Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook and Stormwater Standards

This section discusses the elements of stormwater management, particularly Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Volume 3 describes how to prepare a Stormwater Report, which is required when submitting an application for a Wetlands Notice of Intent for a project subject to the stormwater-management provisions of the Wetlands Protection Act.

Use these documents to prepare a Stormwater Report as part of a Wetlands Notice of Intent application. The Checklist is a preparation guide for writing the Stormwater Report. Both the Checklist and the Stormwater Report should be submitted with the Notice of Intent (WPA Form 3) when a project is subject to the stormwater-management provisions of the Wetlands Protection Act. 

The TSS Removal Calculation Worksheet is part of the Stormwater Report and a completed worksheet should also be submitted with a Notice of Intent application. 

Stormwater management in Massachusetts is governed by sections of the Wetlands Regulations, 310 CMR 10.00, and the Water Quality Regulations, 314 CMR 9.00.

In February 2020, in preparation for updating the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) stormwater regulations (310 CMR 10.05(6)), MassDEP convened an advisory committee to focus on aligning the Act's Stormwater Management Standards with the requirements of the federal Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit. The committee will also look at precipitation projections for stormwater management.