NPDES Stormwater Permit Program in New England
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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.
- Administration
- Large & Medium MS4 Permits
- Small MS4 Program
- Construction Activities
- Industrial Activities
- Residual Designations
- Tools and Resources
Administration
EPA Contacts
MS4 Program
Newton Tedder (tedder.newton@epa.gov), 617-918-1038
Construction General Permit (CGP) Program
Dave Gray (gray.davidj@epa.gov), 617-918-1577
Industrial/Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) Program
Dave Gray (gray.davidj@epa.gov), 617-918-1577
Residual Designation Authority (RDA) Permitting
Mark Voorhees (voorhees.mark@epa.gov), 617-918-1537
State Contacts
Connecticut
CTDEEP Water Regulating and Discharges
Chris Stone (chris.stone@ct.gov), 860-424-3850
Maine
Maine DEP Stormwater Program
Brian Kavanah (brian.w.kavanah@maine.gov), 207-287-7700
Massachusetts
MassDEP Stormwater Program
Laura Schifman (laura.schifman@mass.gov), 617-556-1157
New Hampshire
NHDES Stormwater Program
Hayley Franz (Hayley.Franz@des.nh.gov), 603-271-0671
Rhode Island
RIDEM Stormwater Program
Margarita Chatterton (margarita.chatterton@dem.ri.gov), 401-222-4700 x 7605
Vermont
Vermont DEC Stormwater Program
Padraic Monks (padraic.monks@state.us.vt), 802-490-6169
EPA Region 1 Issued Large & Medium MS4 Permits
EPA Region 1 Small MS4 Program for Massachusetts and New Hampshire
EPA is proposing to modify the 2016 Massachusetts MS4 Permit and the 2017 New Hampshire MS4 Permit. For more information please see the permit specific web pages below.
- 2003 Permit Archive for Massachusetts and New Hampshire Webpage
- 2016 Massachusetts MS4 Permit Webpage
- 2017 New Hampshire MS4 Permit Webpage
Construction Activities
- Do I need NPDES Permit Coverage for Discharges Related to my Construction Activity and Which General Permits are Available (Flow Chart)? (PDF) (2 pp, 648 K)
Depending on the nature of the dewatering activities at a given site, one or more general permits may be applicable: the Dewatering General Permit, the Construction General Permit, or the Remediation General Permit. - Obtaining permit coverage for your construction activity
This site provides links to the 2017 Construction General Permit (CGP), Notice of Intent (NOI) and Notice of Termination (NOT) Forms, the online filing system (eNOI), and the online searchable NOI database. - NPDES General Permit for Dewatering Activities in MA and NH
This site provides links to the Federal Register Notice, the General Permit, and EPA contact information. Subject to limitations and eligibility requirements, this permit authorizes pumped or drained discharges of groundwater or stormwater from excavations or other points of accumulation associated with a construction activity. Depending on the nature of the dewatering activities at a given site, one or more general permits may be applicable: the Construction Dewatering General Permit, the Construction General Permit, or the Remediation General Permit. - 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. - New Hampshire Alteration of Terrain Permit
This webpage includes information of the New Hampshire Alteration of Terrain permit which may be required in addition to CGP coverage.
Industrial Activities
- 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP)
- Impaired Waters Information - Massachusetts
- Impaired Waters Information - New Hampshire
- 2021 MSGP Monitoring Guidance for Discharges into Impaired Waters (Part 4.2.5) - Parameters and Methods
- Massachusetts (PDF) (3 pp, 178 K)
- New Hampshire (PDF) (3 pp, 180 K)
- How can I avoid the need for a Storm Water Permit for my industrial activity (i.e., a No Exposure Exclusion)?
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
- Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Sites
Regional Contact - Mark Voorhees (voorhees.mark@epa.gov or 617-918-1537)