DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Sites Disturbing Less Than 1 Acre of Land

For sites less than 1 acre, Chapter 40 of City code requires the following form to be completed and returned before earthmoving activities begin:

•   Individual Lot Notice of Intent and SWPPP

•   Lote Individual Aviso de Intención y Plan de Prevención de Contaminación de Aguas Pluviales

These forms are presented as fillable PDFs with a 'Submit' button at the bottom for ease of use. Paper copies are available at the Building Department service counter; completed copies can be returned to the Building Department.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) may require these smaller construction sites to apply for an NPDES permit if construction activities could have a negative impact on water quality.

For more information or to speak to someone locally, call (308) 646-6557 for the Stormwater Department. You can also contact the Public Works Department at (308) 385-5455 or digitally via email, Facebook, or Twitter.

Sites Disturbing 1 or More Acres of Land and Sites which are Part of a Larger Common Plan of Development

Any site that will be disturbing 1 acre of land or more as well as any site that is part of a larger common plan of development (generally subdivisions but sometimes long construction projects) are subject to Phase II of the Clean Water Act. Before any earthwork begins, these sites must obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).

In order to comply with Phase II of the stormwater program, review all requirements contained in the NDEE Construction Stormwater General Permit. The 2021 permit requires each application to submit a SWPPP with the Notice of Intent; all inspections need to be submitted digitally as well. The steps below provide a brief outline of the permitting process:

1. Determine which parties are considered “Operators;” these people will be considered responsible for day-to-day stormwater compliance on site. 

2. Develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). This document must be available on the construction site and made accessible to everyone during construction activities.

3. Complete and submit a digital Notice of Intent (NOI) to the NDEE 7 days before construction begins. Required forms include:

1. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
2. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission CERT
3. Nebraska Historical Society Review

4. During construction, implement the SWPPP, install and maintain BMPs, and perform inspections either every 7 days or every 14 days and after a 0.25” storm event. Installation, inspection, and maintenance must be documented; these documents should be available online and on site.

5. Establish vegetation everywhere that will not be built upon or paved. The site is considered ‘stabilized’ when that vegetation uniform, permanent in nature, and about 70% dense. Remove any remaining silt fence or temporary BMPs. Clean out any stormwater detention areas and storm sewer structures.  

6. Complete and submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) to the NDEE.

A SWPPP must include the following:

• Site description or map identifying potential sources of pollution that may impact the quality of stormwater runoff discharges.
• Appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs), including erosion, sediment and stormwater management controls to minimize the discharge of pollutants from the site to the maximum extent practical.
• Description of steps taken to prevent and control pollutants in stormwater discharge from the site, including inspection of all disturbed areas and documentation of maintenance of all controls to ensure their effective operation.
• The name of the individual responsible for the SWPPP implementation.

More details can be found at the EPA’s SWPPP Guide.

For more information on how to comply with the stormwater program regulations, see the NDEE website or the EPA’s ”Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities” site. Contact the NDEE for more information about NPDES stormwater permits or assistance completing any required paperwork.

Sites Requiring Dewatering of Ground Water

The City of Grand Island does not have a dewatering program; the City does not hold a city-wide general dewatering permit. All dewatering is regulated at the State level.

• Ne Dept of Environment and Energy permits the dewatering discharge from any well associated with a construction site. These permits require sampling and lab analysis.
• Central Platte Natural Resources District regulates every well capable of pumping more than 50 gallons per minute. They are also the regulatory authority for wells used to water more than 2 acres.
• Ne Dept of Natural Resources requires registration of all wells that will be in place longer than 90 days. These must be installed according to the NDEE regulations for private drinking wells.
• Ne Game and Parks Commission reviews all projects that require a state permit before an application is approved.

Grand Island Public Works does request that well operators notify us prior to pumping.  Be prepared to show all registration and monitoring documentation upon request.

For more information and links to State permits, visit Construction Site Program Documents. To speak to someone locally, call (308) 646-6557 for the Stormwater Department. You can also contact the Public Works Department at (308) 385-5455 or digitally via email, Facebook, or Twitter.