Pollution_Prevention_Plan_and_Permit_Guidance.pdf

EPA STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

GUIDANCE

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

POLLUTION

PREVENTION

PLAN AND

PERMIT

GUIDANCE

NATIONAL POLLUTANT

DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM

(NPDES)

A BRIEF GUIDE TO REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING

POLLUTION PREVENTION PLANS FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Storm water runoff is part of the natural hydrologic cycle. However, human activities, particularly urbanization, can alter natural drainage patterns and add pollutants to the rainwater and snowmelt that run off the earth’s surface and enter our Nation’s rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters. In fact, recent studies have shown that storm water runoff is a major source of pollutants impairing our sport and commercial fisheries, restricting swimming, and affecting the navigability of may of our Nation’s waters.

Recognizing the importance of this problem, Congress directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a Federal program under the Clean Water Act to regulate certain high priority storm water sources. The issuance of storm water discharge permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a major part of the Agency’s efforts to restore and maintain the Nation’s water quality.

Discharges of storm water runoff from construction sites which disturb five or more acres of land must now be covered by an NPDES permit (about January, 1999, this criteria will change to sites which disturb one acre and more of land). To deal with the thousands of construction projects that are now required to be covered by storm water permits, EPA strongly encourages the use of General Permits. Under the NPDES program, a General Permit authorizes discharges from construction sites located in the States and territories that have not been delegated NPDES permitting authority, EPA issued NPDES General Permits for Storm Water Discharges from Construction sites in the September 9 and 25, 1992, Federal Register (the September 25, 1992, Federal Register stated applicability for the state of Florida).

The purpose of this document is to describe the steps that must be completed in order for a construction site to comply with the Pollution Prevention Plan requirements contained in EPA’s General Permits. A detailed manual on how to develop and implement your Pollution Prevention Plan is available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). The manual, Storm Water Management for Construction Activities:

Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices, provides specific information and a listing of other references that you may find useful. You may request a copy of this manual from Sarasota County Stormwater Department, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34240 (Telephone: (941) 861-0876). It is important to note that permit requirements will vary from State to State and permit to permit; therefore, you should read your permit carefully.

OVERVIEW OF POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Under the NPDES General Permits for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Sites, EPA requires the development and implementation of a Pollution Prevention Plan. A Pollution Prevention Plan for construction is designed to reduce pollution at the construction site, before it can cause environmental problems. Many of the practices and measures required for the Pollution Prevention Plan represent standard operating procedure at many construction sites. Storm water management controls, erosion and sediment controls, inspection and maintenance have all been used at a number of construction projects.

This guide is organized according to the phases of the pollution prevention planning and implementation process. A set of checklists and a model plan at the end of the document are provided to further clarify requirements. As shown on the chart on the following page, pollution prevention planning requirements have been organized to provide you with a step-by-step process for ensuring that pollutants are not making their way into the storm water discharges from your site. The six major phases of the process are (1) site evaluation and design development, (2) assessment, (3) control selection and plan design, (4) certification and notification, (5) construction/implementation, and (6) final stabilization/termination. In addition, all permit holders must meet a number of general requirements.