Iowa Stormwater Management
Iowa State Overview
When Iowa was delegated the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Program for wastewater discharges, special delegation was requested for stormwater discharges as well. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has continued to work diligently in a variety of ways to improve stormwater quality within the State of Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Stormwater Management Program regulates any construction activity that: (1) disturbs one (1) or more acres; or (2) disturbs less than one (1) acre which is part of a larger project that will ultimately disturb one (1) or more acres in total. The IDNR regulation mandates that an operator whose construction project falls under one of the two aforementioned categories be covered under the Construction General Permit before any construction activity commences and/or soil is disturbed at the site.
As per the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, all construction activities that disturb one or more acres are covered under “General Permit No.2.” The following apply to coverage under “General Permit No. 2”:
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General Permit coverage is required to be continued until all construction has ceased and the disturbed area(s) has attained final stabilization with a permanent, perennial, vegetative cover.
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Construction is not complete until all houses and buildings are constructed and the ground has achieved final stabilization. Permit coverage must be maintained until this requirement is fulfilled.
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If only one year of permit coverage was initially purchased and, after one year, the ground is not completely stabilized, permit coverage must be renewed.
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Permit coverage must be maintained after initial grading and street construction for residential and commercial developments.
When Iowa was delegated the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Program for wastewater discharges, special delegation was requested for stormwater discharges as well. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has continued to work diligently in a variety of ways to improve stormwater quality within the State of Iowa.
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IA DNR Construction General Permit (CGP)
IA DNR Construction Notice of Discontinuation (NOD)
IA DNR Construction Site Erosion Control Manual
IA DNR Construction Notice of Intent (NOI)
IA DNR Storm Water Management Associated with Construction Activity Summary Guidance
IA DNR How to Control Streambank Erosion
IA DNR Individual Permit Fee Payment Form
IA DNR Industrial No Exposure Certification (NEC)
IA DNR Industrial Notice of Intent (NOI)
IA DNR Storm Water Management General Permit 3 Summary Guidance
IA DNR GP 3 Notice of Relocation (NOR)
IA DNR Notice of Discontinuation (NOD)
IA DNR Storm Water Management for Industrial Activities Summary Guidance
IA DNR Industrial Storm Water Management Worksheets
IA DNR Industrial General Permit (IGP)
IA DNR General Permit for Industrial Activity of Asphault, Concrete Batch, Rock Crushing, Sand & Gravel (GP3)
IA DNR Cities and Universities Required to Obtain Storm Water Permits for their MS4s Map
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 03
IA Rain Garden Design and Installation Manual
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 17
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 18
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 10
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 01
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 08
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 04
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Specifications
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 09
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 07
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 05
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 12
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 16
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 02
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 14
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 06
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 13
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 15
IA Storm Water Management Manual (ISWMM) Chapter 11
Iowa Stormwater Permit Application Process
An owner or operator seeking coverage under the Iowa NPDES general permit must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) prior to the commencement of any land-disturbing construction activities. The Notice of Intent must be in compliance with the requirements of this permit to receive authorization to discharge. Unless notified otherwise, owners or operators who submit a compliant NOI are authorized to begin construction on the date the completed NOI was submitted.
*Note: Upon review of the Notice of Intent (NOI), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources may deny coverage or require an owner or operator to seek coverage under an individual NPDES permit. Anyone who fails to notify the Iowa Department of Natural Resources of their intent to begin construction or discharge pollutants into waters of the State is in direct violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Iowa Water Quality Standards.
A complete Notice of Intent must include the following criteria:
· “Notice of Intent” form, signed in accordance with the terms of this permit. The form should include the (1) name, address, and telephone number of the owner or operator seeking coverage; (2) name and contact information of all individuals who will participate in the creation of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP); (3) the types of discharge that will be released from a construction site and the names of all receiving waters; (4) if available, any indication of quantitative data available describing the concentration of pollutants produced on site; (5) a brief description of the project including estimated timetables for major site activities and total land areas to be disturbed; (6) proof that the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) was accepted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources prior to the submittal of the Notice of Intent (NOI); and (7) applicable fees associated with receiving permit coverage.
· The Iowa Department of Natural Resources mandates that each owner or operator make public notice of their intent to commence land disturbing construction activities. Public notice of the NOI must be published at least one (1) day, in at least two (2) newspapers of large circulation within relative distance of the construction site location.
All Notices of Intent (NOI) shall be submitted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources:
Storm Water Coordinator
Iowa Department of Natural Resources 502 E. 9th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
Iowa Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements
A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be developed for each construction site seeking coverage under the Iowa NPDES general permit. The SWPPP is required to be completed before submittal of a Notice of Intent (NOI). The plan should identify all potential sources of pollution which could impact the quality of stormwater discharges from the site. In response, the SWPPP should be designed with good engineering practices and Iowa Water Quality Standards in mind. In addition, methods for combatting the discharging of pollutants and other unauthorized substances in construction site runoff should be a focus of the SWPPP.
The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required to contain the following:
(1) A site description detailing the nature of the construction project and an estimate of the runoff coefficient post construction activity.
(2) A site map outlining drainage patterns, approximate slopes, areas of soil disturbance, locations of structural and non-structural control methods and other Best Management Practices (BMPs), areas where stabilization is predicted to occur, and the names/locations where stormwater is to be discharged.
(3) All Best Management Practices (BMPs) and other control methods should be described within the SWPPP (Such methods include erosion and sediment controls, structural practices, and stormwater management controls). The descriptions must include the intended sequence for implementation, the effectiveness of selected Best Management Practices (BMPs), and maintenance of such control measures.
(4) All waste composed of building materials must be removed from the construction site. The SWPPP should make note of potential building material wastes that will need to be disposed of outside the construction site grounds.
(5) A description of final stabilization measures that will be installed during construction to control pollutants in stormwater discharges that have the potential to occur post construction activity must be included.
(6) All owners, operators, contractors, subcontractors or equivalent personnel included in the development of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must sign a copy of the required “Certification Statement” prior to the submittal of the SWPPP and Notice of Intent (NOI).
*Note: This permit only authorizes coverage for the installation of control methods that will remain post construction activity, not the ultimate operation and maintenance once final stabilization has been achieved and permit coverage terminated.
The owner, operator, or individual(s) held responsible for the development of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is also responsible for keeping the SWPPP up-to-date and making any necessary modifications to project plans as they occur. If any aspect of the SWPPP proves to be ineffective in eliminating or significantly reducing the level of pollutants released from the site, amendments to the SWPPP must be made. SWPPPs should be kept on site and easily accessible for viewing at reasonable times.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources may notify the owner or operator at any time if their SWPPP does not meet one or more of the minimum requirements of this permit. After such notification, adjustments to the SWPPP must be made within seven (7) days of notification and resubmitted for approval.
Iowa Construction Stormwater Inspection Frequency
In compliance with the terms of the Iowa NPDES general permit, “qualified personnel” should inspect all disturbed areas of the construction site that have not been finally stabilized at least once every seven (7) days and within twenty-four (24) hours of a rain storm accumulating 0.5 inches or more.
Inspections should specifically focus on: (1) disturbed areas and areas used for storage of materials; (2) areas having the potential of allowing pollutants to enter into drainage systems; (3) erosion and sediment control measures should be tested for correct operation and effectiveness; (4) locations where vehicles enter and exit the construction site; and (5) all receiving waters on and off site.
Following an inspection, a report summarizing all observations should be created. An inspection report should include the name(s) and qualifications of the personnel conducting the inspection, the inspection date, major observations, and any incidents of non-compliance. Based on the results of an inspection, any revisions or corrective actions to be taken must be implemented as soon as practicable, but no longer than seven (7) days from the date of inspection. Inspection reports and documentation should be kept on kept on site with the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
Additionally, owners and operators must allow the Iowa Department of Natural Resources or an authorized representative of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to inspect the construction site or request copies of all project documentation at any reasonable time throughout the duration of land disturbing activities.
Iowa Construction Stormwater - Credential Requirements
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources distinguishes “qualified personnel” as an individual(s) possessing knowledge in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control, as well as the ability to assess site conditions that have the potential to impact the quality of stormwater runoff being discharged from a construction site. This individual must be able to determine the effectiveness of all erosion and sediment control measures implemented during the project as well.
Iowa Final Stabilization for Construction Activities
After all major land disturbing activities have ceased, the owner or operator is required to implement final stabilization methods to restore the disturbed areas of the site to their pre-construction form. “Final Stabilization” is defined as having a uniform perennial vegetative cover with a density of seventy percent (70%) of the preconstruction vegetative cover for the area. Site plans should be developed to preserve existing vegetation where reasonably possible, and incorporate final stabilization in areas where existing vegetation is no longer available. Such stabilization practices include (1) temporary seeding; (2) permanent seeding; (3) mulching; (4) geotextiles; (5) sod stabilization; (6) vegetative buffer strips; (7) protection of trees; and (8) any other Best Management Practices (BMPs) or appropriate measures deemed necessary for site restoration. Stabilization methods must be initiated on all disturbed areas as soon as practicable, but no later than fourteen (14) days after construction activity has stopped.
Iowa Stormwater Permit Termination Process - Notice of Discontinuation
Once final stabilization has been achieved, an owner or operator has thirty (30) days to submit a Notice of Discontinuation to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. A compliant Notice of Discontinuation should include:
(1) The name of the owner or operator to which that permit was issued.
(2) The general permit number and permit authorization number.
(3) The date(s) the construction site reached final stabilization.
(4) The proper certification signed by the owner or operator of the construction site
*Note: All authorization letters documenting permit coverage for the discharging of stormwater from construction sites, copies of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), inspection reports, and other project related paperwork should be kept for a at least three (3) years from the date the Notice of Discontinuation is submitted.
Midwest
Mark Matthews
Email Mark »
(913) 551-7635
US EPA, Region 07
901 N 5th St
Kansas City, KS, 66101
Joe Griffin
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(515) 725-8417
Email Joe »
Agency Website »
502 E 9th St.
Des Moines, IA, 50319
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