The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2008-09
  
    | REGULATE: NPDES STORMWATER |  |  | 
  
    | 
        
          | GROUP: | NPDES STORMWATER CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES |  | 
        
          | MEASURE: | NUMBER OF NEW ENROLLEES ADOPTED OR RENEWED |  | 
  
    | 
        
          | MESSAGE: | There was a 20% turnover in active construction stormwater facilities. |  | 
        
          | KEY STATISTICS FOR FY 2008-09 |  
         | Number of Active Facilities | 17,123 |  
         | Number of New Enrollees | 3,077 |  | 
MEASUREMENTS
 
   
  WHAT  THE MEASURE IS SHOWING
    
      According to the data extracted from the  Water Boards’ databases, there were 3,077 new or updated enrollees during  fiscal year 2008-09. Construction activities are significant in every Regional  Board and the program regulates a large number of construction facilities. 
    
    WHY THIS  MEASURE IS IMPORTANT
    
      The Construction  Stormwater Program is unique in that the industrial activity (construction,  land disturbance) is temporary in nature.   This program is very dynamic and many new applications are received every  year.  As construction activities are  completed, enrollees must submit a notice of termination. Therefore processing  all new applications and permit rescissions represent a significant workload  for the program. 
    
    TECHNICAL  CONSIDERATIONS
  
  GLOSSARY
  
  - Construction Stormwater Program
- Dischargers whose projects  disturb 1 or more acres of soil or are part of a larger common plan of  development that in total disturbs 1 or more acres, are required to obtain  coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with  Construction Activity (Construction General Permit, 99-08-DWQ).
- General Permit 
- An NPDES permit issued under 40 CFR 122.28 that  authorizes a category of discharges within a geographical area. A general  permit is not specifically tailored for an individual discharger.
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination  System (NPDES)
- The NPDES permit  program (Section 402  of the Clean Water Act ) controls water pollution by regulating point  sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point  sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual  homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not  have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial,  municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go  directly to surface waters.  US EPA has  approved the Water Board’s program to issue NPDES permits.