Conservation Strategies for Growing Communities - Natural ...

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Planning
( S W P P P )
Every construction project that will
disturb one acre of land or more is
subject to NPDES permit requirements.
Rules mandate that a
NPDES permit from the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) must be obtained. Each site
greater than one acre must also
have a Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to
obtain a permit. The key component
of pollution prevention plans
is to identify practices that reduce
erosion and prevent sediment loss
from construction sites.
Planning is the key to implementing
and maintaining an effective
SWPPP during construction activities.
How erosion will be minimized
and how sediment will be
contained on site should be considered
from the very beginning of
new development designs. The first
priority should be to maximize erosion
control. Sediment control will
be more effective when erosion is
minimized.
Your local NRCS field office can
provide assistance in developing
and implementing effective pollution
prevention plans.
Elements of an Effective Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP):
• Minimize clearing and grading.
• Phase essential grading to limit
soil exposure.
• Immediately stabilize exposed
soils.
• Protect steep slopes and cuts.
• Protect and stabilize drainageways.
• Install perimeter controls to
keep sediments on-site.
• Train contractors on SWPPP
implementation.
• Inspect SWPPP practices after
storms and perform needed
maintenance.
• Adjust the plan once construction
has started, if needed.
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