Conduct a field visit to document topography, existing vegetation cover, drainage patterns, soil conditions, and proximity to water bodies. Note any existing impervious surfaces, structures, and utilities.

Obtain soil data from the NRCS Web Soil Survey. Identify hydrologic soil groups (A through D), K-factor (erodibility), and infiltration rates. Highly erodible soils (K > 0.4) require more aggressive erosion controls.

Identify all receiving water bodies within the project's drainage area. Check the state 303(d) impaired waters list — discharges to impaired waters may require enhanced BMPs, additional monitoring, or TMDL-based effluent limits.

Determine the total area of disturbance including all phases of the project and any related development (common plan of development). This determines permit applicability and may affect the fee tier.

Photograph existing conditions from multiple angles with date stamps. These become the baseline reference for final stabilization comparisons at project closeout.

Identify any special-status areas: wetlands (Section 404 jurisdiction), floodplains (FEMA maps), endangered species habitat (ESA), historic properties (NHPA), and tribal lands. Each may require separate consultations.

Section 404/ESA consultations: 2–8 weeks if triggered

Prepare a general location map showing the project site in regional context, nearby water bodies, roads, and landmarks. Include latitude/longitude of the site centroid.

Create a pre-construction topographic map showing existing contours, vegetation, drainage features, soils, and any impervious areas. Delineate the total disturbed area boundary.

Develop the construction-phase site plan showing: grading limits, cut/fill areas, stockpile locations, construction entrances/exits, material storage areas, concrete washout areas, sanitary facilities, and temporary roads.

Design the drainage area map with flow arrows showing stormwater runoff direction, concentration points, and all discharge locations. Calculate drainage area acreages for each discharge point — this determines sediment basin sizing.

Create the BMP plan map showing the precise location of every erosion control, sediment control, and good housekeeping BMP. Include installation notes, material specifications, and maintenance schedule references.

Prepare a post-construction stormwater management plan showing permanent drainage features, detention/retention basins, infiltration areas, and final stabilization methods.

Design erosion controls first — preventing soil detachment is more effective and less costly than capturing sediment after it's mobilized. Include: temporary seeding, mulching, erosion control blankets, soil binders, and surface roughening appropriate to the site's climate and soils.

Design sediment controls at all discharge points and the downslope perimeter: silt fence, sediment basins (required for drainage areas ≥ 10 acres where feasible), sediment traps, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances. Size all controls for the design storm specified by your permit.

Address natural buffer requirements. The federal CGP requires a 50-foot undisturbed natural buffer from water bodies where feasible. If the buffer cannot be maintained, document the rationale and provide equivalent sediment controls.

Plan the BMP installation sequence. The permit requires perimeter and sediment controls to be installed BEFORE any land disturbance begins. Include a phasing plan if the project will be constructed in stages.

BMPs must be in place before any grading

Specify stabilization timelines for inactive areas. The federal CGP requires temporary stabilization within 14 days of the area becoming inactive. Some states require shorter timelines (e.g., 7 days in certain watersheds).

In arid/semi-arid regions, include wind erosion controls: water application, chemical dust suppressants, wind barriers, and surface roughening. In PM10 nonattainment areas, a separate air quality dust permit may be required.

For dewatering operations, specify treatment methods before discharge: dewatering bags, sediment tanks, or settling basins. Dewatering directly to waters of the US without treatment is prohibited.

Designate concrete washout areas at least 50 feet from storm drains, ditches, and water bodies. Washout must be contained (lined pit or prefabricated container) with no discharge to surface waters. Include maintenance and pumpout schedule.

Establish material storage protocols: chemicals, paints, and solvents stored in covered, contained areas with secondary containment (110% of largest container volume). Include inventory controls and MSDS/SDS accessibility.

Design fuel and oil storage containment: double-walled tanks or single-walled with secondary containment berms. Refueling areas must be at least 50 feet from drainage features. Include spill kit locations on the site map.

Document the spill prevention and response plan: spill kit contents and locations, emergency contact numbers, notification procedures (state agency within 24 hours for reportable quantities), and cleanup protocols.

Address waste management: dumpster placement and covering, construction debris containment, sanitary waste facility maintenance, and prohibited discharge items (paint washwater, solvents, fuel, concrete slurry).

If the project involves demolition, address lead paint, asbestos, and other hazardous material handling protocols separately from the stormwater plan. These fall under OSHA and EPA NESHAP regulations.

Define the inspection schedule per the applicable permit. Most permits offer two options: every 7 calendar days, OR every 14 calendar days plus within 24 hours of a qualifying rain event. The rain event threshold varies by state (0.25" to 0.5").

Identify the qualified inspector(s) by name or title. Document their qualifications — training certificates, years of experience, and any state-required credentials. Some states require certified inspectors (CPESC, CESSWI, or state-specific credentials).

Include the inspection report template in the SWPPP as an appendix. The report must capture: date, time, weather, inspector name, BMP status for each control, areas of active disturbance, evidence of discharge, and corrective actions needed with deadlines.

Document corrective action procedures: deficiencies must be addressed within 24 hours of discovery. If repair cannot be completed in 24 hours, document the reason and expected completion date. The SWPPP must be amended if corrective actions change the BMP plan.

Corrective actions: initiate within 24 hours

Specify record retention requirements. Most permits require all inspection records, corrective action logs, and SWPPP amendments to be retained for at least 3 years after the Notice of Termination is filed.

Record retention: minimum 3 years post-NOT

If the permit requires turbidity or other water quality monitoring (common in WA, OR, and for projects discharging to impaired waters), document the monitoring protocol: sampling locations, frequency, parameters, laboratory methods, and benchmark/exceedance response procedures.

Document all permanent stormwater management features: detention/retention basins, bioswales, permeable pavement, green roofs, infiltration systems, and permanent drainage channels. Include design calculations and maintenance schedules.

Describe the final stabilization plan for all disturbed areas. Standard criteria: 70% perennial vegetative cover relative to pre-disturbance conditions. Specify seed mixes, planting schedules, and temporary irrigation if needed.

For arid/semi-arid regions, document alternative stabilization methods: riprap, decomposed granite, gravel cover, geotextile fabric, or desert landscaping. Include the justification for why vegetative stabilization is not feasible.

Address ownership and long-term maintenance responsibility for permanent stormwater features. Many municipalities require a recorded maintenance agreement before issuing a certificate of occupancy.

Include a site restoration plan for temporary construction features: remove all temporary BMPs, restore staging areas, re-grade temporary access roads, and stabilize all remaining exposed soil.

The operator (or authorized representative) must sign and certify the SWPPP per the applicable permit requirements. The certification statement affirms that the plan is complete, accurate, and will be implemented as written.

If your state requires professional certification (PE stamp, QSD designation, or other credential), ensure the plan is reviewed and sealed by the appropriate professional before submission.

Distribute copies of the SWPPP to all contractors and subcontractors who will perform work on the site. Each party should sign an acknowledgment that they have reviewed and understand their BMP responsibilities.

Keep the SWPPP on-site (or accessible within 24 hours of a request) for the duration of construction. The regulatory agency, EPA, or citizen groups may request to review it at any time.

The SWPPP is a living document — it must be amended whenever site conditions change, BMPs are modified, new operators are added, or inspections reveal that current controls are inadequate. Date and initial every amendment.

File the NOI (covered in the Compliance Process guide) only after the SWPPP is complete and certified. The NOI submission typically requires you to attest that the SWPPP has been developed in accordance with the permit.

NOI processing: immediate to 14 days depending on state