Services

Chavez Consulting Inc., is uniquely qualified for providing compliance assistance to towns, cities and counties subject to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. With over a decade of experience developing and implementing control measures for compliance with MS4 permits a deep knowledge base is provided to resolve compliance issues. 

When working with municipal clients, the first step to providing compliance assistance is to provide the client with a baseline understanding of how well they are in general compliance with the MS4 permit. This baseline understanding is accomplished via the MS4 Permit Baseline Compliance Evaluation. This initial evaluation is an internal audit of the client’s stormwater program compared to the compliance schedule included in Part I.H of the MS4 permit. The client’s program documentation, recordkeeping, ordinances, codes, criteria, plans and procedures are evaluated to determine if in compliance with all items listed in the compliance schedule. The final report presents a “red light/yellow light/green light” determination of general compliance with all items included in compliance schedule and a listing of control measures needed to be developed for full compliance. Approximate time frame for completion of this assessment is 40 to 80 hours.

 This comprehensive compliance assessment begins with the Baseline Compliance Evaluation but includes a deeper look into the client’s MS4 program to determine the root cause(s) of non-compliance. In addition to evaluating status of meeting compliance deadlines included in Part I. H. of the permit, the client’s program is evaluated for general compliance with all control measure requirements of the MS4 permit. All available processes, plans, procedures, regulatory mechanisms and recordkeeping mechanisms are evaluated to determine if the client’s program is in general compliance with the entire MS4 permit. Recommendations on changes needed to bring the client into compliance are provided in a detailed report. A level of effort analysis can be provided to determine what level of resources are needed to fill “gaps” in compliance with plan review and inspection requirements of the permit. During this analysis opportunities to capture activities performed throughout the municipality, but not included in the MS4 program will be sought after. Approximate time frame for completion of this assessment is 160 to 320 hours.

Chavez Consulting Inc., provides “call a friend" compliance assistance services over the phone (voice or text) for a nominal monthly fee. In most cases clients will receive immediate answers to permit compliance questions. In complex cases where issues need additional research, answers will be provided within 24 hours or other agreed upon time frame.

For about the cost of a full-time inspector, Chavez Consulting Inc., can provide full service MS4 Program Administration. Working with a municipality’s management and staff a few days a week throughout the year, Chavez Consulting Inc., can provide the following services:

• Program Description Documentation and Recordkeeping Process Development
• Regulatory Mechanism Development and Updates
• Education and Outreach Strategy Development
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program Development and Staff Training
• Construction Oversite Program Development for Plan Review, Inspections, Enforcement and Staff Training
• Post Construction Stormwater Management Control Measure Review Process Development and Implementation; Facility Inventory Development and Inspection
• Municipal Facilities Runoff Control Plan Development and Staff Training
• Municipal Operations Standard Operating Procedures Development and Staff Training
• Annual Program Evaluation and Reporting to CDPHE

Each service listed may be provided individually or in “service bundles,” as needed. Construction oversite inspections are not included in MS4 Program Administration services.

Chavez Consulting Inc., is certified to perform inspections of all permanent stormwater management facilities subject to an MS4 permit holders oversight. Detailed inspection reports will be provided to both the MS4 permit holder and the facility owners to demonstrate compliance with the MS4 Permit. This service option does not include performing maintenance or enforcement activities.

Chavez Consulting Inc., provides a unique approach to providing compliance assistance to private sector clients including land developers, construction companies and other stormwater consulting firms. By utilizing experience and relationships developed over the past decade with local regulators in the Pikes Peak Region and state regulators at the Water Quality Control Division, Chavez Consulting Inc., provides unsurpassed facilitation abilities to get projects through the various regulatory processes associated with construction activities. In the event your project gets into a compliance issue we can help resolve the matter.

Permit applications, modifications, terminations and R-Factor Waiver applications

Inspection Services Contractor Oversite / Quality Assurance

Maintenance Service Contractor Oversite / Quality Assurance

Inspector Training

Regulatory Agency Audit Support

Construction Site Inspection and Reporting Services

Construction Dewatering Control Measure Recommendations, Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting.

Whether it’s during the application process, construction activity or in the misfortune of a negative audit by a regulatory agency, a project may get in a bind and need targeted compliance assistance. Chavez Consulting Inc., can serve as the project owner’s representative in these cases and work to effectively and efficiently resolve matters with a goal of avoiding or minimizing potential enforcement action costs. 

During construction land developers and construction companies often utilize contracted inspection and control measure installation services. Chavez Consulting Inc., can serve as the owner’s representative and provide oversite and management services to ensure the client is receiving quality services. The oversite is intended to ensure there are no permit compliance issues as a result of receiving services that do not meet permit control measure requirements and client expectations.

Large scale construction projects often require multi-stakeholder coordination. It’s not uncommon for a project to include five or six entities with a vested interest in the project. Often road improvement projects in the Pikes Peak Region overlap multiple jurisdictions and require coordination with multiple local governments, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Military Installations, the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers. John Chavez has strong working relationships with the environmental managers of all these entities in the Pikes Peak Region. Utilizing the process of consensus building, Chavez Consulting Inc., LLC can provide multi-stakeholder coordination to facilitate construction projects in an environmentally compliant, cost-effective manner and on schedule.

Chavez Consulting is well qualified to provide technical and management assistance to inspection and control measure installation service providers.

Large and small construction projects often use contractors to provide inspections, installation, maintenance and repairs of stormwater control measures. With permit requirements to inspect, maintain or repair stormwater control measures as frequently as once a week, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and compromise compliance for clients. Chavez Consulting is certified to provide inspection services to support other contractors when needed to keep their clients in compliance with stormwater discharge permits for construction activity.

With nearly two decades of program management experience, Chavez Consulting Inc., is well qualified to provide management support to other service providers to ensure inspections and installation of stormwater control measures is occurring correctly and in compliance with permit requirements.