At the 2024 NJ League of Municipalities Conference, our Stormwater Program Coordinators presented a learning session that guided municipal attendees through the permit process of the MS4 Stormwater plan requirements and implementation schedule.
The NJPDES MS4 Stormwater Discharge General Permit renewal became effective on January 1, 2023, bringing with it a host of new stormwater compliance requirements. The Tier A designation became effective for all municipalities across the state, and Van Cleef immediately set to work advising its clients on how to conform with the increased standards. Initial compliance activities included updating the municipal Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP), enacting new local pollution prevention ordinances, and beginning the effort to map and inventory all local MS4 infrastructure.
In November 2024, Van Cleef’s MS4 Task Force presented to a standing-room-only crowd at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Annual Conference. The presentation covered the basics of the MS4 permit, discussed where municipalities should be on the numerous permitting deadlines, and outlined the next steps as we orient municipal clients toward future permit compliance.
Van Cleef’s NJLM conference presentation went in-depth on stormwater management from local and regional watershed perspectives, providing guidance on the new Watershed Improvement Plan (WIP) permit requirement. The WIP is intended to be a strategic program to address water quality improvement and stormwater flooding reduction goals at the municipal level.
Each municipality’s WIP will consist of three phases. The Phase 1 Watershed Inventory Report is due at the end of 2025, and includes a comprehensive assessment of municipal MS4 infrastructure, analysis of drainage areas for municipally-operated stormwater outfalls, and water quality assessments for local receiving waterbodies. The Phase 2 Watershed Assessment Report, due at the end of 2026, will include proposals for potential water quality improvement projects to address local TMDL and water quality impairments. The Final (Phase 3) Watershed Improvement Plan Report is due at the end of 2027, at the conclusion of the current five-year MS4 permit cycle. The final WIP report must provide a summary of planned public and private water quality improvement projects, along with an implementation schedule and funding sources.
Van Cleef is poised to assist its municipal clients with these fast-approaching permit deadlines. Our MS4 Task Force team members provide insights on regional collaboration, funding sources, and public participation. Our GIS department provides mapping and asset inventory services.
