Storm water discharges from industrial facilities located in Texas are meant to be covered by the state's Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) (TXR050000). Covered industries are expected to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to comply with the storm water MSGP or a No-Exposure Certification (NEC) depending on their particular circumstances. The MSGP was issued to the state by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it is due to expire on August 14, 2011. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is going through the process of renewing the permit and industries in Texas will be required to re-submit their NOIs or NECs once the new MSGP is issued (expected in July).

TCEQ is considering some changes to the MSGP, so Texas industries may want to keep an eye on possible changes during the renewal process. TCEQ has stated that they are making a number of technical clarifications affecting permit conditions for a number of industrial sectors (e.g., transportation facilities, hazardous waste storage, mines, landfills, steam electric generating facilities). TCEQ has a particular interest in issues surrounding vehicle and equipment maintenance areas and has promised changes. More information about the renewal process for Texas' MSGP can be found on the TCEQ web site www.tceq.state.tx.us.

In many parts of Texas, particularly near the Gulf Coast, frequent rainfall and storm water runoff necessitates regular attention to storm water control features. And even in west Texas, storm water events are likely during the winter and spring. Therefore, all operations should be conducting a regular storm water management checkup to evaluate their segregation, sampling and/or best management practices.

This is good advice no matter where you have operations, keeping in mind that storm water requirements apply to runoff from melting snow as well as airborne dust.