What are the main components of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for construction sites and what regulation governs it?

• A. Site map with drainage patterns.
• B. BMPs to control erosion and sediment.
• C. Inspection and maintenance plans.
• D. Site map with drainage patterns, BMPs to control erosion, control measures for pollutants, inspection/maintenance plans, and employee training; regulated under the NPDES stormwater program.

Answer: (D)

A SWPPP must be comprehensive: it should identify the site drainage patterns, specify the best management practices (BMPs) for erosion and sediment control, outline control measures for pollutants that could be introduced by site activities, include an inspection and maintenance plan, and require employee training. This combination ensures that runoff is consistently controlled from design through active construction and into stabilization, reducing sediment and pollutant discharges to water bodies. The plan is regulated under the NPDES stormwater program, which is part of the Clean Water Act and governs permit requirements for construction site runoff. The other options capture only parts of what’s required, but without all these elements together, the plan wouldn’t meet regulatory requirements or effectively protect water quality.