NPDES Storm Water Permit Program

The Clean Water Act authorizes EPA and states, when delegated the authority by EPA, to regulate point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. So-called "point sources" are generated from a variety of municipal and industrial operations, including treated wastewater, process water, cooling water, and storm water runoff from drainage systems. The NPDES Phase I Storm Water Program, (EPA HQ) in place since 1990, regulates cities and counties with populations of 100,000 that operate a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), specific industrial operations (as defined at 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14) ), and construction activities that disturb 5 or more acres of land. The Phase II Storm Water Program (EPA HQ) became effective March 2003. It regulates MS4s located within "urbanized areas" as defined by the latest census from the U.S. Census Bureau and construction activities that disturb between 1 and 5 acres.

Administration

• Who administers the Storm Water Program in my state?

Small MS4 Program

• Which New England communities are regulated?
• General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)
• Annual Reporting Requirements Summary ***NEW***

Public Notice of NOIs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire - comments due 12.03.04

Construction Activities

• Obtaining permit coverage for your construction activity (EPA HQ)
  This site provides links to the 2003 Construction General Permit (including related Fact Sheets, Federal Register Notices, and the administrative record), Notice of Intent (NOI) and Notice of Termination (NOT) Forms, the on-line filing system(eNOI), and the on-line searchable NOI database.
• EPA New England Fact Sheet (1 page): Storm Water Permit Basics: The Federal (EPA) Storm Water Permit for Large & Small Construction Projects (11/3/03). A quick read to determine whether you need a permit and how to get it.
• EPA New England Guidance (two-sided, trifold): Storm Water at Construction Sites - A Guide to the Federal Requirements (11/3/03). More detailed than the fact sheet above -- Describes the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), site inspections, and other requirements.
• EPA New England Fact Sheet (4 pages): Storm Water Permit Basics: New Hampshire Digging Needs a Federal Permit (10/29/03). Describes how to prepare a single SWPPP to comply with the independent requirements of the Federal Construction General Permit and the New Hampshire Alteration of Terrain (Site Specific) Permit

Industrial Activities

EPA New England Guidance: Permitting Requirements for Municipally-Owned or -Operated Industrial Activities

How can I avoid the need for a Storm Water Permit for my industrial activity (i.e., a No Exposure Exclusion)? (EPA HQ)