By Rob Kendall, Urban Conservationist

For construction sites disturbing an acre or more of soil, there are monitoring and project management requirements to fulfill. To ensure implementation standards (CSGP page 11, Section 3.3) are maintained and documented efficiently, the project must adhere to the self-monitoring requirements outlined on page 16, Section 3.6 of the CSGP.

 

Report Frequency

Trained individuals must evaluate the entire permitted area, excluding areas deemed unsafe. The frequency of self-monitoring reports is determined by site conditions:

  • Weekly Inspections: Must be conducted at least once every seven days.
  • Monthly Inspections: Applicable only for project areas stabilized with permanent vegetation (at 70% density) or non-erosive armoring. Reports must clearly distinguish which areas are being inspected monthly versus weekly.
  • Rain Event Inspections: Required within 24 hours before, or by the end of the next business day following, any rain event of 0.5 inches or more. This is required for up to three instances per week.

 

Report Details

Self-monitoring reports must include:

  • Name, title, and signature of the trained individual.
  • Date of inspection.
  • Precipitation amount (if inspecting after a rain event).
  • Evaluation of SWPPP implementation.
    • Assessment of stormwater measures to ensure compliance with local management standards.
    • Evaluation of alternative measures if original measures fail or unexpected erosion occurs.
  • Documentation of all potential pollutant impacts or actual discharges.
  • Documentation of recommendations and/or completed corrective actions.

 

Responses to Inspector

If a report identifies deficiencies, the project management team and inspectors must collaborate to meet the following deadlines after discovery:

  • Within 48 Hours: Install repairs or temporary alternative measures.
  • Within 7 Days: Complete the installation of new alternative measures or permanent replacements (unless otherwise directed by the inspector).

 

Record Keeping:

The project management team must maintain all inspection reports in an easily accessible location, preferably on-site. If requested by an inspecting authority, these reports must be produced physically or electronically within 48 hours.

Source:  Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Construction Stormwater General Permit (INRAOOOOO)  https://www.in.gov/idem/stormwater/construction-land-disturbance-permitting/