NPDES Stormwater Permit:
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Illicit discharges are nonstormwater discharges that are not
allowed under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
Sanitary wastewater, car wash wastewaters, improper oil or radiator
flushing disposal, laundry wastewaters, and improper disposal
of auto and household toxics are examples of illicit discharges
that can be the source of pollution to NCDOT's stormwater drainage
system and local streams. NCDOT staff members are trained to
recognize and report these discharges to the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources for enforcement action. You can help too
by reporting these types of discharges to NCDOT.
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NCDOT maintains an inventory of its roadway system and sensitive waters of the state that is based
on geographic information systems. This inventory allows NCDOT to prioritize locations for
potential best management practices based on roadway and water quality attributes. NCDOT also
tracks the location of outfalls from the Department's industrial facilities.
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The NPDES Stormwater Permit requires NCDOT to have a Best Management Practice (BMP) Retrofit Program. A
BMP is a structural (detention basin) or a nonstructural (pollution prevention plan) technique known to
be the most effective and practical method of controlling stormwater pollution in a specific area. The
Retrofit Program applies or installs BMPs into the existing highway facility. NCDOT has constructed
and will continue to construct BMPs across the state to improve water quality.
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The NCDOT Best Management Practice (BMP) Toolbox will be developed during the first year of the second
term permit. The objective of this Toolbox is to identify and standardize the most effective
structural measures for addressing stormwater runoff. The Toolbox will include site selection,
design criteria, and construction specifications. The development of the BMP Toolbox will be
coordinated with NCDENR Division of Water Quality and the academic and research community.
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Stormwater best management practices (BMPs) can be highly effective at removing pollutants
from incoming runoff. However, all BMP structures require regular maintenance to continue
functioning properly over time.
NCDOT is in the process of implementing a BMP Inspection and
Maintenance Program to assist with the ongoing maintenance needs
of all BMPs. The objective of this program is to keep the BMPs
in good operating condition to achieve maximum pollutant removal.
NCDOT will develop a BMP Inspection and Maintenance Manual that
will include written procedures outlining the inspection and
maintenance requirements for stormwater BMPs. After the completion
of this manual, appropriate training and program development
will occur to maintain BMPs.
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Through the Post-Construction Runoff Control Program, NCDOT is implementing the BMP Toolbox and
the BMP Inspection and Maintenance programs to protect water quality and minimize post-construction
impacts. This program will incorporate watershed strategies and permit requirements from other
sections of NCDOT's permit to create a comprehensive and sustainable program.
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How we treat roadside vegetation can greatly improve the quality of stormwater runoff from our
highways. The Highway Stormwater Program is particularly interested in (1) pesticide and fertilizer
use, and (2) mowing techniques. For example, using a chemical that has a minimum residual effect on
the environment, such as a biodegradable chemical, will benefit roadside plant species. NCDOT
currently works with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local universities to determine
which pesticides and fertilizers to use and the appropriate amount to apply on roadside vegetation.
NCDOT will train its vegetation managers to select vegetation management activities that minimize
the amount of pollution carried off in stormwater.
Proper management of roadside vegetation is a crucial aspect of highway safety, with the
greatest priorities being hazard-free safety clear zones, low vegetation in the operational
zones, and high visibility on the roadways. To achieve highway safety in an environmentally
sound way, vegetation managers at NCDOT have adopted an integrated pest management (IPM) program
for roadside vegetation. The IPM program includes the following components: plant selection and
management, vegetation and pest monitoring, pest biology and ecology, and pesticide selection
and usage.
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The Encroachment Program is a strong example of the commitment
of both NCDOT and NCDENR to cooperate for the benefit of water
quality and the environment. NCDOT is ensuring that any discharger
requesting to connect to its stormwater drainage system has
authorization to discharge from NCDENR, such as through the
NPDES permit. These dischargers who work with NCDOT and NCDENR
are not considered illicit discharges as discussed in the Illicit
Discharge Detection and Elimination System. If you
plan to discharge into the NCDOT stormwater drainage system,
you may wish to contact the respective District Engineer in
your Division. Contact List.
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The NCDOT is committed to, and actively promoting and addressing protection of, the state's
surface waters from pollutant runoff from construction activities. The department implemented
a sediment and erosion control program for construction activities in 1970, three years prior
to the state regulation in 1973. In February 1991, the North Carolina Sedimentation Control
Commission (SCC) and DLR delegated the authority to NCDOT to administer its own sediment and erosion
control program within the jurisdiction of its activities. This progressive program requires preparing
erosion control plans, implementing and maintaining standard specifications and project-special provisions,
and monitoring active work sites for compliance with the Sedimentation Pollution Control Law.
Borrow pits and waste piles are special aspects of construction activities where NCDOT continues
to support research at local North Carolina universities to develop new methods to improve water
quality impacts. Please see the Research Program for more details.
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The Industrial Activities (IA) Program is responsible for ensuring that NCDOT is in compliance with the
NPDES Stormwater Permit requirements as they apply to NCDOT's industrial facilities. These industrial
facilities include maintenance yards, rail yards, and ferry terminals in all 14 NCDOT Divisions in
North Carolina. Each facility is required to have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) in
place because activities conducted at the site, such as equipment fueling and maintenance, pesticide
and fertilizer storage, waste disposal, and salt and de-icing chemical storage, could potentially
contribute pollutants to the storm drainage system if they are not properly managed. The SPPP outlines
best management practices (BMPs) that minimize stormwater pollution. NCDOT field staff are trained to
be aware of stormwater issues and to implement stormwater BMPs.
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As the agency responsible for managing North Carolina's system of roads, NCDOT has developed strategies
and policies to improve stormwater quality throughout the state. We want the citizens of North Carolina to
know what we're doing about stormwater runoff from NCDOT's roadways and facilities. NCDOT has many employees
across the state who, like you, enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating in our waters. Stormwater pollution
affects our North Carolina way of life. That's why we're making every effort to improve the quality of our
stormwater runoff. To do this, we'd like to invite you, as informed citizens, to help NCDOT make improvements
in our environment. By making simple changes in your everyday activities, you can have a positive impact on
water quality. Better water quality means cleaner water for drinking and for recreation. Please slosh on over
to the Education page to see how you can make a difference.
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NCDOT continues to explore new and innovative technologies that may be suitable for treating specific
pollutants and that are compatible with the linear nature of most NCDOT activities. Water quality management
practices in use by other state DOTs are being considered as well as the numerous stormwater treatment
systems now commercially available.
NCDOT is conducting and funding research to investigate and evaluate suitable methods for treating
pollutants associated with NCDOT activities. Active research programs involving detailed analytical
monitoring have been established to investigate and document the impacts of stormwater runoff from highway
surfaces as well as to investigate the effectiveness of BMPs in pollutant removal.
Specific information about stormwater-related research can be found on the
NCDOT Research and Analysis Program website.
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