ECAR
Fact Sheet for Maryland
Stormwater
Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources
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The
following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each
ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable
state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the
review process here. Please
read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present
a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be
aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you.
What You Need to Know
Stormwater
Resource Locator
All vehicle dismantling facilities in the United States (except those in a combined sewer service area or facilities that do not discharge stormwater from their property) are required by the Clean Water Act to obtain a stormwater permit either from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or from an appropriate state agency. For more information on EPA’s stormwater regulations, please see:
Federal EPA National Pollutant Elimination Discharge System (NPDES) Stormwater Regulations
EPA defines automobile salvage yards and scrap recycling facilities as industries eligible to use the multi-sector general permit (MSGP). Sector M: Auto Salvage Yards
Included in this permitting process are requirements to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the appropriate state agency and to prepare a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to describe how you will address your facility’s stormwater issues. For information on how to comply with these requirements, please see:
NEW—Effective 9/29/08—
EPA’s Multi-Sector General Permit |
The
Clean Water Act requires virtually every automotive salvage or recycling
operator to obtain a stormwater permit. The exceptions to this rule
are few, and they are explained further in the detailed information
provided below. Therefore, if you own or operate a salvage
or recycling operation and you do not currently have a stormwater
permit, you most likely are out of compliance. The purpose
of this fact sheet is to help you either to get into compliance
or to assist you to develop a more efficient and effective compliance
strategy.
Rain
or snow falling on your property can pick up contaminants as it
runs off, and can carry the contaminants through drainage systems
directly into streams, rivers, and lakes. The term "stormwater"
refers to this type of runoff.
In
1987, Congress mandated that "industrial" sites obtain
stormwater permits. In 1990, EPA defined "industrial"
to include, among many other types of sites, "salvage yards
and automotive [recyclers]." [Title
40 CFR 122.26(b)(14)(vi)]. These mandates apply across the country,
regardless of your state. Congress and EPA took this action because
stormwater that comes in contact with metals, oil and grease, used
batteries and tires, and other materials common at automotive recycling
facilities may cause localized pollution that can affect the local
community’s ability to swim and fish in lakes, rivers, and streams.
For
example, the mercury that still may be found in old automotive switches
or even some new parts is toxic to humans and to the fish they may
catch and eat. By obtaining a stormwater permit, and more importantly,
by taking some common sense actions under the permit to prevent
stormwater contamination, you can provide your community with environmental
benefits to compliment the value of recycling end-of-life vehicles.
Although
Congress and EPA created the national rules that provide the basic
framework for stormwater regulations, the rules are implemented
by the individual state environmental agencies. EPA may help certain
states develop programs and it provides guidance to all states,
but for the most part, you obtain a stormwater permit from
your state environmental agency. Information about your
state permit, compliance requirements, contact information, and
other helpful hints are provided in the following pages of this
site. The most important part of the compliance program is developing
a stormwater pollution prevention plan, and this site will help
you to develop such a plan. The key for you is to make sure that
you implement the plan and adhere to your legal obligations.
Regulations
How
to Get Permit Coverage. Start by downloading and carefully reading
the Notice of Intent (NOI) form and General Permit (MDR) found below
under "Links to the Regulations and Forms".
To
apply for coverage under the general permit, you must:
1.
Complete and submit a signed copy of the notice of intent (NOI)
form at least 30 days prior to commencing any new storm water discharge to:
Maryland
Department of the Environment
PO
Box 2057
Baltimore,
MD 21203-2057
The
NOI must include, among other items listed in Part III of the general
permit, a summary of all existing quantitative data describing the
concentration of pollutants in storm water discharges.
Required NOI Fee
There are three fee categories - A, B, or C. The type of operator and age of the facility determine which fee category should be used for your facility.
Category A is for private or federal facilities that were in operation when the new permit was issued. Facilities in this category may pay $550 for five years of permit coverage or $120 each year, with all payments after the first due on July 1st.
Category B is for State or local government permittees. No fee is required for these facilities.
Category C is for new facilities that are private or federal and began operating after the new permit was issued. Fees are based upon the number of months that the facility will be covered by the permit, and may be calculated by the permittee. If you prefer to pay the annual fee, submit the standard $120 annual fee and MDE will prorate your fee for next year. The date the facility began operating must be included.
2.
If your auto recycling operation discharges stormwater to a municipal
stormwater sewer system that is included in the list on Part III.G
of the general permit, you must submit signed copies of the NOI
to the operator of that municipal separate storm sewer to which
you discharge.
The
Maryland Department of the Environment will notify your facility
of its acceptance under the general permit.
How
to Comply with the Permit Requirements. To maintain coverage
under the general permit, you must comply with all the terms of
the permit (see parts III through VI of Permit MDR). Below is a
summary of key requirements.
- Develop and implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP)
for each facility covered by the general permit. The requirements
of the plan are described in section IV.B-IV.C of the permit. The
SWPPP must be retained on-site and made available to the authorities
upon request.
- Update the SWPPP as necessary whenever there is a change in your
operations that has a significant affect on stormwater. If the Department
reviews the plan and requests that changes be made, you will have
90 days in which to comply.
- At least once a year, a comprehensive visual inspection must be
performed to evaluate compliance. Records documenting the inspection
must be prepared and retained on-site for at least three years.
- 4.
Spills or other discharge incidents, and information describing
the quality and quantity of storm water discharges must be recorded
in the facility records. All records must be maintained at the facility
for a minimum of three years.
Your
SWPPP must include a description of potential sources of stormwater
pollution and measures and controls, including best management practices
(BMPs) that will be implemented at your facility to prevent or minimize
stormwater contamination. When developing the SWPPP you must consider
the use of certain BMPs that EPA and MDE consider applicable to
specific areas such as vehicle dismantling/storage areas and fluids
storage areas. For more specific information on developing a Pollution
Prevention Plan, visit the ECAR SWPPP
fact sheet.
Links
to the Regulations and Forms. Use the following links to view
the regulations pertaining to stormwater management.
General
Permit MDR
NPDES
Stormwater Discharges, 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14)
Maryland
Code of Regulations Pertaining to Stormwater Management
Maryland
Stormwater Management Approval Process
General
Permit Information
Notice of Intent
Self-Audit
Checklist
When
an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things they
check to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations.
It makes good sense for you to perform a "self-audit" and catch
and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there
are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit
Policy Page).
Use
the following list to audit your stormwater permit.
- Is
your facility covered under a general permit or does your facility
have an individual stormwater permit? Verify that your facility
is either covered under the general permit (MDR) or has an individual
stormwater permit issued by MDE.
- Has your facility developed
and implemented a stormwater pollution prevention plan? Verify
that a SWPPP has been prepared and implemented and is available
onsite for inspection. Review the plan and verify that BMPs
have been implemented. Update the plan when operational changes
occur that impact stormwater.
- Has your facility conducted
visual inspections? Review your records to verify that annual
inspections have been performed. Proof of these activities must
be incorporated into your SWPPP.
- Has your facility maintained
monitoring results and records? Verify that all monitoring
and inspection records are maintained for at least three years
from the date of sample collection or for the term of the permit,
whichever is greater.
Best
Management Practices (BMPs)
The
following is a list of BMPs for auto salvage facilities identified
by EPA when the stormwater regulations were published:
Dismantling
and vehicle maintenance:
- Drain
all fluids from vehicles upon arrival at the site. Segregate the
fluids and properly store or dispose of them.
- Maintain
an organized inventory of materials used in the maintenance shop.
- Keep
waste streams separate (i.e. waste oil and solvents). Non-hazardous
substances that are contaminated with hazardous substances are
considered a hazardous waste.
- Recycle
antifreeze, gasoline, used oil, mineral spirits and solvents.
- Dispose
of greasy rags, oil filters, air filters, batteries, spent coolants
and degreasers properly.
- Label
and track the recycling of waste material.
- Drain
oil filters before disposal or recycling.
- Store
cracked batteries in a nonleaking secondary container.
- Promptly
transfer used fluids to the proper container.
- Do
not pour liquid waste down floor drains, sinks or outdoor storm
drains.
- Plug
floor drains that are connected to the storm or sanitary sewer.
If necessary, install a sump that is pumped regularly.
- Inspect
the maintenance area regularly for proper implementation of control
measures.
- Filter
stormwater discharges with devices such as oil-water separators.
- Train
employees on proper waste control and disposal procedures.
Outdoor
vehicle, equipment and parts storage:
- Use
drip pans under all vehicles and equipment waiting for maintenance
and during maintenance.
- Store
batteries on impervious surfaces. Curb, dike or berm this area.
- Confine
storage of parts, equipment and vehicles to designated areas.
- Cover
all storage areas with permanent cover (roof) or temporary cover
(canvas tarps).
- Inspect
the storage yard for drip pans and other problems regularly.
Vehicle,
equipment and parts washing areas:
- Avoid
washing parts or equipment outside.
- Use
phosphate-free biodegradable detergents.
- Consider
using detergent-based or water-based cleaning systems in place
of organic solvent degreasers.
- Designate
an area for cleaning activities.
- Contain
steam cleaning washwaters or discharge under an applicable NPDES
permit.
- Ensure
that washwaters drain well.
- Inspect
cleaning area regularly.
- Install
curbing, berms or dikes around cleaning areas.
Liquid
storage in above ground containers:
- Maintain
good integrity of all storage containers.
- Install
safeguards (such as berms) against accidental releases in the
storage area.
- Inspect
storage tanks to detect potential leaks. Perform preventative
maintenance.
- Inspect
piping systems for failures or leaks.
- Train employees on proper filling and transfer procedures.
Improper
connection with storm sewers:
- Plug all floor drains if it is unknown whether the connection is to storm
sewer or sanitary sewer. Alternatively, install a sump that is
pumped regularly.
- Update
facility schematics to accurately reflect all plumbing connections.
- Install
a safeguard against vehicle washwaters and parts cleaning water
entering the storm sewer unless permitted.
- Maintain
and inspect the integrity of all underground storage tanks; replace
when necessary.
Contacts
- For
compliance information, contact the Maryland Department of the
Environment at 410-537-3145.
- Questions
regarding the Stormwater Guidelines should be directed to the
Sediment and Stormwater Plan Review Division at 410-537-3000.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Used
Oil
Other
Relevant Resources
- Maryland's Wastewater Permits
- EnvCAP's Industrial Stormwater Resource Locator
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