Storm Water Program Information
The national urban runoff program (NURP) and Clean Water Act (CWA)
305(b) reports submitted to Congress in the 1980's identified contaminated
storm water as one of the causes adversely affecting water quality.
Congress amended the CWA in 1987 to require the EPA to address storm
water runoff [CWA 402(p)]. Federal regulations were promulgated
in 1990 as 40 CFR 122.26 with the first general permits issued in
1992.
As of September 9, 1997, EPA delegated all the responsibilities
for storm water discharges associated with construction and industrial
sites in the State of Oklahoma to the Department of Environmental
Quality. Delegation does not include facilities located on Indian
lands or industrial activities located in the oil and gas exploration
fields, Standard Industrial Classification codes 1311, 1381, 1382,
and 1389. For construction sites, the permitting process is conducted
according to the rules established under the Oklahoma Pollution
Discharge Elimination System (OPDES), as promulgated under OAC 252:605.
For storm water discharges associated with industrial activities
the State is using EPA guidelines for the MSGP program established
under the Federal Register Vol. 60, No. 189, published on September
29, 1997 along with the Storm Water Phase II rules published December
8, 1999 under the Federal Register Vol. 64, No. 235.
Two types of Storm Water General Permits were issued in September
9, 1992. The first was for discharges associated with industrial
activities which is commonly referred to as the Baseline Industrial
General Permit (BIGP). The BIGP covered all facilities except those
covered under Construction Permit. The BIGP permit language can
be found at Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 175, September 9, 1992,
pages 41297 through 41342.
The second permit was for discharges associated with construction
activities. Under Phase I, construction activities that disturbed
or planned to disturb 5 or more acres had to obtain a Storm Water
discharge permit. That Construction Permit can be found at Federal
Register, Vol.57, No.175, September 9, 1992. Both of these became
effective September 9, 1992, and expired at midnight on September
9, 1997.
Currently the DEQ has an active Storm Water General Permit for
Construction activities, Industrial activities, and will soon have
a Small MS4 General permit. These permits were issued to effect
compliance with the Phase II Storm Water regulations issued December
8, 1999.
Information more specific to each General Permit can be found
on their respective web pages. The links to these pages are located
on the left hand side of this page.
All storm water general permits may be obtained by submitting a
one page application, Notice of Intent (NOI), and terminated by
submitting a Notice of Termination (NOT) to the DEQ.
All storm water general permits require the permittee to complete,
implement and maintain a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
The SWPPP has to meet the requirements set forth in the general
permit and must be tailored to meet the specific sites specifications
and requirements. A SWPPP guideline is available at DEQ and can
be furnished upon request. The SWPPP requirements are designed so
that small businesses may develop and implement a pollution prevention
plan. However, obtaining services from a qualified consultant is
another alternative in preparing a SWPPP.
All holders of general permits pay an annual fee for the life
of the permit as required in OAC 252:605-3-61. A permit is in
place
and effective until the permittee provides a Notice of Termination
to DEQ. The annual fee for all general permits, including Authorizations
under Storm Water general permits is $254.21 as stated in OAC 252:605
Appendix I. However, the DEQ will offset fees as much as possible
using federal grants and state appropriations.
For more information regarding the storm water program please contact
the Department of Environmental Quality at (405)702-8100. |
