Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program
The goal of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of waters of the state through management and treatment of urban storm water runoff.
This program requires that this be accomplished through the management of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) through the preparation of a Stearns County Pollution Prevention Program.
The Stearns County Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program) has been prepared in conformance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Phase II Rules and is in compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251ET SEQ; hereafter, "the Act"), 40 CFR 122, 123, and 124, as amended, ET SEQ; Minnesota Statutes Chapters 115 and 116, as amended and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7001.
The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program identifies the goals and the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will be undertaken to meet the requirements of the NPDES Phase II rules. Measurable goals have been established for each of the BMPs included in the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program, along with an implementation plan and the persons responsible for implementing the BMPs.
This Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program has been prepared to manage and minimize the discharge of pollutants from MS4s to the maximum extent practicable. This will be accomplished through the implementation of the BMPs outlined within this Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program.
The BMPs could be a combination of education, maintenance, control techniques, system design and engineering methods, and other such provisions that are appropriate to meet the requirements of the NPDES Phase II permit.
BMPs have been prepared to address each of the six minimum control measures as outlined in the rules. These six minimum control measures are:
- Public education and outreach on storm water impacts
- Public participation and involvement
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination
- Construction site runoff control
- Post-construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment
- Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.
For each of these six minimum control measures, appropriate BMPs have been identified along with measurable goals, an implementation schedule, and the persons responsible to complete each measure. Below is a list of the BMPs that have been identified to address the six minimum control measures.
| Best Management Practices | Description of Goal | Implementation |
| MCM 1: Public Education and Outreach |
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| 1.1 Brochures, Handouts and Newsletters | Produce and distribute information on illicit discharges, erosion control, shoreline management, and other Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program practices. | Annually 2004-2008. |
| 1.2 Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program Web Page | Establish web site for residents, business owners and staff to receive information, report violations and respond to Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program issues. | Begin in 2005 and continue annually until 2008. |
| 1.3 Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program Staff Training | Provide training opportunities for County Staff on Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program topics. | Annually 2003-2008. |
| MCM 1: Public Participation and Involvement |
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| 2.1 Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program Annual Public Hearing | Conduct one (1) public hearing. | Annually through 2008. |
| 2.2 Adopt-A-Highway | Remove trash and litter from roadways two times annually using volunteer organizations. | Annually through 2008. |
| MCM 3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination |
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| 3.1 Storm Sewer System Map | Create County storm sewer system map. | Complete before March 2008. |
| 3.2 Recycling and Hazardous Material Collection Program | Discourage illegal dumping by offering drop-offs for hazardous waste. | 2004-2008 |
| MCM 4: Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control Measures |
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| 4.1 Erosion Control Requirements | Develop Erosion Control requirements for County utility permits. | Review current permit 2004. Expand 2005. |
| 4.2 Erosion Control Training | Train staff in BMPs. | Annually through 2003-2008. |
| MCM 5: Post-Construction Storm Water Management Measures |
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| 5.1 MPCA Guidelines for County-Owned Projects | Adopt MPCA Storm Water Management guidelines for County-owned project. | Annually 2003-2008. |
| MCM 6: Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Measures |
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| 6.1 Storm Sewer Inspection Program | Inspect and repair or clean, if necessary, all storm sewer catch basins, outfalls, and ponds. | Begin in 2004 and complete by 2008. |
| 6.2 NPDES Permit for Industrial Activity | County will prepare permit or exemption for County operations. | Prepare permit 2003. |
| 6.3 Equipment and Hazardous Material Storage | Implement program and incorporate BMPs for equipment and hazardous material handling. | Annually 2003-2008. |
| 6.4 Street Sweeping Program | County will sweep urban section streets. | Twice annually 2003-2008. |
| 6.5 Road Salt Application | Revise, if necessary, County's road salt application practices. | Annually 2003-2008. |
| 6.6 Landscaping and Lawn Care Practices | Evaluate County's landscaping and lawn care practices. | Annually 2003-2008. |
The entire Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program document can be viewed at the Stearns County Public Works Department during normal business hours Monday-Friday.
E-mail SWPPP@co.stearns.mn.us with any questions you might have.
For more information, please see www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/stormwater-ms4.html.