Submit MS4 Annual Reports by June 1st

by | Apr 12, 2018 | Environmental Consulting, Read the latest Environmental Services Articles & News, Stormwater Permitting and Design

The State’s Push for Clean Water Surface Water Protection

Background

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) regulates stormwater discharge from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) in the New York metropolitan area and other urban and designated areas in the State. In an attempt to improve the stormwater management practices and protect surface water bodies within municipalities by reducing erosion and controlling runoff, the MS4 reporting program was established.

Municipal Reporting Requirements due June 1st

Local governments must comply with the requirements set forth in the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. The annual report covering the stormwater management activities for the reporting period of March 10, 2017 through March 9, 2018, is due June 1, 2018. Failure to comply may result in penalties and fines up to $37,500 per violation per day.

The annual MS4 report documents the steps taken by municipalities towards meeting the following minimum control measures (MCMs):

  • MCM-1: Public Education and Outreach

    • Educate the public on the importance of good stormwater management practices, potential Pollutants of Concern (POC), and local areas of concern.

  • MCM-2: Public Involvement/Participation

    • Comply with the “State Open Meeting” Law and local public notice requirements and implement programs to promote community involvement in stormwater management to reduce the presence of POC’s.

  • MCM-3: Illicit Discharge Detection and EliminationErosion and Sedimentation Control

    • Take action to identify and eliminate illicit discharges to the municipal stormwater drainage system.

  • MCM-4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

    • Establish and enforce a local ordinance requiring implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to control runoff from development/construction projects disturbing one acre or more (or a smaller area, depending on the local requirements).

  • MCM-5: Post-Construction Stormwater Management

    • Monitor stormwater runoff from completed development projects within the municipal boundaries that are subject to MCM-4 in order to ensure that the discharge of pollutants is minimized.

  • MCM-6: Pollution Prevention/ Good HousekeepingStorm Sewer System Cleanout

    • Utilize pollution prevention/good housekeeping practices for municipal operations such as street and bridge maintenance, vehicle maintenance and other municipal functions.

For more information on New York City’s specific MS4 permit, read our past post.

Talk to the Experts

Call Walden Environmental Engineering for assistance and consultation on completing the MS4 Annual Reporting Forms. You can reach us at (516) 624-7200.