Discussion:
As part of the Clean Water Act, the city is required to permit through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) through the Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) program. The MS4 general permit requires the city to prepare, manage and maintain a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). The city was extended coverage under the current permit on November 18, 2021 by the MPCA. A requirement of the permit is to update the city's SWPPP and official controls (ordinances and design criteria) to meet certain minimum requirements outlined in the permit.
The MS4 general permit outlines minimum stormwater requirements related to the following topics:
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Minimum Control Measure 1 - Public Education and Outreach
- Minimum Control Measure 2 - Public Participation/Involvement
- Minimum Control Measure 3 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
- Minimum Control Measure 4 - Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
- Minimum Control Measure 5 - Post-Construction Stormwater Management
- Minimum Control Measure 6 - Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping For Municipal Operations
The city's regulatory mechanism includes City Code Chapter 54 Water Resources Management and the city's Design Criteria, which includes the technical provisions and design standards. In accordance with the MPCA requirements, City Code Chapter 54 and the Design Criteria have been revised to meet the requirements of the MS4 general permit.