Large and Medium MS4s (Re-Applications) -
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs)
(Phase I Only)
How long is my NPDES stormwater individual
permit valid?
The MS4 individual
permits expire after a term of five years, requiring re-application
efforts to continue coverage (see
Rule
62-624.420) (Note: Permit effectiveness is continued
by the timely filing of a renewal application.)
How do I re-apply for permit coverage?
You may re-apply
for permit coverage concurrently with a timely filing of the
fourth year annual report, or, as an alternative, you may
re-apply by submitting an application 180 days prior to the
expiration of the permit. The required contents of a re-application
are specified in
Rule 62-624.440.
What are
the changes I can expect in my new permit?
Changes to
the Phase I MS4 permits include:
- Re-issued
MS4 permits will look more like other NPDES permits
issued by the State of Florida. The revised format includes
a smaller, more condensed version of the Permit and Fact Sheet
that eliminates redundant language.
- Re-issued
permits do not necessarily require continued dry-weather field
screening of outfalls for illicit discharge detection. For
the most part, dry-weather field screening in Florida has
produced very little in the way of meaningful discoveries
of "illicit discharges." While the overall program
to prohibit, detect and eliminate illicit discharges is still
a vital part of the permit, the requirement for routine and
exhaustive dry-weather inspections has largely been eliminated.
However, review of specific permit renewal applications may
determine that field screening may be necessary, as determined
on a case by case basis.
- Several
different elements of stormwater monitoring were required
by federal regulations as part of the application process.
The re-issued MS4 permits will consolidate monitoring that
is required for the term of the permit. The permittee is directed
to work closely with the Department, in order to establish a monitoring
program that is consistent with the Department's watershed
approach to addressing surface water quality.
What does
"reserved" mean as it appears in my new permit?
When used
in a permit, the term "reserved" is simply a place
holder to let the permittee know that no requirement is being
imposed at this time but some condition or requirement might
be imposed in the future for that specific subject area.
For
more information, send us an
e-mail
NPDES Stormwater
Program
2600 Blair Stone Road Mail Station 2500
Tallahassee, FL, 32399
Phone (850) 245-7522
2012 State of Florida