Montana DEQ > Water > StormWater

Stormwater Permits

Stormwater is rain and snow melt that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, highways, and parking lots and that does not percolate into the soil. As water runs off these surfaces, it carries pollutants such as sediment, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, trash, animal waste and a variety of other pollutants that can negatively impact water quality. DEQ regulates discharges of stormwater from construction activity, industrial activity and from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) primarily through three Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) General permits.

Apply or Renew Online - FACTS

Stormwater Construction

An authorization under the General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity is required for construction activities that include clearing, excavating, grading, grubbing, or placement/removal of earth material with a total area of one or more acres.

Stormwater Construction General Permit

An owner or operator of a stormwater discharge associated with construction activity is required to obtain authorization under the MPDES General Permit. An owner or operator is a person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises a point source must obtain the permit. To apply for an authorization under the General Permit submit a complete Notice of Intent Application Package to DEQ through either DEQ’s e-permitting system (FACTS) or by mail before the proposed construction start date.

General Permits

Construction Activity:

2018 General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity

Notice of Intent
- Instructions for completing NOI
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) addressing all requested items in the General Permit
Sage Grouse Program Consultation - for projects located in Sage Grouse Habitat
Application fees below are based on the total acres of disturbed land

Category	New Permit Fee (amount includes initial annual fee)	Renewal Fee
1-5 acres	$900	$900
More than 5 acres, up to 10 acres	$1000	$1000
More than 10 acres, up to 25 acres	$1200	$1200
More than 25 acres, up to 100 acres	$2000	$2000
More than 100 acres	$3500	$3500

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

The Construction Stormwater General Permit requires SWPPP administrators and SWPPP preparers to maintain a valid certification. DEQ has a list of approved providers who provide can provide training and certification to meet these requirements. For SWPPP Training Information visit the Water Quality Division Public Information Center

Rainfall Erosivity Waiver

Small construction sites under 5 acres of disturbance may qualify for Rainfall Erosivity Waivers depending on size, location, and duration of construction. A Rainfall Erosivity Waiver waives the requirement for coverage under the construction storm water general permit, but does not eliminate the requirement to implement appropriate erosion and sediment controls or allow for the violation of water quality standards.

To be eligible for the Waiver, projects must begin construction after March 30th, achieve final stabilization before November 30th, and have a rainfall erosivity factor of less than 5. The rainfall erosivity factor may be calculated using the method outlined in the instruction form, or through the EPA online calculator.

Stormwater Construction waiver fee = $400

Transfer or Terminate Stormwater Construction Permit

Transfer a permit:

Permit transfers to a different owner or operator are performed by submittal of a complete “Permit Transfer Notification” (PTN) form and fee if applicable.

PTN-SWC Form - Permit Transfer Notification (PTN) for Stormwater Construction

Terminate Permit Coverage:

Once a project reaches final stabilization, and meets the additional termination requirements listed in the general permit, permittees can submit a “Notice of Termination” (NOT) form to terminate permit coverage.

Form NOT-SWC - Notice of Termination (NOT) for Stormwater Construction
Instructions for Form NOT-SWC - Notice of Termination (NOT) for Stormwater Construction

Effective / Terminated MPDES Stormwater Construction Permit Authorizations

Environmental Assessments and Fact Sheets

Industrial

An authorization under the Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Stormwater Discharges (MSGP) is required for a wide range of industrial facilities, based upon the standard industrial classification code of the facility.

Stormwater Industrial General Permit

To apply for an authorization under the General Permit submit a complete Notice of Intent application package to DEQ through either DEQ’s e-permitting system (FACTS) or by submitting the forms and attachments by mail.

Stormwater Industrial General Permit:

2018-2023 Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity

Notice of Intent Form
Sage Grouse Program Consulatation - for projects located in Sage Grouse Habitat

Permit Application Fees for Stormwater Industrial General Permit:

Category	New Permit Fee (amount includes initial annual fee)	Renewal Fee
Small - 5 acres or less	$1500	$1200
Medium - more than 5 acres, up to 20 acre	$1800	$1500
Large - more than 20 acres	$2000	$1800

Transfer or Terminate a Permit and Industrial Annual Report Form

Transfer a permit:

Permit transfers to a different owner or operator are performed by submittal of a complete “Permit Transfer Notification” (PTN) form and fee if applicable.

Form PTN-SWI - Permit Transfer Notification (PTN) for Industrial Storm Water

Terminate Permit Coverage:

Facilities which cease operation, no longer discharge to state surface waters, and meet any additional termination requirements in the MSGP can apply for termination of permit coverage by submitting a “Notice of Termination” (NOT) form to terminate permit coverage.

Form NOT-SWI, Notice of Termination (NOT) for Industrial Stormwater

Industrial Annual Report Form

This form is to be completed yearly by all permittees authorized to discharge stormwater under the General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity as required by the permit.

No Exposure Certification for the Discharge of Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity

Industrial facilities that are required to obtain permit coverage under the MSGP may be excluded from those requirements if they can demonstrate and certify that all industrial materials and processes are protected by a storm-resistant shelter from rain, snowmelt, and runoff. An Industrial No-Exposure certification must be recertified every five years.

Industrial No Exposure Certification Form

Category	New Permit Fee (includes initial annual fee)	Renewal Free
No exposure fee - required once every 5 years	$500	$300

Environmental Assessments and Fact Sheets

MS4

General Permit

2017 General Permit for Stormwater Discharge Associated with Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
2017 Reapplication Form: To be used by Small MS4 permittees continuing authorizations under the 2015 MS4 General Permit. A renewal application package includes the reapplication form, a stormwater management program, and renewal permit fee.
2017 Application Form: To be used by small MS4 permittees not currently authorized under the 2015 General Permit and seeking authorization under the 2017 General Permit. An application package includes the application form, a stormwater management program, and new permit fee.

MS4 Permit Fees

Category	New Permit Fee (amount includes initial annual fee)	Renewal Fee
Traditional MS4 system: Population greater than 50,000 Population 10,000 to 50,000 Population less than 10,000	$10,000 $8,000 $6,000	$7000 $6,000 $5,000
County MS4 permit	$5,000	$4,000
Non-traditional MS4 permit	$3,000	$2,000

Environmental Assessments and Fact Sheets

Construction:

Industrial:

MS4:

Contacts

For questions on Construction Stormwater NOIs, Transfers and Terminations, contact Abbie Ebert: 444-0574

For all other Stormwater questions or Technical Assistance, contact the Water Protection Bureau: 444-5546

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The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is charged with protecting a clean and healthy environment as guaranteed to our citizens by our State Constitution. Our ultimate goal is to protect public health and to maintain Montana's high quality of life for current and future generations.

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Stormwater Permits

Stormwater Construction

Stormwater Construction General Permit

General Permits

Rainfall Erosivity Waiver

Transfer or Terminate Stormwater Construction Permit

Effective / Terminated MPDES Stormwater Construction Permit Authorizations

Environmental Assessments and Fact Sheets

Industrial

Stormwater Industrial General Permit

Permit Application Fees for Stormwater Industrial General Permit:

Transfer or Terminate a Permit and Industrial Annual Report Form

No Exposure Certification for the Discharge of Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity

Environmental Assessments and Fact Sheets

MS4

General Permit

MS4 Permit Fees

Environmental Assessments and Fact Sheets

Environmental Assessments and Fact Sheets

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