Most of our rainwater travels through gutters, storm drains, channels, washes and eventually into the major source of our drinking water, Lake Mead. The largest source of stormwater pollution in Southern Nevada results from every day activities. The most common pollutants are:

• Trash (fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, styrofoam cups, etc.)
• Toxins (used motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizer, pesticides, sewage overflow, pet droppings, etc.)
  

These pollutants are picked up as water (from rain, hoses, sprinklers, etc.) drains from streets, parking lots, and lawns to the storm drain system made up of over the 66,000 catch basins, pipes, and open channels throughout Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Polluted urban runoff entering the storm drain system is conveyed straight to the Las Vegas Wash untreated.

Basically, anything dumped or dropped on the ground or in the gutter contributes to stormwater pollution.

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The Permit coverage stays in effect until you submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) to the NDEP. For the purpose of submitting a NOT, all soil disturbing activities have to be completed and one of the three following criteria has to be met:

• Change of ownership;
• A uniform vegetative cover with 70 percent coverage has been established; or,
• Equivalent stabilization measures such as the use of reinforced channel liners, soil cement, fiber matrices, geotextiles, etc., have been employed.

• Implement BMPs for non-stormwater discharges year-round.
• Prepare and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) prior to commencing construction activities.
• Keep a copy of the SWPPP at the construction site for the entire duration of the project.
• Calculate the anticipated stormwater run-off.
• Implement an effective combination of erosion and sediment control on all soil disturbed areas.
• Conduct site inspections prior to anticipated storm events, every 24 hours during extended storm events, and after actual storm events.
• Perform repair and maintenance of BMPs as soon as possible after storm events depending upon worker safety.
• Update the SWPPP, as needed, to manage pollutants or reflect changes in site conditions.
• Include description of post-construction BMPs at the construction site, including parties responsible for long-term maintenance.
  

Visit the following NDEP website here to obtain more detailed information about developing construction stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP).

Obtain the permit package and submit the completed Notice of Intent (NOI) form to the NDEP prior to grading or disturbing soil at the construction site. For ongoing construction activity involving a change of ownership, the new owner must submit a new NOI within 30 days of the date of change of ownership. The completed NOI along with the required fee should be mailed to the NDEP.

Visit the following NDEP websites to obtain more detailed information about the General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity:

• Permit Application Requirements: State of Nevada's required forms and procedures for obtaining a construction stormwater permit.

• Construction Stormwater Permitting Guidance: Overview of EPA construction stormwater permitting.

• Developing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans: EPA manuals detailing guidance on developing construction stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP).

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Yes, if construction activity results in the disturbance of one (1) or more acres of total land area or is part of a common plan of development that results in the disturbance of one (1) or more acres.