Draft Minnesota Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems MS4s

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has released a draft the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) State Disposal System (SDS) General Permit (MNR040000) for discharges of stormwater associated with small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The permit applies to any small MS4 in the State of Minnesota that is located within the boundaries of a Federal Bureau of Census-delineated “urbanized area” based on the latest decennial census pursuant to 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122.26 or an MS4 designated by the MPCA for permit coverage under Minnesota Rules Chapter 7090.

Approximately 235 MS4s will be subject to the reissued NPDES/SDS General Permit. The permit requires MS4s to develop and implement a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that is designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from their storm sewer system and to protect water quality. The SWMPs must include Best Management Practices (BMPs) for six minimum control measures that are set forth in the NPDES Program regulations 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122.34 (a) and (b). NPDES/SDS General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (or MS4s)

The draft general permit that MPCA proposes to reissue includes several modifications from the existing general permit, which expires on May 31, 2011. The MPCA has modified the existing NPDES/SDS General Permit to meet federal and state requirements for impaired waters and to address several main issues the MPCA identified as needing revision and/or clarification. The draft permit includes revised requirements for MS4 mapping, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction stormwater erosion and sediment control, and post-construction stormwater management. The draft permit also includes new requirements for impaired waters covered by an EPA approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).

There are four formal opportunities for public participation in the MPCA’s consideration of the permit reissuance. Interested persons may (1) submit written comments on the draft permit; (2) request that the MPCA hold a public informational meeting; (3) request that the MPCA hold a contested case hearing; and (4) submit a petition to the Commissioner requesting that the MPCA Citizens’ Board consider the permit matter. The public comment period begins May 31, 2011 and ends on July 15, 2011.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients in Minnesota and nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

FInal Wisconsin Tier 1 & Tier 2 Industrial General Permits

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has released its final industrial stormwater general permits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 facilities. These permits cover stormwater discharges from certain types of industrial and “industrial-like” operations that are required to have a WPDES permit to discharge stormwater. The previous general permits expired in 2006.

You can review a Regulatory Briefing on either of the final permits using the following links:

Summary of Tier 1 Industrial Stormwater Discharge Permit
Summary of Tier 2 Industrial Stormwater Discharge Permit




The final permits are effective May 13, 2011; all facilities covered under the previous permit are now subject to the requirements of the new permit. Many of the proposed requirements are similar to the requirements in the existing permits. However, some key changes are related to meeting State antidegradation requirements for new or expanded discharges, and for discharges to impaired waters and to the Great Lakes drainage area.



Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients in Wisconsin and nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training.


For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Revised Nebraska Industrial MSGP Expected By July 1, 2011

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) currently anticipates that the revised industrial stormwater discharge permit will be finalized in the near future, with an effective date of July 1, 2011. The draft permit was released in 2010, and public meetings and a public comment period was held in February 2011. NDEQ is currently revising the general permit based on public comment.

The revised Nebraska general permit is based to a large extent on the US EPA Multisector General Permit (MSGP), which was released in 2008. The revised permit will likely include significant changes to the compliance requirements for Nebraska industrial and "industrial-like" facilities. This includes periodic sampling of stormwater discharges and the requirement to meet effluent standards and/or stormwater benchmarks.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients in Nebraska and nationwide to address Stormwater Permitting & Regulatory Support, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Stormwater Monitoring and Stormwater Training.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website