Industrial Storm Water Training: Eagan, Minnesota Nov 30, 2012

Complying with Minnesota Industrial Stormwater Requirements
Eagan, MN
Friday, November 30, 2012

This full day training seminar will cover the requirements of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial storm water discharges. The course will begin with a discussion of the regulation of stormwater discharge under the Federal Clean Water Act, and then the specific requirements under the MPCA industrial permit, issued in 2010. This will include sector specific requirements, use of benchmark monitoring, effluent guideline monitoring and corrective action requirements. The morning session will include a discussion of additional requirements for stormwater discharges to impaired waters and other special waters identified in the MSGP.

The afternoon session will focus on implementing best managemt practices and development of a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) at individual facilities. This will include a discussion of monitoring and reported requirements to comply with the Minnesota MSGP.

For more information or to register, go to:
Training Seminar - Complying with Minnesota Industrial Stormwater Requirements, November 30, 2012

Agenda

Industrial Stormwater Laws and Regulations

• Federal Clean Water Act overview
• Application of Clean Water Act to stormwater discharges

Minnesota industrial stormwater permitting process

• Overview of permit requirements
• Industrial sector-specific requirements
• Benchmark monitoring/effluent monitoring
• Corrective action triggers

Application of Rules/Permit to Individual Facilities

• Impaired waters/TMDLs
• Nondegradation/antidegradation requirements
• Special waters
• Wetlands
• Industrial sites with potential soil/groundwater contaminants
• Local and regional requirements

Creating Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

• Complying with stormwater control measure requirements
• Describing facility
• Providing assessment of activities and materials
• Modification and reporting requirements
• Availability requirements
• Construction site runoff control

Implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs)

• BMPs to achieve “no exposure”
• Stormwater reduction
• Reuse of stormwater
• Stormwater control/management
• Structural BMPs for treating stormwater
• Contingency planning for extreme weather

Sampling and Annual Reporting

• Setting up monitoring procedures
• Collecting and evaluating samples
• Submitting annual reports
• Modifying BMPs

US and Canada Amend Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Canada’s Minister of the Environment have signed the newly amended Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The agreement, first signed in 1972 and last amended in 1987, is binational effort to protect the world’s largest surface freshwater system and the health of the surrounding communities.

The revised agreement will facilitate United States and Canadian action on threats to Great Lakes water quality and includes measures to anticipate and prevent ecological harm. New provisions address aquatic invasive species, habitat degradation and the effects of climate change, and support continued work on existing threats to human health and the environment in the Great Lakes Basin such as harmful algae, toxic chemicals, and discharges from vessels.

The overall purpose of the Agreement is “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters” of the Great Lakes and the portion of the St. Lawrence River that includes the Canada-United States border. Both governments sought extensive input from stakeholders before and throughout the negotiations to amend the Agreement. Additionally, the amended Agreement expands opportunities for public participation on Great Lakes issues.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.
Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Ohio Proposes Changes To Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Exams

The Ohio EPA has proposed rules that will eventually allow a third party provider to sponsor and administer certifications exams for Water and Wastewater treatment plant operators. By using the third party, Ohio EPA hopes to provide examinations more often, in more locations throughout the state, using computer based testing. The Agency also believes that by using the third party, the pool of questions will expand and the third party will be responsible for verifying the validity of those test questions.

The cost of the third party administration may be passed on to applicants in the form of higher fees. In the interim, State-Sponsored exams will continue to be held twice per year in order to give operators the choice of the computerized approved exam-provider or the additional state examination. The Ohio EPA hopes to eventually eliminate the state sponsored exam and rely solely on the examinations provided by the approved exam provider.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.
Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website