EPA Releases Stormwater Permit

After many years of waiting, communities were abuzz when the 2016 Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) General Permit was published by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register on April 13, 2016. Signed on April 4, 2016, the permit will become effective on July 1, 2017. The final permit reflects modifications to the 2014 draft small MS4 general permit and replaces the 2003 small MS4 general permit for MS4 operators within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The new permit has revised requirements for outreach and education on stormwater issues. As a result, the Greenscapes Coalition is revising and restructuring its deliverables to meet communities’ needs, including an outline of the five-year outreach plan for different audiences in the community. Contact Kristen Grubbs at the Ipswich River Watershed Association for more information.