Maryland’s NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permits

NPDES Phase I Permits:

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 (MEP).  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 discussed below (click here to learn more about Phase II).  After receiving 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, current permits, and MDE's most recent program audits are also accessible by clicking on the respective issue dates.

Summary of Local Requirements

NPDES municipal stormwater permits require the jurisdictions to develop comprehensive programs to reduce storm drain system pollution to the MEP.  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 (BMPs), 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 between 10% and 20% of uncontrolled impervious surfaces based on watershed assessments during each five-year permit cycle
• Assessment of Control: document work toward meeting watershed restoration goals, including total maximum daily loads (TMDLs)*, using chemical, biological, and physical monitoring
• Program Funding: provide an annual fiscal analysis of the capital, operation, and maintenance expenditures necessary to comply with permit conditions

"More information on TMDLs may be found on MDE's webpage here:

Introduction to TMDLs

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 were 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 MDE.  Each Phase II municipality 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, MDE adopted a general permit on April 14, 2003 that addresses the six minimum control measures. Application requirements, measurable goals, BMP implementation schedules, and annual reporting requirements are addressed as well. NPDES Phase II Notices of Intent.  A copy of the general permit may be found here:

NPDES Phase II General Permit

MDE has received the following Notices of Intent for coverage under the NPDES Phase II stormwater general permit.

State and Federal Agencies

To provide coverage to State and federal agencies, MDE adopted a general permit on November 12, 2004 that addresses the six minimum control measures. Application requirements, measurable goals, BMP implementation schedules, and annual reporting requirements are addressed as well.  A copy of the general permit may be found here:

General Permit for State and Federal Agencies

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:

 

Contact Info:

Questions about NPDES municipal permits may be directed the Sediment, Stormwater, and Dam Safety Program at 410-537-3543 or emailed to Mr Raymond Bahr at rbahr@mde.state.md.us.

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