Polluted stormwater has been documented to be the primary cause of water quality problems in Georgia’s waterways, including the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries.
Under the authority of the federal Clean Water Act, regulatory agencies issue permits to regulate stormwater runoff from a variety of sources including construction activities as well as impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and roofs. Developers and municipalities must apply to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for permission to reduce pollutants and manage stormwater runoff. For example, a developer must submit a notice of intent (NOI) under a general permit and prepare an engineering plan to control stormwater runoff from construction sites to show what best management practices, which are operating procedures and products that help control runoff, spills, and leaks, it will employ during land disturbing activities. Municipalities, however, must apply for an individual permit and prepare, implement and update a stormwater management program.
UCR has helped lead efforts by the environmental community to strengthen laws and regulations, improve educational a
nd training programs, and secure enforcement actions against violators of stormwater laws.
In 2003, we helped negotiate the General Permits for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities and their renewal in 2008, strengthening these permits in both instances. In 2006, UCR helped negotiate improvements to Georgia’s General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Facilities. We have also commented on Georgia’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Program and plan to work in this area more actively in 2009 and 2010.
In 2005, we created the Get the Dirt Out Program and conducted a study which concluded that two-thirds of the construction sites investigated in Georgia had major violations; we then provided specific recommendations for improvements to Georgia’s erosion control program to government agencies. This education and enforcement project is now being used throughout Georgia and in several other southern states.
For examples of UCR cases, see Enforcement Highlights—Stormwater.
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