• 1. Develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
• 2. Submit your Notice of Intent through the U.S. EPA Central Data Exchange (CDX) and obtain any local stormwater permits prior to starting work
• 3. Implement your SWPPP by installing the proposed erosion and sediment control plan and posting all required notices.
• 4. Conduct the required inspections and perform maintenance on any deficiency items found during the inspections.

A construction activity is part of a larger common plan of development if it is completed in one or more of the following ways:

• – in separate stages
• – in separate phases
• – in combination with other construction activities

It is identified by the documentation that identifies the scope of the project including such things as the following:

• – plats
• – blueprints
• – marketing plans
• – contracts
• – building permits
• – public notice or hearing
• – zoning requests

It can include one operator or many operators.

Example: A subdivision is being developed. A home builder is constructing a house on a 0.5-acre lot, another company is clearing 2 acres in the next phase of the subdivision, and a contractor is excavating an additional 0.5 acres for a pond. In this case, the total disturbed area would be 3 acres, so each operator would be subject to the requirements associated with disturbing 1 or more acres.

“Construction” refers to actions that result in a disturbance of the land, including clearing, grading, excavating, and other similar activities.

It also includes “construction-related activities,” areas that support the construction project such as stockpiles, borrow areas, concrete truck washouts, fueling areas, material storage areas and equipment storage areas. Construction activities that do not disturb land, such as interior remodeling, generally do not require NPDES permit coverage.