Operators of construction sites involving clearing, grading or excavation that result in an area of disturbance of one or more acres, and activities that result in the disturbance of less than one acre if it is part of a larger common plan of development or sale must obtain a Tennessee NPDES General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities.

Permitted activities have included housing subdivisions, commercial and industrial buildings, golf courses, utility lines, sewage treatment plants, and roads. Various land clearing activities such as borrow pits for fill material have also been covered under this general permit.