[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 21]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR122.30]

[Page 201-202]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 122_EPA ADMINISTERED PERMIT PROGRAMS: THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT 
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM--Table of Contents
 
   Subpart B_Permit Application and Special NPDES Program Requirements
 
Sec.  122.30  What are the objectives of the storm water regulations for small MS4s?

    (a) Sections 122.30 through 122.37 are written in a ``readable 
regulation'' format that includes both rule requirements and EPA 
guidance that is not legally binding. EPA has clearly distinguished its 
recommended guidance from the rule requirements by putting the guidance 
in a separate paragraph headed by the word ``guidance''.
    (b) Under the statutory mandate in section 402(p)(6) of the Clean 
Water Act, the purpose of this portion of the storm water program is to 
designate additional sources that need to be regulated to protect water 
quality and to establish a comprehensive storm water program to regulate 
these sources. (Because the storm water program is part of the National 
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program, you should also 
refer to Sec.  122.1 which addresses the broader purpose of the NPDES 
program.)

[[Page 202]]

    (c) Storm water runoff continues to harm the nation's waters. Runoff 
from lands modified by human activities can harm surface water resources 
in several ways including by changing natural hydrologic patterns and by 
elevating pollutant concentrations and loadings. Storm water runoff may 
contain or mobilize high levels of contaminants, such as sediment, 
suspended solids, nutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, toxins, oxygen-
demanding substances, and floatables.
    (d) EPA strongly encourages partnerships and the watershed approach 
as the management framework for efficiently, effectively, and 
consistently protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems and protecting 
public health.

[64 FR 68842, Dec. 8, 1999]