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Storm Water Program


Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit 
Adoption Update

At a December 2, 2002 Public Hearing, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) heard comments regarding the October 28, 2002 version of the NPDES general permit for the Discharge of Storm Water from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (Small MS4 General Permit). However, the SWRCB did not adopt the Small MS4 General Permit. Staff was directed to work with school districts in exploring their requests for a one-year extension for the submittal of their application and storm water management program, and for those projects currently in the "pipeline" to be "grandfathered". The one-year extension will allow school districts to coordinate a state or area wide effort for development of the Storm Water Management Programs. "Grandfathering of pipeline" projects will provide some assurance that projects that have been designed and are now awaiting funding for construction, will not have to be redesigned in order to accommodate the post construction site runoff control minimum control measure.

In addition, the SWRCB requested revisions to the post-construction runoff minimum control measure that would require design standards (standard urban storm water mitigation plan [SUSMP] type requirements) for communities meeting specified criteria. Receiving water limitations language was a concern raised by commenters and the SWRCB requested changes. This may result in receiving water limitations language being reinserted into the Small MS4 General Permit.

Concerns were also raised regarding how best to regulate facilities that require permit coverage under both the Small MS4 General Permit and the NPDES General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activity (General Industrial Permit). For facilities where the storm water pollution prevention plan required by the General Industrial Permit covers the entire facility, staff was requested to consider an implementation plan whereby the facility would be exempt from applying for the Small MS4 General Permit.

It is anticipated that the modified draft Small MS4 General Permit will be presented to the SWRCB for adoption at its January 22, 2003 meeting.

 

 

 
 

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