Plan before Notice of Intent
prepared and submitted together with the NOI (Moderate Risk only)
An EPSC Plan shall be prepared and submitted with the NOI for a moderate risk construction activity.
Vermont
SWPPP requirements in Vermont
Vermont issues its own construction general permit. We have read General Permit 3-9020 for Stormwater Runoff from Construction Sites 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
Conditional, depends on the siteVermont gates plan preparation conditionally. The gate is triggered by plan scope rather than acreage: Moderate risk projects only, per Appendix A's Risk Evaluation questionnaire: Overall Risk Score 1 or less = Low Risk (Site Drawing under the Low Risk Site Handbook, no stated preparer credential); Overall Risk Score 2 to 4 = Moderate Risk (site-specific EPSC Plan, Subpart 3.2 credential applies); Overall Risk Score 5 or higher, or 5+ acres concurrent earth disturbance, or a 14+ day stabilization schedule = ineligible for the general permit, requires an Individual Discharge Permit. Confirm which case applies to your plan before relying on a generated document.
Qualifying routes
- Certified engineer (required for moderate risk projects; the term 'certified engineer' is not defined anywhere in the permit, including its Appendix C definitions)
Confirmed by direct read of the permit. Subpart 3.2 verbatim: 'This Subpart, applicable to moderate risk construction activities, describes the required EPSC Plan that is to be prepared by a certified engineer and meet all requirements of the APPENDIX B.' Risk tiering is not acreage-based alone; it runs through Appendix A's questionnaire (eligibility screening, then a Basic and Detailed Risk Evaluation combining into an Overall Risk Score). 'Certified engineer' is genuinely undefined: the phrase appears exactly once in the 77-page permit, does not recur in Appendix C Definitions, and the terms 'professional engineer,' 'PE,' 'stamp,' 'seal' and 'licensed' do not appear anywhere. Vermont's engineering licensure statute (26 V.S.A. Chapter 20) only formally recognizes 'Professional Engineer' and 'Engineer Intern' — 'certified engineer' is not a defined credential under Vermont law either, so the ambiguity cannot be resolved by cross-referencing state licensure statute. Because the permit itself never invokes a stamp, seal or PE license, peStamp is left null rather than inferred as true.
VerifiedGeneral Permit 3-9020 (2025), Subpart 3.2 (Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control (EPSC) Plan)Source
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 General Permit 3-9020 for Stormwater Runoff from Construction Sites, 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.
- The DEC's general landing page still links to the superseded 2020-02-19 permit PDF, but the actual current, legally effective permit is the 2025 reissuance (effective 2025-06-20, expires 2030-06-20), used and verified by the prior Workstream A3 credential entry for VT. Vermont's stabilization requirement is a single undifferentiated 14-day deadline applying identically regardless of disturbed acreage (the general permit itself caps concurrent earth disturbance at 5 acres; larger triggers mandatory Individual Permit coverage), so facts were not forced into stabilization.complete.fiveAcresOrLess/moreThanFiveAcres. Vermont has no distinct increased-inspection-near-sensitive-waters rule -- proximity to a Class A Water/Outstanding Resource Water instead raises the project's risk-category score. Vermont's permit contains no arid/semi-arid/drought provisions anywhere -- omitted entirely rather than fabricated. No explicit numeric deadline for submitting a Notice of Termination after final stabilization was found. deadline.noi.newSite has no fixed lead-time-in-days structure; Vermont instead flatly bars construction from commencing until DEC issues written authorization.
- Vermont gates plan preparation conditionally. The gate is triggered by plan scope rather than acreage: Moderate risk projects only, per Appendix A's Risk Evaluation questionnaire: Overall Risk Score 1 or less = Low Risk (Site Drawing under the Low Risk Site Handbook, no stated preparer credential); Overall Risk Score 2 to 4 = Moderate Risk (site-specific EPSC Plan, Subpart 3.2 credential applies); Overall Risk Score 5 or higher, or 5+ acres concurrent earth disturbance, or a 14+ day stabilization schedule = ineligible for the general permit, requires an Individual Discharge Permit. Confirm which case applies to your plan before relying on a generated document.
- 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 Vermont 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.
Construction activity shall not commence until an authorization to discharge is issued pursuant to this permit or an individual construction stormwater permit is issued.
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.
Inspections shall be conducted at least once every seven calendar days, immediately before any stormwater runoff producing event, and as required in Subpart 3.3.3.A.
Who may inspect
On-Site Plan Coordinator (OSPC), knowledgeable in erosion prevention and sediment control principles/practice
Why this applies here: This is why Basinwise cannot perform your inspections. The permit requires a trained person physically on the site.
Such person shall be knowledgeable in the principles and practice of erosion prevention and sediment control and possess the skills and training to assess conditions at the construction site that could impact stormwater quality.
Corrective action
Corrective action, minor fix
Confirm the exact minor-fix deadline against the cited permit section.
If site inspections ... identify BMPs that are not operating effectively, maintenance shall be performed as soon as possible and before the next storm event or melt event.
Corrective action, major fix
Confirm the exact major-fix deadline against the cited permit section.
the permittee shall modify the BMPs and EPSC Plan as necessary or as directed to include additional or modified BMPs designed to correct the problems identified. Revisions to the BMPs and EPSC Plan shall be completed and implemented within 72 hours following the inspection or investigation.
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.
Will the proposed project have earth disturbance within 50 ft. (horizontal) upslope of any lake, pond, wetland, river, or stream? ... Will the project have any stormwater discharges from the construction site to receiving water(s) that do not first filter through a 50-ft. vegetated buffer?
Records you must keep
Inspection report deadline
24Complete the inspection report within 24 hours of completing the site inspection.
If ... a discharge of visibly discolored stormwater from the construction site to waters of the State is observed, the permittee shall notify DEC by submitting a Discharge Report within 24 hours of discovering the discharge.
Corrective action log entries
Document the condition and its completion; the exact documentation deadline is not recorded for this id.
if a certification of compliance cannot be provided at the time of inspection, the inspection report shall specifically identify non-compliance with the EPSC Plan and provide a schedule and corrective actions required for achieving full compliance.
Record retention
5Retain inspection reports and the corrective action log for at least 5 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.
The permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information ... copies of all reports required by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the application for this permit for a period of at least five years from the date of the sample, measurement, report, or application.
Screen a Vermont 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 Vermont, 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 Vermont
What are the SWPPP requirements in Vermont?
Vermont issues its own construction general permit, and we have read General Permit 3-9020 for Stormwater Runoff from Construction Sites. 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 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Watershed Management Division.
Who may prepare a SWPPP in Vermont?
Vermont gates plan preparation conditionally. The gate is triggered by plan scope rather than acreage: Moderate risk projects only, per Appendix A's Risk Evaluation questionnaire: Overall Risk Score 1 or less = Low Risk (Site Drawing under the Low Risk Site Handbook, no stated preparer credential); Overall Risk Score 2 to 4 = Moderate Risk (site-specific EPSC Plan, Subpart 3.2 credential applies); Overall Risk Score 5 or higher, or 5+ acres concurrent earth disturbance, or a 14+ day stabilization schedule = ineligible for the general permit, requires an Individual Discharge Permit. Confirm which case applies to your plan before relying on a generated document.
How often must a Vermont site be inspected?
The inspection frequency is set by the Vermont construction general permit, which we have not read. Confirm it with Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Watershed Management Division.
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.