National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

Important Notice for iNOI Users! iNOI will be integrated into DEP’s Business Portal by February 1, 2012. To continue obtaining your NPDES stormwater permit coverage electronically, please read our Letter to iNOI Users, and follow the instructions of how to register for the Business Portal. Interactive Notice of Intent (iNOI) iNOI is a web-based application that allows you to complete, edit and submit NOTs, MSGP, CGP and NEX NOIs online. Pay certain NPDES Stormwater permit fees online. Terminate permit coverage using iNOI even if you submitted a paper Notice of Intent. New Business Portal (ESSA) Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permitting program in two phases. Phase I, promulgated in 1990, addresses the following sources:

• "Large" and "medium" municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) located in incorporated places and counties with populations of 100,000 or more, and
• Eleven categories of industrial activity, one of which is large construction activity that disturbs 5 or more acres of land.

Phase II, promulgated in 1999, addresses additional sources, including MS4s not regulated under Phase I, and small construction activity disturbing between 1 and 5 acres.

In October 2000, EPA authorized the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement the NPDES stormwater permitting program in the State of Florida (in all areas except Indian Country lands). DEP's authority to administer the NPDES program is set forth in Section 403.0885, Florida Statutes (F.S.). The NPDES stormwater program regulates point source discharges of stormwater into surface waters of the State of Florida from certain municipal, industrial and construction activities. As the NPDES stormwater permitting authority, DEP is responsible for promulgating rules and issuing permits, managing and reviewing permit applications, and performing compliance and enforcement activities.

Important note: The NPDES stormwater permitting program is separate from the State's stormwater/environmental resource permitting programs (found under Part IV, Chapter 373, F.S. (593KB) and Chapter 62-25, F.A.C. and local stormwater/water quality programs, which have their own regulations and permitting requirements.

The sources of stormwater discharges regulated under the NPDES program fall into three categories. Follow the links to the right for more information on each.