The Phase II Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 1999, requires expanded NPDES permit coverage for storm water discharges from:

• Certain regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s); and
• Construction activity disturbing between 1 and 5 acres of land (i.e., small construction activities). Disturbance of land 5 acres and above was regulated under Phase I of the NPDES Storm Water program.

In addition to expanding the NPDES Storm Water Program, the Phase II Final Rule revises the "no exposure" exclusion and the temporary exemption for municipal industrial facilities under Phase I of the NPDES Storm Water Program.

This page lists stormwater topics alphabetically with links to information on the three types of regulated stormwater discharges, MS4s, construction and industrial activities, and communities involved.

Stormwater Polices and Guidance Documents

MassDEP's policies and guidance for stormwater control in Massachusetts.
Web page

Lawns & Landscapes in Your Watershed

Advice and resources on protecting health and the environment while maintaining your landscape.
Web page

Phase II Communities

Communities in Massachusetts whose storm-sewer systems are regulated under NPDES Phase II.
Web page

New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)

NEIWPCC offers collaborative resources and training on water-related issues.
NEIWPCC Web site

Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory at University of Massachusetts at Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Department of Plant and Soil Sciences provides a soil-testing service on the Amherst campus.
UMass Web site

US EPA NPDES Stormwater Permit Program

Homepage of EPA's NPDES Permit Program.
US EPA Web site

US EPA Conditional No Exposure Exclusion for Industrial Stormwater Discharges

Explanation of this permit exclusion for industrial facilities, from US EPA.
US EPA Web site

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NPDES Phase II Stormwater Guidance For Meeting Endangered Species Eligibility

Stormwater discharge permits may not adversely affect federally-recognized endangered species or their habitat. This guidance explains the requirements for a permit.
Web page

US Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered Species Program

Information and resources about protecting plant and animal species under federal law.
USFWS Web site

Endangered Species in Massachusetts

This sortable list from US EPA is organized by county name.
US EPA Web site

NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Addendum A of MS4 general permit

From US EPA. See "General Permit for Storm Water Discharges..." under the heading "Small MS4 Program."
US EPA Web site

Office of Protected Resources Species Information

From National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service.
NOAA Web site

Standards and Procedures for Determining Adverse Impacts to Rare Species Habitat (DWW Policy 90-2)

MassDEP policy providing standards and guidelines for evaluating potential impacts of a project on wildlife habitats.
Web page

EPA's NPDES Phase II General Permit for MS4s

This permit for stormwater discharges from small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) is currently in force.
US EPA Web site

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NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Addendum B of the MS4 general permit

From US EPA. See "General Permit for Storm Water Discharges..." under the heading "Small MS4 Program."
US EPA Web site

Mass Historic Commission

Stormwater discharges may not be permitted in areas where a historic site is located. Refer to the Historic Commission website for locations and other information.
MHC Web site

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NPDES Storm Water Permit Program

Homepage for US EPA's NPDES Permit Program.
US EPA Web site

Stormwater Discharge From Industrial Facilities

Overview and resources for minimizing the impact of stormwater discharge from industrial activities such as materials handling and storage.
US EPA Web site

Standard Industrial Classification Codes (SIC) codes

Searchable listing of SIC codes from US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration
OSHA Web site

MassDEP Stormwater Permitting

Information and resources on stormwater permitting in Massachusetts, which is regulated by both MassDEP and US EPA.
Web page

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West Nile Virus and Drinking Water

Fact sheet discussing issues relating to mosquito control impacts on Massachusetts water supplies.
Web page

Nile Virus Application Of Pesticides To Wetland Resource Areas, Buffer Zones, And Public Water Systems, Guideline No. BRPG01-02

MassDEP policy governing application of pesticides to sensitive areas.
Web page

Disease Vectors Associated with Stormwater Runoff

Article from Stormwater Magazine, March-April 2002 issue
StormH2O Web site

Impact of New BMP Construction on Local Public Health Agencies

Article from Stormwater Magazine, March-April 2002 issue
StormH2O Web site

Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan

MassDEP's strategy for controlling nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, and other NPS resources.
Web page

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Stormwater Outreach Materials and Reference Documents

Brochures, posters, and reference documents provided by EPA's NPDES Program.
US EPA Web site

Stormwater Teaching Guide, New South Wales, Australia

This teaching guide is aimed at students of all grade-school levels. Although specific to conditions in southeastern Australia, the educational principles can be applied anywhere.
NSW Web site

Small Construction Sites

US EPA: Construction General Permit
US EPA Web site

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National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), Part I, C and D.

From US EPA. Second item under the heading "Small MS4 Program".
US EPA Web site

Finding Your Impaired Waters

Instructions for finding impaired waters using lists and reports available on the MassDEP website.
Web page

Phase II towns by Watershed List

Listing of Massachusetts towns regulated under the Phase II rule, with the watersheds where they are located or which are influenced by discharge from sources in the towns.
Web page

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Municipalities in Massachusetts Regulated by the Phase II Rule

Map and listing of towns in Massachusetts regulated by Phase II. Links to maps, notices of intent, and reports are available.
US EPA Web site

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