The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comments on a proposed regulation to help strengthen stormwater regulations and reduce stormwater discharges from newly developed and redeveloped sites. Owners and operators of municipal separate storm sewer systems, as well as state government officials, are among the groups from which EPA is seeking information.
Generally, as sites are developed, less ground area is available for rain to soak into, which increases stormwater volume. The stormwater flows across roads, rooftops and other surfaces, picking up pollutants that then flow into waterways. EPA plans to propose a rule to control stormwater from newly developed and redeveloped sites that will be implemented no later than November 2012. The draft survey would require detailed information about stormwater management and control practices, local regulations, and baseline financial information.
The survey for the proposed regulation will be open for public comment for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.
