The Department of Environmental Protection Monday invited local governments, engineers, environmental groups, and the general public to comment on the proposed changes to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4).

The proposal updates the requirements for entities applying for new MS4 permits, new or reissued, to better control pollution caused by stormwater. One of the updates requires some MS4 entities to prepare pollution control plans before submitting their next MS4 application to DEP and to apply a public participation process to those plans.

The proposed changes will promote the use of technologies to better remove specific types of pollution. For example, MS4s which impact streams that are impaired by mine drainage, pathogens or organic chemicals will be required to apply specific control measures.

Those measures will result in a better assessment of the local problem and set the stage for improved pollution control technologies to address the specific type of pollution.

DEP published a notice of the 60-day comment period in the PA Bulletin on May 30. Comments are due by July 29.

This proposal is the first to utilize DEP’s electronic eComment system. EComment enables DEP to publish the comments it receives, both electronically and in writing, within five business days of receiving them. It also provides better access to the proposal and any supporting documentation that may be relevant to the commenters.

The public is encouraged to submit comments about the “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems” using the new eComment system.

The public may also submit written comments to DEP Bureau of Point and Nonpoint Source Management, P.O. Box 8774, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8774.

Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. All comments, including those submitted by electronic mail, must include the originator’s name and address.

For more information, visit DEP’s MS4 webpage.

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