developing your storm water pollution prevention plan_a guide for construction site by epa

8/2/2019 Developing Your Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan_A Guide for Construction Site by EPA

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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 Document This 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 regulationsand EPAs Construction General Permit described in this document contain legally binding requirements. Thisdocument does not substitute or those provisions, regulations or permit, nor is it a regulation or permit itsel . It alsodoes not substitute or requirements under State law or construction general permits issued by States. It does notimpose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or the regulated community, and may not apply to a particularsituation based upon the circumstances. EPA and State decisionmakers retain the discretion to adopt approacheson a case-by-case basis that di er rom this guidance where appropriate. Any decisions regarding a particularconstruction site will be made based on the applicable statutes, regulations and/or permit terms. There ore, interestedparties 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 constructionsite operators and those covered by a general permit or stormwater discharges rom such sites. This languageis generally intended to refect requirements applicable where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority. Althoughrequirements in jurisdictions where EPA is not the permitting authority may resemble these requirements, the readershould not assume that this guidance accurately describes those requirements. Rather, the reader should consultthe applicable regulations and any applicable NPDES permit.


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

ContentsChapter 1: Introduction

A. Why Should You Use this Guide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. What Is Stormwater Runo and What Are Its Impacts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C. How Can Construction Site Operators Prevent Stormwater Pollution? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 2: Getting Started

A. What Are the Federal Requirements or Stormwater Runo rom Construction Sites? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. Who Is Required to Get NPDES Permit Coverage? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. What Elements Are Required in a SWPPP? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. SWPPP Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E. Common SWPPP Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 3: SWPPP DevelopmentSite Assessment and PlanningA. Assess Your Site and Proposed Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. Identi y Approaches to Protect Natural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C. Develop Site Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 4: SWPPP DevelopmentSelecting Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs

Chapter 5: SWPPP DevelopmentSelecting Good Housekeeping BMPs

Chapter 6: SWPPP DevelopmentInspections, Maintenance, and RecordkeepingA. Describe Your Plans and Procedures or Inspecting BMPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. BMP Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. Recordkeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 7: Certi cation and Noti cation A. Certifcation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

A. Train Your Sta and Subcontractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. Ensure ResponsibilitySubcontractor Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. Implement Your SWPPP Be ore Construction Starts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. Conduct Inspections and Maintain BMPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E. Update and Evaluate Your SWPPP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

C. Record Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Re erences

AppendicesAppendix A SWPPP Template (available atwww epa gov/npdes/swpppguide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix B Inspection Report (available atwww epa gov/npdes/swpppguide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix C Calculating the Runo Coe fcient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix D Resources List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


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

How to Use This Guiden This guide was developed as a help ul re erence guide or construction site operators across

the country. We have tried to accommodate the wide range o knowledge and experienceabout stormwater pollution prevention that currently exists among operators rom novice toexpert.

I you are relatively new to managing stormwater at a construction site, you will probablywant to read this entire guide.

I you are very experienced and amiliar with the requirements in your state, this guidemay help you brush up on certain requirements or provide you with ideas to improveyour SWPPP. You might want to review the table o contents and skip around. Be sure totake a look at the SWPPP template (Appendix A) to see i you can make improvements inthe way you develop and maintain your SWPPP.

n This guide is written in a general ormat and can be used at most construction sites in anystate, territory, or in Indian country. The document assumes that you will obtain dischargeauthorization under an appropriate National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)construction general permit and use both the permit and this guidance to assist in developingyour SWPPP. In this guide, we make some re erences to the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgencys Construction General Permit or illustrative purposes. You should always consultyour applicable NPDES permit or the exact requirements that apply to you .

n Remember that you are developing your SWPPP or both your use and or review by theregulatory agencies responsible or overseeing your stormwater controls. As such, one o yourgoals in developing your SWPPP should be to present the in ormation in a way that clearlydemonstrates that it meets all the requirements o your NPDES permit.

n You can obtain an electronic copy o this guide (PDF ormat), the SWPPP template, andinspection orm (in Microso t Word) 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 thestormwater permits that require themtend to have many commonelements This guide is intended to help you develop a better SWPPP or yourconstruction site

Example sketch dent y ng var ous po nts toaddress n the SWPPP.


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Chapter 1:Introduction This chapter providesan orientation to thisguide and its contentsand describes whystormwater controlsat construction sitesare necessary

A Why Should You Use this Guide?I you are responsible or erosion and sediment control and stormwater managementat a permitted construction site, then this guide may be use ul to you. This guide isdesigned to walk you through the steps or developing and implementing an e ectivestormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The basic outline o the guide ispresented below:

F gure . SWPPP Process


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B What Is Stormwater Runo and WhatAre Its Impacts?

Stormwater runo is rain or snowmelt thatows over land and does not percolate into the

soil. Stormwater runo occurs naturally, insmall amounts, rom almost any type o landsur ace, especially during larger storm events.

Impervioussur aces, suchas buildings,homes, roads,sidewalks,and parkinglots, cansignifcantlyalter thenaturalhydrology othe land by

increasing the volume, velocity, andtemperature o runo and by decreasing itsinfltration capacity. Increasing the volumeand velocity o stormwater runo can causesevere stream bank erosion, ooding, anddegrade the biological habitat o these streams.Reducing infltration can lower ground waterlevels and a ect drinking water supplies.

In addition, as stormwater runo movesacross sur aces, it picks up trash, debris,and pollutants such as sediment, oil andgrease, pesticides and other toxics. Changes

in ambient water temperature, sediment,and pollutants rom stormwater runocan be detrimental to aquatic li e, wildli e,habitat, and human health. Soil exposed byconstruction activities is especially vulnerableto erosion. Runo rom an unstabilizedconstruction site can result in the loss oapproximately 3545 tons o sediment peracre each year (ASCE and WFF, 1992). Evenduring a short period o time, constructionsites can contribute more sediment to streamsthan would be deposited naturally over several

F gure . Typ cal eros on rates rom land-based act v t es.(Dunne, T. and L. Leopold, 1978; NRCS, 2000; NRC S,2006; ASCE and WEF, 1992)

decades. Excess sediment can cloud the waterreducing the amount o sunlight reachingaquatic plants, clog fsh gills, smother aquatichabitat and spawning areas, and impedenavigation in our waterways.

The primary stormwater pollutant at aconstruction site is sediment. To controlerosion at a construction site, it is importantto understand the di erent types o erosionthat can occur. Erosion begins when raindropsbreak down the soil structure and dislodgesoil particles. Runo carrying the soil particlesbecomes sheet erosion which eventually ormssmaller rills and larger gullies. The best wayto stop erosion is to keep the soil in placethrough vegetation, erosion control blankets,or other methods that prevent the soil rombecoming dislodged during rain events.

The erosion process is typically in uencedby climate, topography, soils, and vegetativecover. Understanding how these actors in u-ence erosion will help you select and designappropriate controls to minimize erosion romyour construction site.

What s a SWPPP?A SWPPP is a site-speci c, written document that:

Identi es potential sources o stormwater pollution at the construction site

Describes practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges rom theconstruction site. Reduction o pollutants is o ten achieved by controlling the volume

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

conditions o a construction general permit

Take a Closer LookWhat does this mean to me? Failure to implement your SWPPPcould result in signi cant nes

rom EPA or a state environmentalagency. There ore, it is importantthat you develop your SWPPP to

address the speci c conditionsat your site, ully implement it,and keep it up-to-date to refectchanges at your site.

A SWPPP can have di erent namesA 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 requiredto comply with EPAs or the s tates stormwaterconstruction general permit.


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Climate. The requency, intensity, andduration o rain all are the principal actorsin uencing erosion rom a construction site.Know the weather patterns in your area and, ipossible, plan your soil disturbance activities

or periods o historically lower rain all.

Topography. The longer and steeper aslope, the greater the potential there is orerosion rom that slope. Use practices suchas diversions or fber rolls to break up longslopes. Consider minimizing soil disturbanceactivities on steeper slopes.

Soils. Soil type can also impact erosion. Soiltexture, structure, organic matter content,compaction, and permeability can allin uence erosion rates.

Vegetative cover. Vegetative cover providesa number o critical benefts in preventingerosionit absorbs the energy o raindrops,slows velocity o runo , increases infltration,and helps bind the soil. Soil erosion can begreatly reduced by maximizing vegetativecover at a construction site.

C How Can Construction Site OperatorsPrevent Stormwater Pollution?

An e ective SWPPP is the key! I sedimentand erosion controls and good housekeepingpractices are not ollowed, construction activitycan result in the discharge o signifcantamounts o sediment and other pollutants.The term Best Management Practices or BMPsis o ten used to describe the controls andactivities used to prevent stormwater pollution.

BMPs can be divided into two categoriesstructural and non-structural BMPs. StructuralBMPs include silt ences, sedimentation ponds,erosion control blankets, and temporary orpermanent seeding, while non-structuralBMPs include picking up trash and debris,sweeping up nearby sidewalks and streets,maintaining equipment, and training site staon erosion and sediment control practices.In this document, the term BMPs is usedbroadly and includes both structural and non-structural controls and practices.

A SWPPP is more than just a sedimentand erosion control plan. Most SWPPPsare written documents that describe thepollution prevention practices and activitiesthat will be implemented on the site. Itincludes descriptions o the site and o eachmajor phase o the planned activity, theroles and responsibilities o contractors andsubcontractors, and the inspection schedulesand logs. It is also a place to documentchanges and modifcations to the constructionplans and associated stormwater pollutionprevention activities.

F gure . Types o eros on.

Ra ndrop eros on Dislodging o soil particles by raindrops

Sheet eros on The uni orm removal o soil without the development o visiblewater channels

R ll eros on Soil removal through the ormation o concentrated runo thatcreates many small channels

Gully eros on The result o highly concentrated runo that cuts down into the

soil along the line o fow

Streambank eros on Flowing water that erodes unstable streambanks

Erosion versus SedimentationErosion is the process by which the land sur aceis worn away by the action o water or wind.Sedimentation is the movement and settling outo suspension o soil par ticles. It is usually easierand less expensive to prevent erosion than it is tocontrol sediment rom leaving a construction site.


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Chapter 2:Getting Started

EPA Perm ts vs. State-Issued Perm tsAt 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/construct on or www.c cacenter.org/swrl.html

Take a Closer LookWhat does this mean to me? Because EPA and state-issued permits canbe di erent, you should make sure you readand apply or the correct permit. Use thelinks on either o the web sites listed to thele t to determine which agency issues NPDES

permits where your construction activity willoccur.

A What Are the Federal Requirements or Stormwater Runo romConstruction Sites?The Clean Water Act and associated ederal regulations (Title 40 o theCode o Federal

Regulations [CFR] 123.25(a)(9), 122.26(a), 122.26(b)(14)(x) and 122.26(b)(15)) requirenearly all construction site operators engaged in clearing, grading, and excavatingactivities that disturb one acre or more, including smaller sites in a larger commonplan o development or sale , to obtain coverage under a National Pollutant DischargeElimination System (NPDES) permit or their stormwater discharges. Under theNPDES program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can authorizestates to implement the ederal requirements and issue stormwater permits. Today,most states are authorized to implement the NPDES program and issue their ownpermits or stormwater discharges associated with construction activities.

Each state (or EPA, in the caseo states that are not authorized)issues one or more NPDESconstruction general permits. Thesepermits, generally, can be thoughto as umbrella permits that cover allstormwater discharges associatedwith construction activity in agiven state or a designated timeperiod, usually 5 years. Operatorso individual constructions sitesthen apply or coverage under thispermit. Be ore applying or permit coverage, you should read andunderstand all the provisions o theappropriate construction general

permit and develop a SWPPP.Because authorized states developtheir own NPDES requirements,you should care ully read yourstates construction generalpermit and ollow the specifcinstructions it contains.

This chapterdescribes some othe basic things youllwant to determine(Do you need permitcoverage? Whatpermit applies toyou?), as well as someo the materials andin ormation you mayneed to develop yourSWPPP Collecting thisin ormation be oreyou start will help youdevelop your SWPPPmore e ciently Keepin mind that you mayalso need to gatherthis in ormation anddevelop your SWPPPbe ore you completeyour Notice o Intent(NOI) and le orpermit coverage (notethat ling an NOI isnot discussed untilChapter 7)

Dont orget about common plans o development or saleA common plan o development or sale includeslarger-scale plans or land development to becarried out by one or more entities. Examplesinclude housing developments and subdivisions,industrial parks, and commercial developments.

EPA has described this term in the act sheetaccompanying its Construction General Permitas including: any announcement or piece odocumentation (including a sign, public noticeor hearing, sales pitch, advertisement, drawing,permit application, zoning request, computerdesign, etc.), or physical demarcation (includingboundary signs, lot stakes, surveyor markings,etc.) indicating construction activities may occuron a speci c plot. Each permitting authority mayreview documentation to determine i commonplan requirements apply.


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Local RequirementsOperators o construction sites should keep inmind that local governments (cities, towns,counties) o ten have their own requirements

or construction sites (e.g., local permits orgrading, sediment and erosion, utilities).Compliance with local requirements

does not mean compliance with ederalNPDES requirements or vice versa, unlessthe authorized state agency or EPA hasspecifcally designated the local program aqualifying local program .

Quali ying Local ProgramsIn some states, the NPDES permitting agencyhas identifed certain local constructionstormwater control programs that haverequirements that are equivalent or moreprotective than the states requirements. Ione o these local stormwater programs hasbeen designated by the permitting agency as aquali ying local program , the construction siteoperator may simply read and ollow the localrequirements. The permitting agency (state orEPA) might choose to waive the requirementto fle a Notice o Intent (NOI) or similarapplication orm or small constructionsites operating within the jurisdiction o aquali ying local program. I waived, thesesites would be covered under the appropriateconstruction general permit automatically.Check your construction general permit

care ully.The NPDES permitting authority mustidenti y any quali ying local programs in theconstruction general permit. Violations othe local requirements are also consideredviolations o the NPDES requirements andmay be en orced accordingly.

Most construction general permits containsimilar elements:

Applicabilitydescribes the geographicarea covered and who is eligible to apply

Authorizationdescribes the typeso stormwater (and non-stormwater)discharges that are covered

SWPPP requirementsoutlines theelements that should to be addressed toprevent the contamination o stormwaterruno leaving the construction site

Applicationincludes instructions orobtaining permit coverage, usually by flingan application or Notice o Intent (NOI) orm

ImplementationBMP installation,inspection, and maintenance requirements

Other requirementsmay includeadditional requirements such as spill

prevention Standard conditionslist o conditions that

are applicable to most NPDES permits

Terminationlists conditions orterminating permit coverage a terconstruction is complete

What Construction Activities Require NPDES Permit Coverage? In this document, construction re ers toactions that result in a disturbance o the

land, including clearing, grading, excavating,and other similar activities. It also includesconstruction-related activities, areas thatsupport the construction project such asstockpiles, borrow areas, concrete truckwashouts, ueling areas, material storageareas and equipment storage areas.

Construction activities that do not disturbland, such as interior remodeling, generallydo not require NPDES permit coverage.

Are There Situations Where a Permit Is Not

Needed? Generally, permit coverage is not required

or activities that are considered routinemaintenance, such as landscaping, roadmaintenance, and maintaining stormwaterBMPs. Some states and EPA o er the optiono a waiver or small sites (disturbing lessthan 5 acres) in areas and times o the yearwith low predicted rain all. To be eligible

or the waiver, you would have to meet therequirements specifed in the regulations.

Read Your General Permit!You should thoroughly read and understandthe requirements in your general permit. Thisincludes requirements on eligibility (whetheryour site quali es or the general permit),application (how to noti y EPA or the state thatyoud like to be covered by the general permit),SWPPPs, and termination (stabilizing your siteand noti ying EPA or the state that your projectis complete). By applying or coverage underthe general permit, you are telling EPA or yourstate that you will comply with the permitsrequirements, so read your permit care ully!


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B Who Is Required to Get NPDES PermitCoverage?

Construction site operators are responsibleor obtaining NPDES permit coverageor their stormwater discharges. Each

state has its own defnition o the termoperator . Operators may include owners

(e.g., developers), general contractors,independent subcontractors, governmento fcials, companies, or corporations. Thissection re ects EPAs understanding o mostNPDES permit requirements or stormwaterdischarges throughout the country. Youshould, o course, consult your construct iongeneral permit or the requirements that applyto you. In some cases, states have defned theoperator as a single entity, usually the landowner or easement holder. In other states,several entities may meet the defnition ooperator. For instance, the owner may controlthe projects plans and specifcations, andthe general contractor may control the sitesday-to-day operations. In such cases, bothmay be defned as operators. I a site hasmultiple operators, they may cooperate on thedevelopment and implementation o a singleSWPPP. Operators generally obtain coverageunder an NPDES permit, o ten by fling a ormcalled a Notice o Intent (NOI).

EPAs Construction General Permit (whichapplies only where EPA is the permittingauthoritysee Chapter 2 Section A) defnesoperator as any party that:

Has control over the construct ion plans andspecifcations

and/or

Has day-to-day operational control othe site, including activities necessary toimplement the SWPPP

Regardless o whether or not the operator is acorporation or governmental entity, someonemust direct the SWPPPs preparation andimplementation and apply or NPDES permitcoverage or the stormwater discharges. Inmost cases, this will be a high-level o fcial,such as a corporate o fcer, manager or electedo fcial, or a principal executive o fcer. Forspecifc instructions, re er to the appropriateNPDES stormwater permit.

Multiple OperatorsIn many instances, there may be morethan one party at a site per orming tasksrelated to operational control and more thanone operator may need to submit an NOI.Depending on the site and the relationshipbetween the parties (e.g., owner, developer,general contractor), there can either bea single party acting as site operator andconsequently responsible or obtainingpermit coverage, or there can be two ormore operators all needing permit coverage.Exactly who is considered an operator islargely controlled by how the owner o theproject chooses to structure the contracts withthe contractors hired to design and/or buildthe project. The ollowing are three generaloperator scenarios (variations on any o thesethree are possible, especially as the number oowners and contractors increases):

Owner as sole permittee . The propertyowner designs the structures or the site,

develops and implements the SWPPP, andserves as general contractor (or has anon-site representative with ull authority todirect day-to-day operations). The ownermay be the only party that needs permitcoverage under these circumstances.Everyone else on the site may beconsidered subcontractors and might notneed permit coverage.F gure . Use s gnage to help educate construct on sta .


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Eros on Control vs. Sed ment ControlWhen developing a SWPPP, it is important to understand the di erence

between erosion control and sediment control. Erosion control measures

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

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

water. Sediment control measures remove soil particles a ter 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 controlBMPs as the primary means o preventing

stormwater contamination, and sedimentcontrol techniques to capture any soilthat does get eroded. Because no onetechnique is 100 percent e ective, a

good SWPPP will use both kinds o BMPsin combination or the best results.

Contractor as sole permittee . The propertyowner hires one company (i.e., a contractor)to design the project and oversee all aspectso the construction project, includingpreparation and implementation o theSWPPP and compliance with the permit(e.g., a turnkey project). Here, the contractorwould likely be the only party needing apermit. It is under this scenario that anindividual having a personal residence built

or his own use (e.g., not those to be soldor proft or used as rental property) would

not be considered an operator. However,individual property owners would meetthe defnition o operator and may requirepermit coverage i they per orm generalcontracting duties or construction o theirpersonal residences.

Owner and contractor as co-permittees . Theowner retains control over any changes

to site plans, SWPPPs, or stormwaterconveyance or control designs; but thecontractor is responsible or overseeingactual earth disturbing activities and dailyimplementation o SWPPP and other permitconditions. In this case, which is the mostcommon scenario, both parties may needto apply or permit coverage.

However, you are probably not an operatorand subsequently would not need permitcoverage i one o the ollowing is true:

You are a subcontractor hired by, andunder the supervision o , the owner or ageneral contractor (i.e., i the contractordirects your activities on-site, you probablyare not an operator)

The operator o the site has indicated inthe SWPPP that someone other than you(or your subcontractor) is reponsible oryour activities as they relate to stormwaterquality (i.e., another operator has assumedresponsibility or the impacts o your

construction activities). This is typicallythe case or many, i not most, utilityservice line installations.

In addition, owner typically re ers to theparty that owns the structure being built.Ownership o the land where constructionis occurring does not necessarily imply

the property owner is an operator (e.g., alandowner whose property is being disturbedby construction o a gas pipeline). Likewise, ithe erection o a structure has been contracted

or, but possession o the title or lease to theland or structure does not to occur until a terconstruction, the would-be owner may not beconsidered an operator (e.g., having a housebuilt by a residential homebuilder).

Trans erring OwnershipIn many residential developments, an

overall developer applies or the stormwaterpermit coverage, conducts grading activities,and installs the basic in rastructure (e.g.,utilities, roads). Individual lots are then soldto builders who then construct the houses.Unless the developer is still responsible orstormwater on these individual lots (whichis typically not the case), it is likely that thebuilder will need to apply or NPDES permitcoverage or stormwater discharges duringhome construction.

SubcontractorsIt is typically a good idea to include specifccontract language requiring subcontractorsto implement appropriate stormwatercontrols. Subcontractors should be trainedon appropriate BMPs and requirements inthe SWPPP and should not disturb or removeBMPs. Some contractors will include specifcpenalties in subcontractor agreements toensure subcontractors do not damage orremove BMPs.


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C What Elements Are Required in aSWPPP?

The SWPPP lays out the steps and techniquesyou will use to reduce pollutants instormwater runo leaving your constructionsite. There ore, proper development andimplementation o your SWPPP is crucial.

First and oremost, your SWPPP must bedeveloped and implemented consistentwith the requirements o the applicableNPDES stormwater construction permit. The

ollowing discussion describes requirementsthat are contained in most o these permits.

Your SWPPP is used to identi y all potentialpollution sources that could come into contactwith stormwater leaving your site. It describesthe BMPs you will use to reduce pollutantsin your construction sites stormwaterdischarges, and it includes written records

o your site inspections and the ollow-upmaintenance that is per ormed.

Your SWPPP should contain the ollowingelements:

Cover/title page

Project and SWPPP contact in ormation

Site and activity description, including asite map

Identifcation o potential pollutant sources

Description o controls to reduce pollutants

Maintenance/inspection procedures

Records o inspections and ollow-upmaintenance o BMPs

SWPPP amendments

SWPPP certifcation

Chapters 36 o this guide describe how todevelop a SWPPP rom site evaluation anddata collection to selecting appropriate BMPsand assigning maintenance and inspectionresponsibilities.

D SWPPP Roles and ResponsibilitiesThe operator has the lead or developing andimplementing the SWPPP and commitingresources to implement the BMPs. Stormwaterpollution control is typically the job o morethan a single person; the SWPPP developmentprocess provides a good opportunity to

defne roles and responsibilities o everyoneinvolved. Roles and responsibilities are tobe documented clearly in the SWPPP andsubcontractor agreements as necessary. YourSWPPP should describe: Who is on the stormwater pollution

prevention team? Who will install structural stormwater

controls? Who will supervise and implement

good housekeeping programs, such assite cleanup and disposal o trash and

debris, hazardous material managementand disposal, vehicle and equipmentmaintenance, and so on?

Who will conduct routine inspectionso the site to ensure all BMPs are beingimplemented and maintained?

Who will maintain the BMPs? Who is responsible or documenting

changes to the SWPPP? Who is responsible or communicating

changes in the SWPPP to people workingon the site?

When you apply or your stormwater permit,the application may ask or a SWPPPcontact. This could be the constructionsite operator, but in many cases its a staperson (e.g., project superintendent, feldmanager, construction manager, stormwatercompliance o fcer) at the construction sitewho is responsible or conducting inspections,ensuring BMPs are installed and maintained,and updating the SWPPP when necessary.

Erosion Control CertifcationSeveral programs promote the training andcerti cation o individuals in erosion and sedimentcontrol. Some states have developed certi cationprograms and require construction sites to have acerti ed individual on-site at all times. The Soil andWater Conservation Society and the InternationalErosion Control Association sponsor a nationalcerti cation program, the Certi ed Pro essional inErosion and Sediment Control ( www.cpesc.org )


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E Common SWPPP ObjectivesThe SWPPP outlines the steps you will taketo comply with the terms and conditions oyour construction general permit. Keeping the

ollowing objectives in mind as you developyour SWPPP will help guide you in addressingyour permit requirements and in protecting

water quality. Stabilize the site as soon as possible .

Get your site to fnal grade and eitherpermanently or temporarily stabilize allbare soil areas as soon as possible. Takeinto consideration germination times or thegrasses or other vegetation selected, andprovide additional stabilization (mulches,matrices, blankets, soil binders) on erosion-prone areas such as slopes and drainageways. Also consider seasonal limitationsto plant establishment and growth, suchas drought or cold temperatures, andmake an e ort to ensure that areas thatare not showing adequate vegetationestablishment are reseeded or mulchedimmediately. Areas needed or uture roads,construct ion, or other purposes should betemporarily stabilized (see your permit orrequirements related to areas o the sitenot currently under active construction).Establishing a vegetated cover on as mucho the site as possible will help to minimizeerosion and sediment problems. Perimetercontrols should remain in place until fnal

stabilization has been achieved. Protect slopes and channels . Convey

concentrated stormwater runo aroundthe top o slopes and stabilize slopes assoon as possible. This can be accomplishedusing pipe slope drains or earthen bermsthat will convey runo around the exposedslope. Avoid disturbing natural channels

and the vegetation along natural channels,i possible.

Reduce impervious sur aces and promoteinfltration . Reducing impervious sur aceswill ultimately reduce the amount oruno leaving your site. Also, divertruno rom roo tops and other impervioussur aces to vegetated areas when possibleto promote infltration.

Control the perimeter o your site . Divertstormwater coming on to your site byconveying it sa ely around, through, orunder your site. Avoid allowing run-on tocontact disturbed areas o the constructionsite. For the runo rom the disturbedareas o the site, install BMPs such as silt

ences to capture sediment be ore it leavesyour site. RememberDivert the cleanwater, trap the dirty water.

Protect receiving waters adjacent to your site . Erosion and sediment controls areused around the entire site, but operatorsshould consider additional controlson areas that are adjacent to receivingwaters or other environmentally sensitiveareas. Remember, the primary purposeo erosion and sediment controls is toprotect sur ace waters.

Follow pollution prevention measures .Provide proper containers or waste andgarbage at your site. Store hazardous

materials and chemicals so that they arenot exposed to stormwater.

Minimize the area and duration o exposedsoils . Clearing only land that will be underconstruction in the near uture, a practiceknown as construction phasing, can reduceo -site sediment loads by 36 percent ora typical subdivision (Claytor 2000).Additionally, minimizing the duration osoil exposure by stabilizing soils quicklycan reduce erosion dramatically.

Incent ves to preserve open spaceIt should be the goal o every construction

project to, where possible, preserve open

space and minimize impervious sur aces

through practices such as clustering houses.

Open space preservation can provide

signi cant water quality and economic

bene ts 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 withno adjacent open space, and over time their value appreciates morethan lots in conventional subdivisions (Arendt 1996). For example, lotsin an open space subdivision in Amherst, Massachusetts, experienceda 13 percent greater appreciation in value over a comparableconventional development a ter 20 years even though the lots in theconventional development were twice as large (Arendt 1996).


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

Chapter 3:SWPPP DevelopmentSiteAssessment and Planning

This chapter describes a number o steps that will help provide a good oundation oryour SWPPP, including:

Assessing current conditions at the site

Establishing pollution prevention and water quality protection goals or yourproject

Developing a ramework to help you meet those goals

A Assess Your Site and Proposed ProjectThe frst step in developing your SWPPP is to evaluate yourproposed construction site. Your SWPPP should describe the

undeveloped site and identi y eatures o the land that canbe incorporated into the fnal plan and natural resourcesthat should be protected. Understanding the hydrologic andother natural eatures o your site will help you develop abetter SWPPP and, ultimately, to more e ectively preventstormwater pollution.

Visit the SiteThe people responsible or site design and dra ting theSWPPP should conduct a thorough walk-through o the entireconstruction site to assess site-specifc conditions such as soiltypes, drainage patterns, existing vegetation, and topography.

Avoid copying SWPPPs rom other projects to save time ormoney. Each construction project and SWPPP is unique,and visiting the site is the only way to create a SWPPP thataddresses the unique conditions at that site.

Assess Existing Construction Site ConditionsAssess the existing conditions at the construction site, including topography,drainage, and soil type. This assessment, sometimes called fngerprinting (see textbox on page 11) is the oundation or building your SWPPP and or developing yourfnal site plan. In this assessment, use or create a topographic drawing that:

Indicates how stormwater currently drains rom the site, and identi y the locationo discharge points or areas

Identifes slopes and slope lengths. The topographic eatures o the site are a majoractor a ecting erosion rom the site

Identifes soil type(s) and any highly erodible soils and the soils infltrationcapacity

Identifes any past soil contamination at the site

Identifes natural eatures, including trees, streams, wetlands, slopes and othereatures to be protected

The rst step indeveloping a SWPPPis assessing thesite and identi ying measures to protectnatural eatures

A SWPPP is a detailed plan that: Identi es potential sources o stormwater

pollution

Describes the practices that will be usedto prevent stormwater pollution. Theseshould include: erosion and sediment controlpractices, good housekeeping practices,conservation techniques, and in ltrationpractices (where appropriate), and

Identi es procedures the operator willimplement to comply with all requirementsin the construction general permit


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In most cases, the site designer can compileall this in ormation on a digitized drawingthat can then be adapted to show theplanned construction activity, the phases oconstruction, and the fnal site plan.

Topographic maps are readily available onthe Internet (e.g., www.terraserver.com orwww.mapquest.com ) or by contacting theU.S. Geological Survey store (http://store.usgs.gov ). I you need help determiningyour soil type, contact your local NaturalResource Conservation Service (NRCS) o fceor extension service o fce. To fnd the NRCSo fce nearest to your site, visit the U.S.Department o Agricultures Service CenterLocator website ( http://o fces.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app ). Soil in ormation is alsoavailable online rom NRCS (http://soils.

usda.gov ).

Identi y Receiving Waters, Storm Drains, and Other Stormwater Conveyance SystemsYour SWPPP should clearly identi y thereceiving waters and stormwater systemsthrough which stormwater rom your sitecould ow. Many states require planning

or a specifc storm event or storm events.These storm events are re erred to by theirrecurrence interval and duration such as1-year, 6-hour storm or a 100-year, 24-hour

storm. These events then translate into aspecifc rain all amount depending onaverage conditions in your area.

I your sites stormwater ows into amunicipal storm drain system, you shoulddetermine the ultimate destination o thatsystems discharge. This may be obvious andeasy to document. However, in some systems,you may have to consult with the local agency

responsible or the storm drain system todetermine the waterbody to which you aredischarging.

I your sites stormwater runs o to areasnot connected to the storm drain system,

you should consider your lands topographyand then identi y the waterbodies that itcould reach. Many sites will discharge somestormwater to a storm drain system and someto other areas not connected to the system.I your sites stormwater could potentiallyreach two or more waterbodies, note thatin your SWPPP. Remember, stormwater cantravel long distances over roads, parking lots,down slopes, across felds, and through stormsewers and drainage ditches.

Describe Your Construction Project Your SWPPP should contain a briedescription o the construction activity,including:

Project type or unction ( or example,low-density residential, shopping mall,highway)

Project location, including latitude andlongitude

Estimated project start and end dates

Sequence and timing o activities that will

disturb soils at the site Size o the project

Estimated total area expected to bedisturbed by excavation, grading, or otherconstruction activities, including dedicatedo -site borrow and fll areas

Percentage o impervious area be ore anda ter construction

F ngerpr nt ng Your S teWhen you evaluate your construction site, you should clearly identi y

vegetation, trees, and sensitive areas, such as stream bu ers, 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 identi es 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 helpensure that you dont damage natural

eatures such as waterways or wetlands.Conducting construction activity in awaterway or wetland without the proper

permits can result in signi cant penalties.


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1 The runo coe fcient is the partial amount o the total rain all which will become runo . Runo coe fcients generally range rom 0.95 (highly impervious) to 0.05 (vegetagenerates little runo ). For more in ormation on calculating the runo coe fcient or your site, see Appendix C.

Runo coe fcient1 be ore and a terconstruction

Soil types

Construct ion site location and any nearbywaters or wetlands

Describe and identi y the location o

other potential sources o stormwatercontamination, such as asphalt andconcrete plants, stucco operations, paintand concrete washout, and such

Identi y Pollutants and Pollution SourcesIdenti y the pollutants and sources that arelikely to be ound on the site. The principlepollutant o concern, o course, is sediment.There are, however, other pollutants thatmay be ound, usually in substantiallysmaller amounts, in stormwater runo rom

construction sites. These can include nutrients,heavy metals, organic compounds, pesticides,oil and grease, bacteria and viruses, trash anddebris, and other chemicals. A ter identi yingthe pollutants and sources, be as specifc aspossible in your SWPPP about the BMPs youwill use to address them. The table at the le tlists the sources o pollutants at constructionsites, including sediment, the primarypollutant and other pollutants that may bepresent at construction sites.

F gure . Make sure storm dra n nletsare protected.

Construct on S te Pollutants

Areas o Cons derat on

Pr maryPollutant

Other Pollutants

N u

t r e n

t s

H e a v y m e t a

l s

p H ( a c

d s &

b a s e s )

P e s t

c d e s

& h e r b

c d e s

O l & g r e a s e

B a c

t e r a

& v r u s e s

T r a s h ,

d e b r

s ,

s o l d s

O t h e r

t o x c c h e m

c a

l s

Sed ment

Clearing, grading,excavating, andunstabilized areas

Paving operations

Concrete washout andwaste

Structure construction/ painting/cleaning

Demolition and debrisdisposal

Dewatering operations

Drilling and blastingoperations

Material delivery andstorage

Material use duringbuilding process

Solid waste (trash anddebris)

Hazardous waste

Contaminated spills

Sanitary/septic waste

Vehicle/equipment uelingand maintenance

Vehicle/equipment use

and storage

Landscaping operations


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Non-Stormwater DischargesMost permits will require you to identi y anynon-stormwater discharges in your SWPPP.Certain non-stormwater discharges may beallowed under the terms and conditions oyour permit, however, you should make everye ort to eliminate these discharges where

possible. You should identi y these sources inyour SWPPP and identi y pollution preventionmeasures to ensure that pollutants are notintroduced to these discharges and carried tonearby waterbodies.

EPAs CGP identifes these allowable non-stormwater discharges: discharges romfre-fghting activities, fre hydrant ushings,waters used to wash vehicles, buildings,and pavements where detergents are notused, water used to control dust, potablewater (including uncontaminated water line

ushings), uncontaminated air conditioningcondensate, uncontaminated ground wateror spring water, among others. The permitgoes on to say that non-stormwater dischargesshould be eliminated or reduced to the extent

easible and that the SWPPP should identi yand ensure the implementation o appropriatepollution prevention measures or thesedischarges. More discussion o pollutionprevention measures or some o these non-stormwater sources can be ound in Chapter 5.

Permanent Stormwater Controls

(Post-Construction)The topic o designing, installing, andmaintaining permanent or post-constructionstormwater controls, although a requirement,is beyond the scope o this SWPPP guide. ASWPPP compiled in support o coverage under

EPAs Construction General Permit, however,needs to include a description o all permanentstormwater controls that will be constructedalong with the buildings, roads, parking lots,and other structures. You should incorporatesediment and erosion controls into yourSWPPP or areas where permanent stormwatercontrols, such as wet ponds, swales, andbioretention cells are to be constructed.

E ectively managing stormwater over thelong-termlong a ter the actual constructionprocess is overis a signifcant challenge.Many communities (and a ew states) have orare developing comprehensive requirementsto better manage permanent (or post-construction) stormwater runo . To be moste ective, you should consider integrating yourdesign process or your permanent stormwatercontrols into your overall design or yoursite. Planning or your permanent stormwatercontrols could a ect your decisions aboutsite design, location o buildings and otherstructures, grading, and preserving natural

eatures. By preserving natural drainagepatterns, trees, native vegetation, riparianbu ers, and wetlands, you might need toconstruct ewer or smaller structural storm-water controls to cope with runo rom yoursite. Permanent stormwater controls should bedesigned with two important goals in mind:(1) reduction o the volume and velocity oruno , and (2) reduction o the pollutants inthe stormwater that does leave your site.

Techniques, such as Low Impact Development ,Better Site Design, or Conservation

Development , which emphasize addressingstormwater where it alls, infltrating it,preserving natural drainage patterns, and

Spec men Trees and Natural Vegetat onBe ore a site plan is prepared, identi y and

clearly mark existing trees and vegetation you

want to preserve. Some communities have tree

preservation ordinances, and local extension

service o ces and oresters will o ten provide ree

advice on tree and plant preservation. Remember

to noti y all employees and subcontractors about

trees and areas you intend to preserve and mark

them clearly.

Take a Closer LookWhat does this mean to me? Large trees and other native vegetation can represent signi cant valuein the long term to property owners and the community at large.Many studies document that the presence o trees on residential andcommercial sites provide many bene ts including improved aesthetics,habitat or birds and other wildli e, and energy savings (shade) thatultimately enhance the economic value o the site. Trees also provide

shade and act as windbreaks, which can reduce energy costs over thelong term. By protecting existing trees, you can reduce landscapingcosts and improve the appearance o a newly developed property.

According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, trees around a homecan increase its value by 15 percent or more.


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preserving natural vegetation o er the bestopportunity to protect nearby rivers, lakes,wetlands, and coastal waters. Incorporatingthese ideas and concepts into the design oryour project be ore it is built also o ers theopportunity to reduce capital in rastructureand long-term maintenance costs .

At the neighborhood or even at the watershedscale, Smart Growth techniques can helpus design neighborhoods that minimizeimpacts on water quality, reduce air pollution,and improve the general quality o li e orresidents. In the Resources list in AppendixD, you will fnd a list o suggestions on thistopic, including how to incorporate SmartGrowth and Low Impact Developmenttechniques into the design o your site.

B Identi y Approaches to Protect Natural

ResourcesPreservation o natural areas, waterbodies, andopen space has numerous economic, aesthetic,community, and environmental benefts.Preservation e orts also o ten increase thevalue o lots and homes and help to reduceoverall expenditures on in rastructure.Specifcally, these kinds o conservation e ortscan help to signifcantly reduce the volumeand velocity o stormwater runo and thepollutants that may be carried with it.

Protect Nearby WatersYour SWPPP should describe how you will pro-tect and preserve any streams, wetlands, pondsor other waterbodies that are on your propertyor immediately adjoining it. Riparian areasaround headwater streams are especially im-portant to the overall health o the entire river

system. Many states and communities havebu er or shoreline protection requirements topreserve sensitive areas around waterbodies.

Many states apply special designations tohigh-value or high-quality waters. Check withyour state water pollution control agency todetermine i your project could dischargeto outstanding or special protection waters(such as wetlands, or salmon and troutstreams). You might be subject to additionalrequirements to protect these waterbodies.

Wetland areas, including bogs, marshes,swamps, and prairie potholes may be oundin areas adjacent to rivers, lakes, and coastalwaters but may also be ound in isolatedplaces ar rom other sur ace waters. Manytypes o wetlands are protected under theClean Water Act and construction activitiesin and around these areas may require anadditional permit rom the Army Corps oEngineers. Construction site operators shouldmake every e ort to preserve wetlands andmust ollow applicable local, state, and ederalrequirements be ore disturbing them or the

areas around them.To ensure the protection o natural areasduring the construction period, you shoulduse a combination o techniques, includingtemporary encing, signage, and educatingsta and subcontractors.

Assess Whether Your Project Impacts an Impaired Waterbody Under the Clean Water Act, states are requiredto determine i rivers, lakes, and other watersare meeting water quality standards. Whena waterbody does not meet water qualitystandards because o one or more sourceso pollution, the state lists the water asimpaired. When a water is determined to beimpaired, the state or EPA develops a plan orcorrecting the situation. This plan is calleda Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). Istormwater rom your project could reach animpaired water with or without an approvedTMDL (either directly or indirectly through amunicipal storm drain system), your permit

Tree Preservation ResourcesFor more on tree preservation, contact yourlocal extension service o ce or orester. Also,American Forests has use ul in ormation andtools at their website,www.amer can orests.org/ resources/urban orests . TheCenter or Watershed Protectionin cooperation with the U.S.Forest Service has developeda series o manuals on urban

orestry. Part two, titledConserving and Planting Treesat Development Sites will be oparticular interest. You can ndthese manuals at www.cwp.org


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may include additional requirements toensure that your stormwater discharges donot contribute to that impairment and yourstormwater controls are consistent with plansto restore that waterbody. Your SWPPP shoulddescribe the specifc actions you will take tocomply with these permit requirements orimpaired waters.

You should determine, be ore you fle orpermit coverage, i the receiving waters oryour project are impaired and i so, whether aTMDL has been developed or this waterbody.Visit EPAs Enviromapper website ( www.epa.gov/waters/enviromapper ) or contactyour state environmental agency or morein ormation.

Assess Whether You Have Endangered Plant or Animal Species in Your Area

The ederal Endangered Species Act protectsendangered and threatened species and theircritical habitat areas. (States and tribes mayhave their own endangered species laws.) Indeveloping the assessment o your site, youshould determine whether listed endangeredspecies are on or near your property. Criticalhabitat areas are o ten designated to supportthe continued existence o listed species. Youshould also determine whether critical habitatareas have been designated in the vicinityo your project. Contact your local o fces othe U.S. Fish and Wildli e Service (FWS),

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),or your state or tribal heritage centers. Theseorganizations o ten maintain lists o ederaland state listed endangered and threatenedspecies on their Internet sites. For morein ormation and to locate lists or your state,visit www.epa.gov/npdes/endangeredspecies

Additionally, your states NPDES stormwaterpermit may specifcally require that youaddress whether the activities and thestormwater discharged by your constructionsite have the potential to adversely a ect

threatened or endangered species or thecritical habitat areas. You might needto conduct a biological investigation orassessment and document the results o theassessment in your SWPPP. The state mayre erence ederal, state, or tribal endangeredspecies protection laws or regulations.

EPAs Construction General Permit containsdetailed procedures to assist construction siteoperators in determining the likely impact o

their projects on any endangered species orcritical habitat. Construction site operators inareas covered by EPAs Construction GeneralPermit are required to assess the impact otheir activities and associated stormwaterdischarges on species and habitat in theproject area which may extend beyond thesites immediate ootprint.

Assess Whether You Have Historic Sites that Require ProtectionThe National Historic Preservation Act,and any state, local and tribal historicpreservation laws, apply to constructionactivities. As with endangered species, somepermits may specifcally require you to assessthe potential impact o your stormwaterdischarges on historic properties. However,whether or not this is stated as a condition

or permit coverage, the National HistoricPreservation Act and any applicable state ortribal laws apply to you. Contact your StateHistoric Preservation O fcer (www.ncshpo.org/statein olist/ ulllist.htm ) or your TribalHistoric Preservation O fcer (grants.cr.nps.gov/thpo/tribalo fces.c m ).

C Develop Site MapsThe fnal step in the site evaluation processis to document the results o your siteassessment and your planned phases oconstruction activity on a detailed site map

or maps. This includes developing site mapsshowing planned construction activities andstormwater practices or the various majorstages o construction, protected areas,natural eatures, slopes, erodible soils, nearbywaterbodies, permanent stormwater controls,and so on. You must keep your SWPPP andyour site maps up-to-date to re ect changes atyour site during the construction process.

Location MapsA general location map is help ul to identi y

nearby, but not adjacent, waterbodies inproximity to other properties. You can use anyeasily available maps or mapping so tware tocreate a location map.

Site MapsThe detailed construction site maps shouldshow the entire site and identi y a numbero eatures at the site related to constructionactivities and stormwater managementpractices.


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Map of undeveloped or existing site. Formany sites, a map o the undeveloped orexisting site, noting the eatures that youidentifed in Section A o this Chapter, willhelp you develop your SWPPP and identi ycurrent site eatures that you want topreserve. On this map note current drainagepatterns, storm drains, slopes, soil types,waters and other natural eatures. Also noteany existing structures, roads, utilities, andother eatures.

Map or series of maps for construction plans.Site maps should show the constructionactivities and stormwater managementpractices or each major phase o construction(e.g., initial grading, in rastructure,construction, and stabilization). The site mapsshould legibly identi y the ollowing eatures:

Stormwater ow and discharges. Indicateow direction(s) and approximate

slopes a ter grading activities, as well aslocations o discharges to sur ace waters ormunicipal storm drain systems.

Areas and eatures to be protected. Includewetlands, nearby streams, rivers, lakes,and coastal waters, mature trees andnatural vegetation, steep slopes, highlyerodible soils, etc.

Disturbed areas. Indicate locations andtiming o soil disturbing activities (e.g.grading). Mark clearing limits.

BMPs. Identi y locations o structuraland non-structural BMPs identifed in

the SWPPP, as well as post-constructionstormwater BMPs.

Areas o stabilization. Identi y locationswhere stabilization practices are expectedto occur. Mark areas where fnalstabilization has been accomplished.

Other areas and roads. Indicate locationso material, waste, borrow, or equipmentstorage.

You should complete your site maps a terreviewing Chapters 4 and 5 and anyapplicable BMP design manual to selectappropriate BMPs or your site.

Use Site Maps to Track ProgressDevelop and keep up-to-date site mapsshowing non-structural BMPs that change

requently in location as the work on aconstruction site progresses. Your permitrequires that you keep your SWPPP up-to-date, so mark up the site map with thelocation o these BMPs. Indicate the currentlocation o the ollowing:

Portable toilets

Material storage areas

Vehicle and equipment ueling andmaintenance areas

Concrete washouts

Paint and stucco washouts

Dumpsters or other trash and debriscontainers

Spill kits

Stockpiles

Any other non-structural non-stormwatermanagement BMPs

Any temporarily removed structural BMPs

Any changes to the structural BMPs

I a marked-up site map is too ull to be easilyread, you should date and old it, put it inthe SWPPP or documentation, and start anew one. That way, there is a good hard copyrecord o what has occurred on-site.

Construction sites are dynamic. As conditionschange at the construction site, such as thelocations o BMPs, your SWPPP must re ectthose changes.

F gure . Example s te map.


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Chapter 4:SWPPP DevelopmentSelecting Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs

This document is not intended as an engineering or design manual on BMPs. Theengineer or other qualifed person that develops the details o your sediment anderosion control plan should be using the appropriate state or local specifcations.The descriptions below provide a kind o checklist o the things to look or and somehelp ul installation and maintenance hints.

Erosion and sediment controls are the structural and non-structural practices usedduring the construction process to keep sediment in place (erosion control) and tocapture any sediment that is moved by stormwater be ore it leaves the site (sedimentcontrol). Erosion controlskeeping soil where it isare the heart o any e ectiveSWPPP. Your SWPPP should rely on erosion controls as the primary means opreventing stormwater pollution. Sediment controls provide a necessary second line

o de ense to properly designed and installed erosion controls.The suite o BMPs that you include in your SWPPP should re ect the specifc condi-tions at the site. The in ormation that you collected in the previous steps should helpyou select the appropriate BMPs or your site.An e ective SWPPP includes a combinationor suite o BMPs that are designed to worktogether.

Ten Keys to E ective Erosion andSediment Control (ESC)The ultimate goal o any SWPPP is to protectrivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastal watersthat could be a ected by your construct ionproject. The ollowing principles and tipsshould help you build an e ective SWPPP.Keep in mind that there are many BMPoptions available to you. We have selecteda ew common BMPs to help illustrate theprinciples discussed in this chapter.

This chapter presentsa brie discussion oerosion and sedimentcontrol principles anda discussion o somecommonly used BMPs

Erosion Control (keeping the dirt in place) and Minimizing the Impact o Construction1 Minimize disturbed area and protect natural eatures and soi

2 Phase construction activity

3 Control stormwater fowing onto and through the project

4 Stabilize soils promptly5 Protect slopes

Sediment Controls (the second line o de ense)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 Comb nat onBMPs 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 sedimentin place. Back up those erosion controls with sedimentcontrols to ensure that sediment doesnt leave your site.Continually evaluate your BMPs. Are they per ormingwell? Could the addition o a supplemental BMP improve

per ormance? Should you replace a BMP with another onethat 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 o Construction

ESC Principle 1: Minimize disturbed areaand protect natural eatures and soil. As youput together your SWPPP, care ully considerthe natural eatures o the site that youassessed in Chapter 3. By care ully delineatingand controlling the area that will be disturbedby grading or construction activities, you cangreatly reduce the potential or soil erosionand stormwater pollution problems. Limitdisturbed areas to only those necessary or theconstruction o your project. Natural vegetationis your best and cheapest erosion control BMP.

Protecting andpreserving topsoilis also a goodBMP. Removingtopsoil exposesunderlying layersthat are o tenmore prone toerosion and haveless infltrationcapacity. Keepingtopsoil in placepreserves thenatural structureo the soilsand aids theinfltration o

stormwater.

ESC Principle 2: Phase constructionactivity. Another technique or minimizingthe duration o exposed soil is phasing. Byscheduling or sequencing your constructionwork and concentrating it in certain areas,you can minimize the amount o soil that isexposed to the elements at any given time.Limiting the area o disturbance to placeswhere construction activities are underwayand stabilizing them as quickly as possiblecan be one o your most e ective BMPs.

ESC Principle 3: Control stormwater fowing onto and through your project. Plan

or any potential stormwater ows comingonto the project area rom upstream locations,and divert (and slow) ows to preventerosion. Likewise, the volume and velocity oon-site stormwater runo should be controlledto minimize soil erosion.

Example BMP: Diversion Ditches or Berms Description: Diversion ditches or bermsdirect runo away rom unprotectedslopes and may also direct sediment-ladenruno to a sediment-trapping structure.A diversion ditch can be located at theupslope side o a construction site to preventsur ace runo rom entering the disturbedarea. Ditches or berms on slopes need to bedesigned or erosive velocities. Also, ensurethat the diverted water is released through astable outlet and does not cause downslopeor downstream erosion or ooding.Installation Tips: Divert run-on and runo away rom

disturbed areas

Ensure that the diversion is protectedrom erosion, using vegetation,

geotextiles, or other appropriate BMPs

Divert sediment-laden water to asediment-trapping structure

Use practices that encourage infltrationo stormwater runo wherever possible

Maintenance: Inspect diversions and berms, including

any outlets, regularly and a ter eachrain all

Remove any accumulated sediment

F gure . Illustrat on o a construct on berm to d vertstormwater away rom the d sturbed construct onarea.

F gure . Protect vegetated bu ers by us ng s lt enceor other sed ment controls.


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ESC Principle 4: Stabilize soils promptly.Where construction activities havetemporarily or permanently ceased, youshould stabilize exposed soils to minimizeerosion. You should have stabilizationmeasures in place a ter grading activities haveceased (many permits require stabilizationwithin a specifed time rame). You canprovide either temporary or permanentcover to protect exposed soils. Temporarymeasures are necessary when an area o a siteis disturbed but where activities in that areaare not completed or until permanent BMPsare established. Topsoil stockpiles should alsobe protected to minimize any erosion romthese areas. Temporary-cover BMPs includetemporary seeding, mulches, matrices,blankets and mats, and the use o soil binders(there may be additional state and localrequirements or the use o chemical-basedsoil binders). Permanent-cover BMPs includepermanent seeding and planting, sodding,channel stabilization, and vegetative bu erstrips. Silt ence and other sediment controlmeasures are not stabilization measures.

Example BMP: Temporary Seeding Description: Temporarily seeding an areato establish vegetative cover is one o themost e ective, and least expensive, methodso reducing erosion. This approach, as asingle BMP, might not be appropriate on

steep slopes, when vegetation cannot beestablished quickly enough to control erosionduring a storm event, or when additionalactivities might occur soon in the area.

Installation Tips: Seed and mulch area (the mulch

provides temporary erosion protection byprotecting the soil sur ace, moderatingtemperature, and retaining moisturewhile seeds germinate and grow)

Water regularly, i needed, to ensurequick growth

Maintain backup BMPs, such as silt enceor settling ponds

ESC Principle 5: Protect slopes. Protectall slopes with appropriate erosion controls.Steeper slopes, slopes with highly erodiblesoils, or long slopes require a more complexcombination o controls. Erosion controlblankets, bonded fber matrices, or turrein orcement mats are very e ective options.Silt ence or fber rolls may also be used tohelp control erosion on moderate slopes andshould be installed on level contours spacedat 10- to 20- oot intervals. You can alsouse diversion channels and berms to keepstormwater o slopes.

Example BMP: Rolled erosion control products Description: Erosion control productsinclude mats, geotextiles, and erosioncontrol blankets and products that providetemporary stabilization and help toestablish vegetation on disturbed soils.Such products help control erosion and helpestablish vegetation and are o ten used onslopes, channels, or stream banks.

F gure . Illustrat on o eros on control blanketsnstalled on slope.

Wind Control BMPsIn areas where dust control is an issue, yourSWPPP should include BMPs or wind-erosioncontrol. These consist o mulching, wetsuppression (watering), and other practices.

Final StabilizationOnce construction activity in an area iscompleted and the area is s tabilized (typicallyby achieving 70 percent permanent vegetativecover), 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 withmaintaining and inspecting BMPs. For morein ormation on nal stabilization, see Chapter 9.


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

Installation Tips: Use rolled erosion-control products on

slopes steeper than 3 to 1 (horizontal tovertical) and in swales or long channels

Trench the topo the blanketinto the ground

to prevent runorom owingunder the blanket

Overlap the lowerend o the top matover the top o thedownslope mat toensure that runostays on top o theblankets and mats

Staple blanketsand mats

according tospecifcations

Maintenance: Periodically inspect or signs o erosion

or ailure

Repair the blanket or mat i necessary

Continue inspections until vegetationis established at the level required toquali y as fnal stabilization

ESC Principle 6: Protect storm draininlets. Protect all inlets that could receivestormwater rom the project until fnalstabilization o the site has been achieved.Install inlet protection be ore soil-disturbingactivities begin. Maintenance throughoutthe construction process is important. Uponcompletion o the project, storm drain inletprotection is one o the temporary BMPsthat should be removed. Storm drain inletprotection should be used not only or stormdrains within the active construction project,but also or storm drains outside the projectarea that might receive stormwater discharges

rom the project. I there are storm drains onprivate property that could receive stormwaterruno rom your project, coordinate with theowners o that property to ensure proper inletprotection.

Example BMP: Storm Drain Inlet Protection Description: Storm drain inlet protectionprevents sediment rom entering a stormdrain by surrounding or covering the inletwith a fltering material. Several typeso flters are commonly used or inletprotection: silt ence, rock-flled bags, orblock and gravel. The type o flter useddepends on the inlet type ( or example, curbinlet, drop inlet), slope, and volume o ow.Many di erent commercial inlet flters arealso available. Some commercial inlet fltersare placed in ront o or on top o an inlet,while others are placed inside the inletunder the grate.

Installation Tips: Install inlet protection as soon as storm

drain inlets are installed and be oreland-disturbance activities begin in areaswith existing storm drain systems

Protect all inlets that could receivestormwater rom your constructionproject

Use in conjunction with other erosionprevention and sediment control BMPsremember, inlet protection is a secondaryBMP!

Design your inlet protection to handlethe volume o water rom the area beingdrained. Ensure that the design is sizedappropriately.

Maintenance: Inspect inlets requently and a ter each

rain all

F gure . Illustrat on o a storm dra n nlet w throck-flled bags flter ng stormwater.

F gure 0. Illustrat on o a fber roll nstallat onalong a slope.


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Remove accumulated sediment romaround the device and check and removeany sediment that might have enteredthe inlet

Replace or repair the inlet protection i itbecomes damaged

Sweep streets, sidewalks, and other

paved areas regularly

ESC Principle 7: Establish perimeter controls. Maintain natural areas andsupplement them with silt ence and fberrolls around the perimeter o your site tohelp prevent soil erosion and stop sediment

rom leaving the site. Install controls on thedownslope perimeter o your project (it iso ten unnecessary to surround the entiresite with silt ence). Sediment barriers canbe used to protect stream bu ers, riparian

Storm drain inlet protection should never beused as a primary BMP! Use erosion controltechniques such as hydromulching or erosion-control blankets to prevent erosion. Use inletprotection and other sediment control BMPs asa backup or last line o de ense.

areas, wetlands, or other waterways. They aree ective only in small areas and should notbe used in areas o concentrated ow.

Example BMP: Silt Fence and Fiber Rolls Description: A silt ence is a temporarysediment barrier consisting o a geotextileattached to supporting posts and trenched

into the ground. Silt encing is intended toretain sediment that has been dislodged bystormwater. It is designed only or runo

rom small areas and is not intended tohandle ows rom large slopes or in areaso concentrated ow. Fiber rolls serve thesame purpose and consist o an open meshtubular sleeve flled with a fbrous materialwhich traps sediment. Fiber rolls aregenerally staked to the ground.

Installation Tips:DO:

Use silt ence or fber rolls as perimetercontrols, particula rly at the lower ordown slope edge o a disturbed area

Leave space or maintenance between toeo slope and silt ence or roll

Trench in the silt ence on the uphill side(6 inches deep by 6 inches wide)

Install stakes on the downhill side o theence or roll

Curve the end o the silt ence or fberroll up-gradient to help it contain runo

DONT: Install a silt ence or fber rolls in ditches,

channels, or areas o concentrated ow

Install it running up and down a slope orhill

Use silt encing or fber rolls alone inareas that drain more than a quarter-acreper 100 eet o ence

Maintenance: Remove sediment when it reaches one-

third o the height o the ence or one-

hal the height o the fber roll Replace the silt ence or roll where it is

worn, torn, or otherwise damaged

Retrench or replace any silt ence orroll that is not properly anchored to theground

F gure . Illustrat on o proper techn ques to usen nstall ng s lt ence.


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ESC Principle 8: Retain sediment onsiteand control dewatering practices. Sedimentbarriers described in ESC Principle 7 cantrap sediment rom small areas, but whensediment retention rom a larger areais required, consider using a temporarysediment trap or sediment basin. Thesepractices detain sediment-laden runo or aperiod o time, allowing sediment to settlebe ore the runo is discharged. Proper designand maintenance are essential to ensure thatthese practices are e ective.

You shoulduse a sedimentbasin orcommondrainagelocations thatserve an areawith 10 ormore acresdisturbedat any onetime. Thebasin shouldbe designedto providestorage or

the volume o runo rom the drainage areaor at least a 2-year, 24-hour storm (or 3,600

cubic eet o storage per acre drained, whichis enough to contain 1 inch o runo , i the2-year, 24-hour calculation has not beenper ormed). Check your permit or exact basinsizing requirements. Sediment basins shouldbe located at low-lying areas o the site andon the down-gradient side o bare soil areaswhere ows converge. Do not put sedimenttraps or basins in or immediately adjacent to

owing streams or other waterways.

Where a large sediment basin is not practical,use smaller sediment basins or sedimenttraps (or both) where easible. At a minimum,use silt ences, vegetative bu er strips, orequivalent sediment controls or all down-gradient boundaries (and or those side-slopeboundaries deemed appropriate or individualsite conditions).

Dewatering practices are used to removeground water or accumulated rain water romexcavated areas. Pump muddy water romthese areas to a temporary or permanentsedimentation basin or to an area completelyenclosed by silt ence in a at vegetated areawhere discharges can infltrate into the ground.

Never discharge muddy water into stormdrains, streams, lakes, or wetlands unless thesediment has been removed be ore discharge.

Keep in mind that some states and localjurisdict ions require a separate permit ordewatering activities at a site.

ESC Principle 9: Establish stabilized construction exits. Vehicles entering and leavingthe site have the potential to track signifcantamounts o sediment onto streets. Identi yand clearly mark one or two locations wherevehicles will enter and exit the site and ocusstabilizing measures at those locations.Construction entrances are commonly made

rom large crushed rock. They can be urtherstabilized using stone pads or concrete. Also,steel wash racks and a hose-down systemwill remove even more mud and debris romvehicle tires. Divert runo rom wash areas toa sediment trap or basin. No system is per ect,so sweeping the street regularly completesthis BMP.

Example BMP: Stabilized Construction Exit Description: A rock construction exit canreduce the amount o mud transported ontopaved roads by vehicles. The constructionexit does this by removing mud romvehicle tires be ore the vehicle enters apublic road.

F gure . Illustrat on o a stab l zed construct onex t.

F gure . Illustrat on o a sed ment bas n.

developing your storm water pollution prevention plan_a guide for construction site by epa

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