Updates from May 2022

The Application Instructions for NPDES Individual Permit were revised as of 05/2022:

"Provided link to PA-SHARE for coordinating projects with PHMC."

Updates from April 2022

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

An Alternative BMP Submission Form and Instructions were published on April 4, 2022:

This is the form one would use to submit an Alternative BMP for consideration by DEP.

The DEP PCSM Spreadsheet Instructions was revised on April 28, 2022:

"Updated data sources in Attachment B. Updated description of “Vegetated?” column (Volume Worksheet, Structural BMP Volume Credits Table) to clarify that ET credits are generated under the presumption that the BMP will be planted with plugs and will include a mix of woody, herbaceous and grass species, and the vegetation may be mowed or cut back no more than twice per year."

Updates from March 2022

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

Alternative E&S and PCSM BMPs was revised to Version 2.2 on March 18, 2022:

"Added Stormwater Drainage Well as an approved alternative PCSM BMP."

SDW relates to sinkholes. See below for additional FAQ-style documents about sinkholes that were published.

DEP also added an MRC Review Checklist to the MRC section (this wasn't mentioned in the revision description)

Sinkhole Remediation in Stormwater Management Facilities was published as Version 1.0 on March 18, 2022: 

This is an FAQ-style document related to the SDW section added to the Alternative BMPs document (mentioned above).

DEP Permitting Related to Stormwater Discharges to Improved Sinkholes was published as Version 1.0 on March 18, 2022:

This is an FAQ-style document related to the SDW section added to the Alternative BMPs document (mentioned above).

Updates from February 2022

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

The PAG-01 NPDES Permit for Small Construction Activities Notice of Intent form, Instructions, and Checklist were published as of February 2022.

The new PAG-01 NPDES Permit goes into effect on March 1, 2022.

The E&S FAQ was revised to Version 1.2 on February 2, 2022:

"Added new FAQs #37 (relating to earth disturbance associated with mats), #38 (relating to 70% uniform vegetative cover), and #39 (relating to exposed rock)."

KEES Release 13.0 was deployed on February 24, 2022:

"KEES Release 13.0 is a major release. Its primary focus is an interface that will allow PennDOT users to submit verified Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control (E&SPC) permit applications to DEP’s ePermitting system for review. This release also implements Extension Requests, the Withdrawal of Chapter 102 applications (by both PennDOT and DEP), certain Chapter 102 email notifications, and other miscellaneous improvements.

Some of the minor improvements and fixes for Chapter 102 permit application.

• Generate GIF PDF
• PCSM Structural Volume Summary Table
• Peak Rate with and without BMP Summary Tables
• Latitude and Longitude Valid Values
• Antidegradation Module 3 Verification
• General NPDES Riparian Buffer Forest Management Plan Attachment

This Release Notes also includes the following Application Managed Services (AMS) Release 10 items:

• Automated Acknowledgment of Apprisal of Permit Conditions
• KEES006Report
• CCD email Notifications"

Updates from January 2022

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

PAG-01 NPDES General Permit training has been published to the Clean Water Academy. The PAG-01 permit goes into effect on March 1, 2022.

The following ePermitting guides were added/updated on January 6, 2022:

• Chapter 102 ePermit System Enrollment Guide
• EFA’s Guide to process Access Requests & User Permissions
• Creating a Greenport username, password, and enrolling in e‐permitting

The NOT FAQ was updated to Version 1.3 on January 21, 2022:

Added FAQ #16 and added last paragraph to FAQ #15.

KEES Release 12.1 was deployed on January 13, 2022:

KEES Release 12.1 is a major release. Its primary focus is an interface that will allow PennDOT users to resubmit General and Individual Chapter 102 permit applications that have been returned by DEP due to Incompleteness or Technical Deficiency, as well as several minor improvements.

Some of the minor improvements and fixes for Chapter 102 permit application. 

• GIF – Coordination fields changes 
• GIS – Horizontal Reference Datum 
• Soil/Geologic Test Results attachments trigger
• PCSM spreadsheet – Quality Worksheet

Updates from December 2021

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

The Common Plan FAQ was updated to Version 1.2 as of 12/20/2021:

Modified Note 3.1 to clarify that life of the project will apply to timber harvesting associated with site preparation for construction. Removed Note 7.F.1. Added Notes 8.B.2 and 8.C.1 to FAQ #8. Updated Example 8.B to clarify that Area 4 would need to be part of an NPDES permit with Areas 2 and 3. Revised FAQ #9 to clarify that the term “existing road frontage lots” refers to lots that were subdivided prior to 2003.  

KEES Release 12.0 was deployed on December 20, 2021:

KEES Release 12.0 is a major release. Its primary focus is an interface that will allow PennDOT users to submit verified General and Individual Chapter 102 permit applications to DEP’s ePermitting system for review.  This release also implements major changes to the organization of data from the General Information Form (GIF), as well as several minor improvements.

Some of the minor improvements and fixes for Chapter 102 permit application.

• PCSM Peak Rate Design Option Revision
• Antidegradation Module 3 – ABACT PCSM BMPS
• Antidegradation Module 3 – General Permits
• Riparian Buffer 150 Ft Error Messages
• Discharge Point ID Numbering Revisions
• General Info Tab – New Fields
• NAICS Code Updates

Updates from November 2021

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

RMA FAQ was published on November 30, 2021:

First publication (Version 1.0). Twelve FAQs relating to Road Maintenance Activities (RMA).

Updates from July 2020

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

PennDOT released guidance on O&M for PCSM Plans on July 29, 2020. The standard format has been concurred with by DEP.

Attached please find the guidance on O&M for PCSM Plans. This standard format was developed by BOPD and BOMO in coordination with PA DEP.  All PCSM Plans shall include this information as shown in the attached format.  Please share as needed to ensure this standard format is implemented. Please refer to the email below in which DEP has informed all of their review staff of this change, so this should solve any issues in the future.  

This revised standard format is included in updates to pub 13m, 14m, and 584 and is currently being prepared for Step 2 clearance transmittal within the next month. 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me directly.

Thank you

Nicholas A. Vivian, P.E. | Hydrology & Hydraulic Unit Manager
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Good Morning,

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) have coordinated an acceptable approach to documenting operation and maintenance (O&M) requirements for post-construction stormwater management (PCSM) best management practices (BMPs) on projects that require a permit pursuant to 25 Pa Code Chapter 102.  The attachment is a sample of how PennDOT will document O&M in the PCSM Plan.  Documentation includes a standard note in the Long-Term O&M section of PCSM Module 2, a narrative of O&M requirements for the project-specific PCSM BMPs, and a standard note for the PCSM Plan drawings.  PA DEP has determined that this approach satisfies 25 Pa. Code § 102.8(f)(10) requirements and is consistent with the current NPDES permit instructions for PCSM Plans.

While we have worked with them to develop a more standardized process, it is not a blanket approval.  Reviewers will still need to review the specific O&M proposed for the project and ensure it meets the regulations.  Also, please note that PennDOT utilizes the term ‘Stormwater Control Measures’ (SCMs), which is the same as PCSM BMPs that are referenced in 25 Pa Code Chapter 102.

If you have any questions, please let Nate Crawford or me know.

Thank you,

Tiffany Landis, P.E. |  Transportation Coordinator
Department of Environmental Protection | Regional Permit Coordination Office

Updates from October 2021

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

DEP PCSM Spreadsheet was updated to Version 1.9 as of October 2021:

"1) Modified dropdown list for Infiltration Period (Volume Worksheet, Structural BMP Volume Credits table) to eliminate hours 1-11 (i.e., the minimum Infiltration Period must be 12 hours).  

2) Updated median outflow concentrations (MOCs) for structural BMPs based on the latest analysis of literature data."

As a reminder, the DEP PCSM Spreadsheet Instructions states: "In general, DEP/CCD will accept older versions of the spreadsheet no more than 6 months following the revision date of the spreadsheet. DEP/CCD also reserves the right to request completion of the latest version of the spreadsheet for any project."

Here is an independent analysis of how the MOCs changed. The lower the MOC, the better the water quality treatment. Therefore, if the MOC was reduced, the new value is green, and if the MOC was increased, the new value is red. 

BMP	TSS MOC (mg/L)	TP MOC (mg/L)	TN MOC (mg/L)
Porous Pavement w/Infiltration Bed	26 22	0.11 0.1	1.19 2.38
Infiltration Basin	10	0.24	1.04 0.96
Infiltration Bed	24.3 22	0.19 0.1	1.19 2.38
Infiltration Trench	24.3 22	0.19 0.1	1.19 2.38
Rain Garden / Bioretention	10	0.24	1.04 0.96
Dry Well / Seepage Pit	24.3 22	0.19 0.1	1.19 2.38
Constructed Filter	9	0.09	1.05
Vegetated Swale	24 13.7	0.2 0.18	0.85 0.63
Vegetated Filter Strip	19 23	0.17 0.23	1.13 1.27
Infiltration Berm & Retentive Grading	24 10	0.2 0.24	0.85 0.96
Vegetated Roof	19 23	0.17 0.23	1.13 1.27
Capture and Reuse	N/A	N/A	N/A
Constructed Wetland	12 14	0.1 0.12	1.31 1.37
Wet Pond / Retention Basin	11.7 12	0.09 0.12	1.2
Dry Extended Detention Basin	24.3 22	0.19	1.19 1.22
Water Quality Filters & Hydrodynamic Devices	9 39	0.09 0.18	1.05 2.21
Floodplain Restoration	10 24	0.24 0.18	1.04 1.45
Soil Amendment	19 23	0.17 0.23	1.13 1.27
Riparian Buffer	10 23	0.24 0.23	1.04 1.27

DEP PCSM Spreadsheet Instructions was updated as of October 18, 2021:

"Modified the description for Infiltration Period (Volume Worksheet, Structural BMP Volume Credits table) and NOTE 33 to reflect a change in the PCSM Spreadsheet that a minimum of 12 hours must be selected to represent infiltration that is occurring during a storm event. In addition, the PCSM Spreadsheet has been modified to include updates to Median Outflow Concentrations (MOCs) for structural BMPs based on the latest analysis of literature data."

Alternative E&S and PCSM BMPs was updated to Version 2.1 on October 26, 2021:

"Added Trenchless Curved Silt Fence as an approved alternative E&S BMP"

Updates from September 2021

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

Alternative E&S and PCSM BMPs was updated to Version 2.0 on September 16, 2021:

"Added corn stover as a partial filler material in filter sock and rice hulls as a primary filler in filter socks as approved alternative E&S BMPs."

Updates from August 2021

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

DEP PCSM Spreadsheet Instructions was updated on 8/17/2021:

"Added clarification in the instructions for the Volume Worksheet, Structural BMP Volume Credits, Media Depth, to assist users in properly reporting media depth when underdrains will be installed."

PAG-02 General Permit and Individual NPDES Permit FAQ was updated to Version 1.5 as of 8/23/2021:

"Added new FAQ #11 (relating to ABACT BMPs)."

ePermit User Guide was updated to Version 1.3 as of 8/17/2021

"Incorporated information on the completion of an E&S Permit application in the ePermit System."

The following ePermit forms were updated as of 8/27/2021:

Applicant_Certification.doc

Co-Applicant_Certification.doc

Updates from July 2021

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

Managed Release Concept FAQ was updated to Version 1.4 as of July 9, 2021:

"Added FAQs #38 [relating to separating IWS and storage components] and #39 [relating to a design with sloped bottom]."

EFA User's Guide was updated to Version 1.3 as of July 9, 2021:

"Clarified that the Consultant for Individual Role is now acceptable"

Montgomery County Conservation District revised their NPDES permit application submission format as of August 1, 2021:

"To better manage our resources and serve the development community, MCCD has revised our NPDES permit application submission format. As of 8/1/21, one complete electronic copy in pdf format of all submission documents and only one paper copy is now required. This applies to both NDPES general and individual permit applications. The application will be considered officially received and processed when the paper copy with any applicable fees is received.  

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Jessica Buck

District Manager
Montgomery County Conservation District

Updates from June 2021

(Source: E&S Resources Library on PADEP Website)

DEP PCSM Spreadsheet Instructions was updated on June 9, 2021:

"Added NOTE 36 to clarify that the volume associated with void spaces cannot be included in the calculation of Storage Volume below the bottom of the BMP (i.e., infiltration interface with the in-situ soil) and the Infiltration Rate entered for the BMP should be associated with the elevation of the BMP bottom."

E&S FAQ was updated to Version 1.1 as of June 15, 2021:

"Added new FAQs #19 (relating to topsoil), and #22 – #36 (relating to E&S BMPs). Revised existing FAQ #15 and renumbered #19 to #20, replacing #20."

EFA User's Guide was updated to Version 1.2 as of June 7, 2021:

"Added new GreenPort screenshots and removed EFA Signature requirements."