EPA Sends Memo to Regions on Integrated Permitting Approaches for Municipal Wastewater and Stormwater Management
EPA's Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Cynthia Giles and Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Nancy Stoner, on October 27, 2011, sent the attached memorandum to the agency's Regional Administrators outlining their commitment to and support for integrated approaches to municipal stormwater and wastewater management. The memorandum explains that EPA is developing an integrated planning approach framework to help the Agency work with state and local governments. According to EPA, the framework will identify:
- The essential components of an integrated plan;
- Steps for identifying municipalities that might best make use of such an approach; and
- How best to implement the plans with our state partners under the Clean Water Act permit and enforcement programs.
Once the framework is in draft form, EPA plans to hold meetings with states and local governments, utilities and environmental groups to obtain their feedback on the draft framework. In addition, we hope to identify municipal leaders who are currently developing, or have developed, integrated plans that can serve as models for other municipalities. EPA plans to post additional information as it becomes available on the agency's website at: www.epa.gov/npdes/integratedplans.
NAFSMA has already notified EPA that the association is interested and ready to work on this approach.