NPDES Permit Applicaton Form: This application form was sent to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in June 2006. By signing and submitting this form to the MPCA, the City has agreed to follow the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) statewide general permit requirements for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). (5 pages, 185KB)
MPCA Summary Sheets: As part of the application submittal in 2006, the City was required to summarize the best management practices from the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). (62 pages, 231KB).
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program: A list of tasks, known as best management practices (BMPs), chosen by City staff to meet the NPDES general permit requirements. All BMPs in this document include a description, implemenation schedule, measurable goals, and the responsible person for implementing the associated tasks. (64 Pages, 219KB)
Rain Garden Information - The Blue Thumb Guide to Rain Gardens
For a copy of the latest NPDES General Permit requirements issued by the MPCA, visit the following MPCA website. http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/stormwater-ms4.html
Effects of Polluted Stormwater
Polluted stormwater degrades streams, rivers, ponds, wetlands, bays and lakes. In Dayton, runoff makes its way into area lakes, the Mississippi River and the Crow River.
Some things that can happen:
- Cloudy water deteriorates habitat for fish and plants.
- Nutrients promote algae growth, which crowds out other aquatic life.
- Toxic chemicals threaten the health of fish and other aquatic life.
- Bacteria and parasites from waste make lakes or bodies of water unsafe for wading and swimming after storms.
What Can I Do?
Clean Up After Yourself!
This is probably the easiest thing you can start doing. Don't litter, even
cigarette butts can pollute.
Car Washing
Wash your car on your lawn using a no-phosphorous soap. This keeps soapy
water out of the storm drain, and can double as a drink for your lawn! If
that's not an option, take it to a commercial car wash where water is
treated before it re-enters local waterways.
Chemicals
When working with chemicals be sure to clean up spills and dispose of used
oil, paint or other chemicals at your local household hazardous waste
collection sites. Try using natural options for any pesticide or herbicide
needs.
Create a
Rainwater Garden
A rainwater garden is a depression in the soil filled with water-loving
plants. The depression is designed to collect water. For more information
on rain gardens check out the following EPA website for ideas and models.
http://www.epa.gov/nps/toolbox/other/cwc_raingardenbrochure.pdf
Garden
Try
planting native plants; these often require less water, fertilizer and
pesticides. Plant flowers that attract butterflies or hummingbirds, or
plants that will provide habitat for birds or wildlife. A great resource
for ideas is the Minnesota DNR at
www.dnr.state.mn.us/gardens.
Lawn Clippings
& Leaves
You can always leave your clippings on your yard, but leaves and lawn
clippings left on the sidewalk or driveway are easily swept away by water
and provide excess nutrients to the nearest lake, stream or river. Try
using them for compost; check out this EPA web page on composting
http://www.epa.gov/nps/toolbox/other/reducewastecompost.pdf .
Pet Waste
Always carry a bag and use it. At home you can flush the waste, or double
bag it and put it in the trash.
Re-Direct
Downspouts
Make sure downspouts from your roof are not only directed away from your
foundation, but onto your lawn and not your driveway or sidewalk. You can
collect the water from your downspouts in rain barrels to be reused around
your yard.
Soil Testing
Have your soil tested; you may need less fertilizer than you think! Less
fertilizer means less run-off. A great resource is University Yard & Garden
Line at (612) 624-4771.
Sand & Salt
After the snow piles have melted, sweep up extra sand and salt. Excess sand
can fill in lakes and streams, cover up habitat for aquatic life and carry
pollution. Salt is a major contributor of chlorides to our waterways.
Six Minimum control measures
1. Public Education and Outreach Distributing educational materials and performing outreach to inform citizens about the impacts polluted stormwater runoff discharges can have on water quality. For more information on this Minimum Control Measure please check out the following EPA website http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-3.pdf .
2. Public Participation/Involvement Providing opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation, including effectively publicizing public hearings and/or encouraging citizen representatives on a stormwater management panel. For more information on this Minimum Control Measure please check out the following EPA website http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-4.pdf .
3.Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Developing and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm sewer system (includes developing a system map and informing the community about hazards associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste). For more information on this Minimum Control Measure please check out the following EPA website http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-5.pdf .
4. Construction Site Runoff Control Developing, implementing, and enforcing an erosion and sediment control program for construction activities that disturb 1 or more acres of land (controls could include silt fences and temporary stormwater detention ponds). For more information on this Minimum Control Measure please check out the following EPA website http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-6.pdf .
5. Post-Construction Runoff Control Developing, implementing, and enforcing a program to address discharges of post-construction stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment areas. Applicable controls could include preventative actions such as protecting sensitive areas (e.g., wetlands) or the use of structural BMPs such as grassed swales or porous pavement. For more information on this Minimum Control Measure please check out the following EPA website http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-7.pdf .
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Developing and implementing a program with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations. The program must include municipal staff training on pollution prevention measures and techniques (e.g., regular street sweeping, reduction in the use of pesticides or street salt, or frequent catch-basin cleaning). For more information on this Minimum Control Measure please check out the following EPA website http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-8.pdf .
Volunteer opportunities
Citizen Stream-Monitoring Program
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/csmp-map.html
Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP)
Minnesota DNR
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/index.html
Citizen Lake Monitoring Program
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/clmp.html