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Stormwater Enforcement
Mid-Atlantic Stormwater Quick Finder |
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| Stormwater HomeContacts | DroughtEnforcement | FloodingPermits - MS4s | Success Stories |
Mid-Atlantic Stormwater Enforcement is focused on four main areas:
- construction
- non-construction
- animal feeding operations, and
- MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems)
In all four areas, EPA staff (and/or contractors) perform inspections (or audits). When violations are discovered, EPA may use several different enforcement options authorized through the Clean Water Act:
- information requests
- orders for compliance, and
- penalties
Construction - Currently, residential home building is a high priority in the mid-Atlantic Region. Construction sites disturbing greater than 1 acre which discharge to surface waters are required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. As part of this permit, the site must have site specific plans and documents, including, but not limited to, an approved Erosion & Sediment Control Plan, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and routine self-inspections. Without the proper design and implementation of best management practices (i.e. sediment basins and traps, silt fence, vegetative stabilization, etc.), there exists the potential for large amounts of sediment and other pollutants (i.e. fuels, oils, chemicals, etc.) to be discharged from the construction site.
Non-Construction - Mid-Atlantic regulated facilities include sand and gravel, auto salvage, asphalt and roofing, coal mines, oil and gas extraction, landfills, ship and boat building, air transportation, etc. Each regulated facility is required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. However, in some circumstances, a waiver may be obtained if the facility/entity can prove that stormwater will not become contaminated by activities and processes at the site (i.e. the operations take place within a roofed structure).
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) - MS4 permits require regulated municipalities and other entities to control and prevent discharges of pollutants to waters of the U.S. Common pollutants in the mid-Atlantic include oils, antifreeze, paint, and sediment.
