CECW-EP
Pamphlet
No. 1110-1-16
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
EP 1110-1-16
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Washington, DC 20314-1000
28 February 1997
Engineering and Design
HANDBOOK FOR THE PREPARATION OF
STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLANS
FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
1. Purpose. This pamphlet provides guidance for the preparation and development of plans for the prevention
of storm water pollution at construction projects. Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the
Clean Water Act) requires that such plans be made.
2. Applicability. This pamphlet applies to HQUSACE elements and USACE commands having civil works and
military construction responsibilities.
3. Discussion. In 1972, the CWA was amended to provide that the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United
States from any point source is prohibited unless the discharge is in compliance with a National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. In
1987, amendments to the CWA were added as Section 402(p)
which established a fi-amework for regulating municipal and industrial discharges of storm water under the
NPDES. Regulations that established NPDES application requirements for these discharges were promulgated
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 1992, additional regulations broadened the classification
for industrial discharges to include discharges associated with construction activities. EPA defined construction
activities tQinclude clearing, grading, or excavation that results in the disturbance of at least 5 acres of total land
area. EPA regulations require that such activities disturbing 5 acres or more be regulated as an industrial activity
and be covered by an NPDES permit. Constmction activity on sites of less than 5 acres require an NPDES permit
if the construction is part of a larger common plan of development or sale. Future revisions to the regulations are
expected to require NPDES permits for construction activities at lest acres. Already some states are requiring an
NPDES permit for construction sites less than 5 acres and for sites in environmentally sensitive areas.
4. Intent. The intent of this pamphlet is to provide the planner with guidance through the NPDES permitting
process. It is not intended to be used as a directional or operations document.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
w~
1
*
●
OTIS WIL I S
Colonel, Corps of Engineers
Chief of Staff
