Does a SWM plan address runoff during or after construction?

The stormwater management (SWM) plan is a comprehensive document designed to manage the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff caused by land disturbances. While it encompasses various phases of construction, its primary focus is on managing runoff after construction is completed.

A key aspect of a SWM plan is to ensure long-term protection of the water quality and to regulate the flow of stormwater once the construction activities have ceased. This involves implementing practices that mitigate the impact of rainstorm events on newly developed or redeveloped land. This includes features such as retention basins, swales, or permeable pavements, which are designed to handle stormwater in a way that minimizes erosion, flooding, and pollution.

During construction, while certain considerations related to runoff are addressed, the main framework and strategies of the SWM plan typically apply to post-construction conditions, ensuring ongoing management of stormwater impacts well into the future. Therefore, focusing primarily on the post-construction phase aligns with the intended outcomes of a SWM plan.

This attention to post-construction conditions is essential because it assures that development does not adversely affect surrounding ecosystems and waterways after the construction activities have concluded.