Executive Summary
The permitting process for land disturbance and stormwater runoff is regulated in Missouri by the Department of Natural Resources. This process would be valuable when our cooperatives have the need to remove vegetation or disturb areas to install lines and during facility construction. When vegetation is removed the stability of the underlying soils may lead to erosion and debris being carried into water ways and other usable water sources. The information and links below will help to guide in the process and ensure we understand the times when a permit is needed, and the steps to follow along the way. The permitting process is handled through an electronic form and can also be found below.
Exemption: within the Missouri Clean Water Regulations at 10 CSR 20-6.200 there are exemptions from the land disturbance storm water permitting regulations for the following activities:
Linear, strip or ribbon construction or maintenance operations meeting one of the following criteria:
- Cleaning or routine maintenance of roadside ditches, sewers, waterlines. Pipelines, utility lines or similar facilities. (This does NOT include new construction disturbing one acre or greater).
- Trenches two feet in width or less.
Land disturbance permits are required for disturbance of one acre or greater (Phase I affected disturbance of five acres or greater.) This requirement applies statewide.
Electronic Permitting
In order to improve efficiency and customer service, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has transferred to an electronic process for obtaining General Missouri State Operating Permits for land disturbance activities. This process is known as Electronic Permitting or ePermitting for short. The ePermitting system is designed to allow you the user to receive a land disturbance permit in minutes as compared to days or weeks with the submittal of a paper application. As of Sept. 1, 2012, the department no longer processes paper applications for land disturbance activities unless the applicant can provide specific criteria why they cannot use the ePermitting system. If you are unable to apply for a land disturbance permit through ePermitting, please contact your local department regional office regarding other application options. A regional office map and contact information for the office in your area is available online. For more information about the ePermitting process or to begin your application visit the ePermitting information Web page.
- Protecting Water Quality: A field guide to erosion, sediment and stormwater management practice for development sites in Missouri and Kansas - Revised January 2011
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Overview of Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities
- The Stormwater Issue, Fact Sheet -- PUB223 addresses one acre
- The Phase II Rule also established two potential waivers for small construction activities. However, Missouri does not anticipate these waivers to be applicable to Missouri activities now or in the near future.
- Missouri's Land Disturbance Permits
- Standard Land Disturbance Permit - MORA (includes stormwater prevention plan requirements)
- Land Disturbance Permit for City, County or Other Government Entity - MOR100
- Application forms for manual permitting process for land disturbance permits
- e-Permitting Information - Instructions and Application System for Land Disturbance Permits
- Form H - Request for Termination of a General Permit, Form--MO 780-1409 (Also referred to as a Notice of Termination, or N.O.T.)
- Other required permits that may be needed before construction projects begin
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans for Construction Sites
- EPA manual Stormwater Management for Construction Activities: Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices (EPA 832-R-92-005)
Best Management Practices for Construction Site Activities
- The Stormwater Issue, Fact Sheet -- PUB223
- Stormwater Permit Requirements for Land Disturbance Activities, Fact Sheet -- PUB2009
- Managing Your Environmental Responsibilities: A Planning Guide for Construction and Development- EPA Compliance Assistance
- International Erosion Control Association - News, conferences, training and exhibits regarding erosion control, as well as links to other sites. They also provide a publication called Erosion Control.
- International Stormwater Best Management Practices Database (EPA/ASCE, 1996.) Database of monitoring results showing effectiveness of structural and non-structural Best Management Practices. Data contributions are being solicited on an on-going basis. Also available on CD-ROM.
- National Pollutant Removal Database 2nd Edition – Brown and Scheuler, March 2000. Database for pollutant removal effectiveness of Stormwater treatment practices.
- Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center
Certification Training and Exam Options
- American Public Works Association Certified Stormwater Manager (CMS) for experts in the public and private sectors who coordinate and implement stormwater management programs for city, county, state, provincial, and federal agencies. These individuals assist in administering drainage, flood control, and water quality programs.
- CISEC - Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control (national program)
- EnviroCert International - Provides oversight and direction for the following certification programs.
- Stormwater USA - Get your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan straight: Online Stormwater training and certification. Compliance Inspections and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans.