Inlet Protection

Description:Stormdraininletprotectionpreventssedimentromenteringastormdrainbysurroundingorcoveringtheinletwithaflteringmaterial.Severaltypesofltersarecommonlyusedorinletprotection:siltence,rock-flledbags,orblockandgravel.Thetypeoflterused

dependsontheinlettype(orexample,curbinlet,dropinlet),slope,andvolumeoow.Manydierentcommercialinletfltersarealsoavailable.Somecommercialinletfltersareplacedinrontoorontopoaninlet,whileothersareplacedinsidetheinletunderthegrate.

Installation Tips:

Installinletprotectionassoonasstormdraininletsareinstalledandbeoreland-disturbanceactivitiesbegininareaswithexistingstormdrainsystems

Protectallinletsthatcouldreceivestormwaterromyourconstructionproject

UseinconjunctionwithothererosionpreventionandsedimentcontrolBMPsremember,inletprotectionisasecondaryBMP!

Designyourinletprotectiontohandlethevolumeowaterromtheareabeingdrained.Ensurethatthedesignissizedappropriately.

Maintenance:

Inspectinletsrequentlyandatereachrainall

Fgure . Illustraton o a storm dran nlet wth

rock-flled bags flterng stormwater.

Fgure 0. Illustraton o a fber roll nstallatonalong a slope.


25/50


Removeaccumulatedsedimentromaroundthedeviceandcheckandremoveanysedimentthatmighthaveenteredtheinlet

Replaceorrepairtheinletprotectioniitbecomesdamaged

Sweepstreets,sidewalks,andother

pavedareasregularly

ESC Principle 7: Establish perimeter

controls. Maintainnaturalareasandsupplementthemwithsiltenceandfberrollsaroundtheperimeteroyoursitetohelppreventsoilerosionandstopsedimentromleavingthesite.Installcontrolsonthedownslopeperimeteroyourproject(itisotenunnecessarytosurroundtheentiresitewithsiltence).Sedimentbarrierscanbeusedtoprotectstreambuers,riparian

Storm drain inlet protection should never be

used as a primary BMP! Use erosion control

techniques such as hydromulching or erosion-

control blankets to prevent erosion. Use inlet

protection and other sediment control BMPs as

abackup or last line o deense.

areas,wetlands,orotherwaterways.Theyareeectiveonlyinsmallareasandshouldnotbeusedinareasoconcentratedow.

Example BMP: Silt Fence and Fiber Rolls

Description:Asiltenceisatemporarysedimentbarrierconsistingoageotextileattachedtosupportingpostsandtrenched

intotheground.Siltencingisintendedtoretainsedimentthathasbeendislodgedbystormwater.Itisdesignedonlyorrunoromsmallareasandisnotintendedtohandleowsromlargeslopesorinareasoconcentratedow.Fiberrollsservethesamepurposeandconsistoanopenmeshtubularsleeveflledwithafbrousmaterialwhichtrapssediment.Fiberrollsaregenerallystakedtotheground.

Installation Tips:

DO:

Usesiltenceorfberrollsasperimetercontrols,particularlyatthelowerordownslopeedgeoadisturbedarea

Leavespaceormaintenancebetweentoeoslopeandsiltenceorroll

Trenchinthesiltenceontheuphillside(6inchesdeepby6incheswide)

Installstakesonthedownhillsideotheenceorroll

Curvetheendothesiltenceorfberrollup-gradienttohelpitcontainruno

DONT: Installasiltenceorfberrollsinditches,channels,orareasoconcentratedow

Installitrunningupanddownaslopeorhill

Usesiltencingorfberrollsaloneinareasthatdrainmorethanaquarter-acreper100eetoence

Maintenance:

Removesedimentwhenitreachesone-thirdotheheightotheenceorone-

haltheheightothefberroll Replacethesiltenceorrollwhereitisworn,torn,orotherwisedamaged

Retrenchorreplaceanysiltenceorrollthatisnotproperlyanchoredtotheground

Fgure . Illustraton o proper technques to use

n nstallng slt ence.


26/50


ESC Principle 8:Retain sediment onsiteand control dewatering practices. SedimentbarriersdescribedinESCPrinciple7cantrapsedimentromsmallareas,butwhensedimentretentionromalargerareaisrequired,considerusingatemporarysedimenttraporsedimentbasin.Thesepracticesdetainsediment-ladenrunoora

periodotime,allowingsedimenttosettlebeoretherunoisdischarged.Properdesignandmaintenanceareessentialtoensurethatthesepracticesareeective.

Youshoulduseasedimentbasinorcommondrainagelocationsthatserveanareawith10or

moreacresdisturbedatanyonetime.Thebasinshouldbedesignedtoprovidestorageor

thevolumeorunoromthedrainageareaoratleasta2-year,24-hourstorm(or3,600cubiceetostorageperacredrained,whichisenoughtocontain1inchoruno,ithe2-year,24-hourcalculationhasnotbeenperormed).Checkyourpermitorexactbasinsizingrequirements.Sedimentbasinsshouldbelocatedatlow-lyingareasothesiteandonthedown-gradientsideobaresoilareaswhereowsconverge.Donotputsedimenttrapsorbasinsinorimmediatelyadjacenttoowingstreamsorotherwaterways.

Wherealargesedimentbasinisnotpractical,usesmallersedimentbasinsorsedimenttraps(orboth)whereeasible.Ataminimum,usesiltences,vegetativebuerstrips,orequivalentsedimentcontrolsoralldown-gradientboundaries(andorthoseside-slopeboundariesdeemedappropriateorindividualsiteconditions).

Dewateringpracticesareusedtoremovegroundwateroraccumulatedrainwaterromexcavatedareas.Pumpmuddywaterromtheseareastoatemporaryorpermanentsedimentationbasinortoanareacompletelyenclosedbysiltenceinaatvegetatedareawheredischargescaninfltrateintotheground.

Neverdischargemuddywaterintostormdrains,streams,lakes,orwetlandsunlessthesedimenthasbeenremovedbeoredischarge.

Keepinmindthatsomestatesandlocaljurisdictionsrequireaseparatepermitordewateringactivitiesatasite.

ESC Principle 9:Establish stabilized construction exits. Vehiclesenteringandleavingthesitehavethepotentialtotracksignifcantamountsosedimentontostreets.Identiyandclearlymarkoneortwolocationswherevehicleswillenterandexitthesiteandocusstabilizingmeasuresatthoselocations.Constructionentrancesarecommonlymaderomlargecrushedrock.Theycanbeurtherstabilizedusingstonepadsorconcrete.Also,steelwashracksandahose-downsystemwillremoveevenmoremudanddebrisromvehicletires.Divertrunoromwashareasto

asedimenttraporbasin.Nosystemisperect,sosweepingthestreetregularlycompletesthisBMP.

Example BMP: Stabilized Construction Exit

Description:Arockconstructionexitcanreducetheamountomudtransportedontopavedroadsbyvehicles.Theconstructionexitdoesthisbyremovingmudromvehicletiresbeorethevehicleentersapublicroad.

Fgure . Illustraton o a stablzed constructon

ext.

Fgure . Illustraton o a sedment basn.


27/50


Youmightalsowanttoinstallawheelwashwhenmudisespeciallydifculttoremoveorspacedoesntallowsufcienttirerevolutions(ourorfveareneeded)beoreexitingthesite.Directwashwatertoasuitablesettlingareadonotdischargewashwatertoastreamorstormdrain!

Installation tips: Ensurethattheexitisatleast50eetlong(generally,thelengthotwodumptrucks)andgradedsorunodoesnotentertheadjacentstreet

Placeageotextileabricunderalayeroaggregateatleast612inchesthick.Thestonesoraggregateshouldbe36inchesindiameter

Trainemployeesandsubcontractorstousethedesignatedconstructionexits.Empoweryouremployeestoprovide

directionstosubcontractorsandothersthatarenotonthesiteeveryday

Maintenance:

Replenishorreplaceaggregateiitbecomescloggedwithsediment

Sweepthestreetregularly

ESC Principle 10: Inspect and maintain

controls. Inspectionandmaintenanceisjustasimportantasproperplanning,design,andinstallationocontrols.Withoutadequate

maintenance,erosionandsedimentcontrolswillquicklyail,sometimesaterjustonerainall,andcausesignifcantwaterqualityproblemsandpotentialviolationsotheNPDESconstructiongeneralpermit.YourpermitlikelyrequiresyoutomaintainyourBMPsatalltimes.Todothiseectively,youshouldestablishaninspectionandmaintenanceapproachorstrategythatincludesbothregularandspotinspections.Inspectingbothpriortopredictedstormeventsandaterwillhelpensurethatcontrolsareworkingeectively.Perormmaintenance

orcorrectiveactionassoonasproblemsarenoted.Inspection and maintenance o BMPsare addressed in more detail in Chapter 6.

Other Sediment and Erosion ControlTechniquesAsmentionedatthebeginningothischapter,therearemanyothererosionandsedimentcontroltechniquesthatcanbeusedeectively.TheBMPshighlightedinthischapterareamongthosemorecommonly

usedandhighlightmanygeneralerosionandsedimentcontrolprinciplesorwhichotherBMPsmaybeusedeectively.ChecktoseeiyourstateorlocalgovernmenthasdevelopedaBMPdesignmanualordetailedinormationonanyBMPyouareconsidering.AppendixDlistsseveralgoodBMPdesignmanuals.YoucanalsofndoutmoreaboutvariousBMPsbyvisitingEPAsMenuoBMPsatwww.epa.gov/npdes/menuobmps

TheollowingBMPsarealsocommonlyusedatconstructionsites.

Erosioncontrolmeasures:

Suraceroughening,trackwalking,scariying,sheepsootrolling,imprinting

Soilbioengineeringtechniques(e.g.,livestaking,ascines,brushwattles)

Composting

Sodding

Sedimentcontrolandrunomanagementmeasures:

Gravelbagbarrier

Compostberm

Rockorbrushflters

Baesorskimmersinsedimentbasinstoincreaseeectiveness

Loweringsoillevelsnearstreetsandsidewalkstopreventruno

Levelspreaders

Energydissipaters

Checkdams


28/50


Chapter 5: SWPPP DevelopmentSelecting Good

Housekeeping BMPs

Six Key Pollution Prevention Principles or Good HousekeepingConstructionprojectsgeneratelargeamountsobuilding-relatedwaste,whichcanenduppollutingstormwaterrunoinotproperlymanaged.ThesuiteoBMPsthataredescribedinyourSWPPPmustincludepollutionprevention(P2)orgoodhousekeepingpracticesthataredesignedtopreventcontaminationostormwaterromawiderangeomaterialsandwastesatyoursite.ThesixprinciplesdescribedbelowaredesignedtohelpyouidentiythepollutionpreventionpracticesthatshouldbedescribedinyourSWPPPandimplementedatyoursite.

1.Provideorwastemanagement

2.Establishproperbuildingmaterialstagingareas

3.Designatepaintandconcretewashoutareas

4.Establishproperequipment/vehicleuelingandmaintenancepractices

5.Controlequipment/vehiclewashingandallowablenon-stormwaterdischarges

6.Developaspillpreventionandresponseplan

P2 Principle 1: Provide or waste management. Designpropermanagementproceduresandpracticestopreventorreducethedischargeopollutantstostormwaterromsolidorliquidwastesthatwillbegeneratedatyoursite.Practicessuchastrashdisposal,recycling,propermaterialhandling,andcleanupmeasurescanreducethepotentialorstormwaterrunotopickupconstructionsitewastesanddischargethemtosuracewaters.

Provideconvenient,well-maintained,andproperlylocatedtoiletacilities.Provideorregularinspections,service,anddisposal.Locatetoiletacilitiesawayromstormdraininletsandwaterwaystopreventaccidentalspillsandcontaminationostormwater.Treatordisposeosanitaryandsepticwasteinaccordancewithstateorlocalregulations.

Propermaterialuse,storage,wastedisposal,andtrainingoemployeesandsubcontractorscanpreventorreduce

thedischargeohazardousandtoxicwastestostormwater.Implementacomprehensivesetowaste-managementpracticesorhazardousortoxicmaterials,suchaspaints,solvents,petroleumproducts,pesticides,woodpreservatives,acids,roofngtar,andothermaterials.Practicesshouldincludestorage,handling,inventory,andcleanupprocedures,incaseospills(seetheollowingP2principles).

This chapter presents

a brie discussion o

good housekeeping

principles to consider

to ensure your

construction site

does not contaminate

stormwater runo

As noted in Chapter 3,

sediment is the

principal pollutant o

concern in stormwater

discharges rom

construction sites But,EPAs CGP and many

state construction

general permits

require that the

SWPPP describe good

housekeeping measures

or other pollutants

that might be ound

on construction sites

This chapter discusses

these measures

Fgure . Illustraton showng constructon materals

wth secondary contanment and overhead cover to

prevent stormwater contamnaton.


29/50


P2 Principle 2: Establish proper building

material handling and staging areas.YourSWPPPshouldincludecomprehensive

handlingandmanagementproceduresorbuildingmaterials,especiallythosethatarehazardousortoxic.Paints,solvents,pesticides,uelsandoils,otherhazardousmaterialsoranybuildingmaterialsthathavethepotentialtocontaminatestormwatershouldbestoredindoorsorundercoverwheneverpossibleorinareaswithsecondarycontainment.Secondarycontainmentpreventsaspillromspreadingacrossthesiteandincludedikes,berms,curbing,orothercontainmentmethods.Secondarycontainmenttechniquesshouldalsoensure

theprotectionogroundwater.Designatestagingareasoractivitiessuchasuelingvehicles,mixingpaints,plaster,mortar,andsoon.Designatedstagingareaswillhelpyoutomonitortheuseomaterialsandtocleanupanyspills.Trainingemployeesandsubcontractorsisessential

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