This document provides guidance to construction site operators that need to prepare a SWPPP in order to receive NPDES permit coverage for their stormwater discharges. The Clean Water Act provisions, EPA regulations and EPA’s Construction General Permit described in this document contain legally binding requirements. This document does not substitute for those provisions, regulations or permit, nor is it a regulation or permit itself. It also does not substitute for requirements under State law or construction general permits issued by States. It does not impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or the regulated community, and may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. EPA and State decisionmakers retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from this guidance where appropriate. Any decisions regarding a particular construction site will be made based on the applicable statutes, regulations and/or permit terms. Therefore, interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about the appropriateness of the application of this guidance to a particular situation, and EPA—or the applicable NPDES permitting authority—will consider whether or not the recommendations or interpretations in the guidance are appropriate in that situation based on the law and regulations.