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When stormwater drains off a construction site, it carries sediment and other pollutants that harm lakes, streams and wetlands. According to the 1996 National Water Quality Inventory, stormwater runoff is a leading source of water pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 20 to 150 tons of soil per acre are lost every year to stormwater runoff from construction sites.

Controlling erosion can significantly reduce the amount of sedimentation and other pollutants transported by runoff from construction sites. To keep Minnesota’s valuable water resources clean the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issues permits to construction site owners and their operators to prevent stormwater pollution during and after construction.

This page provides links to pages that address topics related to construction stormwater.

Construction Stormwater permit

Previous Construction Stormwater General permits

Compliance guidance

Guidance, tools, and resources for construction stormwater

Best Management Practices

Other links

Construction Stormwater Permit Application

Click here to log into the e-Services then once logged in, click on Construction Stormwater General Permit Application

Visa, Master cards or checks are accepted for the $400 fee payment.

Construction stormwater permit application - FAQ

Special Waters and Impaired Waters

Information: When searching for special or imapired waters, we recommend using the Construction Stormwater Special Waters Search tool (see link below). Mapping layers in this tool include Special Waters, Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMAs), location of active construction sites, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) areas, and Environmental Justice areas.

Construction Stormwater Special Waters Search tool link

NPDES/SDS permits for construction sites near specially-protected and impaired waters require additional controls, conditions or an individual permit:

  • Sites that discharge near waters with qualities that warrant extra protection (special waters) must use additional best management practices and enhanced runoff controls.
  • Sites within one mile (aerial radius measurement) of and that discharge to a water impaired for phosphorus, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and biotic impairment, must meet special conditions (Appendix A, Section B.10). There are no additional requirements for waters impaired for other pollutants.
  • Sites that discharge to calcareous fens, need a letter of approval from the Department of Natural Resources.

The MPCA has several documents and an interactive map called Special Waters Search to help project planners identify those waters near their site that may require extra protections or an individual permit. The specific requirements are outlined in the General Stormwater Permit.

Construction stormwater search

CSW EAW worksheet

This page was last edited on 15 August 2023, at 19:51.