As noted in the Spring 2018 Regulatory Agenda, the EPA explained that the Agency would be finalizing the 2016 proposed rule in phases. This first final rule addresses a subset of the revisions proposed in 2016, and modernizes the NPDES regulations, promotes submission of complete permit applications, and clarifies regulatory requirements to allow more timely development of NPDES permits that protect human health and the environment.

Specifically, this first action includes revisions in the following major categories: regulatory definitions (“new discharger” and two definitions related to the discharge of pesticides as a result of pesticide application); permit applications; and public notice.

• Comparison of Existing NPDES Regulations to the Final Rule (PDF)(10 pp, 434 K)
• Comparison of the Proposed Rule to the Final Rule (PDF)(9 pp, 407 K)