Jump to main content.

Water Quick Finder

 

Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities

NOTE: Several links take you to other sites, you may have to back up or close the new window to return to this page. Many of the guidance documents, permits, etc. available on-line are in PDF format and you will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT:

• NEW: Construction General Permit Issued: EPA has issued a final 2008 Construction General Permit (CGP) that covers discharges of stormwater from certain construction sites. This permit contains substantially the same terms and conditions as the 2003 CGP. In response to comments on the proposal, EPA has reorganized the content of the permit to better clarify existing requirements. This CGP has been issued for a two-year time period and applies only to new discharges. Construction site operators with permit coverage under the 2003 CGP may continue to operate under the terms of conditions of that permit and need not file a new NOI.

            EPA is currently developing new Construction & Development (C&D) effluent guidelines that would affect all future construction general permits, and therefore proposes a maximum two-year duration for this permit to coincide with the court-ordered deadlines for the C&D rule. Following finalization of the new C&D rule, EPA anticipates proposing a replacement five-year CGP incorporating the new guidelines.

            In addition to proposing this draft CGP, EPA is also requesting comments on the criteria to be used by the Agency to incorporate, by reference, ‘‘qualifying local program requirements’’ for erosion and sediment control as provided for in EPA’s regulations. A construction site operator with construction activities within the jurisdiction of the qualifying local program can follow local erosion and sediment control requirements in lieu of complying with comparable erosion and sediment control requirements in EPA’s CGP.

            The EPA Region 6 permits will cover discharges under EPA authority in the States of  New Mexico, Texas (e.g., construction related to oil and gas exploration and production) and Oklahoma (e.g., construction related to oil and gas exploration and production and certain agriculture industry facilities) and on Indian Country lands located in the States of Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.  EPA Region 6 is requesting certification of the appropriate permit or permit area under section 401 of the Clean Water Act from State and Tribal agencies with section 401 certification authority in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.  Any comments regarding a State or Tribal Section 401 certification would need to be directed to the applicable State or Tribal agency.

 • Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites This guidance manual is intended as a helpful reference for construction site operators who must prepare a SWPPP in order to obtain NPDES permit coverage for their stormwater discharges. It describes the SWPPP development process and provides helpful guidance and tips for developing and implementing an effective SWPPP. In addition, the guide provides customizable SWPPP templates and a sample inspection report, in Microsoft Word format. This Guide may be used by construction site operators anywhere in the U.S. The SWPPP Template and Inspection form should be customized to meet the requirements in the applicable State Construction General Permit.

• NEW: Status of 9th Circuit Court Ruling on NPDES Regulations for Construction Stormwater Discharges Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Processing, or Treatment Operations, or Transmission Facilities - published in Federal Register on June 12, 2006   

• eNOI System Available: You may now enter construction general permit NOIs online via the eNOI system. You may also search the NOI database online.


CONSTRUCTION STORM WATER PERMITTING IN REGION 6:

Under Phase I of the Storm Water Program, permits for discharge of storm water from construction activities that are part of a common plan of development or sale disturbing five or more acres have been required since October 1, 1992.  Phase II of the storm water program requires permits for "small" construction activities in the 1-5 acre range starting March 10, 2003.  There are some waivers available and a fact sheet and help with the "Low Rainfall Erosivity" ("R" Factor) waiver is available on-line.

The EPA-issued general permit for storm water associated with construction activities (Construction General Permit or CGP) is available for construction projects in New Mexico; oil & gas and agriculture point source (e.g., Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations-CAFOs, etc.) related construction projects in Oklahoma; oil & gas related construction projects in Texas; and construction projects on Indian Country lands in Louisiana, New Mexico (except Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute reservations -covered by the permits for EPA Regions 8 & 10). The requirements of the 2008 CGP are similar to the previous 2003 permits and will authorize the discharge of pollutants in storm water runoff associated with construction activities in accordance with the terms and conditions described therein. The CGP requires construction operators to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to be covered under the CGP. The NOI includes basic information about the operator and the project site. Prior to submission of the NOI, operators must develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP includes a description of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will be used to reduce pollutants in the storm water discharges. The CGP also requires operators to conduct regular site inspections, comply with Endangered Species Act requirements, and submit a Notice of Termination when construction is complete.

NOTE: The CGP allows oil and gas construction projects to obtain coverage IF NEEDED. Click here for the status of the current exemtpion for uncontaminated stormwater runoff from oil and gas exploration, production, etc. construction projects.(return to top)

LINKS TO STATE PERMITS AND INDIVIDUAL PERMIT APPLICATIONS

State-issued Construction General Permits

(return to top)

NOI PROCESSING CENTER:

To file an NOI or NOT electronically, visit the eNOI web site. To file a hard copy NOI or NOT, the current addresses for the NOI Processing Center are:

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Storm Water Notice of [Intent/Termination] (4203M)
US EPA - Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460

However, the physical address is different in case you send the package via an express messaging service:

OVERNIGHT EXPRESS SERVICES ONLY

Storm Water Notice of [Intent/Termination]
US EPA - ICC Building, Room 7329
1201 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004

If you need to check on the status of your NOI/NOT or need a copy of your permit coverage confirmation letter, please contact the NOI Processing Center at: 1-866-352-7755. You can also check on your NOI and print out a copy of the NOI information online at the eNOI database search web site.

(return to top)

Region 6 NPDES Storm Water Program Home Page

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.