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Overview of the USEPA Storm Water Phase II Program Rules
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| EPA Milestone Dates
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has presented the following dates as milestones for the Phase II Program:
- December 8, 1999: The final Phase II rule was published in the Federal Register, with Conditional No Exposure Exclusion option available 60 days later for facilities for which the EPA is the permitting authority.
- October 2000: The EPA is obligated to issue a menu of recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs) for regulated small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s).
- October 2001 (one year after the issuance of the menu of BMPs): The EPA is obligated to issue guidance on the development of measurable goals for regulated small MS4s.
- December 8, 2002 (three years from the date of publication of the final rule): The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting authorities will be required to issue general permits for Phase II regulated small MS4s and small (less than five acres) construction activities.
- March 10, 2003 (three years and ninety days from the date of publication of the final rule, or by the time specified in the permit): Operators of Phase II regulated small MS4s, municipally owned industrial activities and small construction activities will be required to obtain permit coverage.
- April 18, 2003 Revised NPDES permit issued by EPA for small municipal separate storm sewer systems.
- By the end of their first permit terms (five years from date of permit issuance), operators of regulated small MS4s will have to fully implement their storm water management programs.
Operators of Phase II regulated small MS4s and small construction activities are required to either apply for a waiver or NPDES permit coverage (under a general permit rather than an individual permit). Under the permit, they must implement storm water discharge management controls, also known as best management practices, that effectively reduce or prevent the discharge of pollutants into receiving waters.
CLD is currently under contract with a number of municipalities throughout Northern New England to establish the appropriate NPDES Phase II Programs and annual reporting processes.
Contact us today to find out how we may help your community become compliant with the NPDES Phase II regulations.
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