The Fort Carson Stormwater Program is designed to protect our surface waters from pollution when precipitation flows over the ground. Stormwater runoff can pick up feces, debris, sediment and chemical pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a pond, creek, river or wetland. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water to people that live downstream. Fort Carson has been issued three permits, these permits are managed by the Stormwater Office to protect stormwater quality under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS4) EPA Region 8 has lead regulatory authority over stormwater requirements and permits at Fort Carson. Fort Carson's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit numbered COR042001 went into effect April 30, 2009 and shall expire April 29, 2014. The permit applies to only the cantonment area and downrange, and not Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. This permit addresses municipal discharges only. The MS4 permit requires Fort Carson to develop a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that reduces the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable, protects water quality, and satisfies the requirements of the MS4 permit. The SWMP outlines the best management practices (BMPs), measureable goals, and requirements Fort Carson is to use to implement the six minimum control measures (MCM). An annual report is submitted by Fort Carson to its regulatory agency, EPA Region 8. The annual report lets the EPA know the status of Fort Carson in its mission to implement the SWMP. For MS4 implementation, Fort Carson collects & analyzes runoff from industrial sites on a quarterly basis. The resulting reports, called Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) are submitted to EPA Region 8. All of these documents can be found below.

Construction General Permit (CGP) This permit addresses construction site runoff. Any construction activity that will execute ground disturbing activity is required to comply with this permit and those sites that disturbs one or more acres of land are required to obtain coverage under the NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges From Construction Activities. The current permit can be found at the "2012 Construction General Permit" link below. All construction projects covered under the CGP need to file for a Notice of Intent (NOI). See this link "How to file an NOI" for directions on the EPA website. Before filing for an NOI, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be submitted to the Stormwater Office and approved. Please see "Stormwater Pollution Prevention (SWPP) Template" below. Any construction activity greater than one (1) acre of land and less than five (5) acres of land is defined as a small construction activity and eligible for a Construction Rainfall Erosivity Waiver please see "How to File a Low Erosivity Waiver".  In addition to the permitee's regular stormwater inspections, which will be outlined and saved in the SWPPP, a member of the Stormwater Program will make quarterly inspections. When the project is complete and the site has at least 70% growth of vegetative areas, a Notice of Termination is required to release the permit from coverage. A member of the Stormwater Program must approve the site before an NOT is filed. All necessary documents can be found below.

Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) This permit addresses industrial sites. Units can find their Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and additional information about this permit below. Fort Carson is covered by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) 2000 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) because some activities on Fort Carson fit the definition of industrial activity as described by sectors. The sectors on Fort Carson and the associated Fort Carson facilities are listed below: Sector N: Scrap Recycling and Waste Recycling Facilities; BLDG 155, and 9732. Sector K: Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities; Landfill 2 and Range 121 Open Detonation Grounds Sector. P: Land Transportation and Warehousing; BLDGs 401, 501, 633, 634, 635, 636, 749, 1382, 1392, 1685, 1692, 1982, 2082, 2392, 2427, 2692, 2792, 2992, 3092, 3192, 3292, 7426, 8000, 8030, 8110, 8142, 8152, 8200, 8472, 9271, and Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Motor Pool Sector S: Air Transportation; Butts Army Airfield.