Authored by Gavin Powell, P.E., LEED AP, Project Manager / Associate

Hall & Foreman co-hosted with Rain for Rent a series of one-day Storm Water Conferences that focused on helping project owners understand compliancy for the new Statewide General permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbances (New Permit) that went into effect on July 1, 2010.

The conferences brought regulators from cities, counties, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board together with private sector professionals responsible for managing storm water programs.  The attendees enjoyed the face-to-face interaction and received answers to many questions.

The panel of experts led the discussion and brought with them a number of messages.  Most notably was that the New Permit brings with it a number changes from the old permit.  The New Permit has additional requirements, responsibilities, liabilities, and costs.  A project owner needs to consider these when performing their due diligence and during the planning stages of a project.  Depending on the project, complying with the regulations of the New Permit may be the difference between making money and losing money on a project.

General consensus was to have stormwater experts from both the design and construction teams involved in developing and implementing a project’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).  Having a SWPPP that is realistic and attainable is important for avoiding future violations.

While the language in the New Permit can be scary, the panelists emphasized that their focus in regulating the New Permit will be on good housekeeping and keeping pollutants from leaving a project site.  If rules are followed and the effort is made, then regulators will most likely be reasonable when evaluating a construction site.  On the other hand, cutting corners will likely raise red flags and increase the risk of violations and potential liabilities.

For future storm water conference dates, check our website or follow our Tweets.  Or if you’d like talk with us about compliancy with the New Permit, contact us at stormwater@hfinc.com