Overview of RIPDES Construction General Permit Requirements: Overview of RIPDES Construction General Permit Requirements Developed by: Greg Goblick, Laura Stephenson RI Department of Environmental Management RIPDES Permitting Program


Introduction: RIPDES Construction Storm Water Program: • Review and introduction of Phase I and Phase II requirements • When is a permit required? • Who is responsible to implement the permit? • Who is responsible for compliance? Introduction: RIPDES Construction Storm Water Program


Goals of the Construction Storm Water Program: Goals of the Construction Storm Water Program Minimize erosion during construction Reduce/eliminate pollutants in storm water to protect water quality Consider post-construction storm water management


Large Construction (Phase I) Permitting: Large Construction (Phase I) Permitting Construction General Permit (CGP) RIPDES issued in 1993 Re-issued March 1998 Re-issued September 9, 2003 (Phase II requirements incorporated in new CGP) Authorization under the old CGP Allowed automatic authorization for projects approved by CRMC, DEM Freshwater Wetlands, DEM WQC (only an NOI needed to be submitted to RIPDES)


Small Construction Permitting (Phase II): Small Construction Permitting (Phase II) Municipalities required to developed local programs (refer to Small MS4 General Permit) Covers construction activity one or more acres RIDEM permits required Statewide No waivers RIDEM organized 3 focus group meetings (consultants, municipalities, environmental organizations, state and federal agencies to discuss draft CGP permit)


SWPPP Requirements: SWPPP Requirements 1. Stamped/signed by one of the following: Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) Certified Professional in Soil Erosion Control (CPESC) Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ) Registered Landscape Architect Note: SWPPPs that require engineering must be stamped/signed by P.E.


SWPPP Requirements  cont.: SWPPP Requirements cont. 2. Identify potential sources of pollutants which may reasonably be expected to affect the quality of storm water discharges associated with the construction activity.


SWPPP Requirements  cont. : SWPPP Requirements cont. 3. Describe and ensure the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) used to reduce or eliminate pollutants in storm water discharge(s) and assure compliance with the permit.


SWPPP Requirements  cont.: 4. BMP selection shall include an evaluation of the effectiveness of available practices and be made with proper references. SWPPP Requirements cont.


Permit Changes: Qualifying Local Programs (QLPs): • Permit includes conditions that incorporate department approved QLPs • Compliance with QLP = compliance with RIPDES • QLPs issue permits for sites 1-5 acres and greater than 5 if QLP chooses to do so Permit Changes: Qualifying Local Programs (QLPs)


Permit Changes: Reasons for QLPs: Permit Changes: Reasons for QLPs Requirements tailored to locality Local oversight more effective than just State oversight Protect local infrastructure and prevent introduction of pollutants into the local storm sewers and drainage system (MS4) Streamline duplicative permitting requirements Reduce permit fees


Permit Changes: Phase II Requirements: Permit Changes: Phase II Requirements Requires permit coverage for: Construction activity disturbing > 1 acre and < 5 acres Construction activity below 1 acre that is part of a larger common plan of development or sale Potential permit coverage for: Construction activity that disturbs less than 1 acre of land may be designated based on water quality impact


Permit Changes: Streamlining: Permit Changes: Streamlining Incorporate RIPDES NOI requirements in wetlands application process Wetlands application serves as RIPDES NOI for all sites greater than 1 acre NOI does not have to be submitted for sites with a Qualifying State or Local Program permit or approval* Less paper, less time, less money! * Federal/State agencies do not have to apply for QLP approval if a RIPDES Permit is obtained


Permit Changes: NOI Form Part IX:Natural Heritage Areas: Professional (a P.E., CPESC, CPSWQ, or Registered Landscape Architect) must certify information in Part V of NOI: Is the site within or directly discharging to a Natural Heritage Area? (Yes or No) If the site is within or directly discharging to a NHA, do you have previous approval from the DEM Natural Heritage Program (NHP)? If yes, include a copy of the approval letter Permit Changes: NOI Form Part IX: Natural Heritage Areas


Permit Changes: Part IX NHA’s Continued: Submit Map Location of construction Street address Nearest utility pole number Assessors plot and lot Total area of site Limits of disturbance Permit Changes: Part IX NHA’s Continued Projects that propose a storm water or allowable non-storm water discharge to or has discharge related activities that may potentially affect a NHA:


Slide16: Permit Changes: NOI Form Part X: SWPPP Development Needs to be filled out for activities that are not required to submit a SWPPP (see authorization) Ensure that a site specific SWPPP was prepared consistent with requirements Does not alleviate or limit liability and sole responsibility of the owner/operator to implement & amend SWPPP


Slide17: Do I require any of the following? CRMC permit QLP approval WQ Certification Wetlands permit Is my site 1 5 acres? If Freshwater Wetlands Permit YES THEN YES NO YES THEN YES THEN


Slide18: Do I require any of the following? CRMC permit QLP approval WQ Certification Wetlands permit Is my site 1 5 acres? Discharging directly to a NHA? YES THEN NO YES NO Submit NOI Automatically authorized Submit NOI Automatic authorization w/i 30 days YES NO NO Prior approval from NHP? Submit NOI & approval YES THEN THEN


Future ImprovementsKick it up a notch: Future Improvements Kick it up a notch • Termination of project - P.E. certifies that any permanent structures constructed are according to SWPPP/design manual • Revise goals to be consistent with updated Storm Water Design Manual


Future Improvements cont.: Future Improvements cont. • Consider additional measures for final stabilization and long term storm water management • Consider requiring various measures such as sediment traps, basins or other controls based on area of disturbance


RIPDES Contact Information: RIPDES Contact Information Greg Goblick Senior Environmental Engineer RIDEM RIPDES Program tel: (401) 222-4700 ext.7265 email: ggoblick@dem.state.ri.us Margarita Chatterton Senior Environmental Engineer RIDEM RIPDES Program tel: (401) 222-4700 ext.7605 email: mchatter@dem.state.ri.us Web: http://www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/ benviron/water/permits/ripdes/stwater/index.htm