Construction Stormwater Permit Update

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency sent this bulletin at 06/14/2013 04:08 PM CDT

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MPCA Citizens' Board to consider Construction Stormwater general permit at June 25 meeting

 At its June 25 meeting, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizens' Board is scheduled to vote on re-issuing the general permit for Construction Stormwater. The Citizens' Board meets in the lower level of the MPCA office at 520 Lafayette Drive N. in St. Paul.

If approved, the re-issued permit will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2013. Because federal rules have changed since the last permit was issued in 2008, the MPCA has updated the general permit to comply with EPA’s 2009 40 CFR Part 450 Standards for Construction and Development (C&D) rule. Based on research and experience, the federal government continues to make changes to ensure that adequate best management practices are in place.

While the primary changes concern federal rules, the changes also include reorganization of  the permit language. The draft permit includes clarifications and minor language changes to make the permit more concise, to delete duplicate or unneeded language, and to improve the permit’s readability and understanding.

In addition, the agency will require that permit applications be submitted electronically to achieve greater efficiency.

The draft permit was open for public comment from Feb. 4 to March 20. More than 50 parties provided comments. The MPCA response to these comments is available on the MPCA Citizens Board webpage under the “Next Meeting” tab. The draft permit and related information are available on the Construction Stormwater general permit webpage.

For those attending the June 25 Citizens Board meeting, parking will be available in the MPCA office parking lot and nearby lots. Visitors at the MPCA office must show identification when entering the building. The Citizens Board meeting will also be available by webcast.

The purpose of the construction stormwater permit is to protect water resources from contaminants, including those in construction stormwater runoff, mainly sediment that muddies rivers, fills in wetlands and lakes, and harms habitat for fish and wildlife. Thank you for doing your part to protect Minnesota waters.