Click the following link to view the PDF of this paper: Defining SWPPP Phasing and Sequencing Plans
Kasey J. Garrand, IG, CESSWI
Senior Project Manager
Atlantic Testing Laboratories
Within New York State, construction projects meeting specific soil disturbance parameters are required to obtain SPDES (State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit approval by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) prior to soil disturbance activity. The permit includes the applicant’s Notice of Intent (NOI) letter and the NYSDEC’s NOI acknowledgment letter, as well as the MS4 acceptance form, if applicable to the project. Requisite to the SPDES permit, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is designed primarily to manage stormwater and limit discharge of pollutants that may result in water quality violations. One of the elements that must be incorporated into a SWPPP is a construction phasing plan.
The phasing plan must include a map delineating the limits of disturbance for each phase of the project. This is supplemented by a table, defining the order of operations for each phase. The table must include start and end dates for each phase, total area of disturbance, and disturbance overlap of individual phases, if applicable.
Each sequencing plan (the subcategory of each phase) requires a table, corresponding with phase maps and indicating the order in which specific construction activities must be executed. Cut and fill areas must be outlined and quantified, along with a description of temporary and permanent stabilization measures that will be installed.
Steps in the sequencing plan can range from “clearing and grubbing” at the start of the project to “removal of temporary stormwater controls” when permanent stabilization has been achieved after project completion.
The detail and scope of the phasing plan can vary based on the size and complexity of the project. Working in phases reduces the amount of area disturbed at one time and makes erosion and sediment control more manageable. Phasing plans are commonly categorized into “Pre-Construction”, “Construction”, and “Stabilization and Monitoring” sections for small projects. For large projects, phases for each site location may be necessary or appropriate.
A detailed construction phasing plan is designed to establish the order in which different aspects of the SWPPP must be implemented. Additionally, the plan serves as an important reference for stormwater inspectors and guide for operators as erosion and sediment controls may be installed during different stages of a project. A construction phasing plan is a valuable component to any SWPPP and adherence to it reduces potential impacts from construction-generated pollutants.
If you have a project that includes a Construction General Permit for Stormwater, ATL has qualified inspectors, working under the direct supervision of ATL’s licensed professional engineers, located throughout New York State to perform SWPPP inspections as dictated by your General Permit.
For more information, contact Kasey Garrand, IG, CESSWI, at 518-563-5878, info@atlantictesting.com, or visit AtlanticTesting.com.
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