Welcome to the Industrial Stormwater Program, June 2014 Newsletter! 

In this issue:

• Featured Article: Industrial Stormwater General Permit Update
• 2015 Industrial Stormwater General Permit – when and how to Apply
• Apply on time, apply online: Permittees and No Exposure Certifiers
• Year 5: Is stormwater sampling required?
• Industrial stormwater training dates, what to do if you want training now

Featured Article: Industrial Stormwater General Permit Update

The draft 2015 Permit wen through the public comment period March 31-April 30 and it generated 12 public comment documents, representing 64 comments from all industry sectors, about the following sectors:

• C:  Chemical and Allied Products Manufacturing
• D: Asphalt Paving and Roofing Materials and Lubricant Manufacturing
• E:  Glass, Clay, Cement, Concrete, and Gypsum Products
• J:  Mineral Mining and Dressing
• L:  Landfills and Land Application Sites
• N:  Scrap Recycling and Waste Recycling Facilities
• S:  Air Transportation

Categories of comments:

• Submittal/notification requirements
• Dust/vehicle tracking
• Removal of J SIC wastewater codes
• Infiltration limitations
• Inactive, unstaffed requirements
• pH meter requirements
• SWPPP requirements
• Chemical additive requirements
• Wastewater allowances
• Impaired waters
• Spills and leaks requirements
• Substantially similar definition
• Dry weather deicing discharge
• Definition additions
• Inspection requirements
• Sampling requirements
• Re-classification of activities for a particular sector
• No Exposure

The Industrial Stormwater 2015 Draft Permit team is currently reviewing and writing responses to the comments and suggested revisions to the permit.  Each commenter will be formally responded to with a message about each comment.  All comments and MPCA’s responses to the comments are slated to be available online late June or early July 2014.

Based on the comments, the Draft Permit Team envision that changes to the Draft 2015 Permit will be minimal, and MPCA management will likely approve the changes and the draft 2015 permit by the end of June 2014.  Assuming that timeline works out, Permittees and No Exposure Certifiers will be able to apply for the 2015 permit between July 7-October 5, 2014.   Both groups are encouraged to apply online, though hard copy applications will also be available.

2015 Industrial Stormwater General Permit – when and how to Apply

Current timeline for 2015 permit reissuance (subject to change):

• May/June 2014: MPCA staff make changes to draft permit in response to public comments made during the 30-day public comment period of March 31 – April 30, 2014
• Late June 2014: Estimated date the draft permit is approved and signed by Jeff Stollenwerk, Manager, Water Section
  
• July 7- October 5, 2014: Permittees and facilities that qualify for the No Exposure Certification can begin to apply for coverage (MPCA must allow permittees / No Exposure Certifiers to apply 180 days before the current permit's expiration of April 5, 2015)
• April 5, 2015: 2015 Permit is reissued and becomes effective.  The 2010 permit expires.

How to apply: While hard copy applications will remain an option, MPCA is encouraging all applicants to use the on-line application process (use the new 2015 Permit links at the MPCA Industrial Stormwater Page located at or through e-Services).  The streamlined on-line process enables you to receive your notice of permit coverage immediately (though it will become effective April 5, 2015) and avoid delays resulting from mailing in hard copy applications. 

 If you choose e-Services, please remember to "Create an Account" before applying; if you already have an e-Services account you do not need to create a new account for the new permit.

Apply on time, apply online: Permittees and No Exposure Certifiers

It’s nearly time to apply for the 2015 Industrial Stormwater (ISW) General Permit!   We are very happy to announce that the 2015-2020 ISW Permit has come off public notice and we are busy finalizing some changes based on comments received.

This is a good time to review your facility information, assess your success and consider  changes before re-applying.   Remember, your existing permit and its requirements remain in force until April 5, 2015.

As required by MN Rule and by Permit requirement, all existing ISW Permittees must apply for coverage at least 180 days (July 7 through October 5, 2014) before Permit expiration or before starting a new activity:

7090.3010 INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY PERMIT REQUIREMENTS (Subp. 2. Permit application deadline)

If a person proposes to construct a new facility or engage in a new activity for which a permit is required, the person shall submit a complete permit application at least 180 days before the planned date of the commencement of facility construction or of the planned date of the commencement of the activity, whichever occurs first.

7001.0040 APPLICATION DEADLINES (Subp. 3. Reissuance of existing permits)

If a permit has been issued by the agency and the person holding the permit desires to continue the permitted activity beyond the expiration date of the permit, the person shall submit a written application for permit reissuance at least 180 days before the expiration date of the existing permit.

Apply online!  NEW:  Permittees can pay for their application fee with an e-check or credit card.

Apply on time (July 7 through October 5, 2014) and apply online to avoid potential violations and penalties.  Don’t be one of the facilities that receive penalties for applying late or not applying until after the application deadlines.   

Questions?  Email Melissa Wenzel, Mary West, or Dave Bodovinitz today!

Thanks,

Ken Moon, Supervisor

Year 5: Is stormwater sampling required?

As we approach Year 5 of the 2010 Industrial Stormwater Permit, many Permittees are wondering what their Year 5 monitoring requirements will be.  In short, Year 5 monitoring requirements are dependent upon the monitoring results from Year 4.

For the current 2010 Permit:

• MPCA will average Permittees’ reported results and update the monitoring calendars about two months after Permittees’ completion of Year 4 monitoring.  It is critical that Permittees average their own “Year 4” results to determine whether they have immediate monitoring requirements in Year 5. 

Year 4: If the averaged results are below the permit benchmark requirements:

• Your facility is not required to do any further monitoring for Year 5.
• You are still required to keep your SWPPP up to date, maintain your monthly inspection schedule, and ensure your existing BMPs are in good condition so your facility can remain in compliance.

Year 4: If the averaged results exceed the permit benchmark value:

• Submit the Benchmark Exceedance Report no later than 30 days after your final sampling quarter in Year 4. Download and submit the Benchmark Exceedance Report.
• Any parameter exceedance will require continued monitoring during Year 5.
• Online calendars will indicate ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in the ‘Monitoring Required’ column.
• Corresponding SWMR forms will indicate which benchmark parameter(s) still require monitoring. 
• Permittees continue monitoring according to their Year 5 calendar (until the Permit expires, April 5, 2015).

If you have questions:  please visit the Industrial Stormwater Program website first (Industrial Stormwater Steps to Compliance, Steps 12 and 13). If you still have questions email one of the following staff: Mary West (mary.west@state.mn.us), Dave Bodovinitz (david.bodovinitz@state.mn.us), or Melissa Wenzel ((melissa.wenzel@state.mn.us). Call the Stormwater Hotline as a third option: 651-757-2119 or 800-657-3804 (non-metro only).

Industrial stormwater training dates, what to do if you want training now

The University of Minnesota and the MPCA training workshops yielded more than two dozen industrial stormwater-related training events since 2009.  The two organizations are working together again to provide timely and helpful training opportunities to help permittees, consultants, and interested others understand the requirements of the 2015 Industrial Stormwater Permit.  Here’s the proposed training timeline:

•  Fall/Winter 2014:  “Industrial Stormwater Overview:  Applicability, SWPPP development, how to conduct sampling” workshop
• Spring/Summer 2015:  How to collect stormwater samples, avoid errors” workshop

If you are interested in training sooner, please contact the University of Minnesota  about your training interests and needs at:  800-646-2282, 612-625-9733 or via email at: erosion@umn.edu.

Program Contact Information:

• Website: www.pca.state.mn.us/industrialstormwater
• Monitoring Forms/Permit Information Access:  http://www.pca.state.mn.us/mvric9b
• Email the Program: iswprogram.pca@state.mn.us 
  
• Call the Stormwater Hotline: Call 651-757-2119 or 800-657-3804 (non-metro only) 
  
• Permit Compliance/No Exposure: Mary West, 651-757-2818, Dave Bodovinitz, 507-206-2654, or Melissa Wenzel, 651-757-2816.
• Engineering Questions: Brian Schweiss, 651-757-2709