In 1994 Eugene became the first city of its size in the nation to be issued a municipal NPDES stormwater permit. To protect local waterways from construction-related activities, the City implemented the Erosion Prevention and Construction Site Management program in 1997. This program relies upon an "outcome-based" approach allowing contractors to choose the erosion prevention and construction site management practices best suited for a site. Eugene must approve erosion permits before any other construction permits are issued. Applicants must submit plans for approval, identifying potential water-quality impacts from construction activities and specify actions to address them.