What is the role of the local municipality in reviewing/enforcing the SWPPP?
The local municipal storm water programs and the CGP requirements intentionally have some overlap/redundancy. However, the local municipality has no authority to enforce the State’s CGP requirements; this is done by the Regional Water Board inspectors. Typically, the local agency is responsible for ensuring compliance with local storm water ordinance which prohibits sediment and other pollutants from entering the municipal separate storm sewer system, and with a local grading ordinance which typically requires an erosion and sediment control plan (typically a sheet in the construction plan set) for projects with a grading permit. In some cases, the local municipality may have a condition in their MS4 storm water permit requiring the agency to check that certain items are included in the SWPPP. This does not constitute approval of the SWPPP and the review is typically conducted prior to issuing a grading permit.
