Plan before Notice of Intent
SWPPP must be completed prior to submitting the NOI
The SWPPP shall be completed prior to the submittal of a NOI to the Department to be covered under this permit and shall be updated as appropriate.
Iowa
SWPPP requirements in Iowa
Iowa issues its own construction general permit. We have read NPDES General Permit No. 2, Storm Water Discharge Associated with Construction Activities and list below the requirements we could cite to it, with the scope limits stated plainly. Screen your own acreage further down.
Who may prepare the plan
No preparer credential foundNo preparer credential was found for Iowa. On what we have verified, a generated plan can be adopted by the operator without a credentialed signature. Local ordinances can still be stricter than state law.
Iowa identifies this permit by sequence number rather than a state-prefixed alphanumeric code. Credential: no preparer credential; the permit contains no reference to a professional engineer, CPESC or licensure. It requires only that 'SWPPPs shall be prepared in accordance with good engineering practices' and defines qualified personnel by capability and knowledge.
No permit section cited. Confirm this with your permitting authority.
Coverage trigger
Worked through at 3 acres
The project disturbs 3 acres, at or above the 1 acre threshold, so it needs permit coverage.
The trigger people miss is the second one. A half acre lot inside a 40 acre subdivision is covered, because the larger common plan of development or sale is what counts, not the lot.
Read these before you act on the answer
- Requirements below are what we have read and cited directly from NPDES General Permit No. 2, Storm Water Discharge Associated with Construction Activities, not the federal CGP. A category we have not yet transcribed from this permit is omitted here rather than assumed to match EPA's rule.
- Iowa's General Permit No. 2 does not distinguish stabilization completion deadlines by acreage -- only a single 'immediately, if activity ceases permanently or is suspended >14 days' initiation trigger and a single Final Stabilization definition apply regardless of site size, so no fact was recorded for stabilization.complete.fiveAcresOrLess/moreThanFiveAcres. The permit does not offer a biweekly-plus-rain inspection alternative -- only a flat 7-day routine inspection interval, so inspection.routine.biweeklyPlusRain was omitted. No distinct increased inspection frequency for sensitive/impaired waters; Outstanding Iowa Waters are instead excluded from coverage entirely, so inspection.increased.sensitiveWaters was omitted. Iowa is not arid/semi-arid, so inspection.reduced.aridSemiAridDrought was omitted. No numeric turbidity or pH discharge limit was found; only a non-mandatory 80% TSS removal design goal and a 3,600 cubic-foot-per-acre sediment basin storage design standard exist. The NOI deadline is not a day-count before construction; the permit simply requires DNR authorization be issued before activities commence.
- No preparer credential was found for Iowa. On what we have verified, a generated plan can be adopted by the operator without a credentialed signature. Local ordinances can still be stricter than state law.
- Basinwise does not perform the physical site inspections the permit requires. Those must be carried out on site by a qualified person.
What the permit requires of a Iowa site
Worked for a three acre site with the receiving water unconfirmed. Each line says why it attached to this site rather than in general. Check the notes above for the site sizes this permit does not cover.
Filing
Notice of Intent deadline
Submit before commencing construction activities; the exact lead time is not recorded for this id.
Why this applies here: This is the deadline for a new site. A transfer to a new operator or an emergency related project has a different deadline.
For storm water discharge associated with industrial activity for construction activities, such activities shall not commence until an authorization has been issued for the project by the Department.
Notice of Termination deadline
Submit the Notice of Termination once a termination condition is met; the exact deadline is not recorded for this id.
Within 30 days after final stabilization at a construction site (as defined in Part VIII of this permit), the operator or owner of the facility shall submit a Notice of Discontinuation (NOD) to the Department.
Inspections
Inspection frequency, option 1
7At least once every 7 calendar days.
Why this applies here: You have not confirmed whether the site discharges to an impaired or high quality water. If it does, the increased frequency applies instead and this answer changes.
Qualified personnel (provided by the discharger) shall inspect disturbed areas of the construction site that have not been stabilized with a perennial, vegetative cover of sufficient density to preclude erosion at least once every seven calendar days.
Who may inspect
Qualified personnel: individuals capable enough and knowledgeable enough to perform the required functions adequately well to ensure compliance
Why this applies here: This is why Basinwise cannot perform your inspections. The permit requires a trained person physically on the site.
"Qualified personnel" means those individuals capable enough and knowledgeable enough to perform the required functions adequately well to ensure compliance with the relevant permit conditions and requirements of the Iowa Administrative Code.
Stabilisation
Initiate stabilisation
Immediately, once activity has permanently ceased on a portion of the site, or temporarily ceased and will not resume for more than 14 calendar days
Why this applies here: This applies at both land disturbance amounts.
Stabilization of disturbed areas must, at a minimum, be initiated immediately whenever any clearing, grading, excavating or other earth disturbing activities have permanently ceased on any portion of the site or temporarily ceased on any portion of the site and will not resume for a period exceeding 14 calendar days.
Corrective action
Corrective action, minor fix
Confirm the exact minor-fix deadline against the cited permit section.
If the permittee determines that making these changes at the construction site within 72 hours of the inspection is impracticable, the permittee shall document in the SWPPP why it is impracticable and indicate an estimated date by which the changes will be made.
Corrective action, major fix
Confirm the exact major-fix deadline against the cited permit section.
If the permittee determines that making these changes at the construction site within 72 hours of the inspection is impracticable, the permittee shall document in the SWPPP why it is impracticable and indicate an estimated date by which the changes will be made.
Buffers
Natural buffer
Provide and maintain a natural buffer or equivalent erosion and sediment controls near surface waters; the exact distance is not recorded for this id.
Provide and maintain natural buffers around waters of the United States, direct storm water to vegetated areas and maximize storm water infiltration to reduce pollutant discharges, unless infeasible.
Records you must keep
Inspection report deadline
24Complete the inspection report within 24 hours of completing the site inspection.
the storm water pollution prevention measures identified in the SWPPP shall be revised at the construction site as appropriate as soon as practicable after the inspection and added to the SWPPP within 7 calendar days of the inspection.
Corrective action log entries
Document the condition and its completion; the exact documentation deadline is not recorded for this id.
added to the SWPPP within 7 calendar days of the inspection.
Record retention
3Retain inspection reports and the corrective action log for at least 3 years from the date permit coverage expires or is terminated.
Why this applies here: The clock runs from permit expiry or termination, not from when the record was written, so on a multi year project every record stays live for the whole project plus three years.
For a period of at least three years from the date of the document or the date the site is finally stabilized and a NOD has been submitted, the permittee shall retain copies of SWPPPs, all reports required by this permit, and all records used to complete the NOI.
Screen a Iowa site now
Your acreage, your receiving water, your answer. Runs in your browser, nothing is transmitted.
What a plan has to cover, under the federal permit
This is EPA's list, from the 2022 Construction General Permit. It does NOT govern in Iowa, where the state issues its own permit and sets its own contents. It is here as a shape to expect, not as the requirement you will be held to.
General SWPPP requirementPart 7.1Verified
- All operators associated with a construction site under this permit must develop a SWPPP consistent with Part 7 prior to their submittal of the NOI. The SWPPP must be kept up-to-date throughout coverage under this permit. If a SWPPP was prepared under a previous version of this permit, the operator must review and update it before submitting an NOI.
All Site OperatorsPart 7.2.1Verified
- Include a list of all other operators who will be engaged in construction activities at the site, and the areas of the site over which each operator has control.
Stormwater TeamPart 7.2.2Verified
- Identify the personnel (by name and position) on the stormwater team pursuant to Part 6.1, their individual responsibilities, and which members are responsible for conducting inspections. Include verification that each member has received the Part 6.2 training, and documentation that inspection personnel have received the Part 6.3 training (EPA inspector training certificates, or documentation of a current non-EPA program certification plus confirmation the program satisfies the Part 6.3b minimum elements).
Nature of Construction ActivitiesParts 7.2.3a - 7.2.3iVerified
- A description of the nature of your construction activities, including the age or dates of past renovations for structures undergoing demolition
- The size of the property (in acres, or length in miles if a linear construction site)
- The total area expected to be disturbed by the construction activities (to the nearest quarter acre, or nearest quarter mile if a linear construction site)
- A description of any on-site and off-site construction support activity areas covered by this permit
- The maximum area expected to be disturbed at any one time, including on-site and off-site construction support activity areas
- A description and projected schedule for: commencement of construction activities in each portion of the site (clearing and grubbing, mass grading, demolition, site preparation, final grading, and creation of soil and vegetation stockpiles requiring stabilization); temporary or permanent cessation of construction activities in each portion; temporary or final stabilization of exposed areas for each portion; and removal of temporary stormwater controls and construction equipment or vehicles and cessation of construction-related pollutant-generating activities
- A list and description of all pollutant-generating activities on the site, with an inventory of pollutants or pollutant constituents associated with each, taking into account where potential spills and leaks could occur and any known hazardous or toxic substances such as PCBs and asbestos that will be disturbed or removed
- Business days and hours for the project
- If conducting construction activities in response to a public emergency, a description of the cause of the emergency, information substantiating its occurrence (e.g. a State disaster declaration), and a description of the construction necessary to reestablish affected public services
Site MapParts 7.2.4a - 7.2.4kVerified
- Boundaries of the property
- Locations where construction activities will occur, including: locations of earth-disturbing activities (noting any phasing) including demolition; approximate slopes before and after major grading (noting any steep slopes); locations where sediment, soil or other construction materials will be stockpiled; any receiving water crossings; designated points where vehicles will exit onto paved roads; locations of structures and other impervious surfaces upon completion; and locations of on-site and off-site construction support activity areas
- Locations of any receiving waters within the site and all receiving waters within one mile downstream of the site's discharge point(s), identifying whether any are listed as impaired or identified as a Tier 2, Tier 2.5 or Tier 3 water
- Any areas of Federally listed critical habitat within the action area of the site
- Type and extent of pre-construction cover on the site (e.g. vegetative cover, forest, pasture, pavement, structures)
- Drainage patterns of stormwater and authorized non-stormwater before and after major grading activities
- Stormwater and authorized non-stormwater discharge locations, including discharges to storm drain inlets (noting whether the inlet conveys stormwater to a sediment basin, sediment trap or similarly effective control), discharges directly to receiving waters, and locations where turbidity benchmark monitoring will take place
- Locations of all potential pollutant-generating activities identified in Part 7.2.3g
- Designated areas where construction wastes covered by the Part 2.3.3e.ii exception will be stored
- Locations of stormwater controls, including natural buffer areas and any shared controls utilized to comply with this permit
- Locations where polymers, flocculants or other treatment chemicals will be used and stored
Non-Stormwater DischargesPart 7.2.5Verified
- Identify all authorized non-stormwater discharges in Part 1.2.2 that will or may occur.
Procedures for Inspection, Maintenance, and Corrective ActionParts 7.2.7a - 7.2.7eVerified
- The inspection schedule you will follow, based on whether your site is subject to Part 4.2 or Part 4.3, or whether it qualifies for any of the reduced inspection frequencies in Part 4.4
- If conducting inspections under Part 4.2.2, Part 4.3 or Part 4.4.1b, the location of the rain gauge or the address of the weather station you will use to obtain rainfall data
- If reducing your inspection frequency in accordance with Part 4.4.1b, the beginning and ending dates of the seasonally defined arid period for your area or the valid period of drought
- If reducing your inspection frequency in accordance with Part 4.4.3, the beginning and ending dates of frozen conditions on your site
- Any maintenance or inspection checklists or other forms that will be used
Procedures for Turbidity Benchmark Monitoring from Dewatering Discharges (if applicable)Part 7.2.8Verified
- If required to comply with the Part 3.3 turbidity benchmark monitoring requirements, describe the procedures you will follow to collect and evaluate samples, report results to EPA, keep records of monitoring information, and take corrective action when necessary. Include the specific type of turbidity meter you will use and any manuals or manufacturer instructions on how to operate and calibrate it. Describe any coordinating arrangement with other permitted operators on the same site, including which parties are tasked with specific responsibilities. If EPA has approved an alternate turbidity benchmark, include the data and documentation relied on to request it.
Compliance with Other RequirementsParts 7.2.9a - 7.2.9cVerified
- Threatened and Endangered Species Protection: include the documentation required in the Endangered Species Protection section of the NOI in NeT, or the ESA worksheet in Appendix D, supporting your eligibility
- Historic Properties: include the documentation required in Appendix E supporting your eligibility with regard to the protection of historic properties
- Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Control (UIC) requirements: if using infiltration trenches, commercially manufactured pre-cast or pre-built proprietary subsurface detention vaults/chambers/devices designed to capture and infiltrate stormwater, or drywells, seepage pits or improved sinkholes, document any contact with the applicable State agency or EPA Regional Office responsible for underground injection wells. Such controls would generally be considered Class V UIC wells
SWPPP CertificationPart 7.2.10Verified
- Your signatory must sign and date your SWPPP in accordance with Appendix G, Part G.11.
Post-Authorization Additions to the SWPPPParts 7.2.11a - 7.2.11cVerified
- A copy of your NOI submitted to EPA along with any correspondence exchanged between you and EPA related to coverage under this permit
- A copy of the acknowledgment letter you receive from NeT assigning your NPDES ID (i.e. permit tracking number)
- A copy of this permit (an electronic copy easily available to the stormwater team is also acceptable)
Read the permit itself at the source document.
What people ask about SWPPP requirements in Iowa
What are the SWPPP requirements in Iowa?
Iowa issues its own construction general permit, and we have read NPDES General Permit No. 2, Storm Water Discharge Associated with Construction Activities. The requirements listed on this page, such as inspection frequency, who may inspect, stabilisation, corrective action and record retention, are cited to that permit rather than to EPA's. Anything we have not transcribed is left out instead of assumed to match the federal rule, and the scope note on this page says which sites the permit does not cover. Confirm the current permit and any site-size variant with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR).
Who may prepare a SWPPP in Iowa?
No preparer credential was found for Iowa. On what we have verified, a generated plan can be adopted by the operator without a credentialed signature. Local ordinances can still be stricter than state law.
How often must a Iowa site be inspected?
The inspection frequency is set by the Iowa construction general permit, which we have not read. Confirm it with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR).
The permit makes you keep the record, not just know the answer
Screening is free. Pro generates the site specific plan document and retains the inspection and corrective action log.