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Storm Water Management


Why manage storm water?

Rhode Island DEM has been delegated authority to implement the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NPDES program. In February 2002 and February 2003 the RIPDES regulations were amended to include EPA Phase II requirements. Phase II requires storm water discharges to waters of the state from industrial facilities owned or operated by small municipalities and from small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), located within urbanized areas or designated by the permitting authority, to obtain a RIPDES storm water permit. RIDOT is regulated as a MS4 under the RIPDES program, and is required to comply with permitting regulations.

The permit conditions include the preparation of a Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP) that requires the development of six minimum control measures and incorporation of TMDL requirements, that when properly implemented will reduce pollutants to the maximum extent practicable. Additionally, annual reports must be prepared and submitted for approval.

How will we manage storm water?

The NPDES & RIPDES programs specify minimum measures that regulated municipal systems must put in place to meet compliance. At a minimum, RIDOT is required to identify Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the following six minimum control measures:

  1. Public Education and Outreach on Storm Water Impacts
  2. Public Involvement and Participation
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
  5. Post-Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment
  6. Pollution Prevent/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Contact the Storm Water Coordinator

Allison LeBlanc
Environmental Scientist
(401) 222-2023 x-4097
aleblanc@dot.ri.gov

What you can do to help

Illicit Discharge Complaint form

Under Construction

Training Opportunities

RIDOT/RIDEM/URI Storm Water Education and Outreach Program. For the latest in available training, please visit the Know Where it Goes website at: RIStormwaterSolutions.org.

References:

Storm Water Coordinator list

Reports

RIPDES Phase II Management Plan:

RIPDES Annual Reports