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Stormwater

Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Calendar of Events

Stormwater Events & Seminars

Listing of upcoming seminars, meetings, conferences and other events relating to stormwater issues in Massachusetts.
Web page
See also: MassDEP Calendar

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Overview

US EPA - General NPDES Information

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources (pipes, ditches, drains, etc.) that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Massachusetts is not currently delegated by EPA to issue NPDES permits, but is initiating the process to develop a stormwater management program in accordance with NPDES and the Clean Water Act.
US EPA Website

Clean Water Act

The Federal Clean Water Act is the legal framework for the NPDES Permit Program, providing the statutory basis for the program and the basic structure for regulating the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States. The Act requires anyone who wants to discharge pollutants to first obtain an NPDES permit. This US EPA page summarizes the Clean Water Act and links to further information about it, including the full text of the Act.
US EPA Website

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Massachusetts Regulations

Wetlands Regulations - Stormwater Management Standards Revisions

Revisions to 310 CMR 10.00 to encourage stormwater recharge, the increased use of low impact development techniques, improved operation and maintenance of stormwater best management practices, and the removal of illicit connections from stormwater management systems. January 2008.
Web page

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Permits & Forms

Stormwater

Notice of Intent for discharges from small municipal separate storm sewer systems; approval of NPDES stormwater pollution prevention plans for projects discharging to outstanding resource waters.
Web page

Surface Water Discharge Permits (NPDES General Permits)

Request for General Permit Coverage for construction site dewatering, discharge of non-contact cooling water, remediation of contaminated sites, discharge from water treatment facilities, and more.
Web page

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Cross-Permit Guidance

Stormwater Permitting

Both MassDEP and US EPA regulate stormwater discharges in Massachusetts. This page contains links to state and federal guidance for obtaining different categories of NPDES permits, such as construction, municipal storm sewer systems, industrial activity, construction in or near wetlands, and more.
Web page

NPDES & Other Stormwater Help

In conjunction with the preceding link, this page includes additional information for NPDES permitting, including provisions relating to endangered species, historic properties, industrial facility discharges, mosquito control, and more.
Web page

How an NPDES Stormwater General Permit Works

A brief description of the NPDES permitting process and a permittee's obligations under the permit.
Web page

MassDEP Guidance & Policies

Erosion & sedimentation control, infiltration & inflow, surface water discharges and sanitary sewers, and more.
Web page

NPDES Stormwater Notices of Intent

EPA's online search function for NPDES permit filings anywhere in the country.
US EPA Website

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Construction General Permit

The Federal Construction General Permit

The Construction General Permit covers construction sites that disturb one to five acres in size, including smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale. This web site contains links to general information about the permit, questions and answers, permit eligibility, and how to file.
US EPA Website

2008 CGP Fact Sheet: section by section explanation

A comprehensive explanation of the Construction General Permit, from US EPA.
PDF 398 KB (Opens in new window)

How to file the CGP electronic Notice of Intent

US EPA's electronic interface for filing Notices of Intent for stormwater general permits. Links for explanatory documents and user support are also provided.
US EPA Website

International Erosion Control Association

Erosion control is a critical element of stormwater management. This industry website is a networking resource and information clearinghouse for erosion and sediment control professionals.
IECA Website

How to Find Properties in your Town that have Filed CGP eNOIs

EPA's online search function to locate MSGP Notices of Intent filed anywhere in the country.
US EPA Website

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Municipal Separate Storm Sewers

NPDES MS4 Stormwater Definitions

Definitions of key terms in NPDES permitting, including "urbanized area," "municipal separate storm sewer," "storm water," and more, taken from the Code of Federal Regulations and originally published in the Federal Register in November 1990.
Web page

Stormwater MS4 Frequently Asked Questions

What is a municipal separate storm sewer system, how are they regulated, what a community needs to do, and more.
Web page

Stormwater MS4 Communities

A list of communities in Massachusetts that have municipal separate storm sewer systems regulated under the NPDES Phase II Rule.
Web page

The 2003 MS4 permit

The 2003 MS4 permit authorized operators of small municipal separate storm sewer systems to discharge in accordance with the conditions and requirements in the permit. See further information about this permit under the following link, "Updated Information about EPA's Extension of the 2003 MS4 Permit."
PDF 264 KB (opens in new window)

Updated Information about EPA's Extension of the 2003 MS4 Permit

Although EPA's 2003 MS4 permit expired on May 1, 2008, municipalities covered under that General Permit will remain covered until EPA authorizes its MS4 discharges under a new general permit. Municipalities must continue to comply with the conditions of the expired permit and implement their Storm Water Management Program.
PDF 21 KB (opens in new window)

NPDES Permits in New England

US EPA's list of municipalities in Massachusetts regulated by the Phase II rule, including maps, Notices of Intent, and annual reports, that can be viewed or downloaded.
EPA New England Website

US Bureau of the Census - Urbanized Area Reference Maps

The US EPA uses the Census Bureau's designations of urbanized areas in implementing the Phase II rule. This interactive map shows urbanized areas as designated in the 2000 census.
US Census Bureau Website

US EPA - Best Management Practices (BMP's)

US EPA catalogues stormwater BMPs under the headings of public education, public involvement, illicit discharge, construction, post-construction, and good housekeeping.
US EPA Website

Stormwater Manager's Resource Center

This website provides Phase II communities with the tools and techniques necessary to protect their watersheds and to enhance and restore their local water resources.
SMRC Website

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Multi-Sector General Permit

The Federal Multi Sector General Permit (MSGP)

This permit regulates discharges of stormwater from industrial activities. Prior to becoming eligible for permit coverage, facility operators must take specified steps including submitting a Notice of Intent, installing stormwater control measures to minimize pollutants in stormwater runoff, and developing a stormwater pollution prevention plan. The MSGP also includes effluent limits, monitoring, inspection, and reporting requirements, and corrective action requirements.
US EPA Website

2008 MSGP Fact Sheet: section by section explanation

A comprehensive explanation of the Multi Sector General Permit, from US EPA.
PDF 1.1 MB (opens in new window)

How to File the MSGP Electronic Notice of Intent

US EPA's electronic interface for filing Notices of Intent for stormwater general permits. Links for explanatory documents and user support are also provided.
US EPA Website

How to Find Facilities in Your Town That Have Filed MSGP eNOIs

EPA's online search function to locate MSGP Notices of Intent filed anywhere in the country.
US EPA Website

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Stormwater Permitting as it Pertains to the Wetlands Protection Act

Green Roofs & Stormwater Management

Green roofs provide many benefits for home owners and businesses. Find out more information about these benefits and costs, and see examples of green roofs in Massachusetts.
Web page

The Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook

The Stormwater Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the Stormwater Standards set forth in the Wetlands regulations, 310 CMR 10.00, and the Water Quality Regulations, 314 CMR 9.00. The Handbook includes regulatory background, types of best management practices, checklists, worksheets, and more. February 2008.
Web page

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Statewide Stormwater General Permit

Draft Regulated Impervious Area General Permit

This permit will cover activities that can reasonably be expected to result in the discharge of stormwater from certain privately-owned sites that contain impervious surfaces. Please note, this is a draft permit and is not yet in force. January 2009.
Web page

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Local Permitting Assistance

Note: for local stormwater permits, please contact your town.

"How to Create a Stormwater Utility" (PDF)

The Pioneer Valley (Mass.) Planning Commission issued this detailed guide to establishing a stormwater utility to operate and maintain a community's or area's stormwater management infrastructure. November 1998.
PDF 3 MB (opens in new window)

American Public Works Association (APWA)

Stormwater management is one of several topic areas for which the APWA provides a forum where public works professionals can exchange ideas, improve professional competency, increase the performance of their agencies and companies, and bring important public works-related topics to public attention.
AWPA Website

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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Stormwater
Resources

Optimal Stormwater Management Plan Alternatives: A Demonstration Project in Three Upper Charles River Communities

Web page

National Climate Data Center Precipitation Frequency Atlas

Rainfall data is often required for the engineering design of culverts, pipes, roofs, and other structures that may be part of a stormwater management system.
NCDC Website

USGS - Water Resources

The US Geological Survey's website provides data on streamflow, groundwater, water use, and many other aspects of water information important for stormwater management systems.
USGS Website

Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials

A University of Connecticut program to help local officials understand the relationship of land use to protection of natural resources.
NEMO Website

StormwaterAuthority.org

A resource of comprehensive and relevant information, news, events, and education on stormwater.
StormwaterAuthority Website

Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN)

LGEAN is an online clearinghouse for management, planning, funding, and regulatory information for local officials, including information about stormwater management.
LGEAN Website

The Center for Watershed Protection

The Center for Watershed Protection works to protect, restore, and enhance streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and bays around the country.
CWP Website

Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project

Web site of a highly successful project in southern Michigan that is bringing a systematic watershed-based approach to pollution control.
Rouge River Website

Stormwater Technologies Clearinghouse

The Massachusetts Stormwater Technology Evaluation Project's (MASTEP) website provides information on best management practices and offers an interactive tool for submitting technology information to MASTEP.
MASTEP Website

Water Resource Management Planning

A guidance document for communities, providing concise and integrated guidance for planning water resources infrastructure projects with funds from the State Revolving Loan Fund. This guidance is designed to explain the types of water management planning reports towns and communities can use when approaching their particular wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater issues. This document is not intended as a policy.
Web page

Flood Cleanup & Recovery Guidance

MassDEP resources for residents and local government for safe disposal of wastes and restoration of services following a flood.
Web page

Snow Disposal Guidance

This guidance, covering disposal site selection, site preparation and maintenance, and emergency snow disposal options, applies to public agencies and private businesses disposing of snow in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Web page

Sustainable Water Resources

An approach that emphasizes innovative water supply, wastewater, and stormwater techniques to help maintain the natural hydrologic balance in a watershed by reducing water withdrawals and increasing water recharge.
Web page

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