Permit Overview
Stormwater is regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act. Since March 2003, municipalities and developers have been subject to new requirements dealing with stormwater management.
The requirements are called Phase II Stormwater Regulations since they are the second round of storm water rules implemented by EPA. Phase I, passed in 1992, dealt with larger municipalities (none in New Hampshire), privately-owned industries, and construction sites of 5 acres or larger. (Fact Sheet on Phase I and Phase II in New Hampshire)
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program is administered by EPA in New Hampshire. This site is designed to assist regulated entities in New Hampshire in complying with Phase II.
The following are three permits under Phase II Federal Stormwater Regulations. New information on new Phase II Stormwater permits is available on this Web site at as they are released from EPA.
- Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit (MS4)
Certain regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) located in urbanized areas - includes six minimum control measures and sources of assistance. - Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP)
Industrial activities operated by municipalities state-wide. - Construction General Permit (CGP)
Construction activity disturbing 1 acre of land or greater
Resources/Links
- EPA Construction General Permit (CGP)
- EPA Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit (MS4)
- EPA Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP)
- EPA Phase II NPDES Storm Water Program
- Natural Resources Defense Council: Storm Water - Strategies- Findings From the Case Studies
- Region 1 EPA New England Storm Water Program
Contacts for more information about Stormwater Phase II at the:
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
- New Hampshire Department of Transportation
- Environmental Protection Agency – New England
- University of New Hampshire (UNH) Technology Transfer Center
- New England Chapter of The American Public Works Association