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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

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

A project is NOT eligible for online processing and must complete a paper form if:

  • The project will disturb 50 or more acres AND has a discharge point within one mile of an impaired or special water listed in Appendix A of the construction stormwater general permit AND the discharge flows to these waters. Applications are due 30-days before the anticipated construction start date.



Special Waters and Impaired Waters

CSW EAW worksheet