Hernando County Home Page | Department of Public Works  | Development Department |

Hernando County National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Stormwater Program

Stormwater runoff from construction activities can have a significant impact on water quality by contributing sediment and other pollutants to water bodies.

In 1990, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated regulations pertaining to Stormwater runoff. These "Phase I" rules required Stormwater permits for construction sites disturbing five acres or more of land. Prior to 1990, EPA regulations only required permits for traditional point sources of pollutant discharge, such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial process wastes.

In 1997, EPA changed the threshold for construction sites from five acres to one acre or larger. All construction projects that result in disturbance of one acre or more must obtain coverage under the Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Large and Small Construction Activities (CGP).  In October 2000, EPA also delegated the NPDES Stormwater program to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). In October 2000, DEP adopted under Rule 62-621.300(4), F.A.C the Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Construction Activities That Disturb Five or More Acres of Land.  Effective May 1 2003, construction sites that will result in a disturbance of one acre or more, will be required to seek coverage under the Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Large and Small Construction Activities (PDF Document - DEP Document 62-621.300(4)(a) 174 kb).

The operator of a regulated construction site must obtain coverage under the Construction Generic Permit and implement appropriate pollution prevention techniques to minimize erosion and sedimentation and properly manage stormwater during construction activities.  

It is important to keep in mind that the permit required under FDEP's NPDES stormwater program is separate from the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) required under Part IV, Chapter 373, F.S., (PDF document 593KB), a stormwater discharge permit required under Chapter 62-25, F.A.C., (PDF document 593KB) or any local government's stormwater discharge permit for construction activity.

For more information on this program, refer to the FDEP website:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/construction1.htm

A brochure about the FDEP’s Construction Generic Permit requirements can be found at:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/docs/const_Activity.pdf (PDF Document)

   

Litter Along the Road	Oil Sheen on Water	Debris in Water