Public Works

Stormwater Management

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Program

CONSTRUCTION SITES

Erosion and Sediment Controls for Construction Sites
Turbid discharges from construction sites can flow into surface waters so thus when storm water runs through sites of industrial activity it may pickup pollutants and transport them into national waterways. Turbid discharges from construction sites can affect commercial fisheries, damage aquatic life, such as sea grass beds, by blocking out sunlight, restrict swimming areas, and affect the navigability of the nation's waters.

Construction Activity Information
In 1972, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA), was amended to provide that the discharge from any pollutant to waters of the United States from any point source is unlawful without a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Congress added section 402 (p) to the CWA in 1987 to establish a comprehensive framework for addressing storm water discharges associated with industrial activity. Construction activities that disturb at least five acres of land are defined in 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14)(x) as an "industrial activity".

Charlotte County requires that all construction activity disturbing one acre or more provide a copy of the water Management District Permit or, if exempt, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3). Find out more at http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/cgp.cfm.

The SWP3 is a basic statement of how the site should be managed to prevent or significantly reduce discharge of pollutants from the site during construction activity. No solid materials, including building materials, shall be discharged to waters of the United States. The SWP3 should be modified as needed and contain the signatures of all contractors and sub-contractors attesting to their willingness to abide by its directives.

Per the NPDES construction general permit, then permittee shall retain a copy of the SWP3 required by this permit on site from the date of project initiation to the date of final stabilization.

All controls shall be consistent with the requirements set forth in the State Water Policy of Florida (Chapter 62-40, Florida Administrative Code), the applicable storm water or environmental resource permitting requirements of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) or appropriate Southwest Florida water Management District (SWFWMD) and the guidelines contained in the Florida Development Manual: A Guide to Sound Land and Water Management (FDEP, 1988) and any subsequent amendments.

NOTE: 
To verify the requirements for specific conditions, you may wish to visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes.
This is the FDEP's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activities.