Multi-Sector General Permit (Industrial Stormwater Permit)

Notice: The 2019 Multi-Sector General Permit (NVR050000) will be administratively continued while a permit renewal is being drafted. Renewal notices will be mailed once the new permit has been issued. 

Current Multi-Sector General Permit (Industrial Stormwater Permit) 

When stormwater drains
off an industrial facility, it can carry toxic metals, oil, grease, other chemicals, sediment, and debris that can harm aquatic life, lakes, streams, wetlands, and reduce water quality. Per 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §122.26(b)(14), the Stormwater Branch issues coverage under the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) to regulate industrial stormwater discharges from industrial facilities in Nevada. The MSGP is called a general permit because it is used for many different types of industrial facilities. 

   Getting Started 

Who Needs Permit Coverage 

MSGP coverage is required for specific industrial activities determined by a Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code or narrative activities. Businesses are usually designated by their SIC code(s) or by narrative activities for Department of Commerce or Department of Revenue purposes. The codes are typically found on your federal tax forms, located on the upper left of the Schedule C or C-EZ for Sole Proprietors, Form 1065 for Partners, Form 1120 for C Corporations, or Form 1120-S for S Corporations. Once you know your SIC code, use the following two documents to see if you qualify. 

Additionally, NDEP recommends users read the MSGP and Fact Sheet to further determine if your activity requires coverage. 

Do I qualify for a No Exposure Exclusion 

No Exposure means all industrial materials and activities are conducted indoors or are protected by a storm-resistant shelter to prevent exposure to stormwater. If stormwater can't carry pollutants off your site via run-on or run-off, then a No Exposure Exclusion may apply. For more information, please refer to the guidance documents below. 

If you qualify for a No Exposure Exclusion, apply for a Notice of Intent online at the General Permits System. 

How to Apply for Permit Coverage 

You must complete the following three steps to get coverage:  

  1. Develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP must be developed before applying for coverage under the Multi-Sector General Permit. You may utilize the template below or develop your own. 
     Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Template 

       2. Complete a Notice of Intent (permit application). The Notice of Intent is available
           online in the General Permits System. There you also can: 
           Check the status of your permit 
           View the contact information for your permit 

For help with the online Notice of Intent application, please see the guidance documents below. 

       3. Submit the filing fee and mail the signed Notice of Intent. To sign the Notice of
           Intent you must be
:  
     
      a. a principal executive officer of the corporation;    
           b. a general partner of the partnership;   
           c. the proprietor of a sole proprietorship;    
          d. a principal executive officer, ranking elected official or authorized employee
              
of the municipal, state, or other public facility; or  
  
        e. a duly authorized representative who has an authorization letter on file with
              
Bureau of Water Pollution Control (BWPC).
A duly authorized
              representative letter
must be in writing by a person described in a – d
              above, and must specify the authorization is for either an individual or a
              position within the organization.
  

If you do not receive an approval letter from BWPC, you do not have coverage. 

How to Pay the Application Fee and Annual Permit Fee 

Application and annual fees can be paid electronically or by check. To pay electronically, please visit the E-Payments page and include your site ID. To pay by check, reference your site ID on the memo line and mail to:  

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection 
Bureau of Water Pollution Control 
901 South Stewart Street, Suite 4001 
Carson City, NV 89701 

For information on fees, and to view the latest fee schedule, please visit our Water Pollution Control Fees page. 

What Inspections and Sampling Must the Permittee Perform 

As part of your MSGP coverage, you must complete internal inspections and sampling analysis. 

  • Quarterly routine facility inspection: Conduct and document inspections for all areas of the facility where industrial materials or activities are exposed to stormwater quarterly. You can find a sample Routine Facility Inspection report here. One of the quarterly routine site inspections must occur when water is discharging from the site. If one is not,  document the reason.
  • Visual assessment of stormwater discharges: Collect a sample and document visual inspections for color, odor, clarity, floating solids, settled solids, suspended solids, foam, oil sheen, and other obvious indicators of stormwater pollution quarterly. View an example Visual Assessment Report here. 
  • Collection and analysis of stormwater samples: Two main instances require analytical monitoring. Effluent limitations monitoring is sector specific and is in Section 7.3 and Section 9.0 of the permit. Impaired waters monitoring, in Section 7.4 of the permit, depends on the discharge location of the industrial facility. 
  • Annual Report: Prepare an annual report using the Annual Report Template by January 28th. If samples were collected, this report must be submitted to the Stormwater Branch. If samples were not collected, this report must be kept with the SWPPP. 

For complete information regarding inspections and monitoring, please refer to the MSGP. General guidandce for seach sector is provided below. 

Sector ASector CSector D
Sector ESector JSector K
Sector LSector OSector S
Sectors without Effluent Sampling Requirements

How to Terminate Coverage 

You may terminate coverage once all termination requirements have been met.  To terminate permit coverage, a Notice of Termination must be submitted by any one of the following: 

  • a principal executive officer of the corporation;  
  • a general partner of the partnership;  
  • the proprietor of a sole proprietorship;  
  • a principal executive officer, ranking elected official or authorized employee of the municipal, state, or other public facility; or  
  • a duly authorized representative who has an authorization letter on file with BWPC. A duly authorized representative letter must be in writing by a person described above, and specify the authorization is for either an individual or a position within the organization. 

If you do not terminate the project prior to the end of the current permit year, then you are responsible for paying the next annual permit fee. 

REINSPECTION FEES: Beginning July 1, 2023, NDEP will require a Notice of Termination Reinspection fee of $200 for every denied Notice of Termination. 

Not Finding What You Are Looking For 

See our Bureau of Water Pollution Control Contacts page to find a person to assist you. 

 

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