<< Back to Stormwater Retention Credit Trading Program
Background
If you are new to Stormwater Retention Credits (SRCs) and Off-Site Retention Volume (Offv), please visit the SRC Trading Program page first for an overview.
Instructions (step-by-step)
Overview
When you generate your own SRCs and then use them to comply with your own Offv requirement, DOEE calls this “self-generating SRCs.” You must be the site owner of both the Offv project and the SRC project. See more details about the process to certify SRCs.
To complete the application to use SRCs to comply with an Offv requirement, you must have an account in DOEE's Surface and Groundwater System (SGS), available at https://doee/dc/gov/sgs. The SRC & Offv section of the SGS has information about your SRC & Offv portfolio, including upcoming deadlines, application instructions, and your assigned DOEE Offv contact. After approving the application, DOEE will record your Offv compliance in the SGS and email a confirmation letter for your records.
It’s best to discuss your options and the process with your DOEE Offv contact before you get started. DOEE can help you determine if you will be able to self-generate enough SRCs to comply with your Offv requirement.
If you don’t have enough self-generated SRCs to cover the Offv requirement, you can purchase High-Impact SRCs to cover the difference. You can also explore options to build additional green infrastructure projects to generate more SRCs.
Who can self-generate SRCs for an Offv?
The site owner is responsible for using SRCs to comply with an Offv requirement and will be set up with the required SGS access. The owner can also delegate SGS access to "staff” of the site owner’s SGS organization account or an “agent” with permission to manage their SRC portfolio.
When you sign up for an SGS account, use the comment box on the registration form to describe the access you need. If you are a new site owner, be prepared to provide proof of ownership. If you already have an SGS account and need to set up access, please contact [email protected].
When is my Offv due date?
The Offv is due before your project can schedule DOEE’s final construction inspection. After construction is completed, the Offv is due each year on the anniversary of the final construction inspection or the “construction completion date” (as shown in DOEE’s plan records, which could be earlier than the final inspection date). DOEE will remind you of Offv deadlines and guide you through the steps to comply.
How many SRCs do I need for my Offv?
You will need the same number of SRCs as the annual Offv amount stated in the Stormwater Management Plan for your Offv project. You are required to comply with the Offv requirement at least one year at time, but you can also choose to comply for multiple years at once. If your Offv project is located in the Gray Combined Sewer System area, contact [email protected] to learn about the Permanent Offv Compliance option.
What types of SRCs can I use?
You may have flexibility to use more than one SRC type depending on the type of Offv project and the types of SRCs you can generate. The SRC & Offv Portfolio tab has reports that show the types of SRCs you can generate and that you need for your Offv plans.
When you apply to use SRCs, the application will automatically filter your list of SRCs to show only the SRCs you are eligible to use for your project.
For additional details, refer to Table 6.2 from the Stormwater Management Guidebook.
Offv and SRCs on the same plan
Sometimes, a unique project design will have both an Offv requirement and SRC eligibility. In these cases, you’ll need to coordinate with your DOEE inspector and DOEE Offv contact to discuss the schedule to generate and use the SRCs. Advance coordination will avoid delays to obtain the Certificate of Occupancy.