Special and Impaired Waters Search
The Special and Impaired Waters Search map application was designed to aid persons preparing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) or a Construction Stormwater permit application for construction projects in Minnesota.
Note: This online application is best viewed using Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher or Netscape 6.0 or higher, with pop-up blockers disabled and screen resolution set to 1024x768 or higher.
Background
Federal regulations require construction activities that disturb a total of one or more acres of soil to be covered under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is authorized to operate the NPDES permit program in Minnesota.
Appendix A of the General Stormwater Permit for Construction Activity identifies categories of unique and sensitive waters in Minnesota as "Special Waters" and establishes additional requirements and best management practices (BMP) for construction projects within 1 mile of these waters. The permit also requires additional BMP’s for projects that discharge to Impaired waters. Impaired waters are bodies of water that exceed the limits of one or more parameters for surface water quality. There are many types of impairments such as high levels of mercury or to much turbidity. Many of the impairments have no relationship to construction activity and do not have addition requirements while others do. This Web-based map tool was designed to assist in identifying these unique waters.
