EPA Region 1 has announced that they will exercise their residual designation authority under the Clean Water Act in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset river watersheds. Certain commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with one or more acres of impervious area will be required to obtain coverage under an EPA Clean Water Act permit. Once permits are issued, property owners will be required to take steps to reduce pollutants in stormwater. EPA anticipates issuing one or more general permits specifying the activities that property owners must implement to reduce stormwater pollution from their properties. Before these requirements are finalized, EPA will conduct a public process, including publication of a draft permit and an opportunity to comment. Privately owned commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with 1-acre or greater impervious cover will need to seek coverage under one of these permits (or an individual permit if they prefer) and take the actions spelled out in the permits. The 495/MetroWest Partnership's Water Resources Committee hosted EPA Region 1 staff for an informational presentation on this matter on November 1st, 2022; click here to access a recording of this presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eokLpgNaH-4
The 495/MetroWest Partnership will host a follow-up discussion among impacted stakeholders on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 at 8:30 AM. This will be a hybrid event, hosted in Westborough, Massachusetts for those interested in attending in person, with an option to participate virtually via Zoom. Please fill out this form to register for the event.
495/MetroWest Partnership communities that are fully or partially located within the Charles River watershed are Ashland, Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Norfolk, Sherborn, Wayland, and Wrentham. Portions of Foxborough and Medfield are located in the Neponset River watershed.
