ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM AT KSC

Permitting & Compliance - Water Quality Program - Stormwater Program

Overview

The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has over eighty surface water management systems to control stormwater runoff. The four largest stormwater systems at KSC are the Region I system that serves the Industrial Area, the Sub-basin 11 system that serves the western portion of the VAB Area, the VAB South system that serves the southern portion of the VAB area, and the SLF system that serves the Shuttle Landing Facility.

As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Several stormwater systems at KSC currently require NPDES permits which are maintained by NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B). All construction activities meeting certain thresholds are required to obtain coverage under an NPDES stormwater permit and implement appropriate pollution prevention techniques to minimize erosion and sedimentation and properly manage stormwater. The majority of construction activities requiring an NPDES stormwater permit qualify for the Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Large and Small Construction Activities (CGP). The GCP process requires development and implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for managing stormwater runoff, identification of erosion and sediment controls, inspection scheduling and recordkeeping, and submission of a Notice of Intent (NOI). NPDES and GCP permitting processes are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

Stormwater Impacts and Compliance

All projects that include construction of new impervious areas (buildings, sidewalks, roads, driveways, etc.), modification of existing drainage conveyances, modification of existing impervious structures, construction of new drainage conveyances, or any other land disturbance such as clearing, grading, trenching, and excavation require stormwater management. Determination of permit requirements for projects must be coordinated through the NASA Environmental Assurance Branch as described in KNPR 8500.1. The following threshold criteria triggering permit requirement should be confirmed with NASA Environmental Assurance Branch during project design:

• NPDES permitting is required if a project’s stormwater system is determined to be a point source, is a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), or is stormwater associated with industrial activity
• CGP NPDES permitting is required
  • if one or more acres of land is disturbed; or, less than one acre if the disturbance is part of a larger common plan
  • construction or modification of 4,000 square feet or more of impervious or semi-impervious surface area subject to vehicular traffic
  • construction or modification of 9,000 square feet or more of impervious area including those subject to vehicular traffic
  • construction of 5 acres or more of recreational area

Construction or Modification of Stormwater Management Systems

The organization responsible for any construction project that disturbs land, creates impervious area or that modifies, maintains, or repairs of the KSC stormwater system, whether a permit is necessary or not, will ensure that regulatory criteria, best engineering practices, codes, specifications and standards are followed. Construction projects involving work on the KSC require varying degrees of regulatory oversight depending on the nature of the project and the work involved. KNPR 8500.1 lists the levels of regulatory action required for projects at KSC and the permitting process associated with each.

All correspondence with regulatory agencies regarding KSC construction projects and stormwater systems are to originate from the NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B). All NASA and contractor organizations (including design, construction, environmental, or O&M organizations) will process all notifications, permit applications, requests for approval, compliance monitoring, reports, requests for clearance, and any other submittals to a regulatory agency through the NASA Environmental Assurance Branch (TA-B1B).

Stormwater Points of Contact

• Doug Durham (321-867-8429)
• Tom Price (321-867-8988)