February 1 Deadline to Re-Register for Coverage Under Connecticut Stormwater General Permit for Construction Activities

Under the recently revised and reissued General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater and Dewatering Wastewaters from Construction Activities (the "Construction General Permit"), the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ("DEEP") is requiring sites covered under the previous general permit ("Existing Registrants") with ongoing construction activities to re-register for coverage. The deadline for re-registration is February 1, 2014. To re-register, Existing Registrants must submit a registration form to the DEEP. This form is available here.

For sites with active construction projects registered under the prior general permit, failure to re-register on or before February 1, 2014, will result in loss of coverage under the Construction General Permit. According to the DEEP only 40 sites have re-registered to date. Continuing with construction activities without submitting a timely re-registration or new application could result in an enforcement action by the DEEP.

Existing Registrants are required to submit only an abbreviated application if filed before February 1, 2014. Stormwater Pollution Control Plans need not be resubmitted unless specifically requested by the DEEP. Existing Registrants whose coverage under the Construction General Permit began before September 1, 2012, must submit an application fee of $625; the application fee is otherwise waived in the case of re-registration by Existing Registrants whose coverage began on or after September 1, 2012. Unlike the re-registration process, new applications will involve the submittal of extensive information and will require approval by either a qualified professional or the DEEP, depending on the nature of the application.

An Existing Registrant is required to comply with the terms and conditions of the Construction General Permit upon re-registration. Notable revisions to the terms and conditions of the Construction General Permit include new turbidity monitoring requirements and post-construction stormwater management measures.