Beginning April 7, 2025, the ePermitting system will officially accept applications for construction stormwater. Recognizing the need for a smooth transition to the online platform, SCDES will allow a transitional period until May 5, 2025. After this date, all permit applications must be submitted exclusively through ePermitting.
We have compiled some frequently asked questions that may be helpful to our customers during this transition.
All applicants must file a Certifier Agreement with SCDES for approval prior to submitting requests for NPDES Construction permit coverage to satisfy the requirements of EPA’s Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule (CROMERR). Applicants have the role of Site Administrator and must comply with S.C. Regulation 61-9.122.22, Signatories to permit applications and reports. Engineering and project consultants do not file certifier agreements.
The Certifier Agreement will allow applicants to electronically submit requests for NPDES Construction permit coverage using the SCDES ePermitting system in a manner that is in compliance with EPA’s CROMERR rule.
To apply for NPDES Construction permit coverage using the ePermitting system the applicant will need to have a user account and have Certifier Status Approved on your account.
If you do not have an ePermitting user account, it is easy to create one by using the following link: https://epermweb.dhec.sc.gov/ncore/createuser.
After you have your ePermitting user account created, simply download, complete and mail the Certifier Agreement to the Department using the instructions on the form. Please ensure the email that was used to create your account matches the one listed on the Certifier Agreement.
The applicant must (1) create an ePermitting user account, (2) obtain Approved Certifier Status by mailing in a completed Certifier Agreement form using the email address from his/her ePermitting user account, (3) select the appropriate submission package (new project, transfer, modification, etc.), (4) create a new site (for new projects), and (5) select the appropriate submission package, (6) click “View Package”, (7) begin the application form.
A video demonstration has been created for additional assistance.
Note: Creating a new site prior to the applicant having Approved Certifier Status will result submission delays and create an additional step. The application form cannot be submitted until the applicant has Approved Certifier Status.
After obtaining (1) Approved Certifier Status, (2) creating a site, (3) initiating a submission package and (4) beginning the application form, the applicant can save and exit out of the application form upon answering the first question. The engineering consultant can then be added by the applicant as an Authorized User, Site Editor or Site Administrator, to begin assisting with the preparation of the application and adding required supporting information in the attachments. A video demonstration is available has been created for additional assistance. Ultimately, the applicant must click “Certify and Submit” to complete the submission.
It is important to understand that the applicant seeking coverage must be the individual that initiates the form in ePermitting. The applicant’s approved Certified Status will pass through to the provisional site he/she creates when starting a form for a new site. Without the applicant’s approved Certifier Status on both his/her user account and new site, he/she will not be able to Certify and Submit the application for new NPDES coverage.
Submission packages allow the applicant to provide the Department with an application that satisfies CROMERR requirements while providing flexibility for their SWPPP preparer to upload supporting documents separately. Additionally, local Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) operators can add their approvals within the submission package as a supporting document. In short, submission packages in ePermitting foster collaboration and transparency in the review and approval process.
A Site Administrator can edit site information, invite other user to join the site, inactivate users, and request certifier permissions for users. A Site Editor can fill out forms and reports. Certifier permissions are required to submit forms and reports.
The following roles are available in the SCDES ePermitting system:
Applicants needing to submit a submission package for renewal, transfer, modification or termination on an existing site will need to have filed a Certifier Agreement form with SCDES. Upon having Approved Certifier Status, the applicant must contact permitting staff for access to the site. Permitting staff will have to (1) verify the applicant’s Approved Certified User Status, (2) apply Approved Certified User status to the project site for the applicant, and (3) send a site invitation to the applicant with the role of Administrator. Upon receipt of the invitation, the applicant can begin the appropriate submission package process and engage his/her engineering/project consulting team after beginning the form.
The system allows the applicant to select a payment method while certifying and submitting the application. The applicant may send a link to invite another user to the site to complete payment if they are not paying the fees at the time of submitting the application.
Please see “Submissions” on the ePermitting Training website and select Working With Submission Packages.
MS4s that have used the paper SCDES NOI as part of their submission processes will need to begin requesting a print-out of the NOI submitted by the applicant in the ePermitting system for NPDES Construction permit coverage. Alternatively, the MS4 may use its own “paper” application. In general, the application process with the local MS4 will be determined by each respective MS4.
However, when applying for NPDES Construction permit coverage from SCDES, the MS4 approval documents must be provided by way of the submission package for the project site in ePermitting. An MS4 contact can be added as a user to the project site with a role of Editor for the submission package in ePermitting. This provides the ability for the MS4 contact to upload the MS4 approval letter and approved application to the submission documents.
Absolutely, please see “Submissions” on the ePermitting Training website and select Submission Revisions.
All Certifier Agreements are reviewed and processed by the Certifier Agreement Administrators. They can be reached at CertifierAgreementAdmin@des.sc.gov.
