New or Expanded Stormwater Discharges Under Proposed MPCA Nondegradation Policy

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has been attempting to revise the Minnesota Nondegradation Policy for several years. One major issue has been how rule will apply to stormwater discharges, because the existing policy was developed to apply to traditional point source discharges.

In September 2012, MPCA released its proposed revision to the State Nondegradation Policy. Under the proposed rule, MPCA will address future nondegradation requirements for stormwater discharges as new permits are issued. For new, reissued, or modified stormwater permits, agency will conduct nondegradation review. This review will include an analysis of prudent and feasible alternatives that avoid and minimize net increases in loading or other causes of degradation. The agency will then select the least degrading prudent and feasible alternatives identified. Therefore, with the final revision of the Nondegradation Policy, as currently proposed, the requirements for new or expanded stormwater discharges will not be clarified. These requirements will be incorporated into various permits (e.g, industrial, construction, MS4) issued in the future.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients 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

Maryland Department of the Environment Proposed General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Industrial Activities

The Maryland Department of the Environment is proposing to reissue the General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Industrial Activities, General Permit No. 12-SW. The Department will hold public hearings to receive oral testimony concerning the proposed permit on November 26 and 30, 2012 Written comments concerning the draft permit will also be accepted on or before January 4, 2013.

Read a summary of the key changes to the Maryland General Permit.

Information about Maryland General Permit SWPPP Template and Compliance Plan


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients 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

NYDEC Releases New Industrial Permit - NOI Deadline Dec 31, 2012

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has prepared the new SPDES Multi Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activity (GP-0-12-001). The new permit is effective on October 1, 2012 and will replace the current Multi Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (GP-0-11-009) which expired on September 30, 2012.

Permitted facilities must prepare a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP), notify DEC that they intend to be covered by the MSGP, and comply with the general and sector-specific requirements of the permit. Major changes to the MSGP include new technology-based effluent limits, additional requirements for discharges to impaired waters, changes to the best management practices options for certain sectors, and lower benchmark monitoring cutoff concentrations. DEC also reformatted the permit and various required forms and made numerous other changes. Facilities subject to the prior MSGP must revise their SWPPPs to conform to the new permit and submit a new Notice of Intent form requesting coverage under the permit by December 31, 2012.

To reduce the level of effort required for facilities to come into compliance with new permit requirements, Caltha LLP has prepared a SWPPP template based on the revised New York permit requirements, including New York specific quarterly inspection checklist, quarterly visual assessment checklist, quarterly benchmark monitoring checklist, and an annual comprehensive site inspection checklist. Caltha has also prepared a New York Stormwater Permit Compliance Plan to assist permitted facilities in organizing and planning new compliance requirements under the DEC general permit.

For more information on the new New York industrial SWPPP template, compliance plan and expert SWPPP consulting services, email Caltha at info@calthacompany.com

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients 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

Washington DC Proposes Rulemaking For Stormwater Fee Discount Program

The Washington District Department of the Environment (DDOE) has released its revised rules and has requested public comments on its Proposed Rulemaking for a Stormwater Fee Discount Program, published in the October 5, 2012 issue of the DC Register. The provisions in this rule will allow District water and sewer ratepayers to receive a discount of up to 55% of the stormwater fee that appears on their DC Water bill, by installing measures that retain or prevent stormwater runoff.

This is the second revision that DDOE has proposed to rules to establish a Stormwater Fee Discount Program. DDOE’s first proposal was published in the DC Register on July 29, 2011, and was made available for a 30-day public comment period. DDOE received comments from a wide array of stakeholders and individuals, and has revised the Proposed Rules to incorporate a number of the comments and suggestions provided. The public comment period on the Proposed Rules is open through November 4, 2012.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients 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

Revision To Phase I Stormwater Regulations

US EPA has announced that it intends to propose revisions to its Phase I stormwater regulations (40 CFR 122.26) to specify that stormwater discharges from logging roads are not included in the definition of "storm water discharge associated with industrial activity." EPA is taking this action in response to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Northwest Environmental Defense Center (NEDC) v. Brown, which addressed the question of whether discharges from certain logging roads require National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

The Agency intends to clarify that a permit is not required for these discharges.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients 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