Planning, scheduling, and sequencing for construction
Steps to compliance
Owners/operators of construction activity must complete several steps before completing a permit application and beginning construction. These steps also help owners/operators determine their eligibility for coverage under the general permit.
Step 1: Identify the construction site boundaries, the latitude and longitude for the centroid of the site, and the project's major phases.
- Where will the construction occur and what will the project involve? Identifying the construction site boundaries is important to determining which environmental resources may be at risk of being impacted by the project. Identify opportunities to phase the project so that vegetation will remain in those areas that will not have construction activity at the start of the project. Construction phasing can minimize or eliminate negative environmental impacts from the project.
The latitude and longitude can be obtained with Bing Maps during the online application process, a GPS unit, using a USGS topographic map (provide scale), or using a range of mapping websites. For more information, read How to Determine Latitude and Longitude.
Step 2: Determine if additional permits are needed.
- Contact other state and federal agencies and local units of government to determine what permits are required in addition to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State Disposal System (SDS) permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
Construction site stormwater program compliance timeline
The progression of activities at a construction site is as follows.
- Evaluate and assess the construction site
- Collect site information (size, slopes, soils, drainage patterns)
- Identify sensitive areas – waters, vegetation, slopes, etc.
- Produce map or drawing of the existing site
- Create the final project design map or drawing
- Characterize the sequence of major construction activities
- Calculate area, infiltration, runoff, and drainage system sizing
- Select site-specific erosion, sediment, and housekeeping controls
- Review local and state permit requirements
- Identify erosion prevention field practices and site locations
- Select sediment control practices and field locations
- Determine housekeeping and pollution prevention practices
- Indicate location of best management practices (BMPs)
- Prepare a plan for inspecting and maintaining BMPs
- Complete permitting and notification tasks
- Identify all contractors and subcontractors
- Develop stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP)
- Submit Notice of Intent to MPCA
- Apply for and obtain other local/state/federal permits
- Familiarize contractors and others with SWPPP requirements
- Construction and SWPPP implementation
- Install stabilized exit and initial downgradient perimeter controls
- Install and stabilize initial drainage system, traps, and basins
- Proceed with phased clearing and grading work
- Implement phased erosion/sediment BMPs as needed
- Stabilize disturbed areas within 14 days or as required
- Inspect and maintain BMPs, document activities
- Final stabilization and permit termination
- Stabilize all disturbed areas, slopes, and drainage systems
- Remove waste and unused materials
- Remove all temporary BMPs, stabilize BMP locations
- File Notice of Termination and other required notices
See here for more information.