9 Va. Admin. Code § 25-880-70

Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 8, December 2, 2024

Section 9VAC25-880-70 - General permit

Any operator whose registration statement is accepted by the department will receive the following general permit and shall comply with the requirements contained in this general permit and be subject to all requirements of 9VAC25-875.

Any operator with a stormwater discharge associated with a small construction activity of a single-family detached residential structure, within or outside a common plan of development or sale, is authorized to discharge under the following general permit and shall comply with the requirements contained in this general permit and be subject to all requirements of 9VAC25-875.

General Permit No.: VAR10

Effective Date: July 1, 2024

Expiration Date: June 30, 2029

GENERAL VPDES PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES OF STORMWATER FROM CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE VIRGINIA EROSION AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND THE VIRGINIA EROSION AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ACT

In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, as amended, and pursuant to the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, operators of construction activities are authorized to discharge to surface waters within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except those specifically named in State Water Control Board regulations that prohibit such discharges.

The authorized discharge shall be in accordance with the registration statement filed with the Department of Environmental Quality, this cover page, Part I - Discharge Authorization and Special Conditions, Part II - Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and Part III - Conditions Applicable to All VPDES Permits as set forth in this general permit.

For stormwater discharge associated with a small construction activity of a single-family detached residential structure, within or outside a common plan of development or sale, the authorized discharge shall be in accordance with this cover page, Part I - Discharge Authorization and Special Conditions, Part II - Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and Part III - Conditions Applicable to All VPDES Permits as set forth in this general permit.

Part I

DISCHARGE AUTHORIZATION AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS

A. Coverage under this general permit.

1. During the period beginning with the date of coverage under this general permit and lasting until the general permit's expiration date, the operator is authorized to discharge stormwater from construction activities.

2. This general permit also authorizes stormwater discharges from construction support activities located on-site or off-site provided that:

a. The support activity is directly related to the construction site that is required to have general permit coverage for discharges;

b. The support activity is neither a commercial operation nor serves multiple unrelated construction sites;

c. The support activity does not operate beyond the completion of the last construction activity it supports;

d. The support activity is identified in the registration statement at the time of general permit coverage or reported in a modified registration statement once the need for the support activity is known;

e. Appropriate control measures are identified in a stormwater pollution prevention plan and implemented to address the discharges from the support activity; and

f. All applicable state, federal, and local approvals are obtained for the support activity.

B. Limitations on coverage.

1. Post-construction discharges. This general permit does not authorize stormwater discharges that originate from the construction site after construction activities have been completed and the construction site, including any construction support activity covered under the general permit registration, has undergone final stabilization. Post-construction industrial stormwater discharges may need to be covered by a separate VPDES permit.

2. Discharges mixed with nonstormwater. This general permit does not authorize discharges that are mixed with sources of nonstormwater, other than those discharges that are identified in Part I E (Authorized nonstormwater discharges) and are in compliance with this general permit.

3. Discharges covered by another permit. This general permit does not authorize discharges of stormwater from construction activities that are covered under an individual permit or required to obtain coverage under an alternative general permit.

4. Impaired waters and total maximum daily load (TMDL) limitation.

a. Nutrient and sediment impaired waters. Discharges of stormwater from construction activities to surface waters identified as impaired in the 2022 § 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report for Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioassessments or for which a TMDL wasteload allocation has been established and approved prior to the term of this general permit for (i) sediment or a sediment-related parameter (i.e., total suspended solids or turbidity) or (ii) nutrients (i.e., nitrogen or phosphorus), including all surface waters within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, are not eligible for coverage under this general permit unless the operator develops, implements, and maintains a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) in accordance with Part II B 5 of this permit that minimizes the pollutants of concern and, when applicable, is consistent with the assumptions and requirements of the approved TMDL wasteload allocations and implements an inspection frequency consistent with Part II G 2 a.

b. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) impaired waters. Discharges of stormwater from construction activities that include the demolition of any structure with at least 10,000 square feet of floor space built or renovated before January 1, 19 80, to surface waters identified as impaired in the 2022 § 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report or for which a TMDL wasteload allocation has been established and approved prior to the term of this general permit for PCB are not eligible for coverage under this general permit unless the operator develops, implements, and maintains a SWPPP in accordance with Part II B 6 of this permit that minimizes the pollutants of concern and, when applicable, is consistent with the assumptions and requirements of the approved TMDL wasteload allocations and implements an inspection frequency consistent with Part II G 2 a.

5. Exceptional waters limitation. Discharges of stormwater from construction activities not previously covered under the general permit effective on July 1, 2019, to exceptional waters identified in 9VAC25-260-30 A 3 c are not eligible for coverage under this general permit unless the operator develops, implements, and maintains a SWPPP in accordance with Part II B 7 of this permit and implements an inspection frequency consistent with Part II G 2 a.

6. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.

C. Commingled discharges. Discharges authorized by this general permit may be commingled with other sources of stormwater that are not required to be covered under a permit, so long as the commingled discharge is in compliance with this general permit. Discharges authorized by a separate state or VPDES permit may be commingled with discharges authorized by this general permit so long as all such discharges comply with all applicable state and VPDES permit requirements.

D. Prohibition of nonstormwater discharges. Except as provided in Part I A 2, C, and E, all discharges covered by this general permit shall be composed entirely of stormwater associated with construction activities. All other discharges, including the following are prohibited:

1. Wastewater from washout of concrete;

2. Wastewater from the washout or cleanout of stucco, paint, form release oils, curing compounds, and other construction materials;

3. Fuels, oils, or other pollutants used in vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance;

4. Oils, toxic substances, or hazardous substances from spills or other releases; and

5. Soaps, solvents, or detergents used in equipment and vehicle washing.

E. Authorized nonstormwater discharges. The following nonstormwater discharges from construction activities are authorized by this general permit:

1. Discharges from emergency firefighting activities;

2. Fire hydrant flushings, managed to avoid an instream impact;

3. Waters used to wash vehicles or equipment, provided no soaps, solvents, or detergents are used and the wash water is filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge;

4. Water used to control dust that is filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge;

5. Potable water, including uncontaminated waterline flushings, managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact;

6. Routine external building wash down provided no soaps, solvents or detergents are used, external building surfaces do not contain hazardous substances, and the wash water is filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge;

7. Pavement wash waters, provided spills or leaks of toxic or hazardous materials have not occurred, unless all spilled or leaked material has been removed prior to washing; soaps, solvents, or detergents are not used; and where the wash water is filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge;

8. Uncontaminated air conditioning or compressor condensate;

9. Uncontaminated ground water or spring water;

10. Foundation or footing drains, provided flows are not contaminated with process materials such as solvents or contaminated groundwater;

11. Uncontaminated excavation dewatering, including dewatering of trenches and excavations that are filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge; and

12. Landscape irrigation.

F. Termination of general permit coverage.

1. The operator of the construction activity shall submit a notice of termination in accordance with 9VAC25-880-60, unless a registration statement was not required to be submitted in accordance with 9VAC25-880-50 A 1 c or A 2 b for single-family detached residential structures, to the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management (VESMP) authority after one or more of the following conditions have been met:

a. Necessary permanent control measures included in the SWPPP for the construction site are in place and functioning effectively and final stabilization has been achieved on all portions of the construction site for which the operator has operational control. When applicable, long-term responsibility and maintenance requirements for permanent control measures shall be recorded in the local land records prior to the submission of a complete and accurate notice of termination and the construction record drawing prepared;

b. Another operator has assumed control over all areas of the construction site that have not been finally stabilized and obtained coverage for the ongoing discharge;

c. Coverage under an alternative VPDES permit or other applicable permit has been obtained; or

d. For individual lots in residential construction only, final stabilization as defined in 9VAC25-880-1 has been completed, including providing written notification to the homeowner and incorporating a copy of the notification and signed certification statement into the SWPPP, and the residence has been transferred to the homeowner.

2. The notice of termination shall be submitted no later than 30 days after one of the conditions in subdivision 1 of this subsection is met.

3. Termination of authorization to discharge shall be effective upon notification from the department that the provisions of subdivision 1 of this subsection have been met or 90 days after submittal of a complete and accurate notice of termination in accordance with 9VAC25-880-60 C, whichever occurs first, unless otherwise notified by the VESMP or the department.

4. The notice of termination shall be signed in accordance with Part III K 1 and include the required certification in accordance with Part III K 4 of this general permit.

G. Water quality protection.

1. The operator shall select, install, implement, and maintain control measures as identified in the SWPPP at the construction site that minimize pollutants in the discharge as necessary to ensure that the operator's discharge does not cause or contribute to an excursion above any applicable water quality standard.

2. If it is determined by the department that the operator's discharges are causing, have reasonable potential to cause, or are contributing to an excursion above any applicable water quality standard, the department, in consultation with the VESMP authority, may take appropriate enforcement action and require the operator to:

a. Modify or implement additional control measures in accordance with Part II C to adequately address the identified water quality concerns;

b. Submit valid and verifiable data and information that are representative of ambient conditions and indicate that the receiving water is attaining water quality standards; or

c. Submit an individual permit application in accordance with 9VAC25-875-980 B 3.

H. All written responses required under this general permit shall include a signed certification consistent with Part III K.

Part II

STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN

A. Stormwater pollution prevention plan.

1. A stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) shall be developed prior to the submission of a registration statement and implemented for the construction activity, including any construction support activity, covered by this general permit. For a small construction activity of a single-family detached residential structure, within or outside a common plan of development or sale, a SWPPP shall be developed and implemented prior to the initiation of the construction activity, including any construction support activity covered by this general permit.

2. SWPPPs shall be prepared in accordance with good engineering practices. Construction activities that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale and disturb less than one acre may utilize a SWPPP template provided by the department and need not provide a separate stormwater management plan if one has been prepared and implemented for the larger common plan of development or sale.

3. The SWPPP requirements of this general permit may be fulfilled by incorporating by reference other plans such as a spill prevention control and countermeasure (SPCC) plan developed for the construction site under § 311 of the federal Clean Water Act or best management practices (BMP) programs otherwise required for the construction site provided that the incorporated plan meets or exceeds the SWPPP requirements of Part II B. All plans incorporated by reference into the SWPPP become enforceable under this general permit. If a plan incorporated by reference does not contain all of the required elements of the SWPPP, the operator shall develop the missing elements and include them in the SWPPP.

4. Any operator that was authorized to discharge under the general permit effective July 1, 2019, and that intends to continue coverage under this general permit shall update its stormwater pollution prevention plan to comply with the requirements of this general permit no later than 60 days after the date of coverage under this general permit.

B. Contents. The SWPPP shall include the following items:

1. General information.

a. A signed copy of the registration statement, if required, for coverage under this general permit;

b. Upon receipt, a copy of the notice of coverage under this general permit (i.e., notice of coverage letter);

c. Upon receipt, a copy of the general VPDES permit for discharges of stormwater from construction activities;

d. A narrative description of the nature of the construction activity, including the function of the project (e.g., low density residential, shopping mall, highway);

e. A legible map of the construction site identifying:

(1) Existing and proposed drainage patterns on the construction site and approximate slopes before and after major grading activities;

(2) Limits of clearing and grading (i.e., land disturbance) including steep slopes and natural buffers around surface waters that will remain undisturbed;

(3) Locations of major structural and nonstructural control measures, including sediment basins and traps, perimeter dikes and diversions, sediment barriers, and other measures intended to filter, settle, or similarly treat sediment that will be installed between disturbed areas and the undisturbed vegetated areas in order to increase sediment removal and maximize stormwater infiltration;

(4) Locations of surface waters;

(5) Locations where concentrated stormwater is discharged;

(6) Locations of any construction support activities, including (i) areas where equipment and vehicle washing, wheel wash water, and other wash water is to occur; (ii) storage areas for chemicals such as acids, fuels, fertilizers, and other lawn care chemicals; (iii) concrete wash out areas; (iv) vehicle fueling and maintenance areas; (v) sanitary waste facilities, including those temporarily placed on the construction site; (vi) construction waste storage; and (vii) areas where polymers, flocculants, or other stormwater treatment chemicals will be used or stored; and

(7) When applicable, the location of the on-site rain gauge or the methodology established in consultation with the VESMP authority used to identify measurable storm events for inspection as allowed by Part II G 2 a (1) (ii) or 2 b (2).

2. Erosion and sediment control plan for the construction activity authorized by this general permit.

a. An erosion and sediment control plan designed and approved in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulations (9VAC25-875), an "agreement in lieu of a plan" as defined in 9VAC25-875-20, or an erosion and sediment control plan prepared in accordance with department-approved standards and specifications.

b. All erosion and sediment control plans shall include a statement describing the maintenance responsibilities required for the erosion and sediment controls used.

c. An approved erosion and sediment control plan, "agreement in lieu of a plan," or erosion and sediment control plan prepared in accordance with department-approved standards and specifications shall be implemented to:

(1) Control the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff within the construction site to minimize soil erosion;

(2) Control stormwater discharges, including peak flow rates and total stormwater volume, to minimize erosion at outlets and to minimize downstream channel and stream bank erosion;

(3) Minimize the amount of soil exposed during the construction activity;

(4) Minimize the disturbance of steep slopes;

(5) Minimize sediment discharges from the construction site in a manner that addresses (i) the amount, frequency, intensity, and duration of precipitation; (ii) the nature of resulting stormwater runoff; and (iii) soil characteristics, including the range of soil particle sizes present on the construction site;

(6) Provide and maintain natural buffers around surface waters, direct stormwater to vegetated areas to increase sediment removal, and maximize stormwater infiltration, unless infiltration would be inadvisable due to the underlying geology (e.g., karst topography) and groundwater contamination concerns or infeasible due to site conditions;

(7) Minimize soil compaction. Minimizing soil compaction is not required where the intended function of a specific area of the construction site dictates that it be compacted;

(8) Unless infeasible, preserve topsoil. Preserving topsoil is not required where the intended function of a specific area of the construction site dictates that the topsoil be disturbed or removed;

(9) Ensure the initiation of stabilization activities of disturbed areas occurs immediately whenever any clearing, grading, excavating, or other land-disturbing activities have permanently ceased on any portion of the construction site, or temporarily ceased on any portion of the construction site and will not resume for a period exceeding 14 days; and

(10) Utilize outlet structures that withdraw stormwater from the surface (i.e., above the permanent pool or wet storage water surface elevation), unless infeasible, when discharging from sediment basins or sediment traps.

3. Stormwater management plan for the construction activity authorized by this general permit.

a. Except for those projects identified in Part II B 3 b, a stormwater management plan approved in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulation (9VAC25-875) or an "agreement in lieu of a plan" as defined in 9VAC25-875-20 or a stormwater management plan prepared in accordance with department-approved standards and specifications.

b. For any operator meeting the conditions of 9VAC25-875-480 B of the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulation, an approved stormwater management plan is not required. In lieu of an approved stormwater management plan, the SWPPP shall include a description of and all necessary calculations supporting all post-construction stormwater management measures that will be installed prior to the completion of the construction process to control pollutants in stormwater discharges after construction operations have been completed. Structural measures should be placed on upland soils to the degree possible. Such measures must be designed and installed in accordance with applicable VESCP authority, VESMP authority, state, and federal requirements, and any necessary permits must be obtained.

4. Pollution prevention plan for the construction activity authorized by this general permit. A pollution prevention plan that addresses potential pollutant-generating activities that may reasonably be expected to affect the quality of stormwater discharges from the construction activity, including any support activity. The pollution prevention plan shall:

a. Identify the potential pollutant-generating activities and the pollutant that is expected to be exposed to stormwater;

b. Describe the location where the potential pollutant-generating activities will occur, or if identified on the site plan, reference the site plan;

c. Identify all nonstormwater discharges, as authorized in Part I E of this general permit, that are or will be commingled with stormwater discharges from the construction activity, including any applicable support activity;

d. Identify the person responsible for implementing the pollution prevention practices for each pollutant-generating activity (if other than the person listed as the qualified personnel);

e. Describe the pollution prevention practices and procedures that will be implemented to:

(1) Prevent and respond to leaks, spills, and other releases, including (i) procedures for expeditiously stopping, containing, and cleaning up spills, leaks, and other releases; and (ii) procedures for reporting leaks, spills, and other releases in accordance with Part III G;

(2) Prevent the discharge of spilled and leaked fuels and chemicals from vehicle fueling and maintenance activities (e.g., providing secondary containment such as spill berms, decks, spill containment pallets, providing cover where appropriate, and having spill kits readily available);

(3) Prevent the discharge of soaps, solvents, detergents, and wash water from construction materials, including the clean-up of stucco, paint, form release oils, and curing compounds (e.g., providing (i) cover (e.g., plastic sheeting or temporary roofs) to prevent contact with stormwater; (ii) collection and proper disposal in a manner to prevent contact with stormwater; and (iii) a similarly effective means designed to prevent discharge of these pollutants);

(4) Minimize the discharge of pollutants from vehicle and equipment washing, wheel wash water, and other types of washing (e.g., locating activities away from surface waters and storm drain inlets and constructed or natural site drainage features and directing wash waters to sediment basins or traps, using filtration devices such as filter bags or sand filters, or using similarly effective controls);

(5) Direct concrete wash water into a leak-proof container or leak-proof settling basin designed so that no overflows can occur due to inadequate sizing or precipitation. Hardened concrete wastes shall be removed and disposed of in a manner consistent with the handling of other construction wastes. Liquid concrete wastes shall be removed and disposed of in a manner consistent with the handling of other construction wash waters and shall not be discharged to surface waters, disposed of through infiltration, or otherwise disposed of on the ground;

(6) Minimize the discharge of pollutants from storage, handling, and disposal of construction products, materials, and wastes, including (i) building products such as asphalt sealants, copper flashing, roofing materials, adhesives, and concrete admixtures; (ii) pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, and landscape materials; and (iii) construction and domestic wastes such as packaging materials, scrap construction materials, masonry products, timber, pipe and electrical cuttings, plastics, Styrofoam, concrete, and other trash or building materials;

(7) Prevent the discharge of fuels, oils, and other petroleum products, hazardous or toxic wastes, waste concrete, and sanitary wastes;

(8) Address any other discharge from the potential pollutant-generating activities not addressed in this subdivision 4; and

(9) Minimize the exposure of waste materials to precipitation by closing or covering waste containers during precipitation events and at the end of the business day or implementing other similarly effective practices. Minimization of exposure is not required in cases where the exposure to precipitation will not result in a discharge of pollutants; and

f. Describe procedures for providing pollution prevention awareness of all applicable wastes, including any wash water, disposal practices, and applicable disposal locations of such wastes, to personnel in order to comply with the conditions of this general permit. The operator shall implement the procedures described in the SWPPP.

5. SWPPP requirements for discharges to nutrient and sediment impaired waters. For discharges to surface waters (i) identified as impaired in the 2022 § 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report for Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioassessments or (ii) with an applicable TMDL wasteload allocation established and approved prior to the term of this general permit for sediment or a sediment-related parameter (i.e., total suspended solids or turbidity) or nutrients (i.e., nitrogen or phosphorus), including all surface waters within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the operator shall:

a. Identify the impaired waters, approved TMDLs, and pollutants of concern in the SWPPP; and

b. Provide documentation in the SWPPP that:

(1) Permanent or temporary soil stabilization shall be applied to denuded areas within seven days after final grade is reached on any portion of the construction site;

(2) Nutrients shall be applied in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations or an approved nutrient management plan and shall not be applied during rainfall events; and

(3) A modified inspection schedule shall be implemented in accordance with Part II G 2 a.

6. SWPPP requirements for discharges to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) impaired waters. For discharges from construction activities that include the demolition of any structure with at least 10,000 square feet of floor space built or renovated before January 1, 1980, to surface waters (i) identified as impaired in the 2022 § 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report or (ii) with an applicable TMDL wasteload allocation established and approved prior to the term of this general permit for PCB, the operator shall:

a. Identify the impaired waters, approved TMDLs, and pollutant of concern in the SWPPP;

b. Implement the approved erosion and sediment control plan in accordance with Part II B 2;

c. Dispose of waste materials in compliance with applicable state, federal, and local requirements; and

d. Implement a modified inspection schedule in accordance with Part II G 2 a.

7. SWPPP requirements for discharges to exceptional waters. For discharges to surface waters identified in 9VAC25-260-30 A 3 c as an exceptional water, the operator shall:

a. Identify the exceptional surface waters in the SWPPP; and

b. Provide documentation in the SWPPP that:

(1) Permanent or temporary soil stabilization shall be applied to denuded areas within seven days after final grade is reached on any portion of the construction site;

(2) Nutrients shall be applied in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations or an approved nutrient management plan and shall not be applied during rainfall events; and

(3) A modified inspection schedule shall be implemented in accordance with Part II G 2 a.

8. SWPPP requirements for construction dewatering discharges to sediment impaired waters or exceptional waters. Dewatering discharges of uncontaminated stormwater or groundwater from footers or foundations of a single-family detached residential structure are exempt from the requirements of this subdivision 8, provided that such discharges are not discharged directly to surface waters. For construction dewatering discharges to surface waters (i) identified as impaired in the 2022 § 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report for Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioassessments; (ii) with an applicable TMDL wasteload allocation established and approved prior to the term of this general permit for sediment or a sediment-related parameter (i.e., total suspended solids or turbidity), including all surface waters within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; or (iii) identified in 9VAC25-260-30 A 3 c as an exceptional water, the operator shall undertake one of the following methods for controlling and documenting construction dewatering discharges:

a. Turbidity benchmark option 1:

(1) Identify the location of all construction dewatering discharges in the SWPPP;

(2) Select, install, implement, and maintain control measures at each dewatering location that minimize pollutants, including suspended solids, in construction dewatering discharges prior to discharging into a stormwater conveyance system or surface water; and

(3) Provide documentation in the SWPPP that:

(a) Sample frequency. At least one grab sample shall be collected from each construction dewatering discharge when the first discharge at that location occurs, daily thereafter until the dewatering discharge stops, and after any installation of new controls or routine maintenance activity of existing controls. An upstream grab sample shall be collected from the receiving stream;

(b) Sample timing. Grab samples of the construction dewatering discharge shall be collected during the first 15 minutes of the construction dewatering discharge and daily thereafter until the dewatering discharge stops. Upstream grab samples of the receiving stream shall be collected within 15 minutes of the corresponding construction dewatering discharge sample;

(c) Sample location. Grab samples shall be collected after the construction dewatering water has been filtered, settled, or similarly treated and prior to its discharge into a stormwater conveyance system or surface water;

(d) Test methods. Grab samples taken as required by this subdivision 8 shall be measured using a turbidity meter that reports results in nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs) or formazin turbidity units (FTUs), and a turbidity meter calibration verification shall be conducted prior to each day's use, consistent with manufacturer recommendations;

(e) Visual monitoring. All dewatering discharges shall be visually monitored for changes in the characterization of effluent discharge;

(f) Corrective action. If (i) any turbidity measurement of the construction dewatering discharge exceeds the upstream grab sample of the receiving stream by more than 50 NTUs/FTUs or (ii) visual monitoring indicates a change in the characterization of effluent discharge, corrective action shall be taken in accordance with Part II H 2 of this general permit; and

(g) Recordkeeping. Turbidity monitoring information (i.e., location, date, sample collection time, and turbidity measurement) and any necessary corrective actions taken shall be recorded in the SWPPP; or

b. Turbidity benchmark option 2:

(1) Identify the location of all construction dewatering discharges in the SWPPP;

(3) Provide documentation in the SWPPP that:

(a) Sample frequency. At least one grab sample shall be collected from each construction dewatering discharge when the first discharge at that location occurs, daily thereafter until the dewatering discharge stops, and after any installation of new controls or routine maintenance activity of existing controls. Grab samples shall be tested to confirm a turbidity measurement of equal to or less than 150 NTUs/FTUs from the construction dewatering discharge;

(d) Test methods. Grab samples taken as required by this subdivision 8 shall be measured using a turbidity meter that reports results in nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs) or formazin turbidity unit (FTUs), and a turbidity meter calibration verification shall be conducted prior to each day's use, consistent with manufacturer recommendations;

(e) Visual monitoring. All dewatering discharges shall be visually monitored for changes in the characterization of effluent discharge;

(f) Corrective action. If (i) any turbidity measurement of the construction dewatering discharge exceeds 150 NTUs/FTUs or (ii) visual monitoring indicates a change in the characterization of effluent discharge, corrective action shall be taken in accordance with Part II H 2 of this general permit; and

c. Turbidity benchmark option 3:

(1) Identify the location of all construction dewatering discharges in the SWPPP;

(3) Provide documentation in the SWPPP that:

(a) Sample frequency. At least one grab sample shall be collected from each construction dewatering discharge when the first discharge at that location occurs, daily thereafter until the dewatering discharge stops, and after any installation of new controls or routine maintenance activity of existing controls. Grab samples shall be tested to confirm a turbidity measurement of equal to or less than 50 NTUs/FTUs, based on a weekly average, from the construction dewatering discharge;

(d) Test methods. Grab samples taken as required by this subdivision 8 shall be measured using a turbidity meter that reports results in NTUs or FTUs, and a turbidity meter calibration verification shall be conducted prior to each day's use, consistent with manufacturer recommendations;

(e) Visual monitoring. All dewatering discharges shall be visually monitored for changes in the characterization of effluent discharge;

(f) Corrective action. If (i) the weekly average of the turbidity measurements of the construction dewatering discharge exceeds 50 NTUs/FTUs or (ii) visual monitoring indicates a change in the characterization of effluent discharge, corrective action shall be taken in accordance with Part II H 2. The weekly average is the sum of all turbidity samples taken during a monitoring week (starting on Monday and ending on Sunday) divided by the number of samples measures during that week; and

d. Request for alternative benchmark threshold:

(1) At any time prior to or during coverage under this permit, a request may be submitted to the department to approve a benchmark that is higher than turbidity benchmark options 1, 2, and 3 if information is available demonstrating the higher number is the same as the receiving water's water quality standard for turbidity. To request approval of an alternate benchmark, the operator must submit the following to the department:

(a) The current turbidity water quality standard that applies to the receiving water; and

(b) Information on the natural or background turbidity level to determine the specific standard for the receiving water, including available data that can be used to establish the natural turbidity levels of the receiving water.

(2) The department will notify the operator of its decision on whether to approve the requested alternate benchmark within 30 days. Until the department approves an alternate benchmark, the operator is required to use the option 1, option 2, or option 3 turbidity benchmark and take any required corrective actions if an exceedance occurs.

9. Identification of qualified personnel. The name, telephone number, and qualifications of the qualified personnel conducting inspections required by this general permit.

10. Duly authorized representatives. The SWPPP shall include the names of individuals or positions duly authorized to sign inspection reports or modify the SWPPP on behalf of the operator. Any authorization shall be signed and dated in accordance with Part III K 2 and shall include the required certification in accordance with Part III K 4.

11. SWPPP signature and certification. The SWPPP shall be signed and dated in accordance with Part III K 2 of this general permit and shall include the required certification in accordance with Part III K 4 of this general permit.

C. SWPPP amendments, modification, and updates.

1. The operator shall amend the SWPPP whenever there is a change in the design, construction, operation, or maintenance that has a significant effect on the discharge of pollutants to surface waters and that has not been previously addressed in the SWPPP.

2. The SWPPP shall be amended if during inspections or investigations by the operator's qualified personnel or by local, state, or federal officials, it is determined that the existing control measures are ineffective in minimizing pollutants in discharges from the construction activity. Revisions to the SWPPP shall include additional or modified control measures designed and implemented to correct problems identified. If approval by the VESCP authority, VESMP authority, or department is necessary for the control measure, revisions to the SWPPP shall be completed no later than five business days following approval. Implementation of these additional or modified control measures shall be accomplished as described in Part II H.

3. The SWPPP shall clearly identify the contractors that will implement and maintain each control measure identified in the SWPPP. The SWPPP shall be amended to identify any new contractor that will implement and maintain a control measure.

4. The operator shall update the SWPPP as soon as possible but no later than five business days following any modification to its implementation. All modifications or updates to the SWPPP shall be noted and shall include the following items:

a. A record of dates when:

(1) Major grading activities occur;

(2) Construction activities temporarily or permanently cease on a portion of the construction site; and

(3) Stabilization measures are initiated;

b. Documentation of replaced or modified controls where periodic inspections or other information have indicated that the controls have been used inappropriately or incorrectly and were modified;

c. Areas that have reached final stabilization and where no further SWPPP or inspection requirements apply;

d. All properties that are no longer under the legal control of the operator and the dates on which the operator no longer had legal control over each property;

e. The date of any prohibited discharges, the discharge volume released, and what actions were taken to minimize the impact of the release;

f. Measures taken to prevent the reoccurrence of any prohibited discharge; and

g. Measures taken to address any evidence identified as a result of an inspection required under Part II G.

5. Amendments, modifications, or updates to the SWPPP shall be signed in accordance with Part III K 2 and shall include the required certification in accordance with Part III K 4.

D. Public notification. Upon commencement of construction activities, the operator shall post a copy of the notice of coverage letter at a publicly accessible location near the main entrance of the construction site. For linear projects, the operator shall post a copy of the notice of coverage letter at a publicly accessible location near an active part of the construction site (e.g., where a pipeline crosses a public road). The copy of the notice of coverage letter shall be visible such that it can be readily viewed from a public right-of-way. The operator shall maintain the posted information until termination of general permit coverage as specified in Part I F.

E. SWPPP availability.

1. Operators with day-to-day operational control over SWPPP implementation shall have a copy of the SWPPP available at a central location on-site for use by those identified as having responsibilities under the SWPPP whenever they are on the construction site.

2. The operator shall make the SWPPP and all amendments, modifications, and updates available upon request to the department, the VESMP authority, the EPA, the VESCP authority, local government officials, or the operator of a municipal separate storm sewer system receiving discharges from the construction activity. If an on-site location is unavailable to store the SWPPP when no personnel are present, notice of the SWPPP's location shall be posted near the main entrance of the construction site.

3. The operator shall make the SWPPP available for public review in an electronic format or in hard copy. Information for public access to the SWPPP shall be posted and maintained in accordance with Part II D. If not provided electronically, public access to the SWPPP may be arranged upon request at a time and at a publicly accessible location convenient to the operator or the operator's designee but shall be no less than once per month and shall be during normal business hours. Information not required to be contained within the SWPPP by this general permit is not required to be released.

F. SWPPP implementation. The operator shall implement the SWPPP and subsequent amendments, modifications, and updates from commencement of land disturbance until termination of general permit coverage as specified in Part I F.

1. All control measures shall be properly maintained in effective operating condition in accordance with good engineering practices and, where applicable, manufacturer specifications.

2. If a site inspection required by Part II G identifies a control measure that is not operating effectively or needs routine maintenance, corrective actions or routine maintenance shall be completed as soon as practicable, but no later than five business days after discovery or a longer period as established by the VESMP authority, to maintain the continued effectiveness of the control measures.

3. If the operator must make the same repairs more than two times to the same control at the same location, even if the fix can be completed by the close of the next business day, the operator shall either:

a. Complete work to fix any subsequent repeat occurrences of this same problem under the corrective action procedures in Part II H, including keeping any records of the condition and how it was corrected under Part II C; or

b. Document in the inspection report under Part II G why the specific reoccurrence of this same problem should still be addressed as a routine maintenance fix.

4. If site inspections required by Part II G identify an existing control measure that needs to be modified or if an additional or alternative control measure is necessary for any reason, implementation shall be completed prior to the next anticipated measurable storm event. If implementation prior to the next anticipated measurable storm event is impracticable, then additional or alternative control measures shall be implemented as soon as practicable, but no later than five business days after discovery or a longer period as established by the VESMP authority.

G. SWPPP Inspections.

1. Personnel responsible for on-site and off-site inspections. Inspections required by this general permit shall be conducted by the qualified personnel identified by the operator in the SWPPP. The operator is responsible for ensuring that the qualified personnel conduct the inspection. Qualified personnel may be a person on the operator's staff or a third party hired to conduct such inspections.

2. Inspection schedule.

a. For construction activities that discharge to a surface water identified in Part II B 5 and B 6 as impaired or having an approved TMDL or Part II B 7 as exceptional, the following inspection schedule requirements apply:

(1) Inspections shall be conducted at a frequency of (i) at least once every four business days or (ii) at least once every five business days and no later than 24 hours following a measurable storm event. In the event that a measurable storm event occurs when there are more than 24 hours between business days, the inspection shall be conducted on the next business day; and

(2) Representative inspections as authorized in Part II G 2 d shall not be allowed.

b. Except as specified in Part II G 2 a, inspections shall be conducted at a frequency of:

(1) At least once every five business days; or

(2) At least once every 10 business days and no later than 24 hours following a measurable storm event. In the event that a measurable storm event occurs when there are more than 24 hours between business days, the inspection shall be conducted on the next business day.

(a) A storm event that produces 0.25 inches or more of rain within a 24-hour period on the first day of the storm and continues to produce 0.25 inches or more of rain on subsequent days. The operator is required to conduct an inspection within 24 hours of the first day of the storm and within 24 hours after the last day of the storm that produces 0.25 inches or more of rain.

(b) A discharge caused by snowmelt from a snow event producing 3.25 inches or more of snow within a 24-hour period. The operator is required to conduct one inspection once the discharge of snowmelt occurs. Additional inspections are only required if, following the discharge from the first snowmelt, there is a discharge from a separate storm event.

c. Where areas have been temporarily stabilized or construction activities will be suspended due to continuous frozen ground conditions and stormwater discharges are unlikely, the inspection frequency described in Part II G 2 a and 2 b may be reduced to once per month. If weather conditions (such as above freezing temperatures or rain or snow events) make discharges likely, the operator shall immediately resume the regular inspection frequency.

d. Except as prohibited in Part II G 2 a (2), representative inspections may be utilized for utility line installation, pipeline construction, or other similar linear construction activities provided that:

(1) Temporary or permanent soil stabilization has been installed and vehicle access may compromise the temporary or permanent soil stabilization and potentially cause additional land disturbance increasing the potential for erosion;

(2) Inspections occur on the same frequency as other construction activities;

(3) Control measures are inspected along the construction site 0.25 miles above and below each access point (i.e., where a roadway, undisturbed right-of-way, or other similar feature intersects the construction activity and access does not compromise temporary or permanent soil stabilization); and

(4) Inspection locations are provided in the inspection report required by Part II G.

e. If adverse weather causes the safety of the inspection personnel to be in jeopardy, the inspection may be delayed until the next business day on which it is safe to perform the inspection. Any time inspections are delayed due to adverse weather conditions, evidence of the adverse weather conditions shall be included in the SWPPP with the dates of occurrence.

3. Inspection requirements. As part of the inspection, the qualified personnel shall at a minimum:

a. Record the date and time of the inspection and, when applicable, the date and rainfall or snowfall amount of the last measurable storm event;

b. Record the information and a description of any discharges occurring at the time of the inspection or evidence of discharges occurring prior to the inspection;

c. Record any l construction activities that have occurred outside of the approved erosion and sediment control plan;

d. Inspect all stormwater discharge locations at the construction site. If a stormwater discharge is occurring during the inspection, observe and document the visual quality and characteristics of the discharge, including color; odor; floating, settled, or suspended solids; foam; oil sheen; and other indicators of stormwater pollutants;

e. Inspect all construction dewatering discharge locations at the construction site, if applicable. If a construction dewatering discharge is occurring during the inspection, observe and document the visual quality and the characteristics of the discharge, including color; odor; floating, settled, or suspended solids; foam; oil sheen; and other indicators of pollutants;

f. Inspect the following for installation in accordance with the approved erosion and sediment control plan, identification of any maintenance needs, and evaluation of effectiveness in minimizing sediment discharge, including whether the control has been inappropriately or incorrectly used:

(1) All perimeter erosion and sediment controls, such as silt fence;

(2) Soil stockpiles, when applicable, and borrow areas for stabilization or sediment trapping measures;

(3) Completed earthen structures, such as dams, dikes, ditches, and diversions for stabilization and effective impoundment or flow control;

(4) Cut and fill slopes;

(5) Sediment basins and traps, sediment barriers, and other measures installed to control sediment discharge from stormwater;

(6) Temporary or permanent channels, flumes, or other slope drain structures installed to convey concentrated runoff down cut and fill slopes;

(7) Storm inlets that have been made operational to ensure that sediment laden stormwater does not enter without first being filtered or similarly treated; and

(8) Construction vehicle access routes that intersect or access paved or public roads for minimizing sediment tracking;

g. Inspect areas that have reached final grade or that will remain dormant for more than 14 days to ensure:

(1) Initiation of stabilization activities have occurred immediately, as defined in 9VAC25-880-1; and

(2) Stabilization activities have been completed within seven days of reaching grade or stopping work;

h. Inspect for evidence that the approved erosion and sediment control plan, "agreement in lieu of a plan," or erosion and sediment control plan prepared in accordance with department-approved standards and specifications has not been properly implemented. This includes:

(1) Concentrated flows of stormwater in conveyances such as rills, rivulets, or channels that have not been filtered, settled, or similarly treated prior to discharge, or evidence thereof;

(2) Sediment laden or turbid flows of stormwater that have not been filtered or settled to remove sediments prior to discharge;

(3) Sediment deposition in areas that drain to unprotected stormwater inlets or catch basins that discharge to surface waters. Inlets and catch basins with failing sediment controls due to improper installation, lack of maintenance, or inadequate design are considered unprotected;

(4) Sediment deposition on any property (including public and private streets) outside of the construction activity covered by this general permit;

(5) Required stabilization has not been initiated or completed or is not effective on portions of the construction site;

(6) Sediment basins without adequate wet or dry storage volume or sediment basins that allow the discharge of stormwater from below the surface of the wet storage portion of the basin;

(7) Sediment traps without adequate wet or dry storage or sediment traps that allow the discharge of stormwater from below the surface of the wet storage portion of the trap; and

(8) Land disturbance or sediment deposition outside of the approved area to be disturbed;

i. Inspect pollutant generating activities identified in the pollution prevention plan for the proper implementation, maintenance, and effectiveness of the procedures and practices;

j. Identify and report any pollutant generating activities not identified in the pollution prevention plan; and

k. Identify and document the presence of any evidence of the discharge of pollutants prohibited by this general permit.

4. Inspection report. Each inspection report shall include the following items:

a. The date and time of the inspection and, when applicable, the date and rainfall or snowfall amount of the last measurable storm event;

b. Summarized findings of the inspection;

c. The locations, visual quality, and characteristics of all stormwater discharges, when occurring;

d. The locations, visual quality, and characteristics of all construction dewatering discharges, if applicable;

e. The locations of prohibited discharges;

f. The locations of control measures that require routine maintenance;

g. The locations of control measures that failed to operate as designed or proved inadequate or inappropriate for a particular location;

h. The locations where any evidence identified under Part II G 3 h exists;

i. The locations where any additional control measure is needed;

j. A list of corrective actions required (including any changes to the SWPPP that are necessary) as a result of the inspection or to maintain permit compliance;

k. Documentation of any corrective actions required from a previous inspection that have not been implemented;

l. Any incidents of noncompliance. If none, the report shall contain a certification that the construction activity is in compliance with the SWPPP and this general permit;

m. The required certification in accordance with Part III K 4 of this general permit; and

n. The date and signature of the qualified personnel and the operator or its duly authorized representative in accordance with Part III K 2 of this general permit.

5. The inspection report shall be included into the SWPPP no later than four business days after the inspection is complete.

6. The inspection report and any actions taken in accordance with Part II shall be retained by the operator as part of the SWPPP for at least three years from the date that general permit coverage expires or is terminated.

H. Corrective actions.

1. Except as required in Part II H 2, the operator shall implement the corrective actions identified as a result of an inspection as soon as practicable but no later than five business days after discovery or a longer period as approved by the VESMP authority. If approval of a corrective action by a regulatory authority (e.g., VESMP authority, VESCP authority, or the department) is necessary, additional control measures shall be implemented to minimize pollutants in stormwater discharges until such approvals can be obtained.

2. When any turbidity measurement of the construction dewatering discharge exceeds the selected benchmark option or visual monitoring indicates a change in the characteristics of effluent discharge, as outlined in Part II B 8, the operator shall:

a. Immediately cease the construction dewatering discharge at the location that exceeds the turbidity benchmark or where visual monitoring indicates a change in the characterization of effluent discharge;

b. Determine whether the construction dewatering controls are operating effectively or need routine maintenance or if an additional or alternate control measure is necessary; and

c. Make any necessary adjustments, additions, repairs, or replacements to the construction dewatering controls.

Once these corrective action steps are completed and any necessary adjustments, additions, repairs, or replacements are made, the operator may resume its construction dewatering discharge and shall sample for turbidity within 15 minutes of the construction dewatering discharge commencing. No additional corrective action items are required beyond recording the results in the SWPPP.

3. The operator may be required to remove accumulated sediment deposits located outside of the construction site covered by this general permit as soon as practicable in order to minimize environmental impacts.

4. The operator shall notify the VESMP authority and the department as well as obtain all applicable federal, state, and local authorizations, approvals, and permits prior to the removal of sediments accumulated in surface waters including wetlands.

Part III

CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL VPDES PERMITS

Discharge monitoring is not required for this general permit. If the operator chooses to monitor stormwater discharges or control measures, the operator shall comply with the requirements of Part III A, B, and C, as appropriate.

A. Monitoring.

1. Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be representative of the monitoring activity.

2. Monitoring shall be conducted according to procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or alternative methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, unless other procedures have been specified in this general permit. Analyses performed according to test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 shall be performed by an environmental laboratory certified under regulations adopted by the Department of General Services (1VAC30-45 or 1VAC30-46).

3. The operator shall periodically calibrate and perform maintenance procedures on all monitoring and analytical instrumentation at intervals that will ensure accuracy of measurements.

B. Records.

1. Monitoring records and reports shall include:

a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;

b. The individuals who performed the sampling or measurements;

c. The dates and times analyses were performed;

d. The individuals who performed the analyses;

e. The analytical techniques or methods used; and

f. The results of such analyses.

2. The operator shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required by this general permit, and records of all data used to complete the registration statement for this general permit, for a period of at least three years from the date of the sample, measurement, report, or request for coverage. This period of retention shall be extended automatically during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding the regulated activity or regarding control standards applicable to the operator, or as requested by the department.

C. Reporting monitoring results.

1. The operator shall update the SWPPP to include the results of the monitoring as may be performed in accordance with this general permit, unless another reporting schedule is specified elsewhere in this general permit.

2. Monitoring results shall be reported on a discharge monitoring report (DMR); on forms provided, approved, or specified by the department; or in any format provided that the date, location, parameter, method, and result of the monitoring activity are included.

3. If the operator monitors any pollutant specifically addressed by this general permit more frequently than required by this general permit using test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 or using other test procedures approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or using procedures specified in this general permit, the results of this monitoring shall be included in the calculation and reporting of the data submitted in the DMR or reporting form specified by the department.

4. Calculations for all limitations that require averaging of measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified in this general permit.

D. Duty to provide information. The operator shall furnish, within a reasonable time, any information that the department may request to determine whether cause exists for terminating this general permit coverage or to determine compliance with this general permit. The department, EPA, or VESMP authority may require the operator to furnish, upon request, such plans, specifications, and other pertinent information as may be necessary to determine the effect of the wastes from the operator's discharge on the quality of surface waters, or such other information as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of the Clean Water Act and the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act. The operator shall also furnish to the department, EPA, or VESMP authority, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by this general permit.

E. Compliance schedule reports. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final requirements contained in any compliance schedule of this general permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date.

F. Unauthorized stormwater discharges. Pursuant to § 62.1-44.5 of the Code of Virginia, except in compliance with a permit issued by the department, it shall be unlawful to cause a stormwater discharge from a construction activity.

G. Reports of unauthorized discharges. Any operator who discharges or causes or allows a discharge of sewage, industrial waste, other wastes, any noxious or deleterious substance, a hazardous substance, or oil in an amount equal to or in excess of a reportable quantity established under either 40 CFR Part 110, 40 CFR Part 117, 40 CFR Part 302, or § 62.1-44.34:19 of the Code of Virginia that occurs during a 24-hour period into or upon surface waters or that discharges or causes or allows a discharge that may reasonably be expected to enter surface waters shall notify the department and the VESMP authority of the discharge immediately upon discovery of the discharge, but in no case later than within 24 hours after said discovery. A written report of the unauthorized discharge shall be submitted to the department and the VESMP authority within five calendar days of discovery of the discharge. The written report shall contain:

1. A description of the nature and location of the discharge;

2. The cause of the discharge;

3. The date on which the discharge occurred;

4. The length of time that the discharge continued;

5. The volume of the discharge;

6. If the discharge is continuing, how long it is expected to continue;

7. If the discharge is continuing, what the expected total volume of the discharge will be; and

8. Any steps planned or taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent a recurrence of the present discharge or any future discharges not authorized by this general permit.

Discharges reportable to the department and the VESMP authority under the immediate reporting requirements of other regulations are exempted from this requirement.

H. Reports of unusual or extraordinary discharges. If any unusual or extraordinary discharge, including a "bypass" or "upset," as defined in this general permit, should occur from a construction site and the discharge enters or could be expected to enter surface waters, the operator shall promptly notify, in no case later than within 24 hours, the department and the VESMP authority after the discovery of the discharge. This notification shall provide all available details of the incident, including any adverse effects on aquatic life and the known number of fish killed. The operator shall reduce the report to writing and shall submit it to the department and the VESMP authority within five calendar days of discovery of the discharge in accordance with Part III I 2. Unusual and extraordinary discharges include any discharge resulting from:

1. Unusual spillage of materials resulting directly or indirectly from processing operations;

2. Breakdown of processing or accessory equipment;

3. Failure or taking out of service of some or all of the facilities; and

4. Flooding or other acts of nature.

I. Reports of noncompliance. The operator shall report any noncompliance that may adversely affect state waters or may endanger public health.

1. A report to the department and the VESMP authority shall be provided within 24 hours from the time the operator becomes aware of the circumstances. The following shall be included as information that shall be reported within 24 hours under this subsection:

a. Any unanticipated bypass; and

b. Any upset that causes a discharge to surface waters.

2. A written report shall be submitted within five days and shall contain:

a. A description of the noncompliance and its cause;

b. The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times, and if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and

c. Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.

The department may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis for reports of noncompliance under Part III I if the oral report has been received within 24 hours and no adverse impact on surface waters has been reported.

3. The operator shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Part III I 1 or 2 in writing as part of the SWPPP. The reports shall contain the information listed in Part III I 2.

4. The immediate (within 24 hours) reports required in Part III G, H, and I may be made to the department and the VESMP authority. Reports may be made by telephone, email, or online at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/pollution-response. For reports outside normal working hours, leaving a recorded message shall fulfill the immediate reporting requirement. For emergencies, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management maintains a 24-hour telephone service at 1-800-468-8892.

5. Where the operator becomes aware of a failure to submit any relevant facts, or submittal of incorrect information in any report, including a registration statement, to the department or the VESMP authority, the operator shall promptly submit such facts or correct information.

J. Notice of planned changes.

1. The operator shall give notice to the department and the VESMP authority as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the permitted facility or activity. Notice is required only when:

a. The operator plans an alteration or addition to any building, structure, facility, or installation that may meet one of the criteria for determining whether a facility is a new source in 9VAC25-875-990; or

b. The operator plans an alteration or addition that would significantly change the nature or increase the quantity of pollutants discharged. This notification applies to pollutants that are not subject to effluent limitations in this general permit.

2. The operator shall give advance notice to the department and VESMP authority of any planned changes in the permitted facility or activity that may result in noncompliance with permit requirements.

3. The operator may continue construction activities based on the information provided in the original registration statement and SWPPP but must wait until the review period has ended before commencing or continuing construction activities on any portion of the construction site that would be affected by any of the planned changes or modifications. Any operator that chooses to proceed with unapproved construction activities while plans are being reviewed is proceeding at its own risk and subject to compliance actions if the plan is determined to be inadequate.

K. Signatory requirements.

1. Registration statement and notice of termination. All registration statements and notices of termination shall be signed as follows:

a. For a corporation: by a responsible corporate officer. For the purpose of this chapter, a responsible corporate officer means

(i) a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy-making or decision-making functions for the corporation; or

(ii) the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities, provided the manager is authorized to make management decisions that govern the operation of the regulated facility including having the explicit or implicit duty of making major capital investment recommendations, and initiating and directing other comprehensive measures to assure long-term compliance with environmental laws and regulations; the manager can ensure that the necessary systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and accurate information for permit application requirements; and where authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures;

b. For a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively; or

c. For a municipality, state, federal, or other public agency: by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this chapter, a principal executive officer of a public agency includes (i) the chief executive officer of the agency or (ii) a senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency.

2. Reports and other information. All reports required by this general permit, including SWPPPs, and other information requested by the department shall be signed by a person described in Part III K 1 or by a duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:

a. The authorization is made in writing by a person described in Part III K 1;

b. The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity, such as the position of plant manager, operator of a well or a well field, superintendent, position of equivalent responsibility, or an individual or position having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the operator. (A duly authorized representative may thus be either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position); and

c. The signed and dated written authorization is included in the SWPPP. A copy shall be provided to the department and VESMP authority, if requested.

3. Changes to authorization. If an authorization under Part III K 2 is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the construction activity, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of Part III K 2 shall be submitted to the VESMP authority as the administering entity for the department prior to or together with any reports or information to be signed by an authorized representative.

4. Certification. Any person signing a document under Part III K 1 or 2 shall make the following certification:

"I certify under penalty of law that I have read and understand this document and that this document and all attachments were prepared in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gathered and evaluated the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."

L. Duty to comply. The operator shall comply with all conditions of this general permit. Any noncompliance with this general permit constitutes a violation of the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act and the Clean Water Act, except that noncompliance with certain provisions of this general permit may constitute a violation of the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act but not the Clean Water Act. Permit noncompliance is grounds for enforcement action; for permit coverage, termination, revocation, and reissuance, or modification of permit coverage; or denial of a permit renewal application.

The operator shall comply with effluent standards or prohibitions established under § 307(a) of the Clean Water Act for toxic pollutants within the time provided in the regulations that establish these standards or prohibitions or standards for sewage sludge use or disposal, even if this general permit has not yet been modified to incorporate the requirement.

M. Duty to reapply. If the operator wishes to continue an activity regulated by this general permit after the expiration date of this general permit, the operator shall submit a new registration statement at least 90 days before the expiration date of the existing general permit, unless permission for a later date has been granted by the department. The department shall not grant permission for registration statements to be submitted later than the expiration date of the existing general permit.

N. Effect of a permit. This general permit neither conveys any property rights in either real or personal property or any exclusive privileges nor authorizes any injury to private property or invasion of personal rights, or any infringement of federal, state, or local law or regulations.

O. State law. Nothing in this general permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action under or relieve the operator from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties established pursuant to any other state law or regulation or under authority preserved by § 510 of the Clean Water Act. Except as provided in general permit conditions on bypassing under Part III U and upset under Part III V, nothing in this general permit shall be construed to relieve the operator from civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.

P. Oil and hazardous substance liability. Nothing in this general permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action or relieve the operator from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the operator is or may be subject under §§ 62.1-44.34:14 through 62.1-44.34:23 of the State Water Control Law or § 311 of the Clean Water Act.

Q. Proper operation and maintenance. The operator shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances), which are installed or used by the operator to achieve compliance with the conditions of this general permit. Proper operation and maintenance also includes effective plant performance, adequate funding, adequate staffing, and adequate laboratory and process controls, including appropriate quality assurance procedures. This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems, which are installed by the operator only when the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the conditions of this general permit.

R. Disposal of solids or sludges. Solids, sludges, or other pollutants removed in the course of treatment or management of pollutants shall be disposed of in a manner so as to prevent any pollutant from such materials from entering surface waters and in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

S. Duty to mitigate. The operator shall take all steps to minimize or prevent any discharge in violation of this general permit that has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.

T. Need to halt or reduce activity not a defense. It shall not be a defense for an operator in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this general permit.

U. Bypass.

1. "Bypass," as defined in 9VAC25-875-850, means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility. The operator may allow any bypass to occur that does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to ensure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions of Part III U 2 and U 3.

2. Notice.

a. Anticipated bypass. If the operator knows in advance of the need for a bypass, the operator shall submit prior notice to the department, if possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass.

b. Unanticipated bypass. The operator shall submit notice of an unanticipated bypass as required in Part III I.

3. Prohibition of bypass.

a. Except as provided in Part III U 1, bypass is prohibited, and the department may take enforcement action against an operator for bypass unless:

(1) Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage. Severe property damage means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities that causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources that can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production;

(2) There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass that occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance; and

(3) The operator submitted notices as required under Part III U 2.

b. The department may approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effects, if the department determines that it will meet the three conditions listed in Part III U 3 a.

V. Upset.

1. An "upset," as defined in 9VAC25-875-850, means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology-based permit effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the operator. An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation.

2. An upset constitutes an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with technology-based permit effluent limitations if the requirements of Part III V 3 are met. A determination made during administrative review of claims that noncompliance was caused by upset, and before an action for noncompliance, is not a final administrative action subject to judicial review.

3. An operator who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of upset shall demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs or other relevant evidence that:

a. An upset occurred and that the operator can identify the cause of the upset;

b. The permitted facility was at the time being properly operated;

c. The operator submitted notice of the upset as required in Part III I; and

d. The operator complied with any remedial measures required under Part III S.

4. In any enforcement proceeding, the operator seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset has the burden of proof.

W. Inspection and entry. The operator shall allow the department, the VESMP authority, EPA, or an authorized representative of either entity (including an authorized contractor), upon presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by law, to:

1. Enter upon the operator's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted or where records shall be kept under the conditions of this general permit;

2. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that shall be kept under the conditions of this general permit;

3. Inspect and photograph at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under this general permit; and

4. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of ensuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the Clean Water Act or the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act, any substances or parameters at any location.

For purposes of this section, the time for inspection shall be deemed reasonable during regular business hours and whenever the facility is discharging. Nothing contained in this general permit shall make an inspection unreasonable during an emergency.

X. Permit actions. Permit coverage may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The filing of a request by the operator for a permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination, or a notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any permit condition.

Y. Transfer of permit coverage.

1. Permits are not transferable to any person except after notice to the department. Except as provided in Part III Y 2, a permit may be transferred by the operator to a new operator only if the permit has been modified or revoked and reissued, or a minor modification made, to identify the new operator and incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary under the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act and the Clean Water Act.

2. As an alternative to transfers under Part III Y 1, this permit may be automatically transferred to a new operator if:

a. The current operator notifies the department at least 30 days in advance of the proposed transfer of the title to the facility or property;

b. The notice includes a written agreement between the existing and new operators containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between them; and

c. The department does not notify the existing operator and the proposed new operator of its intent to modify or revoke and reissue the permit. If this notice is not received, the transfer is effective on the date specified in the agreement mentioned in Part III Y 2 b.

3. For ongoing construction activity involving a change of operator, the new operator shall accept and maintain the existing SWPPP, or prepare and implement a new SWPPP prior to taking over operations at the construction site.

Z. Severability. The provisions of this general permit are severable, and if any provision of this general permit or the application of any provision of this permit to any circumstance, is held invalid, the application of such provision to other circumstances and the remainder of this general permit shall not be affected thereby.

9 Va. Admin. Code § 25-880-70

Former 4VAC50-60-1170 derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 3, eff. 1/29/2005; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 16, eff. 5/13/2009; Volume 29, Issue 4, eff. 11/21/2012; amended and renumbered, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 2, eff. 10/23/2013; Amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 24, eff. 7/1/2014; Amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 13, eff. July 1, 2014; Errata 31:1 VA.R. 68 September 8, 2014; Amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 19, eff. 7/1/2019; Amended, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 4, eff. 10/9/2023; Amended, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 16, eff. 7/1/2024; Errata, 40:17 VA.R. 1428 April 8, 2024.

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15:25 of the Code of Virginia.