Overview

This program (abbreviated NPDES) is a nation-wide federal regulatory program stemming from the Clean Water Act. In Minnesota, this program is implemented by the MPCA. The NPDES program addresses point source discharges including stormwater and related pollution, from various sources. The first phase of stormwater NPDES program (Phase I) focused on controlling pollution from industrial activities, and included construction activities disturbing more than 5 acres, and municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s)  with populations greater than 100,000.

The second phase (Phase II) of this program, preliminarily initiated by the MPCA in 2003, has been formalized in 2006. It builds on Phase I by lowering the threshold for requiring stormwater permits for construction and municipal activities. The basis of the program is for permittees to complete a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). In all cases, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are to be identified and implemented in order to minimize stormwater runoff impacts to receiving waters.

Roles and Responsibilities

The District is a regulated MS4 permittee even though they did not own or operate a separate storm sewer system at the time of permit implementation. Typically, the District is not a construction site Owner or Operator. However, the SWWD may choose to participate in these programs by assisting affecting parties.

MPCA: Administers all three components of NPDES Phase II.

SWWD: Must comply with the MS4 program because the District is identified under the auspices of the permit requirements. The District may also choose to support cities and other local government units in their MS4 compliance efforts by providing educational materials (considered a BMP) or otherwise partnering, such as with construction site erosion control inspections or establishing design guidance for stormwater management.

Cities and Townships: Cities and townships wholly or partially in the urbanized area which own or operate a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) are all mandatory permittees. This includes: Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, Newport, Oakdale, St. Paul Park, and Woodbury.

Additionally, Cottage Grove and Woodbury must comply with the MS4 Permit’s nondegradation rule. They must perform a loading assessment to evaluate nonpoint source impacts to receiving water since 1988. They must demonstrate on-going or new ways to reduce current and future loads and runoff volumes to 1988 levels.

Washington County: Will be obligated to meet the same general SWPPP requirements (excluding nondegradation).

Minnesota Department of Transportation: Will be obligated to meet the same general SWPPP requirements (excluding nondegradation).

More Information

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/index.html

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-strm1-02.pdf (fact sheet)