Minimum Control Measure #4 - Construction Site Runoff Controls
Polluted storm water runoff from construction sites often flows to MS4s and is discharged to rivers and streams. Construction site sediment, in concentrations 10 to 20 times greater than farmlands, quickly fills lakes and rivers. This destroys aquatic environments and requires dredging.
Under the minimum control measures established by the DEP, Penn State must establish a policy, using DEP guidelines, to control runoff and soil erosion during construction. The University’s program underscores its commitment to addressing construction storm water management. It has a five level system that outlines the practices that need to be used in all earth disturbance situations. All disturbances less than 5000 ft2 shall be handled with OPP staff, while those above 5000 ft2 shall be submitted to the local conservation district for approval.
These guidelines utilize Engineering Services as the contact and manager of the permits and E&S plans. This centralization of the permits will allow the management of all permits’ requirements. All renewal and revision tracking will be the responsibility of Engineering Services. All fees and professional services associated with renewing or revising these permits will be the responsibility of the project for which coverage exists. These regulations and policies can be found in section 3.3 of our Stormwater Program at http://www.opp.psu.edu/environment/ms4/Stormwater_program.pdf
The specific guidelines may be found at http://www.opp.psu.edu/construction/standards/design_standards/Division2.doc
- Disturbance Flow chart
- Runoff Control Illustrations
- The Centre County Conservation District, a unit of the County government, oversees the local soil and water conservation program for the University Park campus. For information on their program, see http://www.co.centre.pa.us/conservation/erosionsediment.htm
- Other Penn State Campuses comply with their local county conservation districts. For more information on their programs, see http://www.pacd.org/districts/directory.htm
- Part of Penn State’s Construction stormwater management program is to train construction managers in proper soil control and erosion prevention techniques. Penn State developed a training power point presentation. The Power point presentation can be seen here.