Nevada State Overview

The state of Nevada and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s (NDEP) Bureau of Water Pollution Control (BWPC) protects the waters of the State from the discharge of pollutants by issuing discharge permits. These “general permits” regulate the quality of the discharge necessary to protect the quality of the waters of the State. In the Administration of State's Water Pollution Control Laws & Regulations, its staff also provides technical and financial assistance to permit holders and dischargers.

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) requires owner/operators to obtain a Construction Stormwater Permit if the project will disturb more than one (1) acre of land, or will disturb less than one (1) acre of land but is part of a larger common plan for development or sale that will ultimately disturb one (1) or more acres. If the construction site will disturb less than five (5) acres of land and meets a certain criteria, the site may be eligible for a construction stormwater permit waiver.

The NDEP can also determine that if a project less than one (1) acre in size will impact receiving waters or its tributaries within a 1/4-mile radius of the project, the owner or operator of the project will be required to obtain a Construction Stormwater Permit.

If the construction site requires a Construction Stormwater Permit, the project site owner or operator must complete a Notice of Intent (NOI) for coverage under the Construction Stormwater General Permit by completing the NOI Online Filing Form. The project owner or operator is also required to develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that identifies stormwater pollution sources, reduce their impacts, and comply with the conditions of the Construction Stormwater Permit. The SWPPP must also be prepared in accordance with good and sound engineering practices and is required to be comprised of: (1) all project information; (2) Best Management Practices (BMPs); (3) inspection and maintenance; (4) controls for non-stormwater discharges; and (5) a description of permanent stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) controls that will be implemented as part of the construction project.