Region 10: the Pacific Northwest

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On this page:

• Overview
• How to Apply for a permit
• Forms
• Guidance
  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • Idaho
  • Alaska
• Other Resources
• Presentations

Overview

This page provides links to relevant National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water construction permit information for Idaho, Indian Country and most federal facilities in the Pacific Northwest. Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Washington Department of Ecology and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality are the NPDES permitting authorities in their jurisdictions.

Do I need a Construction General Permit? Flow Chart (PDF) (2 pp, 37K)

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How to Apply for a permit

1. Read the Construction General Permit (CGP) (PDF) (158 pp, 4.25MB).
2. Develop a StormWater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for your construction site.
3. Complete an endangered species determination for the project site (details are noted in the CGP).
4. Get authorization from EPA if you plan to use chemical treatment (most projects do not) - See box on right
5. File a Notice Of Intent (NOI), which can be done electronically using this tool: Electronic Notice of Intent (eNOI)
6. Implement the Best Management Practices (BMPs) outlined in the SWPPP.

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Forms

• Notice of Intent for Discharges Associated with Construction Activity (PDF) (8 pp, 318K)
  EPA has developed its first fully electronic, entirely paperless, permit application for the construction site operators seeking coverage under EPA’s Stormwater Construction General Permit. See EPA's information on applying for the CGP for details.
• Notice of Termination of Coverage under an NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity (PDF) (4 pp, 193K)
• Modify an existing Construction NOI

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Guidance

• Inspector's Checklist (PDF) (10 pp. 99K) - This form is often used by the EPA when conducting construction site inspections. This checklist is a useful tool but not comprehensive; it should not be used as a stand-in for the actual permit requirements.
• How Do I Get Stormwater Permit Coverage for My Construction Site? A Construction Site Operator's guide to EPA's stormwater permit program. (PDF) (2 pp, 360K)
  • Print Version: How Do I Get Stormwater Permit Coverage for My Construction Site? (PDF) (2 pp, 2.3MB)
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans for Construction Activities - EPA National
• Poster: Stormwater and the Construction Industry side one (PDF) (1 pp, 644K) of this informative poster illustrates proper installation of common sediment and erosion control practices (best management practices).
• Poster: Storm Water and the Construction Industry Side two (PDF) (1 pp, 121K) describes the process for developing and implementing a stormwater pollution prevention plan and obtaining permit coverage.
• Or download the complete Storm Water and the Construction Industry 30"x40" poster (PDF) (2 pp, 743K).
• Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center - This EPA sponsored website is tailored to the environmental compliance assistance needs of contractors, builders/developers and includes relevant material and links to state and local permitting authorities.
• Best Management Practices (BMP) Manuals & Resources -Region 10

Washington

Projects operated by Federal Agencies in the State of Washington must apply for coverage under EPA’s Construction Permit. Projects operated by state or private entities must apply for coverage under Washington’s Construction Permit, even for projects on federal lands.

• WA Department of Ecology Storm Water Website
• WA Construction Stormwater General Permit for the projects within Washington state.
• Ecology's Construction Storm Water Pollution Prevention: Volume II of the Storm Water Management Manual for Western Washington
• Ecology's Storm Water Management Manual for Eastern Washington

Oregon

• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) Storm Water
• ODEQ's Erosion and Sediment Control Manual
• ODEQ's Inspector Guidance Booklet (PDF)

Idaho

Construction projects in Idaho must apply for coverage under EPA's Construction General Permit.

Idaho has added state-specific provisions to the permit. Please be sure to read section 9.7.1 of the permit. Read the complete text of Idaho’s certification including the full anti-degradation analysis (PDF) (7 pp, 153K)

• Turbidity Testing FAQs (PDF) (2 pp, 430K)
• Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• IDEQ's Catalog of Stormwater Best Management Practices

Alaska

• AK Department of Environmental Conservation Storm Water Website
• ADEC's Construction Stormwater General Permit for the projects within the state of Alaska
• ADEC's Storm Water Guide

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Other Resources

• Storm Water Design to Protect Watersheds (courtesy of the Center for Watershed Protection)
• Training & Conferences in the Pacific Northwest
• The Center for Watershed Protection
• Professional Organizations in Erosion & Sediment Control and Storm Water Management:
  • CPESC, Inc. Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control
  • Environmental & Water Resources Institute American Society of Civil Engineers
  • International Erosion Control Association
  • Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association
  • Soil and Water Conservation Society

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Presentations

• Construction Site Best Management Practices (PowerPoint presentation)

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