Storm-Water Discharge Permits
Certain types of industrial facilities must apply for a storm-water discharge permit from the MPCA. In addition, storm-water permits may be required for certain construction activities. Minnesota’s storm-water permitting program is designed to help improve the quality of the state’s waters by reducing or eliminating the chemicals and sediments carried into surface waters with storm-water runoff.
All required industrial facilities must apply for a general storm-water discharge permit from the MPCA. In addition, an industry-specific permit may be required depending on the environmental risk of storm-water runoff from the facility. Construction projects disturbing one or more acres must apply for a general NPDES storm-water permit from the MPCA. Storm-water permits may require the preparation of a plan for managing storm-water runoff, potentially including construction of holding basins or diversion structures.
If you have potential discharges find out if your industrial facility requires a storm-water permit. The MPCA and EPA have websites with information on the storm water permit programs. Check the MPCA home page and EPA storm-water page for information.
CREDITS: This is an excerpt from A Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota, provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Small Business Assistance Office, Twenty-eighth Edition, January 2010, written by Charles A. Schaffer, Madeline Harris, and Mark Simmer. Copies are available without charge from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Small Business Assistance Office.
This post is also part of a series of posts on Minnesota Environmental Protection Programs and how they affect starting a business in Minnesota.
