For immediate release: April 7, 2010
Contact: Anne Moore, 218-302-6605, toll-free 1-800-657-3864
Duluth, Minn. - A newly-re-issued permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has the potential to affect thousands of businesses across the state. Despite extensive public outreach and requests for comment, many business owners and operators may not be aware they are now required to apply for an Industrial Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit that went into effect April 5, 2010.
The new permit affects 10 industrial categories organized into 29 sectors. These sectors range from timber products to chemical manufacturing, scrap recycling, landfills, air transportation and salvage yards. For a complete list, visit the agency’s industrial stormwater Web site at /enzqa74. The site also has the permit application and instructions, describes sector-specific permit application dates, offers 14 steps to permit compliance, guides permittees on how to create a related pollution-prevention plan, lists a schedule of training and outreach opportunities and includes information about how businesses may gain certification for a five-year permit exclusion called “No Exposure.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and all states require industrial stormwater permit coverage and offer the No Exposure option. Until now, Minnesota was one of very few states that did not require industrial stormwater discharge monitoring. This new permit establishes risk-based monitoring objectives that can be reached through best management practices and site-based controls.
Stormwater generally refers to precipitation, snowmelt and surface runoff as well as drainage to groundwater. It is one of the most common sources of water flowing into Minnesota lakes and streams. Stormwater permit regulations help businesses prevent, reduce or control potential contamination of state surface and groundwater resources by restricting contact between pollutants and industrial equipment, machinery, raw materials, products, waste-handling equipment and wastes. Even though an individual industrial facility may contribute minimal pollution to the state’s water resources, the cumulative impact of thousands of facilities’ stormwater discharges can account for significant water quality problems.
Since the previous industrial stormwater permit expired in 2002, agency staff have been developing permit language that is aligned with federal and state requirements, reduces pollutants in industrial stormwater discharges and provides a balance of environmental protection and facility flexibility. Key differences between the two permits include new sampling and monitoring requirements and discharge restrictions related to impaired waters.
For more information, call the MPCA industrial stormwater program staff at 651-757-2119 or 1-800-657-3864.
