Alaska Stormwater Management
Alaska State Overview
The Alaska Storm Water Steering Committee (ASWSC) is comprised of eight members:
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Alaska Railroad Corporation
Associated Builders and Contractors Alaska
Associated General Contractors of Alaska
Municipality of Anchorage
U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska
The ASWSC has developed a storm water training program "Alaska Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead" (AK-CESCL) to enhance compliance with the requirements of the Construction General Permit. While DEC is active in development and implementation of the AK-CESCL training program it is currently not a DEC requirement that an AK-CESCL trained person be on-site during construction. However, it is a contract requirement of some of the ASWSC organizations that an AK-CESCL trained person be on-site during construction of their projects.
Stormwater runoff (discharge) from Alaskan construction sites is regulated under section 402 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 402 outlines the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation (Alaska DEC) governs stormwater and non stormwater related discharges under The Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permitting program. The APDES General Permit or what is known as the Alaska Construction General Permit (ACGP) limits the amounts and types of substances that can be discharged into waters of the state of Alaska. The APDES General Permit also sets monitoring and reporting mandates to ensure that any discharge leaving a construction project site where (1) land disturbing activities equal to or greater than one (1) acre; and (2) construction activities involving less than one (1) acre and which is part of a common plan of development or sale equal to or greater than one (1) acre will not jeopardize Water Quality Standards (WQS) and/or human health.
The rules and regulations associated with the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Discharges from Large and Small Construction Activities is intended to protect the natural water resources of the State of Alaska. These regulations are vital to Alaska’s effort to protect and improve water quality within the state. These important regulations were framed in accordance with the Clean Water Act as amended by the Water Quality Act and issued under provisions of Alaska Statutes, the Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) as amended, and other State laws and regulations.
To learn more about stormwater management check out the Stormwater Management section of this website and enroll in one of our online certificate programs.
The Alaska Storm Water Steering Committee (ASWSC) is comprised of eight members:
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Alaska Stormwater Permit Application Process
Any person wishing to obtain coverage under the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) general permit must first create a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for the site and submit a Notice of Intent (NOI). Owner/Operators of a project site and/or facility that meet all eligibility requirements of the APDES General Permit will be granted permission to responsibly release (discharge) stormwater (including snowmelt) and non stormwater related discharges to receiving water bodies.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Constervation (DEC) encourages owner operators to submit NOIs through the “eNOI” system at https://dec.alaska.gov/water/oasys.aspx.
Paper forms can be submitted to:
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program
Storm Water NOI
555 Cordova Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
An operator is authorized to discharge stormwater from construction activities under the terms and conditions of Alaska Construction General Permit seven (7) calendar days after the DEC acknowledges receipt of the operators fully completed and paid for NOI. Acknowledgements will be posted on DEC’s APDES website (https://dec.alaska.gov/water/oasys.aspx), unless the DEC notifies you that the authorization is delayed.
Alaska Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be developed by a “qualified person” for each site covered by this permit, and the control measures implemented at the site must be documented in the SWPPP.
The plan must describe how the permittee will effectively design, install and maintain effective erosion controls, sediment controls and pollution prevention measures appropriate for the site conditions.
The permittee must also provide a copy of the applicable portions of the SWPPP, or site – specific training to each subcontractor who engages in soil-disturbing activities prior to the subcontractor conducting any soil-disturbing activity. Any significant revisions to the SWPPP that affect the subcontractor’s soil-disturbing activities must be provided to the subcontractor in a timely manner.
Individuals looking to meet the credential requirements of the Alaska Construction General Permit should consider StormwaterONE.com’s Qualified Preparer of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (QPswppp) online certificate program. Owner/operators may also want to be considered our Subcontractor Short Course to meet subcontractor training requirements.
Alaska Construction Stormwater Inspection Frequency
Stormwater compliance inspections must be conducted by a “qualified person”. A qualified person is described as a person knowledgeable in the principles and practice of erosion and sediment controls who possesses the skills to assess conditions at the construction site that could impact storm water quality, the effectiveness of any erosion and sediment control measures selected to control the quality of storm water discharges from the construction activity, and is familiar with Part 6 (Inspections) as a means to ensure compliance with Alaska Construction General Permit. The person must be familiar with the project specific inspection forms and how to fill them out, responsible for conducting and signing inspection reports, and responsible for reporting the need for follow-up corrective action to the Storm Water Lead or site supervisor.
The permittee must conduct inspections in accordance with one of the three schedules listed in the Alaska Construction General Permit after the start of construction activities as indicated in the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.
1) For areas of the state where the mean annual precipitation is fifteen (15) inches or less, inspect at least once every fourteen (14) calendar days and within twenty-four (24) hours of the end of a storm event that resulted in a discharge from the site.
2) For areas of the state where the mean annual precipitation is greater than fifteen (15) inches and less than forty (40) inches: Inspect at least once every seven (7) calendar days; or Inspect at least once every fourteen (14) calendar days and within twenty-four (24) hours of the end of a storm event that resulted in a discharge from the site.
3) For areas of the state where the mean annual precipitation is forty (40) inches or greater, inspect at least once every seven (7) calendar days. For periods of relatively continuous precipitation or sequential storm events inspect at least twice every seven (7) calendar days.
Be sure to download a copy of the Alaska Construction General Permit located in the student resources tab within the StomrwaterONE.com eCampus for case by case inspection reductions like winter shutdown.
If you are looking to become a qualified construction stormwater inspector we recommend our Qualified Compliance Inspector of Stormwater online certificate program. Simply click on the Course Catalog tab to begin today.
6.1.1 If portions of the site have achieved final stabilization in accordance with Part 4.4 (Soil Stabilization) but construction activity remains on other portions of the site, a permittee may suspend inspections for those portions that have achieved final stabilization; however, the permittee may need to conduct subsequent inspections within two business days of the end of a storm event at actively staffed sites that results in erosion and causes a discharge from that portion of the site previously considered finally stabilized;
6.1.2 If the project is undergoing winter shutdown, as defined in Appendix C and documented in accordance with Part 5.3.6.9, a permittee may stop inspections fourteen (14) calendar days after the anticipated fall freeze-up and must resume inspections at least twenty-one (21) calendar days prior to the anticipated spring thaw ; or
6.1.3 If the entire site has been finally stabilized and a Notice of Termination (NOT) has been submitted, no further inspection requirements apply to the site.
Alaska Construction Stormwater - Credential Requirements
A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be developed by a “qualified person” for each site covered by the permit.
A permittee must identify one “qualified person “as the storm water lead to ensure the control measures described in the SWPPP are implemented as written, or modified as necessary, during construction.
A qualified person is described as a person knowledgeable in the principles and practice of erosion and sediment controls who possesses the skills to assess conditions at the construction site that could impact storm water quality, the effectiveness of any erosion and sediment control measures selected to control the quality of storm water discharges from the construction activity, and is familiar with Part 6 (Inspections) as a means to ensure compliance with Alaska Construction General Permit. The person must be familiar with the project specific inspection forms and how to fill them out, responsible for conducting and signing inspection reports, and responsible for reporting the need for follow-up corrective action to the Storm Water Lead or site supervisor.
A permittee (owner/operator) must ensure that employees and subcontractors receive adequate training to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and removal of the control measures described in the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for the project.
Alaska Final Stabilization for Construction Activities
A permittee must consider the selection and implementation of control measures and the sequence of project construction as they apply to the project site.
For any portion of the site where a permittee has established final grading in that portion of the site and for areas where clearing, grading, excavating or other earth disturbing activities have permanently ceased the permittee must:
1) For those areas of the state with a mean annual precipitation greater than forty (40) inches initiate final stabilization measures within seven (7) calendar days; or
2) For those areas of the state with a mean annual precipitation less than or equal to forty (40) inches initiate final stabilization measures within fourteen (14) calendar days.
Alaska Stormwater Permit Termination Process - Notice of Termination (NOT)
Once final stabilization has been achieved and all clearing, grading, excavating or other earth disturbing activities have permanently ceased on the site; all construction materials, waste, and temporary erosion and sediment control measures (including any sediment that was being retained by the temporary erosion and sediment control measures) have been removed and properly disposed; the operator has 30 days to terminate permit coverage.
To terminate permit converage the operator must submit a complete and accurate Notice of Termination (NOT) form. Operators may submit a paper copy to the ADEC at the below address or through electronic submission via the eNOI system at www.dec.state.ak.us/water/wnpspc/stormwater/stormwater.htm.
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program Storm Water NOI
555 Cordova Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
For additional details on transferring coverage to another operator, please refer to the Alaska Construction General Permit.
AK DEC Permanent Storm Water Management Control Plan
AK DEC CGP NOI Modification
AK DEC CGP Fact Sheet
AK DEC CGP Annual Report
AK DEC CGP Delegation of Signature Authority
AK DEC SWPPP Template
AK DEC CGP Notice of Termination (NOT)
AK DEC SWPPP Checklist
AK DEC Construction General Permit (CGP)
AK DEC CGP Low Erosivity Waiver
AK DEC CGP Response to Comments
AK DEC CGP Notice of Intent (NOI)
AK DEC List of SIC and NAICS Codes
AK DEC Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP)
AK DEC MSGP Deligation of Signature Authority
AK DEC MSGP Additional Documentation Template
AK DEC MSGP Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR)
AK DEC MSGP Notice of Intent (NOI)
AK DEC MSGP Fact Sheet
AK DEC MSGP Response to Comments
AK DEC MSGP Noncompliance Form
AK DEC Industrial SWPPP Template
AK DEC MSGP NOI Modification
AK DEC MSGP Notice of Termination (NOT)
AK DEC MSGP Corrective Action
AK DEC MSGP Annual Report
AK DEC MSGP No Exposure Certification
Pacific Northwest
Margaret McCauley
Email Margaret »
(206) 553-1772
US EPA, Region 10 / Industrial & Construction
1200 6th Ave, Suite 900
Seattle, WA, 98101-1128
Jim Rypkema
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
(907) 334-2288
Email Jim »
Agency Website »
555 Cordova St
Anchorage, AK, 99501
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