The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater regulations were published in 1990.   Phase I of these regulations require large urban jurisdictions to control pollution in stormwater to the maximum extent practicable.   For permitting purposes, municipalities with populations of greater than 250,000 are considered “large” and those with populations of between 100,000 and 250,000 as “medium.”   Municipalities with less than 100,000 are handled separately under Phase II NPDES stormwater rules (Click here for information on NPDES Phase II). After receiving voluminous applications from Phase I municipalities in 1991 and 1992, MDE began issuing NPDES municipal stormwater permits in 1993. These permits are updated every five years. You can view background information on each jurisdiction by clicking on the municipality's name in the chart below. Initial permits and current permits are also accessible by clicking on the respective issue dates.

A list of local NPDES Phase I Permit Contacts may be found here.

NPDES municipal stormwater permits require the jurisdictions to develop comprehensive programs to reduce storm drain system pollution to the maximum extent practicable.    Typical NPDES stormwater permit conditions require jurisdictions to:

• Legal Authority: provide certification from appropriate legal counsel that adequate authority exists to control discharges from the municipal storm drain system,
• Source Identification: map storm drain pipes and best management practices, land use, impervious cover, and watershed restoration projects in geographical information system (GIS) format,
• Management Programs: implement erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, illicit connection detection and elimination, and public education and outreach programs,
• Watershed Assessment: evaluate all urban watersheds thoroughly regarding water quality and develop goals and action plans for restoration,
• Restoration Projects: restore 10% of impaired impervious surfaces based on watershed assessments during each five-year permit cycle,
• Assessment of Control: document work toward meeting watershed restoration goals using chemical, biological, and physical monitoring, and
• Program Funding: provide an annual fiscal analysis of the capital, operation, and maintenance expenditures necessary to comply with permit conditions.

For more information contact Sediment, Stormwater, and Dam Safety Program, 410-537-3545.

>(NPDES) General Permit for Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems

In December 1999, the EPA promulgated NPDES Phase II stormwater requirements.   As a result, many of the localities and State and federal agencies not permitted under Phase I are now required to obtain NPDES permit coverage under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). Approximately 60 cities and towns in Maryland with populations greater than 1,000 have been designated for coverage by EPA or the Maryland Department of the Environment, Water Management Administration (WMA). Each is required to implement the following six minimum measures: public education and outreach; public participation and involvement; illicit discharge detection and elimination; construction site runoff control; post-construction runoff control; and pollution prevention/good housekeeping. Implementation of these minimum control measures will help efforts toward improving the quality of Maryland’s streams, rivers, and Chesapeake Bay through the continued improvement of stormwater management and erosion and sediment control programs; the removal of illicit discharges; and public education.

To provide coverage to Phase II municipalities, WMA adopted a general permit on April 14, 2003 that addresses the six minimum control measures. Application requirements, best management practices (BMPs) to be implemented and measurable goals for each, BMP implementation schedules, and annual reporting requirements are addressed as well. Copies of the general permit are available by contacting MDE’s Sediment, Stormwater, and Dam Safety Program at 410-537-3543. Questions concerning the general permit may be directed to Mr. Brian Clevenger, also at 410-537-3543.

NPDES Phase II Notices of Intent (NOI's)

MDE has received the following NOIs for coverage under the NPDES Phase II stormwater general permit.

NPDES Phase II Notices of Intent (NOI's) from State and Federal Agencies

>(NPDES) General Permit for Discharges from State and Federal Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems

To provide coverage to State and federal agencies, WMA adopted a general permit on November 12, 2004 that addresses the six minimum control measures. Application requirements, best management practices (BMPs) to be implemented and measurable goals for each, BMP implementation schedules, and annual reporting requirements are addressed as well. Copies of the general permit are available here or by contacting MDE’s Sediment, Stormwater & Dam Safety Program at 410-537-3543. Questions concerning the general permit may be directed to Mr. Brian Clevenger, also at 410-537-3543.

MDE has received the following NOI's for coverage under the NPDES Phase II Stormwater General Permit for Discharges from State and Federal Small MS4s:

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