MS4 NPDES Permit MS4 NPDES Permit ComplianceCompliance

March 29, 2007 Environmental WorkshopMarch 29, 2007 Environmental Workshop

Beth Neuendorf, Metro District Water Resources EngineerBeth Neuendorf, Metro District Water Resources EngineerBarb Loida, Metro MS4 EngineerBarb Loida, Metro MS4 Engineer

What is MS4?What is MS4?

•• MMunicipal unicipal SSeparate eparate SStorm torm SSewer ewer SSystemystem

What does it mean?What does it mean?

•• Mn/DOT Metro operates under a NPDES General Mn/DOT Metro operates under a NPDES General Permit from the MPCA to discharge stormwater Permit from the MPCA to discharge stormwater from our rightfrom our right--ofof--way.way.

•• Our stormwater is regulated.Our stormwater is regulated.

•• We need to do a number of things to meet We need to do a number of things to meet permit requirements.permit requirements.

•• The area that is controlled under the permit is The area that is controlled under the permit is based on based on ““urbanized areaurbanized area”” from 2000 Census.from 2000 Census.

Other Parts of Mn/DOT under Other Parts of Mn/DOT under MS4 NPDES PermitMS4 NPDES Permit

•• Duluth AreaDuluth Area•• RochesterRochester•• St. Cloud AreaSt. Cloud Area•• MoorheadMoorhead•• East Grand Forks East Grand Forks •• LaCresentLaCresent

Why MS4?Why MS4?

•• Reduce pollution Reduce pollution –– sediment, debris, sediment, debris, chemicals, nutrients that get into lakes, chemicals, nutrients that get into lakes, rivers and streamsrivers and streams

•• Improve lakes and rivers for fishing, Improve lakes and rivers for fishing, swimming, recreation and quality of lifeswimming, recreation and quality of life

•• In 2006, 284 rivers/streams and 1,013 In 2006, 284 rivers/streams and 1,013 lakes in Minnesota were impaired for one or lakes in Minnesota were impaired for one or more pollutants.more pollutants.

Components of MS4 ProgramComponents of MS4 Program(Minimum Control Measures)(Minimum Control Measures)

1.1. EducationEducation2.2. Public ParticipationPublic Participation3.3. Illicit Discharge Detection and EliminationIllicit Discharge Detection and Elimination4.4. Construction Stormwater Runoff ControlsConstruction Stormwater Runoff Controls5.5. Post Construction Runoff ControlsPost Construction Runoff Controls6.6. Good HousekeepingGood Housekeeping

#1#1 -- Public Education and Public Education and OutreachOutreach

•• Created two brochures Created two brochures •• Updated our display boardUpdated our display board•• Created informational cardsCreated informational cards•• Updated our website Updated our website

www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/waterresourceswww.dot.state.mn.us/metro/waterresources•• Creating postersCreating posters

Brochures:Brochures:

Message Message -- What can you do?What can you do?

•• DonDon’’t Littert Litter•• DonDon’’t Dump t Dump •• Cover your load when Cover your load when

hauling materialshauling materials•• Pick up your petPick up your pet’’s s

wastewaste

Places to get the message outPlaces to get the message out

•• Conferences and workshops Conferences and workshops •• Metro project open housesMetro project open houses•• Annual Metro MS4 public meetingAnnual Metro MS4 public meeting•• Metro employee eventsMetro employee events•• Watershed eventsWatershed events•• State, city and county eventsState, city and county events•• Rest AreasRest Areas

WhatWhat’’s in it for Mn/DOT?s in it for Mn/DOT?

•• Reduce 26,000 tonsReduce 26,000 tons of litter picked up each of litter picked up each year on our R/W.year on our R/W.

•• Reduce $5.4 millionReduce $5.4 million we spend to dispose of we spend to dispose of this litter.this litter.

•• Reduce the 45%Reduce the 45% of litter and material being of litter and material being blown off of uncovered loads.blown off of uncovered loads.

#2#2 -- Public InvolvementPublic Involvement

•• Opportunities for the public to comment on our Opportunities for the public to comment on our program.program.

•• Required to host annual MS4 meeting.Required to host annual MS4 meeting.•• Feedback link on our website.Feedback link on our website.

•• This year we are hosting our annual meeting This year we are hosting our annual meeting with Metro Maintenance at the Maryland Ave with Metro Maintenance at the Maryland Ave Truck Station as a Open House/MS4 Annual Truck Station as a Open House/MS4 Annual Meeting Meeting –– April 18th.April 18th.

WhatWhat’’s in it for Mn/DOT?s in it for Mn/DOT?

•• Show the public what we are doing and that we Show the public what we are doing and that we do care about the environment.do care about the environment.

•• Show our latest maintenance equipment to the Show our latest maintenance equipment to the public so they see the investments we are public so they see the investments we are making.making.

•• Good press is a good thing.Good press is a good thing.

#3#3 -- Illicit Discharge Detection Illicit Discharge Detection and Eliminationand Elimination

•• Process to Find, Report and Correct ThemProcess to Find, Report and Correct Them

•• TrainingTraining

•• Inventory and Map of Stormwater Drainage Inventory and Map of Stormwater Drainage SystemSystem

What is an Illicit Discharge?What is an Illicit Discharge?

•• Per regulations an illicit discharge is any Per regulations an illicit discharge is any discharge not composed entirely of stormwater.discharge not composed entirely of stormwater.

•• Excludes spills and abandoned containers.Excludes spills and abandoned containers.

•• There are exceptions There are exceptions –– fire protection, springs, fire protection, springs, etc.etc.

Examples of Illicit DischargesExamples of Illicit Discharges

Tracking Pipe to SourceTracking Pipe to Source

Swimming Pool Water Discharge?Swimming Pool Water Discharge?

OilyOily--Sludge Material & Sludge Material & Suspicious PipeSuspicious Pipe

Petroleum Odor DiscoveredPetroleum Odor Discovered

Illicit Discharge TrainingIllicit Discharge Training

•• Internal videos and posters Internal videos and posters -- this spring this spring rolling out training to Metro Maintenance, rolling out training to Metro Maintenance, Water Resources Engineering, Safety, Design, Water Resources Engineering, Safety, Design, R/W, Construction.R/W, Construction.

•• Adopt a Highway Volunteers Adopt a Highway Volunteers -- Safety VideoSafety Video

Illicit Discharge ProcedureIllicit Discharge Procedure

•• First call to Dispatch First call to Dispatch -- Metro 651Metro 651--582582--15501550

•• Report Report –– Location and Description of Discharge Location and Description of Discharge -- Color, Odor and if presence of a sheenColor, Odor and if presence of a sheen

•• Initial follow up will be Initial follow up will be -- Safety or Water Safety or Water Resources Engineering MS4 staffResources Engineering MS4 staff

•• If necessary, other support provided OES, If necessary, other support provided OES, Maintenance, MPCA and other upstream entitiesMaintenance, MPCA and other upstream entities

•• Tracking WRE database/dispatchTracking WRE database/dispatch

Stormwater Drainage System Stormwater Drainage System Inventory and MapInventory and Map

•• Comprehensive Metro District Stormwater Comprehensive Metro District Stormwater Drainage System Database and MapDrainage System Database and Map

•• Due June 30, 2008Due June 30, 2008

Components of InventoryComponents of Inventory

•• Pipes and Culverts Pipes and Culverts •• Catch Basins, Manholes and ApronsCatch Basins, Manholes and Aprons•• Structural Pollution Control Devices (SPCDStructural Pollution Control Devices (SPCD’’s)s)•• PondsPonds•• WetlandsWetlands•• Outfalls from our R/WOutfalls from our R/W•• DitchesDitches

Places to look for stormwater Places to look for stormwater system data:system data:

•• Old and new construction plans Old and new construction plans •• Control section files Control section files •• Field location and description (GPS)Field location and description (GPS)•• WRE staff interviewsWRE staff interviews•• Maintenance staff interviewsMaintenance staff interviews•• Storm Sewer video contractsStorm Sewer video contracts

What We Have Found So Far? What We Have Found So Far?

•• Pipes and Culverts: Pipes and Culverts: 15,80915,809•• Manholes and Catch Basins: Manholes and Catch Basins: 16,74316,743•• Aprons: Aprons: 18,00318,003•• Ponds: Ponds: 470470 (And Growing(And Growing……. New Hwy 212 Adding 30 Ponds, . New Hwy 212 Adding 30 Ponds,

35E Unweave the Weave Adding 15 Ponds)35E Unweave the Weave Adding 15 Ponds)

•• SPCD's: SPCD's: 1818 (Grit Chambers, proprietary devices, infiltration (Grit Chambers, proprietary devices, infiltration areas. Need to decide what to do with sump manholes.)areas. Need to decide what to do with sump manholes.)

•• 70%70% of infrastructure is in our Database of infrastructure is in our Database –– process is to connect process is to connect information to create a map.information to create a map.

What weWhat we’’re working on nowre working on now

•• Connecting pipe network & identifying Connecting pipe network & identifying outfallsoutfalls

•• For pipes:For pipes:–– 494/694 loop (inside the ring)494/694 loop (inside the ring)

•• For outfalls:For outfalls:–– Protected, restricted and trout watersProtected, restricted and trout waters

Inventory Maps Inventory Maps

WhatWhat’’s in it for Mn/DOT?s in it for Mn/DOT?

•• Readily accessible computerized map of Readily accessible computerized map of our drainage system tells us what drains our drainage system tells us what drains where.where.

•• Means of tracking and stopping pollution.Means of tracking and stopping pollution.•• Knowing condition of our drainage Knowing condition of our drainage

infrastructure, so we can proactively plan infrastructure, so we can proactively plan for repairs/replacements and clean outs for repairs/replacements and clean outs rather than responding to emergencies.rather than responding to emergencies.

#4#4 -- Construction StormwaterConstruction StormwaterRunoff ControlsRunoff Controls

•• Goal is to control erosion and contain waste Goal is to control erosion and contain waste materials and minimize sediment loss during materials and minimize sediment loss during construction activities.construction activities.

•• Program focuses on projects one acre in size or Program focuses on projects one acre in size or larger.larger.

•• Specifications in place for erosion and sediment Specifications in place for erosion and sediment control. Construction plans also incorporate control. Construction plans also incorporate sediment and erosion control methods. sediment and erosion control methods.

•• Initial and refresher training is standard practice.Initial and refresher training is standard practice.

WhatWhat’’s in it for Mn/DOT?s in it for Mn/DOT?

•• Reinforcement of construction Reinforcement of construction NPDES permit program.NPDES permit program.

•• Helps ensure Mn/DOT stays out of Helps ensure Mn/DOT stays out of trouble and is not paying penalties.trouble and is not paying penalties.

#5#5 -- Post Construction Runoff Post Construction Runoff ControlsControls

•• Once we accept stormwater from someone Once we accept stormwater from someone else we are responsible for it while it is on our else we are responsible for it while it is on our R/W.R/W.

•• Updating our drainage permit applications for Updating our drainage permit applications for developments adjacent to our rightdevelopments adjacent to our right--ofof--way to way to address stormwater treatment and postaddress stormwater treatment and post--construction maintenance. Currently just construction maintenance. Currently just address rate control.address rate control.

•• Permit will include consequences for failing to Permit will include consequences for failing to comply with our drainage permit conditions.comply with our drainage permit conditions.

WhatWhat’’s in it for Mn/DOT?s in it for Mn/DOT?

We need to know what we are getting. We need to know what we are getting. Why?Why?

•• TMDLTMDL’’s (Total Maximum Daily Loads (Total Maximum Daily Load’’s) will s) will require us to reduce our loading of pollutants require us to reduce our loading of pollutants to impaired waters.to impaired waters.

#6#6 -- Good HousekeepingGood Housekeeping

•• Best Management Practices for Best Management Practices for our Maintenance Activitiesour Maintenance Activities

•• Routine inspection, cleaning Routine inspection, cleaning and repair of stormwater pipes, and repair of stormwater pipes, ponds, SPCDponds, SPCD’’s and outfalls.s and outfalls.

•• Facility Stormwater Pollution Facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans for our Truck Prevention Plans for our Truck StationsStations

BMPs for Maintenance ActivitiesBMPs for Maintenance Activities

•• Street Sweeping ProgramStreet Sweeping Program

•• AntiAnti--Icing & DeIcing & De--Icing ProgramIcing Program

•• Vegetation Management ProgramVegetation Management Program

Routine Inspection and Routine Inspection and MaintenanceMaintenance

•• Inspect annually:Inspect annually:–– 20% Outfalls and Ponds20% Outfalls and Ponds–– 100% SPCDs100% SPCDs–– 1010--20% Pipes/Culverts, Catch Basins, 20% Pipes/Culverts, Catch Basins,

Aprons, ManholesAprons, Manholes•• Clean, repair or replace all stormwater features Clean, repair or replace all stormwater features

as needed (priority are those that pose a as needed (priority are those that pose a safety issue and those by special waters).safety issue and those by special waters).

Facility Stormwater Pollution Facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention PlansPrevention Plans

•• Each Metro Truck Station has a Facility Each Metro Truck Station has a Facility SWPPP which includes:SWPPP which includes:–– Spill containment procedures, drainage Spill containment procedures, drainage

control and security measures.control and security measures.–– Standard operating procedures for working Standard operating procedures for working

with hazardous materials.with hazardous materials.–– Annual comprehensive site compliance Annual comprehensive site compliance

evaluationevaluation–– Recordkeeping procedures for documentation.Recordkeeping procedures for documentation.

Facility Stormwater Pollution Facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans ContinuedPrevention Plans Continued

•• Mandatory annual training of truck station Mandatory annual training of truck station personnel.personnel.

•• Video for training in addition to review of Video for training in addition to review of the FSWPPP.the FSWPPP.

WhatWhat’’s in it for Mn/DOT?s in it for Mn/DOT?

•• Not generating pollution from our Not generating pollution from our Maintenance Activities.Maintenance Activities.

•• Doing our part to protect Minnesota Doing our part to protect Minnesota waters.waters.

•• Setting a good example.Setting a good example.

What Can You Do As A Project What Can You Do As A Project Manager?Manager?

•• Think about where you are putting your Think about where you are putting your roads and roadway additionsroads and roadway additions

•• Talk to your Water Resource Engineering Talk to your Water Resource Engineering folks about how to best handle folks about how to best handle stormwater runoffstormwater runoff

•• Watch out for Prohibited, Restricted, Trout Watch out for Prohibited, Restricted, Trout and TMDL Waters (see maps)and TMDL Waters (see maps)

What Can You Do As a Resident of What Can You Do As a Resident of Minnesota?Minnesota?

•• DonDon’’t Littert Litter•• DonDon’’t Dump Materials t Dump Materials

in Storm Drainsin Storm Drains•• Cover your load when Cover your load when

hauling materialshauling materials•• Pick up your petPick up your pet’’s s

wastewaste

We all have the same goalWe all have the same goal

Questions?Questions?