SAS Project: Enhanced Florida DEP Statewide MS4 Stormwater Permit Template
This page profiles an individual project associated with the Trash-Free Waters South Atlantic Strategy (SAS). For additional information about this effort, or to get involved, please reach out to the project contact identified below.
On this page:
Detailed Project Information
Description: VolunteerCleanup.Org heavily lobbied Florida DEP to strengthen MS4 Stormwater design and maintenance requirements, with a specific focus on street sweeping and catch basin maintenance. The result is Catch Basins maintenance is now a separate category with more frequent minimum inspection and cleaning requirements (from once every 10 years to once every 5 years), and additional language as provided by the EPA Trash Compendium has been referenced. In addition, DEP now includes the definition of pollution - “Pollution” is the presence in the outdoor atmosphere or waters of the state of any substances, contaminants, noise, or manmade or human-induced impairment of air or waters or alteration of the chemical, physical, biological, or radiological integrity of air or water in quantities or at levels which are or may be potentially harmful or injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property or which unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property, including outdoor recreation unless authorized by applicable law" - thus defining plastic and trash as a pollutant!
Project Partners:
- EPA, who compiled an excellent Trash Compendium that helped me share best language. The EPA was not involved in the lobbying.
- Miami-Dade County who urged stricter standards (based on a resolution I got passed at County Commission).
- Miami Waterkeeper jumped in with my lobbying and included similar comments.
Current Project Outcomes: N/A
Long-Term Project Outcomes: Previous catch basin inspection frequency was once every 10 years because they were included as traditional pipes and conduits, but not pollution controls. Now, Inspections for each catch basin, inlet, and grate shall occur a minimum of once every five years. This new requirement (and many more enhancements) will apply to ALL Florida MS4 Stormwater Permits! This will directly lead to water quality improvements in reduction in floatables/trash.
Associated Links: N/A