Oregon Storm Water Permits: Reducing Pollution, Saving Nature

Oregon's water quality is protected and improved by the state and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) Water Quality Program. The DEQ's mission is to ensure that Oregon's rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater are safe for drinking water, fish habitats, recreation, and irrigation. To achieve this, they develop and implement Water Quality Standards, regulate sewage treatment systems and industrial dischargers, and provide grants and technical assistance to reduce nonpoint pollution sources. The implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Program in Oregon mandates that any site owner or operator whose construction, industrial, and municipal activities require the discharge of stormwater to surface waters must apply for general permit coverage. This includes construction activities that disturb one or more acres and industrial activities with specific Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. The City of Portland, for example, maintains NPDES permits for its two wastewater treatment facilities and works with commercial and industrial customers to control discharges of harmful pollutants. The city of Corvallis has also taken steps to improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollution by enacting land development codes and creating a program to monitor construction activities.

The Clean Water Act

In Oregon, the DEQ has been criticised for undermining the goals of the CWA. The department has been accused of prioritising the interests of polluters over the protection of water quality. Specifically, the DEQ has been criticised for its plan to change water quality standards in ways that may reduce protections for fish and other wildlife, and for its failure to address a backlog of discharge permits that allow polluters to continue polluting at current levels.

Despite these criticisms, the EPA has approved a number of Oregon's water quality standards in recent years, including standards for bacteria, acute and chronic aquatic life criteria for copper, and criteria for toxic pollutants based on a fish consumption rate of 175 grams/day.

In addition to the efforts of the DEQ, the City of Corvallis, Oregon, has also implemented a range of measures to protect water quality and reduce stormwater pollution. These include enacting land development codes, monitoring construction activities, and educating residents, students, and businesses about stormwater pollution prevention.

NPDES permits

In Oregon, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits on tribal lands and in federal waters off the coast. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) is responsible for issuing other NPDES permits in the state.

The NPDES permitting program is a part of the EPA's effort to regulate and reduce water pollution by overseeing the discharge of pollutants into US waters. The NPDES permit system controls water pollution by allowing the EPA to:

• Set limits on the amount and type of pollutants that can be discharged
• Require the implementation of pollution control measures and technologies
• Establish monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure compliance

In Oregon, the NPDES permit program is implemented by both the EPA and the ODEQ. The EPA's jurisdiction includes tribal lands and federal waters, such as offshore coastal areas and the Lower Columbia River. The ODEQ is responsible for issuing permits for other water bodies and facilities within the state.

The NPDES permit system plays a crucial role in reducing stormwater pollution. Stormwater runoff can carry various pollutants, including oil, grease, chemicals, and debris, into nearby water bodies, degrading water quality. By requiring facilities to obtain NPDES permits, Oregon can regulate and control the discharge of pollutants, helping to reduce the environmental impact of stormwater runoff.

In addition to the NPDES permit program, the City of Corvallis, Oregon, has implemented several initiatives to address stormwater pollution. These include enacting land development codes, monitoring construction activities, and educating residents, students, and businesses about stormwater pollution prevention. The city also provides a 24-hour pollution prevention hotline and offers a free SudSafe car wash kit to encourage citizens to keep pollutants out of the storm system.

Public education and outreach

Community Engagement and Awareness:

The City of Oregon emphasizes the importance of community engagement by designing programs that offer educational materials and conduct outreach activities. These programs aim to enhance public understanding of stormwater management and encourage active participation in reducing pollutants. The Clear Choices Clean Water program, for instance, promotes simple changes at home, in businesses, and within communities to positively impact water quality.

Interactive Websites and Pledges:

The Clear Choices Clean Water website provides a wealth of resources, including information on water conservation, native plants, rain gardens, and lawn fertilizers. It also features an interactive pledge option where individuals can calculate their pollution prevention impact and connect with other community members taking similar actions.

Educational Brochures and Campaigns:

In partnership with Partners for Clean Streams, Oregon conducted a 14-month educational brochure campaign, "Give Water a Hand: You Can Make a Difference." This campaign combined the distribution of designated brochures with corresponding advertisements, tip cards, and household mailings to raise awareness about various topics, including septic systems, illicit discharges, storm drains, and ditches.

Storm Water Displays and Models:

During the annual Oregon Spring Fest, the Department of Public Service showcases a Storm Water display that provides information about stormwater awareness, pollution prevention, and public involvement. They also present the EnviroScape® Model, an educational tool that illustrates human impacts on the environment, specifically runoff pollution and erosion.

Partnerships with Businesses:

The Give Water a Hand Business Campaign is a water-quality education program that focuses on assisting businesses in saving money, time, and resources while protecting local rivers and streams. This program offers information and assistance to business owners and managers, encouraging them to adopt practices that prevent pollution and protect the environment.

Hotlines and Reporting:

Oregon has established a 24-hour pollution prevention hotline that citizens can call to report possible violations. Additionally, the City of Corvallis encourages citizens to contact the City Stormwater Program with any questions or concerns regarding stormwater management and pollution prevention.

Pollution prevention/good housekeeping

The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a crucial component of stormwater management, and ensuring adherence to the sixth Minimum Control Measure (MCM) is essential for complying with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The NPDES permit program, authorized by the Clean Water Act (CWA), plays a vital role in controlling water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waterways.

The Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Minimum Control Measure mandates MS4 operators to scrutinize and modify their practices to minimize pollution that accumulates on streets, parking lots, open spaces, and vehicle maintenance areas, ultimately ending up in local waterways. This includes addressing issues such as poor maintenance of storm sewer systems and environmentally detrimental land development practices.

To achieve effective pollution prevention and good housekeeping, several best management practices (BMPs) should be implemented. These BMPs focus on preventing pollutants from entering stormwater and are outlined in fact sheets provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Municipal activities, such as road maintenance, automobile fleet maintenance, and landscaping, can release pollutants into MS4s. Therefore, it is essential to have BMPs in place to manage spills, trash, and non-stormwater discharges properly.

Phase II MS4s, in particular, must train their staff to prevent and reduce stormwater pollutants from various activities, including MS4 infrastructure maintenance and daily municipal tasks. This training encompasses developing inspection and maintenance procedures, implementing BMPs for treating pollutants from transportation infrastructure and storage yards, and establishing procedures for properly disposing of pollutants removed from the MS4.

Additionally, it is important to identify ways to integrate water quality controls into new and existing flood management projects and develop standard operating procedures that incorporate BMPs for common municipal activities. By prioritizing pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices, communities can effectively minimize the impact of pollutants on their local waterways, creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

Construction site runoff control

The Federal Clean Water Act requires state and local governments to minimize the potential for soil discharges and runoff to pollute nearby waters. In Oregon, the law prohibits the discharge or placement of wastes into waters of the state and the discharge of waste that causes violations of water quality standards. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality grants the City of Portland a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit.

The City of Portland must comply with all conditions of the MS4 permit. The permit requires the City to implement a program to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff from construction activity. As part of this responsibility, the City establishes requirements for construction managers to submit erosion prevention and control site plans and to implement and maintain effective erosion and sediment control practices through Portland City Code Title 10: Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations.

Any construction project that includes ground-disturbing activity must meet the requirements of Title 10 and the Erosion and Sediment Control Manual. Construction activities are subject to the following:

• Visible or measurable sediment or pollutant exiting the site, entering the public right-of-way, or depositing into any water body or storm sewer and drainage system is prohibited.
• Depositing or washing soil into a water body or the storm sewer and drainage system is prohibited.
• Ground-disturbing activities that require plan review and inspection must post erosion control signage per the Erosion and Sediment Control Manual to satisfy public notification requirements.
• Those who conduct ground-disturbing activities within the City must comply with the Erosion and Sediment Control Manual, specifically the minimum requirements of Chapter 1.4 and Chapter 3, Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Installing and making functional BMPs to keep soil on-site and out of water bodies, adjacent property, storm sewer and drainage systems, and/or the public rights-of-way before the start of ground-disturbing activities.
• Protecting stormwater inlets that are functioning during development by applying and maintaining approved sediment control BMPs.
• Implementing erosion and sediment control BMPs.
• Implementing pollution control BMPs.
• Posting signage on the site of the permitted ground-disturbing activity that identifies the site’s permit number and address and the City’s Erosion Control Complaint Hotline number or the responsible City project manager or inspector. Ground-disturbing activities that do not require a permit (such as landscaping activities or agriculture) are exempt from this requirement.
• Promptly removing any soil, sediment, and pollutants that enter the public right-of-way.
• Applying temporary or permanent soil stabilization to denuded development site areas in conformance with the following requirements:
• Between October 1 and April 30, all denuded sites must be provided with either temporary or permanent soil stabilization as soon as practicable, but in no case more than two days after ground-disturbing activity occurs.
• Between May 1 and September 30, all denuded sites must be provided with either temporary or permanent soil stabilization as soon as practicable, but in no case more than seven days after ground-disturbing activity occurs.
• Sports fields or playgrounds surrounded by vegetative cover or permanently installed curbing are exempt from this requirement.
• Maintaining temporary erosion and sediment control BMPs until permanent stabilization BMPs are established.
• Before a project is completed, covering all exposed soil according to permanent stabilization BMPs, unless the soil is covered by structures or paving.
• Securing or protecting soil stockpiles using temporary or permanent soil stabilization BMPs. Stockpiles of soil may be subject to additional regulations requiring a permit, review, or erosion and sediment control.

In Corvallis, Oregon, the City has taken steps to improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollution in a variety of ways. They have enacted land development codes that protect waterways from pollution that can occur from urban development and created a program to monitor construction activities to ensure best practices. The City of Corvallis also educates and engages residents, students, and businesses in preventing stormwater pollution.

In Oregon, Ohio, the City Council has implemented a permitting program to document construction activity in the state and require practices that keep pollutants out of streams. The permitting program is mandated by the Clean Water Act and is part of the NPDES program. Construction activities disturbing one or more acres of total land, or disturbing less than one acre of land but part of a larger plan that will ultimately disturb one or more acres of land, will need a permit to discharge stormwater from the site. These sites must obtain permit coverage under the Ohio EPA's Construction General Permit.

Frequently asked questions