Failure to implement a SWPPP can result in substantial fines from the EPA or a state environmental agency!
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites for construction site operators, who are responsible for erosion and sediment control and stormwater management at a permitted construction site. The nine basic steps for developing and implementing an effective stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) include SWPPP Development and SWPPP Implementation:
SWPPP Development
- Getting started
- Site assessment and planning
- Selecting erosion and sediment control BMPs (Best Management Practices)
- Selecting good housekeeping BMPs
- Inspections, maintenance, and recordkeeping (tools to assist in writing your SWPPP)
SWPPP Implementation
- Clarification and notification
- SWPPP implementation (BMPs, inspections, maintenance)
- SWPPP update to site assessment and planning
- Final stabilization and permit termination
What is a SWPPP?
Further, Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites defines a SWPPP as a project-specific and site-specific, written document that:
- Identifies potential sources of stormwater pollution at the construction site;
- Describes practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges from the construction site, and;
- Identifies procedures the operator will implement to comply with the terms and conditions of a construction general permit.
Why is a SWPPP important?
The EPA cautions construction site operators, who are responsible for erosion and sediment control and stormwater management at a permitted construction site, that failure to implement a SWPPP can result in substantial fines from the EPA or a state environmental agency. Accordingly, it is important first to develop the SWPPP to address project-specific and site-specific conditions, second to implement the SWPP, and third to update the SWPPP on a regular basis to address changes on site.
Keywords
Best Management Practices, BMPs, construction, construction site, construction site operators, Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, environment, environmental protection, EPA, EPA fines, erosion control, sediment control, site assessment, site planning, storm water, stormwater management, SWPPP, United States Environmental Protection Agency
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(Source: Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2007. Print.)