Maine SWPPP inspection requirements
- Rain trigger
- 0.5″ storm event
- Post-rain deadline
- Within 24 hours (weekends count)
- Routine inspections
- Every 7 days
- Permit
- Maine Construction General Permit (2025)
- Agency
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP)
How Maine handles construction stormwater
Construction sites in Maine disturbing one acre or more need coverage under the Maine Construction General Permit (2025), administered by Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The 2025 MCGP (effective January 14, 2025 – January 13, 2030) made a full SWPPP mandatory. Inspect at least weekly AND before AND within 24 hours after a storm (0.5″ in 24 hours during construction). Repairs start on discovery and finish by the end of the next workday (7 days for significant repairs, completed before the next storm).
Inspector qualifications
A person with knowledge of erosion and stormwater control, including the permit's standards and conditions. Inspection logs are kept 3 years.
Official sources
Common questions
What triggers a SWPPP inspection in Maine?
Under the Maine Construction General Permit (2025), a storm event of 0.5 inches or more triggers a post-storm inspection, within 24 hours (weekends count). Routine inspections: every 7 days.
Who can perform SWPPP inspections in Maine?
A person with knowledge of erosion and stormwater control, including the permit's standards and conditions. Inspection logs are kept 3 years.
Who administers the construction stormwater program in Maine?
Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) administers the NPDES construction stormwater program in Maine under the Maine Construction General Permit (2025).
What are the penalties for SWPPP violations in Maine?
Federal Clean Water Act civil penalties can reach $68,445 per day per violation, and Maine DEP can issue administrative orders and state penalties on top. Missing rain-triggered inspections is among the most commonly cited violations in stormwater audits.
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