After receiving the NOI and acknowledgement letter, can one begin clearing land?

To begin clearing land after receiving the Notice of Intent (NOI) and acknowledgment letter, it is important to adhere to the regulations governing land disturbance. The correct understanding is that just having an NOI does not automatically grant permission to start clearing land. Instead, there are specific protocols that need to be followed, including the development and implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) before any land disturbance activities can commence.

This requirement ensures that appropriate measures are in place to control erosion and manage sedimentation during the clearing process. It is crucial to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account and that appropriate permits are in place, as some activities may require additional permitting depending on the scope and nature of the project. The aim is to protect water quality and sensitive ecological areas from the adverse effects of land clearing.

Thus, the key takeaway is that receiving the NOI and acknowledgment letter is an important step in the permitting process, but it does not constitute full approval to begin land clearing activities.