EPA is proceeding with its plan to establish a new program to regulate stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment, with a target date for a final rule by November 2012. The next step: the reissuance of draft mandatory questionnaires that, once finalized, will be sent to various stakeholders, including approximately 738,000 owners and developers of residential, industrial and commercial sites. According to EPA, the “target population for the Owner/Developer Questionnaires is all development establishments in the United States,” as defined by 8 NAICS codes (see Part A.4 of EPA’s Supporting Statement for further information on whether your business would be covered).
The questionnaires request detailed information about real estate improvements during the last five years as well as the financial characteristics of development companies and their projects. There are two versions of the Owner/Developer questionnaire, but only the longer version – which will be sent to “selected recipients” – seems to address the types of stormwater controls actually used, or the cost of those controls, in any detail. Thus, while the longer questionnaire will present an additional burden for its recipients, it will also allow developers to report key information for the regulated community, including the cost-effectiveness and context of stormwater controls (e.g. soil types, urban vs. rural settings).
Among other stakeholder groups, EPA will also send questionnaires to owners and operators of municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting authorities. That means that one party that apparently won’t have to fill out a questionnaire is the Massachusetts DEP, which, along with 4 other states and the District of Columbia, does not have NPDES permitting authority. Particularly in light of MA DEP’s own recent stormwater proposal, EPA might consider asking all state environmental authorities about the scope of their current and planned regulatory efforts with respect to stormwater, so as to better coordinate state and federal programs.
We’re pleased that EPA is making an effort to base its regulatory proposal on good information. Nevertheless, developers should watch the rulemaking process carefully between now and 2012. The 30 day public comment period on the draft questionnaires ends June 9, 2010.