An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activities-Discharge Authorization

Remember to throw your gloves in the trash

On this page:

Who Needs Coverage

In general, you need MSGP coverage if you are an operator of a regulated industrial activity that discharges stormwater to waters of the U.S. in an area where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority and has made the permit available for coverage.


How to Obtain 2015 MSGP Coverage

Step 1.

Read:

Step 2.

Determine whether you are eligible for coverage under this permit. Before submitting your Notice of Intent (NOI), the form you file to obtain coverage under the MSGP, you must:

  1. Follow all required procedures for determining your eligibility.
    • All dischargers must:
    • New dischargers and new sources must:
      • If you discharge to an impaired waterbody, meet the requirements of MSGP Part 1.1.4.8.
        Note: Some dischargers will be required to provide information to the EPA Regional Office documenting that pollutants for which the water body is impaired are not present at the site or that discharges will not cause or contribute to an exceedance of a water quality standard.
      • Determine whether you discharge to a Tier 3 waterbody (i.e., an outstanding national resource water). If you do, you must obtain coverage under an individual permit.
  2. Develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP), or update your existing SWPPP consistent with the requirements in Part 5 of the MSGP.

Step 3.

Submit an NOI to EPA using the NPDES eReporting Tool (NeT) for the MSGP.

You are authorized to discharge 30 days after submitting your complete NOI unless EPA notifies you that your authorization has been denied or delayed.

Top of Page


2015 MSGP NOI Submittal Deadlines

To be covered under the 2015 MSGP, you must submit your NOI by the deadline specified in the table. The NOI certifies to EPA that you are eligible for coverage and provides information on your facility’s industrial activities and discharges.

Deadlines for Submitting NOIs

Operator Category

Deadline

Operator of industrial activities authorized for coverage under the 2008 MSGP.

No later than September 2, 2015, unless EPA notifies you that your deadline is extended.

Exceptions:
For federal operators of industrial activities located in the State of Washington, no later than October 19, 2015, unless EPA notifies you that your deadline is extended.

For operators of industrial activities located in the State of Idaho (except Indian country) or on Spokane Tribe of Indians lands, no later than November 10, 2015, unless EPA notifies you that your deadline is extended

Operator of industrial activities that:

  • Are located in areas where the MSGP was issued on June 4, 2015;
  • Commenced discharging between September 30, 2013, and September 2, 2015; and
  • Has been operating consistent with EPA’s no action assurance for the MSGP.

As soon as possible, but no later than September 2, 2015, unless EPA notifies you that your deadline is extended.

Federal operator of industrial activities that:

  • Are located in the State of Washington (except Indian country);
  • Commenced discharging between September 30, 2013 and October 9, 2015; and
  • Has been operating consistent with EPA’s no action assurance for the MSGP.

As soon as possible, but no later than Oct. 19, 2015, unless EPA notifies you that your deadline is extended.

Operator of industrial activities that:

  • Are located in the State of Idaho (except Indian country) or on Spokane Tribe of Indians lands where the MSGP was issued on August 12, 2015;
  • Commenced discharging between September 30, 2013 and November 10, 2015; and
  • Has been operating consistent with EPA’s no action assurance for the MSGP.

As soon as possible, but no later than Nov. 10, 2015, unless EPA notifies you that your deadline is extended

  • Operator of industrial activities in areas where the MSGP was issued on June 4, 2015 that commenced discharging after September 2, 2015;
  • Federal operator of industrial activities in the State of Washington (except Indian country) that commenced discharging after October 19, 2015;
  • Operator of industrial activities located in the State of Idaho (except Indian country) or on Spokane Tribe of Indians lands that commenced discharging after November 10, 2015; and
  • Operator seeking coverage for discharges previously covered under an individual permit or an alternative general permit.

A minimum of 30 days before commencing discharge in accordance with the terms of the 2015 MSGP.

New operator of existing industrial activities with discharges previously authorized under the 2015 MSGP.

A minimum of 30 days before the date of transfer of control to the new operator.

Operator of industrial activities that:

  • Began discharging before September 2, 2015, but is not covered under the 2008 MSGP or another NPDES permit; and
  • Is not operating consistent with EPA’s no action assurance for the MSGP.

Immediately, to minimize the amount of time discharges from the facility continue unauthorized.

MSGP coverage begins 30 days after EPA notifies you that it has received your complete NOI, unless the Agency notifies you that your authorization has been denied or delayed.

Top of Page