Misha Vakoc,
Storm Water Permit Coordinator, NPDES Permits Unit,
Office of Water and Watersheds, US EPA Region 10

Julie Congdon,
Storm Water compliance assistant, NPDES Permits Unit,
Office of Water and Watersheds, US EPA Region 10

The 2008 MSGP regulates discharges of stormwater from industrial activities. The MSGP includes requirements affecting 29 different industrial sectors. The 2008 MSGP specifies steps that facility operators must take prior to becoming eligible for permit coverage, including submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI), installing stormwater control measures to minimize pollutants in stormwater runoff, and developing a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The MSGP also includes effluent limits, monitoring, inspection, and reporting requirements, and corrective action requirements.

More information:
EPA has recently posted the final permit text on the EPA website. (Note: US EPA Region 10 has not yet issued the final permit in Idaho, until it completes the certification process under CWA Sec. 401 with IDEQ. But the main permit provisions are there for anyone who wants to start gearing up for their site. The EPA anticipates finalizing the permit for Idaho by the end of the calendar year). Here is EPA’s updated website for the permit: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/msgp

Misha Vakoc,
Storm Water Permit Coordinator, NPDES Permits Unit,
Office of Water and Watersheds, US EPA Region 10

John Seigler,
Public Works Department, City of Pocatello

NPDES Permits for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)
The Stormwater Phase II Final Rule (December 8, 1999) requires operators of regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and develop a stormwater management program designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed by stormwater runoff into the MS4 (or from being dumped directly into the MS4) and then discharged from the MS4 into local waterbodies. Regulated small MS4 operators have the option of choosing to be covered by an individual permit, a general permit, or a modification of an existing Phase I MS4′s individual permit. In the MS4 program, operators are required to implement a stormwater management program as a means to control polluted discharges from these MS4s.