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VTrans is designated as an operator of a nontraditional Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
System (MS4) under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES),
General Permit 3-9014 (Permit) for Stormwater Discharges from Small MS4s administered by the Vermont Agency of Natural
Resources (ANR). This permit is issued in accordance with the following
state and federal laws and rules: Vermont Water Pollution Control statute,
10 V.S.A Chapter 47, including 1259, 1263, and 1264; Vermont Water Pollution
Control Rules, Chapter 13, including the rule governing general permits in
Section 13. 12; Federal Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C.A. 1251 et seq.,
including 33 U.S.C.A. 1342(p); and the regulations of the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency including 40 CAR 122.26, 40 CAR 122.28 and 40 I.E. 122.30 to
122.37.
The VTrans MS4, which is regulated by this Permit, occupies an area of approximately two (2) square miles.
The area includes the State right of way associated with approximately 90 miles of State Highway and one Maintenance
Garage that are located within the urbanized areas (based on 2000 census) and
adjacent areas within stormwater impaired watersheds (based on 2002 303(d)
list).
Operators of regulated small MS4s must design their programs to meet the following:
- Reduce the discharge of pollutants to the
"maximum extent practicable" (MEP);
- Protect water quality; and
- Satisfy the appropriate water quality
requirements of the Clean Water Act.
Implementation
of the MEP standard will typically require the development and implementation
of BMPs and the achievement of measurable goals to satisfy each of the
six minimum control measures.
The
Phase II Rule defines a small MS4 Storm
Water Management
Program as a
program comprising six elements
that, when implemented in concert, are expected to result in significant
reductions of pollutants discharged into receiving water bodies.
The Six MS4
Minimum Control Measures Are:
1. Public Education and Outreach
Distributing
educational materials and performing outreach
to inform citizens about the impacts polluted storm
water runoff discharges can have on water
quality. To find out how we are
complying with this minimum control measure you can visit the smart
waterways site at
http://www.smartwaterways.org/index.html.
2. Public Participation/Involvement
Providing
opportunities for citizens to participate in program
development and implementation, including effectively
publicizing public hearings and/or encouraging
citizen representatives on a storm water management
panel.
3. Illicit
Discharge Detection and Elimination
Developing
and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate
illicit discharges to the storm sewer system (includes
developing a system map and informing the community
about hazards associated with illegal discharges
and improper disposal of waste).
Summer
Stormwater Mapping Program
4.
Construction Site Runoff Control
Developing,
implementing, and enforcing an erosion and sediment
control program for construction activities that disturb
1 or more acres of land (controls could include silt fences and
temporary storm water detention ponds).
Click here for current
development of this minimum control measure
5.
Post-Construction Runoff Control
Developing,
implementing, and enforcing a program to address
discharges of post-construction storm water runoff
from new development and redevelopment areas. Applicable
controls could include preventative actions such
as protecting sensitive areas (e.g., wetlands) or the use
of structural BMPs such as grassed swales or porous pavement.
6.
Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Developing
and implementing a program with the goal of preventing
or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations.
The program must include municipal staff training
on pollution prevention measures and techniques (e.g.,
regular street sweeping, reduction in the use of pesticides
or street salt, or frequent catch-basin cleaning).
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