New York State Banner
D E C banner
D E C banner

Multi-sector General SW Permit and Forms

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) issued the SPDES Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (GP-0-06-002) on December 27, 2006. The permit will be effective on March 28, 2007. This permit replaces the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (GP-98-03) and has been revised to more closely reflect the USEPA's Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity.

The SPDES Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (GP-0-06-002) is a 5 year permit that covers new and existing discharges of stormwater to waters of the United States from industrial activities as defined in 40 CFR Part 122.26(b)(14)(i-ix and xi).

The Clean Water Act provides that stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity from a point source (including discharges through a municipal separate storm sewer system) to waters of the United States are unlawful, unless authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. In New York, EPA has approved the state program which is enacted through the administration of the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) program. Facilities must obtain permit coverage through either an individual industrial SPDES permit which address the stormwater discharges, obtain coverage under the SPDES Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity or provide certification using the No Exposure Exclusion that industrial activities are not exposed to stormwater.

There are several major changes in this general permit compared to the previous general permit. The permit format has changed to include general requirements applicable to all facilities with permit coverage (Parts I through VII) and industry specific requirements (Part VIII) that have been tailored to address 31 different industrial activities. These industry specific requirements account for the increased size of the permit, but it is important to note that combining the general requirements in Parts I-VII and applicable industry specific requirements Part VIII will results in a general permit that is approximately the same size as the existing general permit (GP-98-03). It is also important to note that requirements are no longer based solely on the facility's primary Standard Industrial Code (SIC) or narrative description. If a facility has more than one industrial activity occurring on-site, those industrial activities are considered to be co-located and a facility must comply with the requirements for each specific industrial activity that is applicable at the facility. Other significant changes under this permit include:

  • an expanded Notice of Intent or Termination (NOIT) form to provide the necessary level of information;
  • a requirement to perform and document quarterly visual examinations of stormwater discharges;
  • a requirement to perform and document annual dry weather flow inspections at stormwater discharge outfalls;
  • a requirement that all facilities must complete, certify and submit an annual certification report;
  • stormwater monitoring parameters for specific industrial facilities have been revised;
  • benchmark monitoring cut-off concentrations have been added as guidance for comparison with sample results to identify potential stormwater contamination;
  • the sampling frequency for analytical testing has been revised to once per year;
  • sampling requirements have been revised to only require grab samples;
  • additional monitoring requirements have been added for several EPA Point Source Categorical industries subject to effluent limitation guidelines for stormwater discharges (similar to coal pile run-off);
  • a requirement that all analytical testing must be reported on specific forms and be submitted to the Department once per year with the annual certification form;
  • permit authorization will begin 30 calendar days from receipt of the NOIT (no longer 2 days from postmark);
  • revisions to requirements for facilities subject to EPCRA Section 313 reporting;
  • new requirements for facilities with secondary containment areas for storage and transfer areas;
  • a revised Best Management Practice (BMP) that salt piles will require enclosure or covers regardless of whether there is a discharge to surface or groundwater;
  • a new sampling waiver referred to as the Alternative Certification of "Not Present" or "No Exposure";
  • sectors AD and AE have been added to allow for permit coverage of stormwater discharges from industrial activities designated by the Department as needing a stormwater permit where coverage under a general permit would be more suitable than requiring an individual industrial SPDES permit; and
  • in response to the types of industrial operations being conducted at mining and landfill facilities, sectors J, L and M can be used to authorize stormwater discharges from construction activities.

This general permit will expire on March 27, 2012.

How to Get Copies

Copies of the general permit (PDF 760 kb) are available on the DEC website
or by calling the NYSDEC, Bureau of Water Permits, General Permits Section at (518) 402-8109. Copies of the Notice of Intent or Termination and Annual Certification Report are included in the appendices of the permit or on the DEC website.

Who to Contact with Questions

Questions regarding the content of the general permit can be directed to the following individual:

Christina Falk
NYSDEC, Division of Water
625 Broadway - 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-3505
(518) 402-8244