Minnesotas new municipal stormwater permit approved
Photo: Angie Hong, Washington Conservation District
After more than three years of work, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizens Board recently approved reissuance of the states Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) general permit. The permit regulates stormwater discharges from counties, cities, townships and other government entities in urbanized areas, and is designed to prevent or reduce urban runoff pollution from degrading water quality in our rivers, lakes, and streams.
Stormwater runoff impacts water quality and community health in multiple ways. Stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots and construction sites carries pollution into stormdrains and directly to nearby surface waters. In addition, stormwater runoff moves quickly into nearby streams, resulting in increased flows, stream bank erosion, and flooding risk.
By better managing stormwater, new developments can mimic natural water flows and prevent downstream impacts.
As a result of this new permit, a number of cities across the state will be required to update and improve their current stormwater programs. Some of these improvements include:
- Stopping illegal discharges: Mapping and tracking storm sewer pipes, investigating and eliminating illegal discharges, and training staff to recognize and report illegal discharges.
- Restoring impaired waters: More specific requirements for preventing or reducing pollution to impaired waters.
- Enhancing sediment and erosion control programs: Updating local erosion- and sediment-control programs to meet state standards.
- Stormwater management standards: requiring new development to manage stormwater so that post construction stormwater runoff volume is not greater than preconstruction runoff volume.
This new permit is an important step in controlling urban runoff and protecting the Mississippi River for generations to come.
Visit the MPCA website for more information on the MS4 permit, including a webcast of the recent MPCA Citizens Board meeting and a copy of the permit and all supporting documents as well as information on the MS4 program.