FOR DEVELOPERS

Sediment carried by stormwater runoff from construction sites has been documented as a leading source of non-point source pollution to waterways.  Water quality problems can be avoided if developers and construction site managers understand the rules of the game and are willing to follow them.

In response to the potential damage caused by stormwater runoff, EPA developed stormwater regulations.  These regulations require that that all construction sites one acre or larger must comply with the terms and conditions in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Discharge Associated with Construction Activity General Permit (General Permit).  In Maryland, the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) issues NPDES permits for construction sites.

While most developers and construction site managers understand the stormwater management regulations and make their best efforts to be in compliance, this is not always the case.  Moreover, MDE does not have the capacity to effectively monitor all construction activity in the state on a regular basis. 

That is where Get The Dirt Out enters the picture.  Our purpose is to fill the gap in state monitoring capacity by training and deploying citizen volunteers to monitor construction sites and document any possible stormwater management violations that may threaten our waterways.  Our volunteers are trained to respect your rights and those of nearby property owners.  If we identify any possible violations, we will first try to contact the appropriate developer or site manager and encourage them to rectify the problem.  If appropriate corrective action is not taken, we will contact the relevant state authorities.

We believe that you share our desire to keep our waterways clean and we want to help you to do the right thing. 

For additional information on Maryland’s Stormwater Management Program, please visit Maryland's Department of the Environment Website or MDE.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Together, we can help keep our waterways clean!