NPDES Permits for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities

NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits are required for construction sites equal or larger than one acre (equal to or greater than one acre of earth disturbance). The permit must be in to hand before earthwork begins. The requirements for an NPDES permit are defined by Federal and State regulations.

Two page Fact Sheet describing NPDES Permits for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities [last revised 9/2015] (PDF).

NPDES permits are “Individual” (issued by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] or "General" (PAG-02, authorized by delegated County Conservation District). The current version (PAG-02 effective Dec. 8, 2019) of the General NPDES permit will expire on December 7, 2024 regardless of when authorized; while Individual NPDES permits continue to expire 5 years from date of issuance.

Individual NPDES permits are for projects located in drainage basins listed Designated or Existing Use as "High Quality" or "Exceptional Value," (Special Protection) whereas projects within other drainage basins can qualify for a General NPDES permit in most situations. Official designations of drainage basins and streams are listed in the Pennsylvania Code. DEP’s eMapPA website provides approximate "High Quality" and "Exceptional Value" watershed locations.

As of June 17, 2021, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has revised the Chapter 93 existing use for certain streams in Centre County. Statewide Existing Use Classifications show our affected streams/watersheds ("summary table PDF" at bottom of page). NOTE: If you are applying for a NPDES Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities, changes in existing use to Exceptional Value (EV) or High Quality (HQ) will necessitate coverage under an Individual NPDES. Please contact the Conservation District at 814-355-6817 should there be any questions.

Two page Fact Sheet describing Individual NPDES Permits for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities [last revised 11/2014] (PDF).

A complete NPDES permit submission for a Notice of Intent (NOI, used for General Permits) or Application (for Individual Permits) consists of several forms, PNDI receipt, erosion control (E&S) plan drawings, post construction stormwater management (PCSM) plan drawings, appropriate modules, and fees. The forms can be obtained from DEP or the Conservation District office. The required components of an NPDES permit application or NOI are listed in its appropriate checklist- and submitted with your NPDES permit application and/or NOI package.

Checks associated with NPDES permits are to different "payees" depending on the fee.

  • The permit administrative fee is made out to: Centre County Clean Water Fund
  • The $100 per acre disturbed fee is made out to: Commonwealth of PA Clean Water Fund
  • While the E&S plan review fee is made out to: Centre County Conservation District

NPDES forms for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Contruction Activities (Check this page often to use the most current forms)