TE-H.17.2 Installation Storm Water Management Plan.pdf

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

FORT CARSON, COLORADO

JANUARY 2016

REVISED JUNE 2021

EFFECTIVE DATES OF THE FORT CARSON MS4 PERMIT NO.

COR042001

1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020

Fort Carson Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division

Fort Carson, Colorado

Original Prepared by:

HDR

9781 S. Meridian Blvd

Englewood CO 80112

TE-H.17.1

Stormwater Management Plan June 2021

This page intentionally left blank.

Fort Carson, Colorado i

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Fort Carson Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4)

Permit (COR042001), the Fort Carson Stormwater Management Plan was reviewed and updated in January 2020.

The following list documents the changes made to the document during the update:

• Corrected grammatical errors throughout the document

• Added new Garrison Commander’s Policy Letter #17 to Appendix D

• Updated the construction inspection procedures to Appendix E ii iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................... 1-1

2 SITE DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................................. 2-1

2.2 CLIMATE ................................................................................................................................... 2-1

2.3 RECEIVING WATERS.................................................................................................................. 2-2

2.4 OTHER PROGRAMS SUPPORTING THE MS4 ................................................................................ 2-4

3 EFFLUENT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS ........................................................... 3-1

3.1 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ON STORMWATER IMPACTS ................................................. 3-1

3.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT/PARTICIPATION ....................................................................................... 3-2

3.3 ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION ....................................................................... 3-2

3.4 CONSTRUCTION SITE STORMWATER RUNOFF CONTROL ............................................................. 3-5

3.5 POST-CONSTRUCTION STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT AND

REDEVELOPMENT ..................................................................................................................... 3-6

3.6 POLLUTION PREVENTION AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ................................................................. 3-7

3.7 MEASURABLE GOAL SUMMARY .................................................................................................. 3-7

4 RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING ........................................................................................... 4-1

4.1 RECORDKEEPING ...................................................................................................................... 4-1

4.2 ANNUAL REPORT ...................................................................................................................... 4-2

4.3 PLANNED CHANGES .................................................................................................................. 4-2

5 STORMWATER PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVES ........................................................................ 5-1

LIST OF TABLES

Table Title Table 2.1 Impaired Waterways on Fort Carson Table 2.2 CDPHE Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water Table 5.1 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team Table B.1 SCM 1 – Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts Goals Summary Table B.2 SCM 2 – Public Involvement/Participation Goal Summary Table B.3 SCM 3 – Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Goal Summary Table B.4 SCM 4 – Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control Goal Summary Table B-5 SCM 5 – Post-Construction Stormwater Management for New Development and

Redevelopment Table B.6 SCM 6 – Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Goal Summary iv

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Title 1 Fort Carson Site Map

2 Fort Carson Installation Watershed Map

3 Fort Carson Cantonment Watershed Map

4 Fort Carson Installation 303D Listed Stream

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix Title A Fort Carson MS4 Permit No. COR042001, (1 January 2016)

B Measureable Goal Summary

C GC Policy #17

D Construction Site Inspection Form

E Fort Carson Notice of Termination Form

F MS4 Annual Report Requirements

G Delegation of Signature Authority v

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ADACG Arrival and Departure Airfield Control Group BMP Best Management Practice CDPHE Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment CFR Code of Federal Regulations CGP Construction General Permit COR contracting officer representative CWA Clean Water Act DPW Directorate of Public Works ECAT Environmental Compliance Assessment Team EPO Environmental Protection Officer GC Garrison Commander GI green infrastructure GIS Geographic Information System IDDE Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination INRMP Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan LID low impact development mg/L milligram per liter MS4 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System MSGP Multi-Sector General Permit NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOT Notice of Termination NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System O&M Operations and Maintenance OWS oil/water separator PCMS Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site POL petroleum, oil, and lubricant RFP Request for Proposal SCM Stormwater Control Measures SOW Scope of Work SPCCP Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan SWMP Stormwater Management Plan SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan TM Technical Manual USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency vi

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1 INTRODUCTION

This Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) describes the procedures Fort Carson implements to comply with requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) permit number COR042001(Appendix A). This permit provides authorization to discharge stormwater runoff from Fort Carson’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).

This permit does not authorize stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities as defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) § 122.26(b)(14)(i)-(ix) and (xi) or discharges associated with construction activity as defined in 40 CFR § 122.26(b)(14)(x) or 40 CFR §

122.26(b)(15). Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS), an off-site training location associated with Fort Carson, is not covered under this permit.

1.1 Background

The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires facilities to reduce, minimize, or eliminate sources of pollution exposed to stormwater runoff. The goals of the CWA are to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters. The CWA provides the statutory basis from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program and the basic structure for regulating the discharge of pollutants from point sources to the waters of the United States. Section 402 of the CWA specifically required USEPA to develop and implement the NPDES program.

In November 1990, the USEPA implemented the NPDES Phase I stormwater regulations. The

Phase I regulations required medium and large MS4s, communities of 100,000 people or more within urbanized areas, to obtain NPDES permits to discharge stormwater runoff to the environment. In 1999, the USEPA initiated Phase II, which required small MS4s (populations of less than 100,000 people within an urbanized area) to obtain NPDES permits to discharge stormwater runoff. The purpose of the Phase II stormwater regulations is to provide a flexible approach for reducing environmental harm caused by stormwater discharges that were not previously regulated.

Fort Carson received a NPDES permit for its non-standard small MS4 in compliance with the provisions of the USEPA NPDES MS4 Phase II requirements. This permit required Fort Carson

1-2 to comply with the same requirements as other, traditional MS4s such as a city or town. While successful in controlling pollutant discharges associated with MS4 stormwater, the small MS4 permit contained requirements and provisions more appropriate to a traditional MS4, not a military installation such as Fort Carson. Coordination with USEPA regarding lessons learned from the implementation and execution of the initial permit resulted in the issuance of the individual permit that currently applies to Fort Carson. The individual permit contains requirements specific to Fort Carson that provide practical and achievable controls to municipal stormwater pollution.

This SWMP describes management practices for the control of pollutants in discharges from the

MS4. The management practices prescribed by the permit are divided into six stormwater control measures (SCM). For each SCM, the SWMP details how each is implemented and measured. The six SCM are:

• SCM-1: Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts (Section 3.1)

• SCM-2: Public Involvement/Participation (Section 3.2)

• SCM-3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (Section 3.3)

• SCM-4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control (Section 3.4)

• SCM-5: Post-construction Stormwater Management for New Development and

Redevelopment (Section 3.5)

• SCM-6: Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping (Section 3.6)

The annual report tracks the progress of the SWMP implementation, and is due to the USEPA on

April 1 of each year of permit coverage. Fort Carson conducts an annual review of the SWMP in conjunction with the annual report preparation.

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2 SITE DESCRIPTION

2.1 General

Fort Carson is an active duty United States Army installation located in southern Colorado which occupies approximately 220 square miles. It is bounded on the northeast by Interstate Highway

25 and on the north by Colorado State Highway 83 (Academy Boulevard). The northern portion of the west boundary is adjacent to Colorado State Highway 115. The southern boundary is approximately 10 miles north of and parallel to U.S. Highway 50 in Pueblo County. The majority of the Installation is located in El Paso County with two small areas in the southwestern portion located in Fremont and Pueblo Counties. The approximate longitude and latitude of the facility are 104° 49' 00'' and 38° 36' 00''.

The primary mission of Fort Carson is the training and preparation of all assigned and attached units to ensure combat-readiness. The cantonment area on the north end of the property contains military family housing, retail and food services in addition to military functions. This area is mostly developed with the exception of parks, limited open space, and landscaped/vegetated areas around buildings. Principal industrial operations include repair and maintenance of vehicles and aircraFort Training areas make up the large area south of the cantonment and are predominantly undeveloped with the exception of a few support buildings.

The MS4 permitted area includes all areas within the exterior boundaries of Fort Carson, and is shown on Figure 1 in the Apppendix. Figure 2 displays the watersheds within the cantonment area.

2.2 Climate

Fort Carson’s climate is characterized as mid-latitude semi-arid with hot summers, cold winters, and light rainfall. Climate data is available for Colorado Springs

(www.weather.gov/pub/climateCosPrecipitationRecords). Annual precipitation varies greatly with a maximum annual total in excess of 27.58 inches (in) 1999 and a minimum annual total of

6.07 inches in 1939. The annual precipitation 30-year average is 16.21 inches. The annual all-time average is 15.22 inches, since data recording began in 1895. The majority of the precipitation that falls at Fort Carson is typically between April and August.

http://www.weather.gov/pub/climateCosPrecipitationRecords

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2.3 Receiving Waters

Fort Carson is located in the Fountain Creek and Upper Arkansas River watersheds. Fountain

Creek discharges into the Arkansas River just south of Fort Carson within the city of Pueblo.

The cantonment area at Fort Carson drains to one of four watersheds on Installation including B

Ditch, Clover Ditch, Infantry Creek, and Rock Creek. These four drainages all discharge into

Fountain Creek off- Installation. Figure 2 in the figures section shows the Fort Carson cantonment watersheds.

The Fort Carson streams are identified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and

Environment (CDPHE) as warm water, Class 2 Tier for Aquatic Life uses. As of the 2016 reporting year, ten streams are listed as impaired (303D) for recreation: primary contact, with the cause of impairment being Escherichia coli. Most of these tributaries are located within the cantonment area and in the northeast portion of the installation. These ten tributaries to Fountain

Creek are in the impairment category 5, which means that the water is impaired and a total maximum daily loads (TMDL) are required. While no TMDLs have been established in the

Fountain Creek Watershed, the Permit Statement of Basis indicates that the permit may be reopened and modified prior to its expiration date to include waste load allocations or specific control measures for municipal stormwater point source discharges in the event a TMDL is issued.

Additional details regarding impairments may be found in Water Quality Commission Reports and Plans with links to the Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report 2016 and Regulation # 93 at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc-reports-and-plans. Table

2.1 provides a summary of Fort Carson Installation impaired waters. A map of the impaired waterways is provided in Figure 3 in the figures section.

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc-reports-and-plans

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Table 2.1 – Impaired Waterways on Fort Carson

Waterbody Identification Number

(WBID)

Name 303 D Impairment Monitoring and Evaluation (ME)

COARFO04 B-Ditch E. coli

COARFO04 Infantry Creek E. coli FeTrec (Total Recoverable Iron) in section COARFO05_A

COARFO04 Rock Creek E. coli COARFO04 Clover Ditch E. coli

COARFO04 Little Fountain Creek E. coli SeD dissolved selenium in section

COARFO04_C

COARFO02a Fountain Creek E. coli

FeTrec (Total Recoverable Iron).

Assigned ambient based chronic selenium standard of 8.0ug/L (page 77 of Reg. 93)

COARFO04 Sand Canyon Creek E. coli COARFO04 Crooked Canyon Creek E. coli COARFO04 County Line Creek E. coli COARMA04a Wildhorse Creek E. coli NO2 (Nitrogen dioxide)

Surface water quality standards are set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and

Environment (CDPHE) Water Quality Control Commission for the Fort Carson Installation

Streams. A summary of parameters excerpted from CDPHE Water Quality Control Commission

Regulation No. 31- The Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water 5 CCR 1002-31 is included in Table 2.2.

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Table 2.2 – CDPHE Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water (Excerpted from 5 CCR 1002-31)

Radionuclide Standards

(ug/L)

Selected Organic

Chemicals-water supply

(ug/L)

Physical and Biological

Inorganics Metals-aquatic life, acute

Nutrients for warm rivers and streams

(pg 31) (pg 32-41) (pg 50) (pg 54) (pg 57-58) (pg. 66)

Americium 241≤ 0.15 Acetone ≤ 6300

Dissolved Oxygen ≤ 3.0-

7.0 mg/L

Ammonia=gene rally 10 PPM or less

Arsenic ≤ 340 ug/L

Phosphorous ≤ 170 ug/L

Cesium 134 ≤ 80 Biphenyl ≤ 4.4 pH 6.5-9.0 total residual chlorine ≤

0.019

Chromium VI ≤ 16 ug/L

Nitrogen ≤ 2,010 ug/L

Plutonium 239 & 240 ≤ 0.15

Chlorobenzene ≤ 100 e-coli≤ 126 CFU's /100 mL cyanide ≤

0.005 mg/L

Selenium ≤ 18.4 ug/L

Chlorophyll ≤ 150 mg/m

Strontium 90 ≤

8 DDT ≤ 0.1

temperature for Tier 2 waters

(Apr-Oct=18.3 -

24.3 °C) (Nov.- Mar 9.0-13 °C)

Fluoride<=N/A

Thorium 230 & 232 ≤ 60

Fluorene (PAH) ≤ 280

Nitrate=case by case basis

Tritium ≤ 20,000

Glyphosate ≤

Nitrite= case by case basis

Phenol ≤ 2,100 Sulfide H2S ≤ 0.002

Vinyl Chloride ≤ 0.023-2.0

Sulfate≤ 250 mg/L (pg 43)

For additional information on surface water quality parameters, refer to CDPHE Regulation # 31 at http://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=7050

2.4 Other Programs Supporting the MS4

Fort Carson is subject to environmental requirements like large MS4s. Other programs supporting these requirements at Fort Carson provide a benefit to the MS4 program goals.

Programs most applicable to the MS4 compliance include the Multi-Sector General Permit

(MSGP) for industrial stormwater discharges and associated Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Plan (SWPPP), the construction stormwater program, and the Spill Prevention, Control and

Countermeasures Plan (SPCCP).

Industrial stormwater discharges at Fort Carson are regulated by the MSGP. The SWPPP is the compliance document for this permit, and provides control measures to reduce pollution from the industrial sites. The primary industrial activity at Fort Carson involves Sector P facilities such as http://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=7050

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Motor Pool maintenance activities, bulk refueling stations, and rail heading. Numerous auxiliary activities are present, including: Sector K-hazardous waste storage facility, Sector S-Butts airfield with hangars and clamshells, Sector N-recycle center, DLADS, and Ammo residue yard, Sector T-Waste Water Treatment Plant. All but two of these industrial sites are located within the MS4 permit boundary. Control measures required by the MSGP and prescribed by the

SWPPP support MS4 illicit discharge detection and elimination and pollution prevention and good housekeeping requirements. The SWPPP is available online at:

http://www.carson.army.mil/DPW/environmental/stormwater/index2.html

Fort Carson administers a construction stormwater program for land disturbance projects greater than or equal to an acre of disturbance. Construction site operators are required to develop a site specific SWPPP that provides protection against erosion and sediment transport, and impacts from potential pollutants. Construction sites are routinely inspected (as detailed in Section 3.4 of this SWMP), and must be properly stabilized prior to project closeout. This program supports the MS4 construction site stormwater runoff control requirements.

A facility-wide SPCCP directs spill prevention and response measures at Fort Carson. Controls implemented through the SPCCP address significant sources of potential pollutants, and prevent stormwater from coming into contact with such materials. This program supports MS4 public education and outreach and illicit discharge detection and elimination requirements. The SPCCP is available upon request.

http://www.carson.army.mil/DPW/environmental/stormwater/index2.html

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3 EFFLUENT LIMITS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

Fort Carson complies with the MS4 Permit requirements through existing programs, policies, and procedures. Program goals provide direction and focus on program improvement. The sections below provide a program overview and highlight stormwater program efforts that contribute to SCM requirements. The summary table in Appendix B documents how the stormwater program complies with permit requirements over the permit term.

3.1 Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts

Fort Carson maintains an ongoing public education and outreach program, including training and dissemination of educational materials.

Environmental Protection Officer (EPO) training is the primary environmental training mechanism for military units on the installation. EPOs are the individuals within each military unit responsible for knowing and following environmental rules and regulations. EPOs are trained by the stormwater program and are responsible for training their respective unit on stormwater protection. Other groups on Installation such as civilian employees, contractors, and tenants are also trained with respect to their duties/activities and how they relate to potential stormwater pollutants. Construction contractors are also offered a class in stormwater management and the expectations of the Fort Carson stormwater program. The training covers

BMP’s, permitting, SWPPP authoring, and pollution prevention. Attendees receive a certification for the class that goes into the SWPPP notebook.

Training events, both formal and informal, provide opportunities for the stormwater program to educate the public on important stormwater issues. Formal training events have previously included a course focused on the inspection and maintenance of post-construction, low impact development best management practices (BMPs). Informal training occurs during stormwater outreach activities (such as Earth Day or Make a Difference Day) when program representatives have the opportunity to interact with the public and discuss stormwater-related topics. Passive training is also provided by stormdrain stenciling with messages such as, “No dumping, drains to river.”

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Training events also provide an opportunity to distribute educational materials, such as the stormwater awareness brochure. The brochure along with other educational materials including community outreach emails and the resident’s guide provide a mechanism for the program to distribute simple, key messages to a large portion of the public.

3.2 Public Involvement/Participation

Fort Carson involves the public in the stormwater program and encourages participation by hosting stormwater related events and providing stormwater related information.

Past events held by the stormwater program have included Make a Difference Day and

Installation Clean-up Days. These events engage the Fort Carson public and provide an opportunity for applied learning at potentially impacted areas. Make a Difference Day typically involves volunteer staff working in conjunction with stormwater program representatives to clean up trash in drainage areas within the cantonment area. The stormwater program utilizes this event to educate volunteers about how the pollution they are seeing impacts water quality, and what can be done to prevent it. Installation Clean-up Days involve military units pursuing

Good Housekeeping practices in their assigned work areas and surrounding areas.

The stormwater program also engages the public by making stormwater related documents (this

SWMP and related Annual Reports) and public notices available for the public’s review. This informs the public about the stormwater program’s goals and progress towards those goals.

3.3 Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

An illicit discharge is any discharge to the MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater.

Permitted discharges include:

• Discharges authorized by a separate NPDES permit

• Discharges in compliance with instructions of an On-Scene-Coordinator pursuant to 40

CFR part 300 or 33 CFR 153.10(e)

• Water line flushing

• Landscape irrigation

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• Diverted stream flows

• Rising ground waters

• Uncontaminated ground water infiltration

• Uncontaminated pumped ground water

• Discharges from potable water sources

• Foundation drains

• Air conditioning condensate

• Irrigation water

• Springs

• Water from crawl space pumps

• Footing drains

• Lawn watering

• Individual residential car washing

• Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands

• Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges

• Street wash water

• Power washing where no chemicals are used

• Roof drains

• Fire hydrant flushings

• Non-storm water discharges resulting from a spill which are the result of an unusual and severe weather event where reasonable and prudent measures have been taken to minimize the impact of such discharge

• Emergency discharges required to prevent imminent threat to human health or severe property damage, provided that reasonable and prudent measures have been taken to minimize the impact of such discharges, and

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• Discharges or flows from fire-fighting activities

Fort Carson’s illicit discharge detection and elimination efforts include prevention and prohibition of specific discharges, field screening, and investigation procedures.

Deliberate dumping into the stormwater system is illegal under the federal CWA, and is therefore enforceable and punishable by Fort Carson law enforcement officers and outside entities. Additionally, Fort Carson Garrison Commander (GC) Policy #17 requires compliance with SWMP requirements relating to elimination of illicit discharges. GC Policy #17 is included as Appendix C to the SWMP. This policy serves as an internal regulatory mechanism for enforcement, if needed. The SPCCP guides the response actions to unintentional spills or leaks.

Storm drain stenciling as well as hazardous waste collection efforts work towards prevention of illicit discharges, in addition to the prohibitory mechanisms.

Fort Carson conducts annual dry weather field screening at the four major cantonment drainages within Fort Carson (B-Ditch, Clover Ditch, Infantry Creek, and Rock Creek) to investigate for illicit discharges. Qualified personnel physically inspect the drainages looking for illicit discharge pipes, seeps, or other suspect flows. Tools to help personnel identify potentially illicit discharges include field test kits to determine chemical characteristics (such as pH or nutrients) and the storm sewer map, which shows base infrastructure in addition to other items required by the permit. This map is maintained by the Fort Carson GIS. Field personnel utilize this map for source tracking the discharge.

Fort Carson conducts various types of system investigations including: collection system surveys, oil water separator surveys, sanitary sewer inflow and infiltration surveys, and smoke tests. These surveys investigate system connections and functionality; and provide another mechanism for identifying potential illicit discharges and cross connections.

Fort Carson includes contact information for the stormwater program on the program’s website for public reporting of (non-emergency) potentially illicit discharges as another means of illicit discharge identification in addition to the field screening efforts. 911 is used to report emergency situations involving spills and leaks over five (5) gallons in volume. The spill line is for spills less than five (5) gallons in volume.

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Fort Carson investigates potential illicit discharges within 15 days of detection and takes action to eliminate the source within 45 days. The USEPA is notified if elimination efforts are expected to extend past 45 days. The stormwater program utilizes a spreadsheet on the R Drive to track field screening, illicit discharges, and restoration efforts.

3.4 Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

Construction site stormwater runoff at Fort Carson is managed through on site control of erosion and sediment, project reviews prior to ground disturbances, active site inspections, and required project close outs with the stormwater program.

The EPA requires Construction General Permit (CGP) coverage for construction sites disturbing greater than 1 acre of soil. This requirement is enforced contractually and by GC Policy #17 which requires compliance with the CGP. The Fort Carson Stormwater Program also requires sites with less than 1 acre disturbance to implement BMPs to control sediment and prevent erosion, though no formal permitting is necessary.

Fort Carson reviews projects prior to ground disturbance to ensure erosion and sediment controls are included in the project plan and appear to be sufficient. The review includes a National

Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) clearance of the Scope of Work (SOW) prior to the project approval, and a review and acceptance of the site-specific SWPPP, and review and acceptance of the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP). The SOW review ensures the contract includes requirements to follow the CGP and control sediment and erosion from the construction site. This process allows the contract to be used as an enforcement mechanism if sites do not comply with CGP requirements and installation specifications. Approved review forms are required to be included in the on-site SWPPP.

Construction site inspections are conducted at active construction sites every 7 days by qualified personnel. Post-construction sites that are undergoing revegetation/stabilization are inspected every 30 days by qualified personnel. Directorate of Public Works audits all active and post construction sites on a quarterly basis to ensure the inspections conducted by others are in compliance with Fort Carson policy and the CGP requirements. The Fort Carson construction inspection procedures and inspection form is included in Appendix D.

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Fort Carson requires contractors file a Fort Carson specific Notice of Termination (NOT) through the stormwater program prior to submission of NOT with the USEPA. The Fort Carson

NOT is included as Appendix D. This process ensures the site has stabilized to 70% of predevelopment vegetative cover, and the contractor fulfills administrative close out requirements.

3.5 Post-Construction Stormwater Management for New

Development and Redevelopment

Post-construction BMPs are installed to prevent or minimize water quality impacts on new and re-development projects. Fort Carson follows the Army Low Impact Development (LID)

Guidance to implement such requirements.

Post-construction BMPs are selected by the design engineer based on project design and site characteristics. Various types of BMPs are utilized to achieve predevelopment runoff conditions.

BMPs typical to Fort Carson include infiltration basins, bioretention basins, vegetated swales, sand filters, and permeable pavers; however, alternatives may be considered as site conditions dictate. Fort Carson implements similar BMP features to prevent or minimize water quality impacts if predevelopment hydrology requirements are impracticable, while fulfilling recordkeeping required by the Permit, and procedures in Army LID Guidance.

Procedures discussed in the construction site stormwater control section also support the implementation of post-construction controls. NEPA reviews discussed in Section 3.4 ensure post-construction BMPs are addressed in contract SOWs and are considered in site design.

Contract SOW reviews also ensure contractors submit project as-builts upon project completion prior to the stormwater program signing the NOT.

Construction contractors are responsible for post-construction BMP maintenance for one year from the date of turnover to Fort Carson. The Fort Carson maintenance contractor tracks BMPs and turnover dates in the event a BMP is not fully operational. Maintenance on these BMPs is conducted by the Fort Carson maintenance contractor after the one year warranty period. Outlet structures of post-construction BMPs are included in the routine preventative maintenance schedule. Post-construction BMPs are also inspected annually by the stormwater program.

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These inspections or other identification of unacceptable conditions can trigger maintenance outside of the preventative maintenance schedule via work order, if needed.

3.6 Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of base infrastructure is primarily conducted by the base maintenance contractor. They are responsible for maintenance of streets, parking lots, their maintenance/storage yards, waste transfer stations, their maintenance shops, snow disposal, and salt/sand storage. The base maintenance contractor conducts maintenance per preventative maintenance schedules, and via work or service orders. Street sweeping and storm drain cleanout are examples of maintenance performed on a set schedule. Emergency road repairs or cleanout of a post-construction BMP after a large rain event are examples of maintenance performed via work or service order.

Vehicle and equipment maintenance in military areas (such as motor pools) is conducted by military units. Maintenance schedules are determined by Technical Manuals (TMs). These areas are also included in the Fort Carson MSGP program, which prescribes good housekeeping control measures.

Fort Carson provides various types of stormwater training to the groups involved in maintenance.

This training may include formal training events (e.g. EPO training), refresher training, informal meetings with stormwater program staff, or training specific to job activities.

3.7 Measurable Goal Summary

The permit requirements are primarily achieved through the Stormwater programs procedures.

To achieve these requirements, goals were created to provide direction and continued focus on program improvement. These program’s measureable goals are summarized by SCM in

Appendix B.

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4 RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING

4.1 Recordkeeping

Section 3.1.1 of the permit requires the retention of the following records:

• All calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation,

• Copies of all reports and documents required by this permit,

• A copy of the NPDES permit, and

• Records of all data used to complete the application for the permit.

These records must be retained for a period of at least three years from the date of the sample, measurement, report, or application; or for the term of the applicable permit, whichever is longer.

This period may be extended by request of the USEPA at any time. Records only need to be submitted to USEPA when requested.

Recordkeeping required by SCMs are retained in tracking documents maintained on the internal

R Drive. The trackers maintained in the R Drive include:

• Outreach and Education / Public Involvement and Particiaton Activities (SCM 1/SCM 2)

• Illicit Discharge Reports (SCM 3)

• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination System (IDDES) (SCM 3)

• Multi-sector General Permit Inspections and Visual Assessments (SCM 3/SCM 6)

• Construction General Permit Inspections (SCM 4)

• Low Impact Development Feature Inspections (SCM 5)

The permit requires a description of this SWMP (including a copy of the permit language) to be retained at a location accessible to USEPA. Fort Carson complies with this by maintaining this

SWMP at the DPW Environmental Office, and providing a copy of the SWMP on the Fort

Carson website.

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4.2 Annual Report

Annual reports must be submitted to USEPA by April 1 of each year in the permit term. The first report under the permit was submitted on March 28, 2017.

Annual reports detail information required by the permit, including general and SCM-specific information. The requirements for the annual report are included in Appendix F:

4.3 Planned Changes

Separate from annual reporting requirements, Fort Carson must give notice to USEPA as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permit. Such notice is required only in the following circumstances:

• The alteration or addition could significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of pollutant discharged. This notification applies to pollutants which are not subject to effluent limitations in the permit

• There are any planned substantial changes to the existing sewage sludge facilities, the manner of its operation, or to current sewage sludge management practices of storage and disposal. The permittee shall give the Director notice of any planned changes at least 30 days prior to their implementation

• The alteration or addition to a permitted facility may meet one of the criteria for determining whether a facility is a new source.

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5 STORMWATER PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVES

The Stormwater Program Manager is the primary contact for issues and questions regarding this

SWMP and the program. The Stormwater Program Manager can be reached via phone at 719-

526-1679 or via email at usarmy.carson.imcom-central.list.dpw-ed-storm-water@mail.mil.

The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team is comprised of other individuals with stormwater-related responsibilities. These individuals are shown in the table below:

Table 5.1: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team Staff Titles Individual Responsibilities

Stormwater Program Manager Program management and oversight; final reviewer and approver for management plan (SWMP, Industrial SWPPP) development, implementation, and modifications; reviewing sampling and inspection reports; water quality data interpretation; coordination with other team members and other departments.

Stormwater Program Manager is the primary contact for the USEPA, and has the delegated signature authority to sign inspection forms and discharge monitoring reports.

Stormwater Technician Facility inspections, visual sampling, coordination between other departments

Environmental Compliance Assessment Team (ECAT)

Facility inspections, coordination with motor pool facility managers, addressing corrective actions

Stormwater Team (various consultants)

Water quality sampling, program support, illicit discharge survey

Arrival and Departure Airfield Control Group (ADACG) Environmental Coordinator

Point of contact for ADACG. Document and control petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POLs) stored and used at ADACG. Maintain and use the Industrial SWPPP to guide daily activities. Perform inspections and report any issues concerning environmental activities.

Bulk Refueling Facility Environmental Coordinator

Point of contact for Bulk Refueling Facilities. Document and control POLs stored and used. Maintain and use the Industrial SWPPP to guide daily activities. Perform inspections and report any issues concerning environmental activities.

Environmental Team Lead, PCMS

Point of contact for PCMS. Conduct facility inspections, quarterly visual sampling, and provide updated information for Industrial SWPPP.

Signature authority for all reports and associated information requested by the USEPA for stormwater permits, with the exception of the permit applications themselves, has been delegated by the GC to the Director of Public Works on September 30, 2016. The memorandum is effective until superseded or rescinded, and is included as Appendix G to this SWMP.

mailto:usarmy.carson.imcom-central.list.dpw-ed-storm-water@mail.mil

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FIGURES

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Figure 1 - Fort Carson Site Map

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Figure 2 - Fort Carson Installation Watershed Map

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Figure 3 – Fort Carson Cantonment Watershed Map

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Figure 4 - Fort Carson Installation 303D Listed Stream Map

Appendices

APPENDICES

Appendices

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APPENDIX A

Fort Carson MS4 Permit No. COR042001, (1 January 2016)

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Permit No. COR042001 Page No. 2 of 20

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. COVERAGE UNDER THIS PERMIT

1.1. Permit Area

1.2. Discharges Authorized Under This Permit

1.3. Limitations on Permit Coverage

1.4. Changes to MS4 Area of Responsibility

2. EFFLUENT LIMITS & MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

2.1. Stormwater Management Plan

2.2. Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts

2.3. Public Involvement and Participation

2.4. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

2.5. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

2.6. Post-Construction Stormwater Management for New Development and Redevelopment

2.7. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

3. RECORDKEEPING AND ANNUAL REPORTS

3.1. Recordkeeping

3.2. Annual Report

4. COMPLIANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

5. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

6. DEFINITIONS

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1. COVERAGE UNDER THIS PERMIT

1.1. Permit Area. This permit covers all areas of the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) within the exterior boundaries of Fort Carson.

1.2. Discharges Authorized Under This Permit.

1.2.1. The permittee is authorized to discharge stormwater from all portions of the MS4 within the exterior boundaries of Fort Carson.

1.2.2. This permit also authorizes the discharge of stormwater commingled with flows contributed by process wastewater, non-process wastewater, and stormwater associated with industrial activity, provided that the stormwater is commingled only with those discharges set forth in Part 1.3 of this permit.

1.3. Limitations on Permit Coverage.

1.3.1. The permittee must prohibit all types of non-stormwater discharges into its MS4, except for allowable non-stormwater discharges described in Part 1.3.2.

1.3.2. Allowable Non-Stormwater Discharages. The following sources of non-stormwater discharges are allowed to be discharged into the MS4 unless the permittee determines they are significant contributors of pollutants. If the permittee identifies any of the following categories as a significant contributor of pollutants, the permittee must include the category as an illicit discharge (see Part 2.4).

• Discharges authorized by a separate NPDES permit;

• Discharges in compliance with instructions of an On-Scene-Coordinator pursuant to 40 CFR part 300 or 33 CFR 153.10(e);

• Water line flushing;

• Landscape irrigation;

• Diverted stream flows;

• Rising ground waters;

• Uncontaminated ground water infiltration;

• Uncontaminated pumped ground water;

• Discharges from potable water sources;

• Foundation drains;

• Air conditioning condensate;

• Irrigation water;

• Springs;

• Water from crawl space pumps;

• Footing drains;

• Lawn watering;

• Individual residential car washing;

• Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;

• Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges;

• Street wash water;

• Power washing where no chemicals are used;

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• Roof drains;

• Fire hydrant flushings;

• Non-storm water discharges resulting from a spill which are the result of an unusual and severe weather event where reasonable and prudent measures have been taken to minimize the impact of such discharge;

• Emergency discharges required to prevent imminent threat to human health or severe property damage, provided that reasonable and prudent measures have been taken to minimize the impact of such discharges; and

• Discharges or flows from fire fighting activities.

1.3.3. Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity. This permit does not authorize stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity as defined in 40 CFR § 122.26(b)(14)(i)-(ix) and (xi).

1.3.4. Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity. This permit does not authorize stormwater discharges associated with construction activity as defined in 40 CFR § 122.26(b)(14)(x) or 40 CFR § 122.26(b)(15).

1.4. Changes to MS4 Area of Responsibility. The permittee must implement the Effluent Limits and Monitoring Requirements in Part 2 on all new areas added to the permittee’s MS4 (or for which the permittee becomes responsible for implementation of storm water quality controls) as expeditiously as practicable, but not later than one year from addition of the new areas.

Implementation may be accomplished in a phased manner to allow additional time for controls that cannot be implemented immediately.

2. EFFLUENT LIMITS & MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

2.1. Stormwater Management Plan. The permittee must maintain a Stormwater Management Plan

(SWMP). The SWMP must describe how the permittee will comply with each of the requirements in Parts 2.2-2.7. The SWMP can include citations of documents and electronic records (e.g., manuals, guidance, procedures, electronic management systems, intergovernmental agreements) used to comply with permit requirements. It is not required that the SWMP repeat information included in the cited documents or information systems, but the SWMP must include the names of the most recent versions of the cited documents or information systems and the locations where the supporting documentation is maintained.

2.1.1. SWMP Availability. The SWMP must be immediately available to EPA. It does not need to be stored or maintained in hardcopy format, but it must be available immediately for printout upon request. Alternatively, the SWMP can be maintained and available for printout as a summary of activities managed through an electronic data management system so long as the data management system can be made available for review sufficient to determine compliance with the terms of this permit..

2.1.2. Annual SWMP Review. The permittee must conduct an annual review of the SWMP in conjunction with preparation of the annual report required under Part 3.2 and update the document with the most current information.

2.2. Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts. The permittee must:

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2.2.1 Continue to implement an education and outreach program for Fort Carson which targets project managers, contractors, tenants, and environmental staff in an effort to provide education and outreach about the impacts of stormwater discharges on local water bodies and the steps that can be taken to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff;

2.2.2 At a minimum, produce and disseminate informational material to inform the public (i.e., project managers, contractors, tenants, students, and environmental staff) of the effects of erosion and runoff on water quality. Informational materials shall be updated and distributed as necessary throughout the duration of this permit, and should provide a location where all annual reports and/or SWMP updates as required by this permit may be viewed;

2.2.3 Provide and document training to appropriate planning staff, project managers, contracting officers and other parties as applicable to learn about Low Impact Development (LID) practices, green infrastructure practices, and to communicate the specific requirements for post-construction control and the associated Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) laid out within the SWMP;

2.2.4 Provide a stormwater awareness brochure and track its distribution;

2.2.5 Ensure, to the extent feasible, that any new resident guides include terms for occupancy which relate to household waste management, pet policy, lawn watering, petroleum management, fertilizer/pesticide management, and car washing;

2.2.6 At a minimum, produce and disseminate informational material to inform employees and contractors working on site of proper hazardous waste collection processes. These materials should be updated and distributed as necessary throughout the duration of the permit; and

2.2.7 Document education and outreach activities in the SWMP, including documents created for distribution and a training schedule which notes the dates that trainings occurred and the target audiences reached.

2.2.8 The annual report (See Part 3.2) must document the following information related to public education and outreach:

2.2.8.1 A description of the methods, frequency, type, and target audience of stormwater outreach performed during the permit term;

2.2.8.2 A copy or representation of public outreach materials provided to the target audience(s);

2.2.8.3 An estimation of the number of people expected to be reached by the program over each year of the permit term; and

2.2.8.4 The name or title of the person(s) responsible for coordination and implementation of the stormwater public education and outreach program.

2.3 Public Involvement/Participation. The permittee must:

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2.3.1 Comply with applicable State and local public notice requirements when implementing a public involvement/participation program;

2.3.2 Make all relevant Annual Reports available on the permittee web site or on another platform which is available to the public in an electronic format;

2.3.3 Provide volunteer activities (e.g., cleanup days) as practicable to help actively engage residents and personnel at Fort Carson in understanding water resources and how their activities can affect water quality;

2.3.4 Maintain a log of public participation and outreach activities performed in the permittee’s

SWMP;

2.3.5 Maintain a copy of the most recent version of the facility SWMP and permit in a publicly accessible format (e.g., available in electronic format, online or in a publicly accessible location).

2.3.6 The annual report (See Part 3.2) must document the following information related to public involvement/participation:

2.3.6.1 Documentation of any events or other activities to clean up MS4 receiving waters; and

2.3.6.2 Documentation of any volunteer activities conducted to help actively engage residents and personnel at Fort Carson in understanding water resources and how their activities can affect water quality.

2.4 Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination. An illicit discharge is any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer that is not composed entirely of stormwater. Exceptions are described in Part 1.3.2. The permittee must:

2.4.1 Implement a program, policies, and/or procedures to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into its MS4. The program shall include procedures for detection, identification of sources, and removal of non-stormwater discharges from the storm sewer system. This program shall address illegal dumping into the storm sewer system, shall include inventories and investigations of interior floor drains in buildings for evidence of cross-connections between the storm and sanitary sewer systems, and shall include training for staff on how to respond to reports of illicit discharges;

2.4.2 Effectively prohibit, through ordinance or other regulatory mechanism available under the legal authorities of the MS4, non-stormwater discharges into the storm sewer system and implement appropriate enforcement procedures and actions;

2.4.3 Provide a mechanism for reporting of illicit discharges and provide this number on the Fort Carson stormwater web site and any outreach materials as appropriate;

2.4.4 Investigate any illicit discharge within fifteen (15) days of its detection, and shall take action to eliminate the source of the discharge within forty five (45) days of its detection (or obtain permission from EPA for such longer periods as may be necessary in particular instances);

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2.4.5 Maintain an updated storm sewer system map. At a minimum, the map or system of maps maintained within a Geographic Information System (GIS) shall show jurisdictional boundaries, the location of all inlets and outfalls, names and locations of all waters that receive discharges from those outfalls, locations of post-construction BMPs installed since the effective date of this permit, and locations of all facilities operated by the permittee, including any public or private snow disposal sites.