Section 54. Stormwater pollution prevention plan requirements

A. A stormwater pollution prevention plan shall include, but not be limited to, an approved erosion and sediment control plan, an approved stormwater management plan, a pollution prevention plan for regulated land-disturbing activities, and a description of any additional control measures necessary to address a TMDL pursuant to subsection E of this section.

B. An erosion and sediment control plan consistent with the requirements of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law and regulations must be designed and implemented during construction activities. Prior to land disturbance, this plan must be approved by either the VESCP authority or the department in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law and attendant regulations.

C. A stormwater management plan consistent with the requirements of the Virginia Stormwater Management Act and regulations must be designed and implemented during construction activities. Prior to land disturbance, this plan must be approved by the VSMP authority.

D. A pollution prevention plan that identifies potential sources of pollutants that may reasonably be expected to affect the quality of stormwater discharges from the construction site and describe control measures that will be used to minimize pollutants in stormwater discharges from the construction site must be developed before land disturbance commences.

E. In addition to the requirements of subsections A through D of this section, if a specific WLA for a pollutant has been established in an approved TMDL and is assigned to stormwater discharges from a construction activity, additional control measures must be identified and implemented by the operator so that discharges are consistent with the assumptions and requirements of the WLA.

F. The stormwater pollution prevention plan must address the following requirements as specified in 40 CFR 450.21, to the extent otherwise required by state law or regulations and any applicable requirements of a state permit:

1. Control stormwater volume and velocity within the site to minimize soil erosion;

2. Control stormwater discharges, including both peak flow rates and total stormwater volume, to minimize erosion at outlets and to minimize downstream channel and stream bank erosion;

3. Minimize the amount of soil exposed during construction activity;

4. Minimize the disturbance of steep slopes;

5. Minimize sediment discharges from the site. The design, installation and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls must address factors such as the amount, frequency, intensity and duration of precipitation, the nature of resulting stormwater runoff, and soil characteristics, including the range of soil particle sizes expected to be present on the site;

6. Provide and maintain natural buffers around surface waters, direct stormwater to vegetated areas to increase sediment removal and maximize stormwater infiltration, unless infeasible;

7. Minimize soil compaction and, unless infeasible, preserve topsoil;

8. Stabilization of disturbed areas must, at a minimum, be initiated immediately whenever any clearing, grading, excavating, or other earth disturbing activities have permanently ceased on any portion of the site, or temporarily ceased on any portion of the site and will not resume for a period exceeding 14 calendar days. Stabilization must be completed within a period of time determined by the VSMP authority. In arid, semiarid, and drought-stricken areas where initiating vegetative stabilization measures immediately is infeasible, alternative stabilization measures must be employed as specified by the VSMP authority; and

9. Utilize outlet structures that withdraw water from the surface, unless infeasible, when discharging from basins and impoundments.

G. The SWPPP shall be amended whenever there is a change in design, construction, operation, or maintenance that has a significant effect on the discharge of pollutants to state waters and that has not been previously addressed in the SWPPP. The SWPPP must be maintained at a central location onsite. If an onsite location is unavailable, notice of the SWPPP's location must be posted near the main entrance at the construction site.

Historical Notes

Former 4VAC50-60-54 derived from Volume 27, Issue 26, eff. September 13, 2011; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 04, eff. November 21, 2012; amended and renumbered, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 02, eff. October 23, 2013.

Statutory Authority

§§ 62.1-44.15:25 and 62.1-44.15:28 of the Code of Virginia.