Stormwater Management Program

MISSION

To ensure the environmental integrity of the campus water system by addressing flood, water quality, and erosion control.

To work hand-in-hand with members of the campus community through education and outreach programs.

To inspire and encourage proactive involvement by setting a positive example through leadership in developing innovative solutions to our campus environmental concerns.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) is to comply with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) General Permit AZG2002 for the discharge of stormwater from the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) of the three Arizona State University campuses (Tempe, Polytechnic and West), hereafter described as "University." The following are the University’s Stormwater Management Plan documents:

• Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)
• Notice of Intent (NOI)
• Erosion and Sediment Control Policy
• Stormwater Site Inspection Checklist

The University has evaluated the permit requirements for the six minimum control measures specified, and has selected, based on that review, Best Management Practices (BMPs) for each control measure that the University believes will accomplish the goal of reducing pollution from stormwater runoff to the maximum extent practicable (MEP).

To reduce construction site runoffs, the University applies its Erosion and Sediment Control Grading Policy and requires construction site operators to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for coverage under the Arizona Construction General Permit AZG2008-001. This requirement affects construction activities that include clearing, grading and excavating that result in land disturbance of equal to or greater than one acre. It also includes construction activity that disturbs less than one acre of land area if it is part of a larger common plan of development. The following information will provide assistance to contractors obtaining coverage under AZG2008-001:

• ASU's Construction Site Operators Guide for Obtaining Coverage
• AZG2008-001 Instructions for Obtaining Authorization
• Smart NOI to file electronically or mail your NOI form to ADEQ
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Guidance Check List
• EPA SWPPP Examples
• Construction Site Procedures for Contractors
• Notice of Termination (NOT) submitted when final stabilization achieved and/or other conditions met in Part II, Section C of the AZG2008-001
   - Smart NOI to file NOT electronically or mail your NOT form to ADEQ

Diane Rowley
Associate Director
CPMG - Capital Planning Services
480.965.7075

BACKGROUND

In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act which seeks to protect and improve the quality of the nation's waters. Toward this end, the Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of any pollutants to waters of the United States unless that discharge is authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Initial efforts under the NPDES program focused on reducing pollutants in discharges of industrial process wastewater and municipal sewage. As pollution control measures have been implemented, it has become evident that diffuse sources or nonpoint sources are also contributors of water quality degradation. In 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published regulations governing stormwater discharges under the NPDES. These regulations established requirements for permitting stormwater discharges associated with certain types of industrial activities and municipal areas with a population over 100,000.

Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires a select group of industrial facilities to secure NPDES stormwater discharge permits.

Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Sites: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires all construction sites over five acres in size to secure a stormwater discharge permit.

Stormwater Permits for Industrial Activity: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires stormwater discharge permits only for specific types of industrial activity.

Facilities with industrial activity addressed by the stormwater program must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to discharge stormwater at least two days prior to the commencement of the industrial activity at the facility. The permit also requires that a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) be completed and ready to implement at the time the facility begins industrial operations. The EPA provides more information about NPDES stormwater permits on their Office of Wastewater Management site.

Stormwater Permits for Construction Sites
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates stormwater discharges from construction sites, including clearing, grading and excavation activities. Construction activities may include road building, construction of residential houses, office buildings, or industrial buildings; and demolition activity. If a construction activity is undertaken at an industrial facility that already holds a permit for industrial stormwater discharges, a separate permit must be obtained for the construction activity. The EPA general permit for stormwater discharges from construction activities requires the submittal of a Notice of Intent (NOI) at least two days before the start of construction.

The EPA allows the construction site operator(s) to file a Notice of Termination (NOT) with the EPA which certifies that specific activities in the SWPPP have ended and that one of the following conditions is true:

• Final stabilization is complete, and temporary erosion and sediment controls have been removed.
• All discharges from the construction area have been eliminated.
• The operator has changed, and the new operator is responsible for compliance. The new operator is responsible for submitting an NOI if activities continue.

The EPA provides more information about NPDES stormwater permits on their Office of Wastewater Management site.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans for Construction Sites

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be developed for each construction site covered by an NPDES storm water discharge permit. The SWPPP shall include, at a minimum, the following items:

• Site Description of Appropriate Pollution Prevention Controls
• Maintenance Schedule
• Inspections

For more information about the requirements of an SWPPP, contact Eugene Bromley, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, 415.972.1906.

The SWPPP should be retained on site by the discharger. Federal, state and local regulatory agencies have the authority to review the SWPPP at any time.