Updated Stormwater Permitting Requirements in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are finally here… Is your community prepared?

According to the US EPA, stormwater is the #1 cause of water quality impairments in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. To address this issue, the EPA has worked with local and state officials on updated MS4 permits that will help improve stormwater management and water quality in these regions. This permit replaces the single 2003 permit that covered both states.

The updated permit requirements will:

• Find and eliminate illegal sewage discharges from stormwater systems
• Implement common-sense practices to keep pollution out of stormwater—for example, better street sweeping and cleaning of stormwater catch basins
• Make sure that new development incorporates modern stormwater management, to avoid adding to the problem

The permit will go into effect on July 1, 2018 and the first deadline for municipalities will be the Notice of Intent (NOI) for coverage under the permit, which will be due 90 days later on October 1, 2018.

Following the Notice of Intent, the required completion date for a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) and all other requirements is now June 30, 2019.

Compliance doesn’t have to be confusing or costly. Our team has decades of experience guiding municipalities through the stormwater management process and is available to help. Our in-house stormwater experts can help prioritize key tasks and procedures that will allow you to meet the requirements on time without the headache.

Contact Bob Mackie to find out how BETA can help you get started on this time-sensitive process.
BMackie@BETA-Inc.com
781.255.1982

Links to MA Resources:
Updated MS4 Permit for Massachusetts communities, and extensive background materials
Tools to facilitate permit implementation
MA fact sheet
MA first year permit terms 

Links to NH Resources:
Updated MS4 Permit for New Hampshire communities and extensive background materials
Tools to facilitate permit implementation:
NH fact sheet
NH first year permit terms