U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Issues 2017 Stormwater Construction General Permit (CGP)
Water quality can be impacted from sediment, debris, or chemicals generated during construction activities and transported via stormwater to rivers, lakes, or coastal waters. Permits are required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater program for discharges from construction activities that disturb one or more acres, and/or discharge from smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development.
Depending on the location of the construction site, either the state or United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will administer the permit. State agencies typically use the EPA permit as a guideline and tailor the permit to add state specific requirements.
EPA recently issued a revised 2017 Construction General Permit (CGP) on January 11, 2017. The new permit took effect on February 16, 2017. Examples of changes to the CGP include:
- Prohibition of non-stormwater discharges of external, hazardous building washdown waters
- Additional public notice posting requirements
- Soil stockpiles must be secured and covered if not used for two weeks
- New stabilization deadlines
- Requirements to keep waste container lids closed
- Required controls for demolition projects discharging to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)- impaired waters
Be sure to follow state and local permit requirements.
How can GHD help?
GHD's strong technical team has extensive experience with EPA and state programs and can help assess permitting requirements, prepare permit applications and plans, and more. For additional information on the revised CGP and/or state construction stormwater permits, please contact us!
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Jacobs | E: jennifer.jacobs@ghd.com | T: +1 402 778 4801