The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was established to regulate the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the NPDES program but delegates this authority to the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) within the state.  Since construction sites produce sediment and other pollutants which could be transported off-site during rain events, DEQ issues a NPDES General Construction Permit that is applicable to construction projects. 

The NPDES General Construction Permit requires all construction sites that disturb one acre or more of soil to obtain general permit coverage and to develop, implement, and maintain a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) designed to minimize the discharge of pollutants while construction is in progress. 

The ARDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction – Sections 107, 110, and 621 contain the main information that provides guidance to the Contractor in the protection of water quality and wetlands and temporary erosion and sediment control devices.  Sections 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 626, and other sections pertaining to permanent stormwater control features also apply. 

Click here to access ARDOT Standard Specification.