Land Disturbance Permits
Land disturbance activities include clearing, grubbing, excavating, grading, filling and other activities that result in the destruction of the root zone and/or other activities that are reasonably certain to cause pollution to waters of the state.
Land disturbance permits are required for construction disturbance activities of one or more acres, or for construction activities that disturb less than one acre when they are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will disturb a cumulative total of one or more acres over the life of the project.
The primary requirement of a land disturbance permit is the development of a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) which incorporates site-specific best management practices (BMPs) to minimize soil exposure, soil erosion and the discharge of pollutants. The SWPPP ensures the design, implementation, management and maintenance of BMPs in order to prevent sediment and other pollutants from leaving the site.
When it rains (or other forms of precipitation), stormwater washes over the loose soil on a construction site, and various other materials and products being stored outside. As stormwater flows over the site, it can pick up pollutants like sediment, debris and chemicals from the loose soil and transport them to nearby storm sewer systems or directly into rivers, lakes or coastal waters. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is responsible for ensuring that construction site operators have the proper stormwater controls in place so that construction can proceed in a way that protects your community’s clean water and the surrounding environment. One way the department helps protect water quality is by issuing land disturbance permits.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
- Form E - Application for General Permit, Form--MO 780-0795 (03/05)
- Form G - Application for Stormwater Permit, Under the General Permit: Land Disturbance, Form--MO 780-1408
- 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
- 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.