MS4 & MS4 Activities

In 1972, the Clean Water Act (CWA) came into effect which prohibited the point discharge of any pollutant to waters of the United States unless the discharges were covered by a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. In 1987, Congress amended the CWA to require the EPA to establish phased requirements for NPDES permits. When Phase II became effective in 2003, The City of Redwood Falls was required to apply for a NPDES permit to discharge stormwater. The City of Redwood Falls received the NPDES permit in 2007 that outlines the requirements and responsibilities for administering the MS4 Program.

As part of the NPDES Permit, the City of Redwood Falls was required to develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) to reduce the discharge of pollutants from our storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable. Targeted pollutants of concern are total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) but the SWPPP is intended to address all pollutants from entering the storm sewer system. The SWPPP covers six minimum control measures:

• Public education and outreach;
• Public participation/involvement;
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination;
• Construction site runoff control;
• Post-construction site runoff control; and
• Pollution prevention/good housekeeping.

For each of these six minimum control measures, the City of Redwood Falls adheres to Best Management Practices (BMPs). The MS4 Activities section (below) has information regarding these BMPs. To review the City of Redwood Falls Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan in its entirety, click on the following link: Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan

What enforcement roles does the City of Redwood Falls have to perform?

As an MS4 community, the City of Redwood Falls had to enact Ordinance No. 117-Third Series “Ordinance Establishing Storm Water Management and Standards for Construction Activities” insuring the minimum control measures bulleted above are addressed and enforceable throughout its municipal jurisdiction.

Ordinance No. 117-Third Series addresses construction site:

• Erosion and Sediment Control
• Waste Control
• Submission of construction plans for review
• Submission of a construction storm water pollution prevention plan for the site
• Elimination of illicit discharges to the storm sewer
• Promotion of low impact development (LID)
• Post construction storm water management in new development and re-development
• Violations and prohibited activities
• Enforcement, penalties and non-compliance fees

Ordinance No. 117, Third Series

1. Contact the City of Redwood Falls Building Official for permit requirements pertaining to your project

2. Determine if the project is going to disturb land ≥ 1 acre. If the answer is yes, an MPCA Construction Storm Water Permit may be needed go to: MPCA Construction Storm Water Page

3. If the project is going to disturb land ≤ 1 acre, determine if the stormwater post project storm water will reach “Special Waters” such as: Ramsey Creek Trout Stream, TMDL impaired Redwood River or TMDL impaired MN River directly; If yes, a Construction Storm Water Permit may be needed go to: MPCA Construction Storm Water Page

4. Any construction activities that do not qualify under items 2 and 3 above still have to submit a storm water pollution prevention plan that reduce or eliminate pollutants from entering the MS4 community.

5. Any discharge introduction into the City of Redwood Falls MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater is violation and considered an illicit discharge. Certain exemptions do apply see “Ordinance No. 117, Third Series, section 1.4; Subd. 2. B.

6. A” Gopher One” Call/Utility locate is required for all excavations

For additional background information on MS4 regulations and permits please visit the following websites:

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Stormwater Program MS4 page
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Stormwater page
• MN DNR Water Page