NPDES Stormwater Permit Program in New England
The Clean Water Act authorizes EPA and states, which are delegated the authority by EPA, to regulate point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. So-called "point sources" are generated from a variety of municipal and industrial operations, including treated wastewater, process water, cooling water, and stormwater runoff from drainage systems. The NPDES Stormwater Program (national EPA NPDES site), in place since 1990, regulates discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, industrial activities, and those designated by EPA due to water quality impacts.
- Large & Medium MS4 Permits
- Small MS4 Program
- Construction Activities
- Industrial Activities
- Residual Designations
- Tools and Resources
- Administration/Contacts
EPA Region 1 Issued Large & Medium MS4 Permits
EPA Region 1 Small MS4 Program for Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Construction Activities
- Do I need NPDES Permit Coverage for Discharges Related to my Construction Activity and Which General Permits are Available (Flow Chart)? (Note: Update in Progress)
- 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP)
General permit for construction-related stormwater discharges at sites disturbing 1 or more acres of land area, including dewatering discharges that do not contain pollutants. - 2022 Dewatering and Remediation General Permit (DRGP)
General permit for discharges generated during dewatering and remediation activities, including dewatering discharges at construction sites disturbing less than 1 acre, and sites greater than 1 acre of land area, or construction sites of any size with dewatering discharges that contain pollutants.
Industrial Activities
- EPA Region 1-issued individual permits for stormwater associated with industrial activity:
- 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP)
General permit for stormwater associated with industrial activity for certain industrial facilities - How can I avoid the need for a Storm Water Permit for my industrial activity (i.e., a No Exposure Exclusion)?
- 2021 MSGP Monitoring Guidance for Discharges into Impaired Waters (Part 4.2.5) - Parameters and Methods
Residual Designations
The Clean Water Act (CWA) and related regulations define the specific industrial and municipal stormwater sources that must be authorized by an NPDES permit. The CWA recognizes that other sources, such as commercial properties, may need to be regulated on a case-by-case or category-by-category basis based on additional information or localized conditions. The authority to regulate other sources based on the localized adverse impact of stormwater on water quality through NPDES permits is commonly referred to as the "Residual Designation" authority.
- Long Creek, Maine
- EPA Watershed-Based Residual Designation in New England
- Residual Designation Nation Site
Tools and Resources
- Stormwater Tools in New England Webpage
- EPA Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Guidance
Provides guidance and templates for the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), site inspections, and other requirements of the CGP. - Major Storm and Flood Event BMP Resource List
Provides various tools available for assessment and implementation of BMPs to meet permit requirements related to major storm and flood events. - Impaired Waters Information:
- EPA Central Data Exchange (CDX)
Online portal for submitting applications to EPA - EPA NPDES e-Reporting Tool (NeT Homepage - OECA ICIS)
Online portal for submitting discharge monitoring reports to EPA
Administration
EPA Contacts
MS4 Program
Danielle Gaito (gaito.danielle@epa.gov), 617-918-1297
Michelle Vuto (vuto.michelle@epa.gov), 617-918-1222
Construction General Permit (CGP) Program
Meridith Finegan (finegan.meridith@epa.gov), 617-918-1533
Dewatering and Remediation General Permit (DRGP) Program
Shauna Little (little.shauna@epa.gov), 617-918-1989
Industrial/Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) Program
Abdulrahman Ragab (ragab.abdulrahman@epa.gov), 617-918-1695
Residual Designation Authority (RDA) Permitting
MA: Laura Schifman (schifman.laura@epa.gov), 617-918-1015
NH: Danielle Gaito (gaito.danielle@epa.gov), 617-918-1297
State Contacts
Connecticut
CTDEEP Water Regulating and Discharges
Chris Stone (chris.stone@ct.gov), 860-424-3850
Maine
Maine DEP Stormwater Program
Rhonda Poirier (rhonda.poirier@maine.gov), 207-592-6233
Massachusetts
MassDEP Stormwater Program
stormwater.DEP@mass.gov
New Hampshire
NHDES Stormwater Program
Hayley Franz (Hayley.Franz@des.nh.gov), 603-271-0671
Rhode Island
RIDEM Stormwater Program
Brian Lafaille (brian.lafaille@dem.ri.gov)
Vermont
Vermont DEC Stormwater Program
Kevin Burke (kevin.burke@vermont.gov), 802-490-6168
Christy Witters (christy.witters@vermont.gov), 802-490-6173