Construction Projects

Resources for Projects During Construction

The following resources will assist construction contractors, engineers, property owners, and municipal staff in preventing stormwater pollution at active construction sites.

Once construction activities begin on site you are required to install all “minimum” stormwater best management practices (BMPs) and control measures (CMs) specified on the plans. All BMPs and CMs routinely must be:

Inspected
Maintained
Cleaned and
Repaired or replaced

Document all stormwater BMP and CM activities performed in a log. The log should be updated weekly and be available on site at all times for review by any Official.

Construction projects may be required to submit an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (E&SC Plan) or a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

Construction Site Planning and Management

Coordinating BMP implementation with construction activities is critical in preventing erosion and sediment loss. All construction sites, regardless of size, should have a pre- and post- construction schedule. This allows a connection to the sequence of construction and the installation of erosion and sediment control measures. Developing a written plan and specified work schedule for implementing BMPs is a key objective of planning.

To download a PDF of the Construction Site Planning and Management section of the Construction Best Management Practices Handbook create by Monterey Stormwater & Education Alliance (Monterey SEA) click here.

Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (E&SC Plan)

For projects that will include soil disturbance during construction, applicants must submit an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (E&SC Plan) for approval by the City prior to the issuance of certain permits, including all Grading Permits, most Building Permits, other permits at the discretion of the City (e.g. Encroachment or Demolition Permits with potential for significant erosion or non-stormwater discharges).

To download a PDF of the Erosion and Sediment Control section of the Construction Best Management Practices handbook created by Monterey Stormwater & Education Alliance (Monterey SEA) click here.

If a project disturbs one acre or more of soil, it is subject to the State’s Construction General Permit (CGP). In this circumstance, the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) developed pursuant to the CGP may substitute for the E&SC Plan.

The E&SC Plan may require modification as the project progresses and as conditions warrant. All modifications to the approved E&SC Plan must be submitted to the City for review and approval.

What should be in the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan

The Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (E&SC Plan) Checklist, available HERE, provides detailed information for High and Low priority construction projects. This checklist has been developed to assist applicants in obtaining City approval. The goal of the E&SC Plan is to:

1. Minimize the amount of disturbed soil;

2. Eliminate non-storm runoff;

3. Eliminate sediment and/or other pollutants from exiting the construction site; and

4. Ensure construction materials are managed properly.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Resources

The State General Construction Permit requires the development and implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

The SWPPP must be prepared by a Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) and should contain a sitemap(s) which shows the construction site perimeter, existing and proposed buildings, lots, roadways, storm water collection and discharge points, general topography both before and after construction, and drainage patterns across the project.
The SWPPP must list Best Management Practices (BMPs) the discharger will use to protect stormwater runoff and the placement of those BMPs.
Additionally, the SWPPP must contain a visual monitoring program; a chemical monitoring program for "non-visible" pollutants to be implemented if there is a failure of BMPs; and a sediment monitoring plan if the site discharges directly to a water body.

The following documents may assist in SWPPP preparation:

Developing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites. This guidance manual is provided by the U.S. EPA NPDES Program and is intended as a helpful reference for construction site operators in preparing a SWPPP. In addition, the guide provides customizable SWPPP templates and a sample inspection report, in Microsoft Word format.
Fact sheets from Cal Trans for construction site best management practices (BMPs) include soil stabilization, sediment control, tracking control, wind and erosion control, non-stormwater management, and materials and waste management. They are helpful in building a SWPPP.

Low Impact Development (LID) for Construction Contractors

Although projects with Low Impact Development (LID) features may look like conventional development projects, there are key differences construction contractors need to understand to build successful LID projects.

Central Coast Low Impact Development Initiative (LIDI) has developed construction training videos, technical assistance documents, and local material vendor lists to support LID construction. The videos provided below provide insight related to the construction of LID facilities.

LID for Contractors and Developers – Technical Assistance Memo

Although projects with LID features may look like conventional development projects, there are key differences for contractors and developers to understand as part of bidding or cost estimating, construction, and maintenance. The goal of this TAM is to give contractors and developers who are new to LID pointers to help identify aspects of LID implementation that impact cost, affect project schedule, or require special construction procedures.

Click here to view the LID for Contractors and Developers TAM

Best Practices for Bioretention and Overflow Structures

The goal of this graphic is to alert contractors and designers to critical bioretention design and construction considerations. There are two versions of this graphic. They both contain the same content, but one has a white background and the other is more color heavy with a blue background.

Click here to view the Best Practices Flyer.