Effective Feb. 16, EPA’s new 2012 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP) applies in four states—(1) Idaho; (2) Massachusetts; (3) New Hampshire; and (4) New Mexico—the District of Columbia; Puerto Rico; all other U.S. territories, with the exception of the U.S. Virgin Islands; federal facilities in four states—(1) Colorado; (2) Delaware; (3) Vermont; and (4) Washington—and most Indian lands and for a few other specifically designated activities in specific states. The new requirements for controlling construction site runoff will affect construction firms across the U.S., because state stormwater permit programs also have to meet with the EPA’s approval.
If you are planning a new project located in an area where EPA is the permitting authority, or if you will continue to work on a project that is currently covered by the 2003 or 2008 CGP, you are required to obtain coverage under the new 2012 CGP by the deadlines specified in the permit.
While AGC succeeded in preventing EPA from going to the far extremes that it had originally proposed, compliance with the new 2012 CGP will be far more burdensome than under the old permit. AGC’s success extends well beyond the areas where EPA is the permitting authority. The permit that EPA administers and enforces has always had a major influence on the state-issued stormwater permits that apply to most of the country. The ripple effects of AGC’s success will be far and wide. Read all the details concerning this important development and about AGC’s efforts by clicking HERE.
Prior to discharging stormwater, construction operators must obtain coverage under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System or NPDES permit, which is administered by either EPA or the state (if it has been authorized to operate the NPDES stormwater program), depending on where the construction site is located.
For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org.
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