Federal Clean Water Act regulations require that stormwater discharges from certain construction activities be covered under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Any stormwater runoff generated from construction activities such as clearing, grading or excavation, that disturb one or more acres and/or are part of a larger development are required to be covered by an NPDES permit. The NPDES permit, a federal waste water discharge permit, is required for stormwater or snow melt runoff that drains from areas where construction activities occur. These requirements became effective on March 10, 2003.

 

Iowa's General Permit No. 2 covers stormwater discharges from construction activities including land disturbances. This permit is general in that it can cover most construction land disturbing activities. The general permit contains the terms and conditions of the NPDES permit, but the permit is not applicable to any stormwater discharge until a completed Notice of Intent (NOI) is submitted to the IDNR. The NOI ties a construction activity to the general permit. When a completed NOI is submitted to the IDNR, stormwater discharge is assumed

to be covered under the terms and conditions of the general permit, unless the applicant is notified otherwise by the IDNR.

 

Before construction can begin on a site the following steps must be taken to be in compliance with the IDNR General Permit No.2:

 

• A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan must be created for the site
• A Notice of Intent (NOI) must be completed by the Operator of the construction site and this document along with public notices must be submitted to the IDNR.
• A Letter of Authorization is provided to the Operator of the construction site, upon approval of the NOI by IDNR
• SWPPP review and approval is required by MS-4 cities prior to construction
• Necessary best management practices should be in place prior to construction
• Construction can then begin