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==Previous permits==
+
==Previous Permits==
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=2013_MS4_General_Permit 2013 MS4 General Permit]  
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=2013_MS4_General_Permit 2013 MS4 General Permit]  
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=File:Minneapolis_2011_Phase_I_Permit_-_Minnesota_Stormwater_Manual_July_2022.pdf 2011 Minneapolis Phase I Permit]
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=File:Minneapolis_2011_Phase_I_Permit_-_Minnesota_Stormwater_Manual_July_2022.pdf 2011 Minneapolis Phase I Permit]
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==MS4 audit guidance==  
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==MS4 Audit Guidance==  
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to evaluate MS4 permittees for compliance with the [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-strm4-59k.pdf MS4 General Permit]. The MPCA does this through compliance audits. To find out more information about the audit process see the pages below:
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to evaluate MS4 permittees for compliance with the [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-strm4-59k.pdf MS4 General Permit]. The MPCA does this through compliance audits. To find out more information about the audit process see the pages below:
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=General_Stormwater_Program_Management General Stormwater Program Management - Examples for tracking activities in your SWPPP] - I FEEL THIS COULD BE PUT ON THE MAIN PAGE AND DELETED
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=General_Stormwater_Program_Management General Stormwater Program Management - Examples for tracking activities in your SWPPP] - I FEEL THIS COULD BE PUT ON THE MAIN PAGE AND DELETED
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==MPCA MS4 technical assistance==
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==MPCA MS4 Technical Assistance==
 
*[[2017 MS4 Technical Assistance and Outreach Needs Survey Results]]
 
*[[2017 MS4 Technical Assistance and Outreach Needs Survey Results]]
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_case_studies MS4 Case Studies]
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_case_studies MS4 Case Studies]

Revision as of 13:39, 3 May 2024

Information: We recently updated this page and will continue to work on information about MS4 stormwater management. If you have suggestions, we welcome comments using the comment box at the bottom of most pages in the manual.
Information: NOTE: Minnesota uses the term Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) for MS4 stormwater, while several states and EPA may use the term Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). These terms refer to the same thing.
icon for MS4 stormwater

The municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) stormwater program is designed to reduce the amount of sediment and pollution that enters surface and ground water from storm sewer systems. Public entities that own or operate an MS4 play a key role in preventing or reducing the negative impacts stormwater runoff has on our valuable water resources.

Proper stormwater runoff management in urbanized areas is especially important for restoring and protecting surface waters. Urbanized areas are more likely to have activities that contribute pollutants to stormwater runoff, like applying anti/deicing mixtures to roads; fueling vehicles; grease, oil, and other spills; landscaping; and using pesticides and fertilizers. Urbanized areas have a large amount of impervious surfaces, or surfaces that rain and snowmelt cannot pass through, such as streets, driveways, rooftops, parking lots and sidewalks. Stormwater runoff from these surfaces travels faster and in higher amounts, damaging rivers, streams, and wetlands; destroying aquatic habitats; increasing the amount of pollutants that enter surface waters; and limiting groundwater recharge and the MS4 program is to help mitigate the impact.

Background Information


2020 MS4 General Permit


MS4 Stormwater Permit


Previous Permits


Minimum Control Measures

When seeking to manage a Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4), an effective Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) has six different components known as Minimum Control Measures (MCMs).


Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are EPA approved amounts of pollutant loading that can occur and have a water body meet water quality standards. Follow this link to learn more about them along with guidance and resources.

Tools and resources


MS4 Audit Guidance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to evaluate MS4 permittees for compliance with the MS4 General Permit. The MPCA does this through compliance audits. To find out more information about the audit process see the pages below:


MPCA MS4 Technical Assistance


Other resources and documents