Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is responsible for implementation of the Sediment and Stormwater Management Program initiated July 1, 1991. The responsibility to regulate this program was delegated to the Sussex Conversation District for the entire county.

The District’s responsibilities under the Sediment and Stormwater Regulations include the following:

1. Review Sediment and Stormwater Management Plans for compliance with Delaware’s Regulations.
2. Approve Sediment and Stormwater Management Plans.
3. Inspect the construction and compliance of approved Sediment and Stormwater Management Plans.
4. Annual inspection of permanent Stormwater Facilities.
5. Assist and educate local communities on management of stormwater facilities.

Those activities that are exempt from submitting a Sediment and Stormwater Management Plan include the following:

1. Activities for agricultural land management practices
2. Projects in which construction disturbs less than 5,000 square feet
3. Land activities that are regulated under specific State or Federal laws
4. Projects which are emergency in nature and are necessary to protect life or property. The appropriate plan approval agency shall determine and approve of the emergency nature of the project.

To initiate the plan review process, the following items must be submitted to the Sussex Conservation District:

1. Completed application signed by the owner
2. One set of plans and calculations
3. Completed Checklist
4. Review fee

If any of the above items have not been provided or an incomplete stormwater management plan has been submitted, the District reserves the right to return the plan without initiating the review process. The normal review time for plans will be 30 days from the time a complete submittal package is received by SCD.

All submitted Sediment and Stormwater Management Plans must adequately address how stormwater quantity and quality treatment will be achieved.

Quantity Management:
Projects are to be designed to release the peak discharge for the 2 and 10-year frequency storms at a rate not to exceed the pre-development peak discharge rates for the 2 and 10-year frequency storm events. Calculations provided to the District are to include the 100-year storm elevation and must demonstrate safe conveyance of that storm.

Quality Management:
Stormwater management practices must achieve an 80 percent reduction in suspended solids load after a site has been developed.

All approved projects are required to schedule a pre-construction meeting with the Sussex Conservation District prior to the commencement of any site disturbance. The District Inspector will monitor the site developments on a weekly or biweekly basis depending on the phase of construction. District inspection procedures include the following:

1. Pre-construction meeting prior to site disturbance.
2. Implementation of erosion and sediment control practices as specified on the approved Sediment and Stormwater Plan.
3. District Inspector monitors compliance with the approved plan and generates inspection reports to guide the contractor and developer through various phases of construction.
4. Inspect the construction of the stormwater management facility.