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Construction and Development
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Construction and development activity typically involves site selection and planning, and land-disturbing tasks such as clearing, excavating and grading. Disturbed soil, if not managed properly, can be easily washed off site during storm events. Stormwater discharges generated during construction activities can cause an array of physical, chemical and biological impacts to surface waters. Completed construction projects often increase the amount of impervious surface in a watershed and alter the natural infiltration capacity of the land. Water quality can be degraded by construction sites and developed areas due to stormwater runoff that is higher in volume and pollutant loadings than in undisturbed areas.
- Proposed Effluent Guidelines
- Status Reports to Court
- Related EPA Information
- Additional Information
- Background
Proposed Effluent Guidelines
We are proposing effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) and new source performance standards (NSPS) to control the discharge of pollutants from construction sites. EPA is requesting comment on the proposed ELGs and NSPS, which would require construction sites to implement a range of erosion and sediment control measures to control pollutants in stormwater discharges. In addition, for certain large sites located in areas of the country with high rainfall intensity and soils with high clay content, stormwater discharges from the construction site would be required to meet a numeric limit on the allowable level of turbidity.
- News Release (November 19, 2008)
- Fact Sheet on Proposed Construction and Development ELGs (November 2008)
- Federal Register Notice (November 28, 2008)
- Regulations.gov docket (docket # EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0465)
Support Documents
- Development Document for Proposed Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Category, Volume 1 (PDF) (324 pp., 2.6 MB)
- Development Document for Proposed Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Category, Appendices (PDF) (314 pp., 2.6 MB)
- Economic Analysis of Proposed Effluent Limitation Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Industry (PDF) (266 pp., 1.5 MB)
- Environmental Impact and Benefits Assessment for Proposed Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Category (PDF) (253 pp., 2.6 MB)
Status Reports to Court
- Injunction: December 1, 2006 (PDF) (89K, 3 pp.)
- EPA Status Report to Court: March 2007 (PDF) (28 K, 3 pp.)
- EPA Status Report to Court: July 2007 (PDF) (27 K, 3 pp.)
- EPA Status Report to Court: November 2007 (PDF) (46 K, 5 pp.)
- EPA Status Report to Court: April 2008 (PDF) (56 K, 4 pp.)
- EPA Status Report to Court: August 2008 (PDF) (26 K, 2 pp.)
- EPA Status Report to Court: November 2008 (PDF) (34 K, 3 pp.)
- EPA Status Report to Court: April 2009 (PDF) (74 K, 4 pp.)
Related EPA Information
- NPDES Permit Program—Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities
- National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices
- Preliminary Study of Urban Stormwater Best Management Practices (1999)
Additional Information
For additional information regarding construction and development industry effluent guidelines, please see construction and development contacts.
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Background
EPA issued a proposed C&D rule in 2002 and withdrew the proposal in 2004. Documents on these actions are provided for reference purposes only.
Final Action—Notice of Withdrawal
- Federal Register Notice (April 26, 2004)
- Support Documents:
- Development Document (EPA-821-B-04-001; March 2004)
- Economic Analysis (EPA-821-B-04-002; March 2004)
2002 Proposed Rule
- Federal Register Notice (June 24, 2002)
- Support Documents:
- Development Document (EPA-821-R-02-007; June 2002)
- Economic Analysis (PDF) (7.8 MB; EPA-821-R-02-008; May 2002)
- Environmental Assessment (EPA-821-R-02-009; June 2002)