March 2023 ASCE-NH Newsletter March 2023 | Page 8

February 2023 ASCE-NH Section Lunch & Learn Webinar US EPA Construction General Permit , Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

In 2022 , the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) introduced and enacted a new Construction General Permit ( CGP ) which affected current and future Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans ( SWPPP ). Ken Berry from Berry Survey and Engineering joined us to explain the changes to the General Permit and the requirements associated with a SWPPP . Ken Berry is the Vice President and Principal whose primary responsibility is to ensure that the design base plans and documents are complete and consistent . He holds three certifications from EnviroCert International , Inc ., ( CPSWQ , CPESC , & CESSWI ). Ken becomes involved with the active construction of projects while completing the required SWPPP Inspections with boots on the ground . This involvement in project construction makes for better future designs .

For those unfamiliar with a SWPPP , it is required for construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land or a part of a common plan of development that will ultimately disturb one or more land . The SWPPP covers stormwater control , erosion & sediment control , pollution prevention , construction de-watering , and site inspection requirements . The plan itself includes the owner and operator ' s contact information , specific areas of construction activities , site maps , non-stormwater discharges , stormwater control descriptions , inspection requirements , and training obligations . The contractor and / or owner are responsible to uphold the requirements of the document for the duration of the construction project to prevent erosion associated with construction activities .

Several noted changes in the updated General Permit should be implemented and researched by SWPPP preparers and operators . Perimeter control installation and maintenance must be wildlife friendly . There are requirements for pollution prevention / storage for any size chemical container . There are new dewatering requirements and site stabilization photos are now required . Inspectors are required to be certified by the EPA . Inspections conducted for all projects that require coverage on , or after , February 17 , 2023 , must be conducted by a qualified inspector who is trained in accordance with the new 2022 CGP . A qualified inspector must complete the EPA construction inspection training course developed for this permit and pass the exam , or , hold a currently valid certification or license from a non-EPA training program that covers the minimum topics listed in Part 6.3 . b of the 2022 CGP .

Thank

you to Ken Berry , for your time and effort to make the webinar a success for our members . The more information owners and contractors know about stormwater pollution prevention will inevitably help our environment . Attendees received 1.0 PDH and should see their names on a subsequent page for their records . Please look for more Webinar opportunities from the ASCE-NH Section in the coming months .

8