What does the Construction General Permit specifically authorize?

The Construction General Permit specifically authorizes discharges from construction activities that disturb land, particularly those that are less than or equal to 1 acre. This is important because the permit is designed to regulate stormwater discharges associated with construction activities to protect water quality.

Typically, construction activities that disturb more than 1 acre are subject to different regulations and may require additional permitting. The focus of this permit is to ensure that construction sites properly manage stormwater runoff to minimize pollutants from entering nearby water bodies. This is vital for protecting water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the scope of the Construction General Permit. For example, while some construction activities may discharge stormwater, not all activities are covered or authorized under this permit, especially larger sites or those that involve complex sediment and erosion control measures. The distinction of 1 acre is a regulatory threshold that guides which projects fall under its purview and emphasizes compliance for projects of that scale.