Information for Developers, Builders & Realtors
General Information for Developers
| View the “Environmentally Friendly Concrete Wash-off Video” which gives guidance on proper handling of concrete washout. The Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality partnered with the Muncie Sanitary District as well as other MS4 communities in Indiana and the Indiana Ready Mix Association to produce this Video. |
In the past, developers needed only worry about controlling erosion during construction for projects disturbing 5 acres or more of land. That has all changed. The 5 acre threshold has been reduced to 1 acre. There are now requirements for both erosion control and proper hazardous material storage during construction. Site planning must include measures to avoid sensitive areas, decrease impervious surface area, and provide for on-site treatment of stormwater runoff using Best Management Practices (BMPs). Construction projects will need to apply for a local permit which will include a review of plan sheets and project sequencing.
There are also requirements for "self-monitoring" and periodic reporting to local officials during construction. Local authorities will be spot checking construction sites to ensure proper measures are all in place. Following construction, the property owners are required to monitor, maintain, and report on the condition of on-site BMPs to ensure they continue to work properly. Links to GIS mapping, inspection forms, and permit forms can be found on this web site. These resources should help you plan and build a water quality friendly development without creating delays.
State and Federal regulations requiring these changes can be found on the Regulations page along with the resulting stormwater ordinance put in place by the local governments.
Sound like a lot to digest? There are opportunities for training available from state and local governments to help make this transition easier. Check the Calendar of Events for local training opportunities. Also, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Soil Conservation, has updated the Indiana Stormwater Quality Manual, formerly known as the Indiana Handbook for Erosion Control. In addition to erosion and sediment control, the updated handbook will include information, specifications, and measures that will address minimization of post construction pollutants. North Carolina has developed a guide to help developers reduce debris and thereby increase profits and reduce potential water pollutants. There is also the Indiana Material Exchange Program, which provides you an opportunity to exchange small quantities of material. Get rid of your leftovers and pick up someone else's.
