NPDES Stormwater Training Institute _______ T Luke Owen, PG MS4CECI’s Post

“the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced PotlatchDeltic Land & Lumber, LLC, of St. Maries, Idaho, will pay $225,000 for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. PotlatchDeltic sits within the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe’s reservation and discharges into a section of the St. Joe River that is Tribal waters. The St. Joe River flows into Lake Coeur d’ Alene and is critical habitat for bull trout. Under the Clean Water Act, PotlatchDeltic is required to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. EPA conducted an inspection in March 2017 to evaluate PotlatchDeltic’s compliance with its permits and found PotlatchDeltic had numerous stormwater violations, such as failure to implement corrective actions following continued benchmark exceedances and implement adequate stormwater pollution prevention plan controls. Stormwater runoff from lumber facilities containing zinc and other pollutants, when not treated and discharged directly into nearby waterbodies, can cause significant harm to rivers, lakes and coastal waters. PotlatchDeltic agreed to extensive remedies to come into and remain in compliance with its Clean Water Act permits, including facility improvements, construction of a new filtration system and combining its outfalls. “ Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gt7VAvJV #stormwater #trashcapture #bmphood #civilengineering #bestmanagementproducts

Notice of Adoption for the Saline Water Quality Standards Rule Making is posted on DEC’s website, effective on October 18,2023.   https://lnkd.in/eC4Sf8V3 The adopted regulatory updates to 6 NYCRR Parts 701 and 703 include water quality standards to protect the shellfishing best use in Class SA waters; protect the primary contact recreation best use in Class SA and SB waters; maintain water quality suitable for primary contact recreation in Class SC waters; protect the secondary contact recreation best use in Class I waters; and add a wet weather (WW) limited use designation for waters impacted by combined sewer overflow discharges. The adopted rule making will impact Class SA, SB, SC, and I waters in and around New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley. This rulemaking recognizes the progress the NYC Department of Environmental Protection has made in collaboration with our stakeholders and other agency partners to implement green-gray infrastructure projects in improving water quality within the Hudson River and New York Harbor.

(WE DID IT!) On September 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) announced the final 2023 Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule (2023 Rule). The final rule is grounded in the fundamental authority granted by Congress to states, territories, and Tribes to protect water resources that are essential to healthy people and thriving communities over the past 50 years. https://lnkd.in/gi3pZ-PX

Community Update: Chiquita Lock to Be Removed! 🚨 After a year-long petition and countless hearings, Chiquita Lock will be removed! This significant development comes as an Administrative Law Judge has recommended the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issue an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) to the City of Cape Coral for the lock's removal. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀: 📍The decision follows the final administrative hearing held in December 2023, which saw extensive evidence and testimonies. 📍 The petition, led by the Matlacha Civic Association and other local groups, opposed the removal due to environmental concerns. 📍 Despite these challenges, the ALJ concluded that the city's ERP meets the necessary standards under Florida law. 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆'𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 📍 The City of Cape Coral is dedicated to addressing any environmental concerns while fulfilling community needs. 📍 The removal project, overseen by Brown and Caldwell, includes stormwater improvements, environmental monitoring, habitat enhancements, and more to ensure sustainability and environmental health. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 📍 From September 2020 to September 2023, the city has invested over $1 million in legal fees for the Chiquita Lock case, with additional costs expected. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 📍Installed in 1977 to comply with the Clean Water Act, the lock separates canal waters from natural waterways. 📍It has been open since Hurricane Ian due to damage and safety concerns, but efforts to remove it predate the storm. 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀: 📍The city is evaluating the next critical steps for the lock's removal, aiming for an expeditious and environmentally responsible process. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: 📍 This project promises significant environmental benefits and increased waterway sustainability, enhancing our beloved Cape Coral community for future generations.

This week US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled significant protections against worst-case hazardous chemical discharges, following years of advocacy and litigation by environmental justice groups and frontline communities. The final rule is the culmination of years of advocacy by environmental justice and public-health groups, including a 2019 lawsuit brought by the EJHA, Clean Water Action, and NRDC that resulted in a settlement requiring EPA to issue its rule by this year. "The rule continues the administration’s efforts to protect the frontline communities that have long been forgotten and put at risk from regulatory gaps. These improvements will protect a great deal more facilities than EPA’s proposal, and extend lasting protections to the communities in the most dire need of protection,” said Sean Jackson, National Water Campaigns Coordinator at Clean Water Action. “But there is still room for improvement. EPA needs to ensure adequate information sharing of facility response plans, with special attention given to public water utilities so that they may respond and work in conjunction with facilities if a discharge occurs. And EPA needs to make sure this information is available to the broader public, so people better understand the risks from facilities in their communities.” #EnvironmentalJustice #EPA #Water

For too long, New Jersey’s environmental protection rules have looked backwards, seeking to protect the state’s residents and environment from events that occurred in the past, rather than attempting to address issues that are anticipated in the future. Solutions that only address yesterday’s problems will fail to meet tomorrow’s challenges. #enviropolitics #climatechange

Dive into clean stormwater systems with #FehrGraham Senior Environmental Health and Safety Scientist Leonard Dane. Fehr Graham experts will help navigate MS4 permit requirements and ongoing compliance. Let’s protect the environment together.

In the realm of stormwater and erosion management, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations is paramount. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spearheads robust compliance monitoring programs, collaborating closely with states to enforce clean water laws. From on-site inspections to evaluating Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) data, rigorous monitoring efforts are in place. Under the Clean Water Act (CWA), the inspection process plays a pivotal role, documenting adherence to permits and regulations, particularly under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. Inspection activities are meticulously planned, prioritizing sites near impaired waters listed under 303(d) due to water quality concerns. As stewards of environmental health, staying informed and compliant is crucial in safeguarding our water resources. Get some tips pertaining to compliance monitoring in stormwater and erosion management in the article below. It provides an overview of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proactive approach to enforcing clean water laws, as well as insights into the vital role of inspections and evaluations in ensuring regulatory adherence. Stay informed, stay compliant, and safeguard our water resources by reading on! https://buff.ly/3Rjz8LJ #ComplianceMonitoring #CleanWaterAct #NPDES #NPDESTraining #NPDESTrainingInstitute #TrainingThatMatters #Stormwater #StormwaterManagement #StormwaterProfessionals #StormwaterTraining #MS4Training #MS4sMatter #WaterQuality