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Appendix C - Small Construction Waivers and Instructions
These waivers are only available to stormwater discharges associated with small construction
activities (i.e., 1-5 acres). As the operator of a small construction activity, you may be able to
qualify for a waiver in lieu of needing to obtain coverage under this general permit based on:
(A) a low rainfall erosivity factor, (B) a TMDL analysis, or (C) an equivalent analysis that
determines allocations for small construction sites are not needed. Each operator, otherwise
needing permit coverage, must notify EPA of its intention for a waiver. It is the responsibility of
those individuals wishing to obtain a waiver from coverage under this general permit to submit a
complete and accurate waiver certification as described below. Where the operator changes
or another is added during the construction project, the new operator must also submit a waiver
certification to be waived.
C.1 Rainfall Erosivity Waiver
Under this scenario the small construction project's rainfall erosivity factor calculation ("R" in the
Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) is less than five during the period of construction activity.The
operator must certify to EPA that construction activity will occur only when the rainfall erosivity
factor is less than five. The period of construction activity begins at initial earth disturbance and
ends with final stabilization. Where vegetation will be used for final stabilization, the date of
installation of a stabilization practice that will provide interim non-vegetative stabilization can be
used for the end of the construction period, provided the operator commits (as a condition of
waiver eligibility) to periodically inspect and properly maintain the area until the criteria for final
stabilization as defined in the CGP have been met. If use of this interim stabilization eligibility
condition was relied on to qualify for the waiver, signature on the waiver with its certification
statement constitutes acceptance of and commitment to complete the final stabilization
process. The operator must submit a waiver certification to EPA prior to commencing
construction activities.
Note: The rainfall erosivity factor "R" is determined in accordance with Chapter 2 of
Agriculture Handbook Number 703, Predicting Soil Erosion by Water:A Guide to
Conservation Planning With the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), pages 21-64,
dated January 1997; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research
Service.
EPA has developed an online rainfall erosivity calculator to help small construction sites
determine potential eligibility for the rainfall erosivity waiver. You can access the calculator from
EPA's website at: https://www.epa.gov/npdes/rainfall-erosivity-factor-calculator-small-
construction-sites.The R factor can easily be calculated by using the construction site
latitude/longitude or address and estimated start and end dates of construction. This calculator
may also be useful in determining the time periods during which construction activity could be
waived from permit coverage. You may find that moving your construction activity by a few
weeks or expediting site stabilization will allow you to qualify for the waiver. Use this online
calculator or the Construction Rainfall Erosivity Waiver Fact Sheet
(https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/fact3-1.pdf) to assist in
determining the R Factor for your small construction site.
If you are the operator of the construction activity and eligible for a waiver based on low
erosivity potential, you can submit a rainfall erosivity waiver electronically via EPA's NPDES
eReporting Tool (NeT) (https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-construction-
activities#ereportinq), unless you received a waiver from your EPA Regional Office (see Part 1.4.1
of the CGP for information about receiving a waiver from electronic reporting).
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Note: If the R factor is five or greater, you do not qualify for the rainfall erosivity waiver, and
must obtain coverage under an NPDES permit (e.g., the CGP), unless you qualify for the
Water Quality Waiver as described in section B below.
If your small construction project continues beyond the projected completion date given on the
waiver certification, you must recalculate the rainfall erosivity factor for the new project
duration. If the R factor is below five, you must update all applicable information on the waiver
certification and retain a copy of the revised waiver as part of your records. The new waiver
certification must be submitted prior to the projected completion date listed on the original
waiver form to assure your exemption from permitting requirements is uninterrupted. If the new R
factor is five or above, you must obtain NPDES permit coverage.
C.2 TMDL Waiver
This waiver is available if EPA has established or approved a TMDL that addresses the pollutant(s)
of concern for the impaired water and has determined that controls on stormwater discharges
from small construction activity are not needed to protect water quality. The pollutant(s) of
concern include sediment (such as total suspended solids, turbidity or siltation) and any other
pollutant that has been identified as a cause of impairment of any waterbody that will receive a
discharge from the construction activity. Information on TMDLs that have been established or
approved by EPA is available from EPA online at https://www.epa.gov/tmdl and from state and
tribal water quality agencies.
If you are the operator of the construction activity and eligible for a waiver based on
compliance with an EPA-established or approved TMDL, you must provide the following
information in order to be waived from permitting requirements:
1. Name, address and telephone number of the construction site operator(s);
2. Name (or other identifier), address, county or similar governmental subdivision, and
latitude/longitude of the construction project or site;
3. Estimated construction start and completion (i.e., final stabilization) dates, and total
acreage (to the nearest quarter acre) to be disturbed;
4. The name of the waterbody(s) that would be receiving stormwater discharges from your
construction project;
5. The name and approval date of the TMDL;
6. A statement, signed and dated by an authorized representative as provided in Appendix
I, Subsection I.1 1, that certifies that the construction activity will take place and that the
stormwater discharges will occur, within the drainage area addressed by the TMDL.
C.3 Equivalent Analysis Waiver
This waiver is available for discharges to non-impaired waters only. The operator can develop an
equivalent analysis that determines allocations for his/her small construction site for the
pollutant(s) of concern or determines that such allocations are not needed to protect water
quality.This waiver requires a small construction operator to develop an equivalent analysis
based on existing in-stream concentrations, expected growth in pollutant concentrations from
all sources, and a margin of safety.
If you are a construction operator who wants to use this waiver, you must develop your
equivalent analysis and provide the following information to be waived from permitting
requirements:
1. Name, address and telephone number of the construction site operator(s);
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2. Name (or other identifier), address, county or similar governmental subdivision, and
latitude/longitude of the construction project or site;
3. Estimated construction start and completion (i.e., final stabilization) dates, and total
acreage (to the nearest quarter acre) to be disturbed;
4. The name of the waterbody(s) that would be receiving stormwater discharges from your
construction project;
5. Your equivalent analysis;
6. A statement, signed and dated by an authorized representative as provided in Appendix
I, Subsection I.1 1, that certifies that the construction activity will take place and that the
stormwater discharges will occur,within the drainage area addressed by the equivalent
analysis.
C.4 Waiver Deadlines and Submissions
1. Waiver certifications must be submitted prior to commencement of construction
activities.
2. If you submit a TMDL or equivalent analysis waiver request, you are not waived until EPA
approves your request. As such, you may not commence construction activities until
receipt of approval from EPA.
3. Late Notifications: Operators are not prohibited from submitting waiver certifications after
initiating clearing, grading, excavation activities, or other construction activities. The
Agency reserves the right to take enforcement for any unpermitted discharges that
occur between the time construction commenced and waiver authorization is granted.
Submittal of a waiver certification is an optional alternative to obtaining permit coverage for
discharges of stormwater associated with small construction activity, provided you qualify for the
waiver. Any discharge of stormwater associated with small construction activity not covered by
either a permit or a waiver may be considered an unpermitted discharge under the Clean
Water Act. As mentioned above, EPA reserves the right to take enforcement for any
unpermitted discharges that occur between the time construction commenced and either
discharge authorization is granted or a complete and accurate waiver certification is submitted.
EPA may notify any operator covered by a waiver that they must obtain NPDES permit
coverage. EPA may notify any operator who has been in non-compliance with a waiver that
they may no longer use the waiver for future projects. Any member of the public may petition
EPA to take action under this provision by submitting written notice along with supporting
justification.
Complete and accurate TMDL or equivalent analysis waiver requests must be sent to the
applicable EPA Regional Office address specified in Appendix B.
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