Storm Water

MS4 permittees, engineers, consultants, and others within the Southeast Region:

On 11-6-15, a new DEP website was introduced. Certain DEP links that you may have used previously may no longer work and may need to be revised. Here is some guidance that MS4s may find useful:

• The DEP homepage is www.dep.pa.gov. On the homepage, selecting “Site Map” from the right side margin will cause many topic links to appear. This appears to be the closest approximation to the former “A-Z” menu option. Users can always use the “Search” option to find information. On the Site Map, Stormwater/MS4 information is located about 2/3 the way down.
• Stormwater information can be located by selecting the “Businesses” tab along the top of the homepage, then the “Water” tab, then the “Bureau of Point and Non-Point Source Management” tab, then the “Stormwater Management” tab, and the Municipal Stormwater tab.
• Water Quality Standards information (e.g., TMDLs, designated uses, impaired waters, etc.) can be located from the “Bureau of Point and Non-Point Source Management” tab, then the “Water Quality Standards” tab. At this site, users can view the 2014 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report.
• For access to DEP GIS tools such as eMapPA, select “Data and Tools” from the DEP homepage, then “GIS” (eMapPA is also available by selecting “Tools”).
• For access to the DEP eLibrary system, select “Citizens” from the DEP homepage, then “Public Records and Documents”. Items from eLibrary that MS4s may find useful include information on Snow Management and Dispoal, Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels, Swimming Pool Water Discharge, Management of Cleaning Wastewater, Chapter 92a Fees, the PA Clean Streams Law, the Stormwater Management Act (Act 167), the PA Stormwater BMP Manual, Stream Improvement Program, Flood Prevention and Management, Erosion and Sediment Control Requirements, Soil Erosion and Sediment Pollution, Urban Wetlands, Permitting Options for Flood Damaged Bridges and Other Water Obstructions and Encroachments, Emergency Removal of Debris from Streams, General Permiuts for Work in Waterways, Floodways and Wetlands, and Reporting Requirements for Spills and Pollution Incidents.
• MS4s can use the above information to revise their stormwater websites to provide accurate links. Please also review any links you may have for EPA Stormwater/MS4 information. EPA revised their links in 2014 and many MS4s still have inoperative EPA links. Please refer to my 8-1-14 email for EPA links that work. In addition, the EPA Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox provides an abundance of examples of educational/outreach and survey/evaluation materials from across the country. The StormwaterPA site provides useful information about stormwater runoff and management, including videos and information on stormwater best practices. The Temple – Villanova Sustainable Stormwater Initiative maintains a regional Stormwater BMP database.