Stormwater Management Federal & State Regulations
MS4s must develop, implement, and enforce a stormwater management program (SWMP)
designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from small MS4s to the maximum
extent practicable (MEP). "Maximum Extent Practicable" (MEP) is
a technology-based standard established by Congress in the Clean Water Act.
Since no precise definition of MEP exists, it allows for maximum flexibility
on the part of MS4 operators as they develop their programs.
40CFR 122.2; See also Stormwater Phase II Compliance Assistance Guide EPA 833-R-00-002,
March 2000
SWMPs must include six minimum control measures. For each of these six minimum
measures, MS4s must identify measurable goals and implement management practices
to achieve those measurable goals. The six minimum measures include:
Disclaimer: The following sections summarize
the requirements of each minimum control measure and outline
some activities and/or practices that can be used to fulfill
these requirements. This is not a complete synopsis; regulated
MS4s should check the final permit for full program responsibilities
and requirements.
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Illicit Discharge Detection
and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Pollution Prevention and Good
Housekeeping
The SWMP must be fully developed and implemented within five
years of the issuance date of the permit.
Download the permits:
 (Adobe
PDF files)
Only those municipalities
in New York State that operate a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
(MS4) and that have been automatically designated by NYS DEC are currently subject
to Phase II Regulations. These municipal MS4s are located at least partially
within one of New York's 16 "urbanized areas". Urbanized areas are generally
contiguous census blocks with population densities of greater than 1000 persons
per square mile. As of March 10, 2003, the automatically designated MS4s were
required to begin developing and implementing Phase II stormwater programs in
the urban portion of their community. (Rural areas are generally excluded from
the Phase II municipal stormwater program.)
View
the complete list of MS4 communities that are located at least partially
within one of New York's 16 "urbanized areas" as well as the designation criteria
used for identifying regulated MS4s. |
