Construction & Development

Permit Requirement for Construction Sites One Acre or Greater

To build on sites with over one acre of disturbed soil, property owners must obtain coverage under the California Construction General Permit. This permit is issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The SWRCB site offers Permit guidance. For sites that disturb less than one acre, property owners are still required to implement site controls to minimize soil erosion and sediment runoff and follow the District's urban stormwater ordinance.

The basic steps to gain coverage under the State's Permit and be authorized to construct are:

1. Set up an account with the State's new "SMARTS" online project application/reporting system at smarts.waterboards.ca.gov/smarts/faces/SwSmartsLogin.jsp
2. Electronically submit all required 'Permit Registration Documents', including Site Risk Assessment, a site-specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, Construction Site Monitoring Plan and Site Map.
3. Send your acreage-based Permit fee to State Water Resources Control Board.
4. Follow authorization to construct, implement all State-mandated site controls, inspection and reporting requirements.

Certified QSP & QSD Courses and Exams Offered through Central California Builders Exchange

Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) and Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) Courses and exams: General Construction Permit Workshop, Certified QSP & QSD.

Who should attend? Project owners, General Contractors, Developers, Engineers, or anyone who drafts stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs)Follow the links above for more info and to register for the courses/exams. Training is hosted by the Central California Builders Exchange.

State Training Requirements to Write and Implement Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans

The State's new construction general permit requires that all construction sites over 1 acre have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) onsite prepared by a State-certified Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) and implemented by a State-certified SWPPP Practitioner. Click here for links to a list of certified QSDs and QSPs and more information on the State’s Construction General Permit.

Under the new Permit regulations (effective July 1, 2009) persons desiring to write and amend SWPPPs must be certified as Qualified SWPPP Developers (QSDs). Persons in charge of implementing the site controls and conducting inspections required under the new Permit must be Qualified SWPPP Practitioners (QSPs). In addition, both and QSDs and QSPs must attend a State approved training course by September 2, 2011. These requirements are discussed in detail on the SWRCB website.

State-approved QSD and QSP training is being offered by the Central California Builders Exchange, in partnership with AGC, BIA and Fresno Metro Flood Control. Learn about the next training here.

Construction General Permit Presentations

The District has conducted numerous presentations on this topic. The PowerPoint presentations can be viewed below.

1. Section 1 - Introduction
2. Section 2 - Permit Registration Documents
3. Section 3 - Mandatory BMPs
4. Section 4 - Quantitative Performance

The Construction General Permit Fact Sheet and FAQ

The State Water Resources Control Board has written a fact sheet for the Permit that explains many of the new features of the Permit. The SWRCB also has online Frequently Asked Questions.

Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District's Role in the Construction General Permit

FMFCD, the Cities of Clovis and Fresno, and Fresno County are collectively responsible to ensure Permit compliance within the boundaries of our region's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit boundary. The District's focus is on ensuring that construction sites are managed to minimize the amount of sediment discharged off-site and into the District's local storm drain system. The District has produced to Action Alert fact sheets designed to acquaint builders and subcontractors with acceptable methods of sediment control.

For more information on the Construction General Permit, contact District staff Andrew Remus at info@fresnofloodcontrol.org, or (559) 456-3292.

CASQA Resources

BMP Handbook - Members of the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) have access to a number of helpful guides designed to facilitate filing for and maintenance of Construction General Permit coverage. The Association website is: www.casqa.org

Low Impact Development Web Portal Launched - CASQA in coordination with UC Davis Extension (Land Use and Natural Resources) has developed the newest addition to our website – the California Low Impact Development Web Portal or CA LID Portal. The CA LID Portal is located at www.californialid.org or via www.casqa.org by clicking on the LID tab.