Proposed 2020 MSGP

Cost Impact Analysis

Cost Impact Analysis
for the

Proposed 2020 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP)

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Cost Impact Analysis

I. CONTENTS

I.	CONTENTS	2

II.	EXECUTIVE SUMMARY	3

III.	BACKGROUND	7

IV.	2015 MSGP	8

V.	COST IMPLICATIONS OF KEY PROPOSED PERMIT CHANGES	8

Total Incremental Cost to Comply with the 2020 MSGP	8

Assumptions and Limitations	8

A.	Streamlining of Permit	10

B.	Eligibility	10

1.	Coal Tar Sealants	10

2.	CERCLA eligibility provision	11

C.	Getting MSGP Authorization	13

1.	Permit Authorization Relating to Enforcement	13

2.	Public signage of permit coverage	13

D.	Control Measures	15

1. Major storm planning	15

E.	Monitoring	18

1.	Discharges to Impaired Waters without an EPA-Approved or Established TMDL	18

2.	Additional Implementation Measures	22

3.	Adding New Sector Specific Benchmarks for Sectors I, P and R, and for PAHs	34

4.	Universal Benchmark Monitoring Applicable to All Sectors	42

5.	Inspection-only option in lieu of benchmark monitoring	49

6.	Require lab results in DMR	52

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Cost Impact Analysis

II

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Total Incremental Cost

The Proposed 2020 MSGP economic analysis evaluates the incremental cost implications of the
proposed permit changes as compared to the 2015 MSGP. EPA examined each proposed
change in the 2020 MSGP considering the current permit's (i.e., the 2015 MSGP) requirements.
The objective of this examination is to show where or to what extent the proposed 2020 MSGP
requirements impose an incremental increase in costs on operators in relation to costs that are
already accounted for in the 2015 MSGP.

The approximate incremental cost (above the 2015 MSGP) to comply with proposed 2020
MSGP:

•	§5.6 million for 2,400 facilities over the 5-year permit term

•	§2,363 per facility over the 5-year permit term

o $5.6 million total incremental cost accounts for the cost of some proposed
requirements that do not apply to all facilities; different facilities will have
different compliance costs therefore an average cost per facility is not
necessarily reflective of total cost. The total incremental cost was averaged
over 2,400 facilities to obtain a per facility cost of $2,363.

o Although $5.6 million total incremental cost does not account for some

proposed requirements that require site-specific controls and can only be
calculated per unit cost, EPA expects many facilities will have already
implemented controls under the previous permit to comply with some new
requirements and that some controls can satisfy multiple requirements.
Therefore, it is possible total costs may be lower, depending on which
controls the operator has at their facility.

Key Assumptions on Cost

•	Estimating costs for a general permit depends on a number of input factors.

Estimating the cost of several proposed permit requirements is challenging and
therefore is not included in total cost (see summary table of costs on Page 4 for
an outline of which proposed requirements were calculated in total costs and
which were not). The MSGP is a general permit and covers a wide variety of
activities across the 29 different sectors in a range of climates and geographic
regions. The general permit structure also precludes EPA from knowing exactly
where and what type of facilities will be covered under the general permit
ahead of permit issuance. Variables such as industrial activity and sector, facility
and operations size, precipitation pattern, climate, existing stormwater control
measures, and variable labor and material costs across the country may impact
the overall total compliance cost of the MSGP significantly. These factors make
many of the proposed requirements highly location-specific making it difficult to
develop a unique global assumption for all facilities that may be covered under
this permit while conducting a cost analysis. In addition, EPA does not currently
collect data on number of employees or annual receipts of entities that may
seek coverage under the MSGP, and therefore estimating impacts on small
entities is not possible.

•	Not all proposed requirements apply to all facilities all of the time. For example,
the total incremental cost estimate includes the cost of adding new benchmark
monitoring requirements for only the first year for certain sectors with a relatively
few number of facilities. These nuances for each proposed permit requirement
are not necessarily clear in an average incremental cost estimate.

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•	The number of discharge points and pollutants varies greatly between facilities.

EPA assumes an average of 2.4 discharge points per facility based on analysis of
2015 MSGP NOI data, noting that currently permitted facilities have a broad
range of discharge points, from as few as 1 to as many as 66.

•	EPA presents all costs in June 2019 dollars. EPA developed sampling costs by
updating 2015 sampling costs adjusting for inflation factors. Sampling costs
include the cost of sampling materials such as containers, coolers, and packing
materials but do not include shipping costs to laboratories and any discounts.

When calculating industrial facility private sector labor costs, EPA assumed the
average hourly rate of $34.49.

•	Not all items considered in this cost analysis are included in the proposed permit. From
the recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC) National Academies of
Sciences (NAS) 2019 report on industrial stormwater, EPA considered two
recommendations from the study in this cost analysis that are not included in the
proposed permit and thus not included in total cost estimate. Based on the results of this
cost analysis, no additional monitoring for PAHs is being proposal at this time, but EPA
may consider additional monitoring in the final permit if it receives sufficient information
during the comment period to develop an appropriate benchmark threshold. Similarly,
the results of this cost analysis show that the inspection-only option in lieu of propose
universal benchmark monitoring is not a viable alternative. EPA may consider this option
in the final permit if it receives enough information during the comment period on other
third-party professional certifications in industrial stormwater inspections.

•	This cost analysis does not account for impacts on operators permitted under state-
issued MSGPs. NPDES-authorized states are not required to conform or match their
industrial stormwater permits to EPA's MSGP. However, EPA recognizes that many states
use EPA's MSGP as a model for their own permits. EPA's analysis of state MSGPs indicates
that approximately 30% of state permits are substantially similar to EPA's MSGP;
approximately 47% are somewhat similar; and approximately 22% are substantially
different. To the extent a given state decides to propose their next MSGP to mirror any
changes proposed in EPA's MSGP, those state permittees would likely incur similar
incremental costs detailed in this analysis.

Summary Table of Costs

The two items that are grayed-out in this chart were considered in this cost analysis but
are not being proposed in the permit and therefore are not included in total cost
estimate.

Topic

Number of

facilities

affected

Averaae cost:
Per facility for 5-
year permit
term

Total cost:
All applicable
facilities for 5-
year permit term

Rationale/Assumptions
summary

Permit

authorization
relating to
enforcement:

Additional time for
EPA to review NOI
for facilities with a
pending

Unknown at
this time,
data not
currently
collected

N/A

N/A

The new language does
not add a new
requirement for the
operator but clarifies that
there will be an additional
permit authorization wait
time for certain operators.

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Topic

Number of

facilities

affected

Averaae cost:
Per facility for 5-
year permit
term

Total cost:
All applicable
facilities for 5-
year permit term

Rationale/Assumptions
summary

enforcement
action









CERCLA eligibility
requirement:

Expand existing
CERCLA eligibility
criterion to all
Regions

103

Unknown,
expect facilities
will have
already
implemented
controls for
existing

requirements to
comply

Unknown, expect
facilities will have
already
implemented
controls for
existing

requirements to
comply

Unable to estimate total
cost given the controls are
highly site-specific and
dependent on pollutants of
concern. Based on 2015
MSGP NOI data, estimate
that 4% of facilities, or 103
facilities total, may be
affected.

Eligibility relating to
use of Coal Tar
Sealants (CTS):

Add new eligibility
criterion related to
CTS use

Unknown at
this time,
data not
currently
collected

Unknown at this
time, data on
use of CTS not
currently
collected

Unknown at this
time, data on use
of CTS not
currently
collected

Comparable costs (~$10
difference for 2.5ft3)
among similar products,
assume that most facilities
who intend to use coal-tar
sealcoat will find a product
alternative at reasonable
cost difference.

Additional
Implementation
Measures (AIM):

Flexible, tiered
response protocol
based on the
nature and
magnitude of
triggering events
(e.g., benchmark
exceedances)

Unknown at
this time,
data on
specific
proposed
triggering
events not
currently
collected

Unknown, costs
vary depending
on controls, but
expect facilities
will have
already
implemented
controls for
existing

requirements to
comply

Unknown, costs
vary depending
on controls, but
expect facilities
will have already
implemented
controls for
existing

requirements to
comply

Unable to estimate total
cost because the
information on the
prevalence of the
proposed triggering events
among currently permitted
facilities is not captured by
any current reporting
requirement under the 2015
MSGP and cost per control
varies widely.

AIM Tier 1 & 2 - Assume
negligible cost. Responses
are substantially similar to
those requirements in 2015
MSGP.

AIM Tier 3 - Estimated unit
cost of various controls
operator can elect to
implement (detailed in full
economic analysis).

Impaired waters
monitoring
language: Option
to discontinue
impaired waters
monitoring based
on compliance
success after 3
years and narrow
list of monitoring
parameters

912

$121

(cost likely
lower; does not
account for the
decrease in
cost from the
narrowing of
the list of
pollutants since
the list varies
per facilities)

$110,350

Under the 2015 MSGP 912
facilities subject to
impaired waters
monitoring. Proposed for 2
more samples @ $25.28
sampling cost, with 2.4
average discharge points.

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Topic

Number of

facilities

affected

Averaae cost:
Per facility for 5-
year permit
term

Total cost:
All applicable
facilities for 5-
year permit term

Rationale/Assumptions
summary

Universal
benchmark
monitoring: All

facilities conduct
universal
benchmark
monitoring for pH,
TSS, and COD

2,194

$2,100
(cost varies
from $415 to
$2,570,
depends on
which
parameters
facility already
monitors for)

$4,607,400

Under the 2015 MSGP,
many facilities currently
monitor for at least one of
the three parameters. 2,194
facilities would have some
increase in cost,
depending on which
parameters were added,
for 4 samples/year, for 5
years, with 2.4 average
discharge points.

Allow inspection-
onlv option for low-
risk facilities: Allow
inspection-only in
lieu of industry
wide monitoring

436

$16,470

$7,180,920

436 facilities eligible for 2
professional inspections/site
reviews, completed by a PE
for 46 hours @ $179.04/hour.
Using these parameters,
costs may be prohibitive for
this alternative to be viable.
EPA requests comment on
other criteria for this option,
see Fact Sheet Part 4.2.1.1.

Add new
benchmarks for
certain sectors:

Add new
benchmarks for 3
sectors and solicit
comment on PAH
benchmarks

29

Sector
1

$1,190

$34,510

6 new parameters

426

Sector
P

$600

$255,600

3 new parameters

77

Sector
R

$1,040

$80,080

6 new parameters

1,116

PAH

$280-
$2,090

$312,480-
$2,332,440

3 options: all PAHs, total
PAHs, or COD as a
surrogate for 1,116 facilities
with subsectors with PAH
loading of 1 kg/yr or
greater. COD is the
cheapest option as a
surrogate, and it is already
being proposed under
universal benchmark
monitoring.

Update certain
benchmark values:

Update some
benchmark values
based on EPA WQ
criteria and
suspend others

Selenium - 61
Arsenic - 66
Aluminium -
516

Cadmium -
61

(likely
overlap)

N/A

N/A

Benchmark parameters are
in the current permit and
the proposal would just
update the values, assume
no additional cost. Note
some cost savings if some
benchmarks are
suspended.

Composite
sampling: Option
to use composite
sampling instead
of grab sampling

Unknown
how many
will elect to
use

composite
sampling

N/A

N/A

Because composite
sampling is optional, this
cost is not included in total
cost.

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Topic

Number of

facilities

affected

Averaae cost:
Per facility for 5-
year permit
term

Total cost:
All applicable
facilities for 5-
year permit term

Rationale/Assumptions
summary

Public signage of
permit coverage:

Facilities post a
public sign with
facility information
and how to obtain
the SWPPP.

2,400

$190

$456,000

2,400 facilities throughout
the permit term that EPA
expects to seek coverage
under the 2020 MSGP

Major storm risk
planning: Facilities
should consider
implementing
enhanced
measures to
mitigate asset and
community
impacts from
major natural
disasters.

Unknown
how many
will elect to
implement
additional
controls

Unknown,
depends on
what controls
are chosen;
can estimate
on per unit cost
per control

Unknown,
depends on what
controls are
chosen; can
estimate on per
unit cost per
control

Only a consideration of
controls is proposed to be
required and where
controls are appropriate is
up to the operator.
Estimated unit cost to
implement each
enhanced control measure
suggested in the permit.

Total Quantifiable
Costs



$2,363 per
facility
incremental
cost over 5-year
permit term
(~$5.6 million
averaged over
2,400 facilities)

~$5.6 million total
incremental cost
over the 5-year
permit term



III. BACKGROUND

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this draft economic analysis as part
of the administrative record in support of the proposed 2020 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP).
This analysis evaluates the cost implications of the significant proposed changes to the 2020
MSGP as compared to the 2015 MSGP. EPA examined each significant proposed change in the
2020 MSGP considering the current permit's (i.e., the 2015 MSGP) requirements. The objective of
this examination is to show where or to what extent the proposed 2020 MSGP requirements
impose an incremental increase (or decrease) in costs on operators in relation to costs that are
already accounted for in the 2015 MSGP. The 2015 MSGP costs define the baseline of costs to
which operators are currently subject.

Since 1995, EPA has issued a series of MSGPs that cover areas where EPA is the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting authority. At present, EPA is the permitting
authority in four states (Idaho1, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New Mexico), the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, all other U.S. territories with the exception of the Virgin Islands, federal
facilities in four states (Colorado, Delaware, Vermont, and Washington), most Indian lands and
for other specifically designated activities in specific states (e.g., oil and gas activities in Texas
and Oklahoma). See Appendix C of the permit for a complete list of areas where EPA's MSGP

1 Idaho is currently a NPDES authority. However, authority for stormwater general permits does not transfer
until July 1, 2021.

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applies. The 2015 MSGP, became effective on June 4, 2015 (see 80FR 34403), and will expire on
June 4, 2020. The 2020 MSGP will replace the 2015 MSGP, when finalized.

Below are summaries of the requirements in the 2015 permit and the proposed requirements in
the 2020 MSGP.

IV.	2015 MSGP

The 2015 MSGP requires industrial facilities in 29 different industrial sectors to implement control
measures to meet the effluent limits in the permit and develop a site-specific Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The 2015 MSGP includes a thirtieth sector, which grants EPA
the authority to require permit coverage for industrial stormwater discharges not included in the
other 29 industrial sectors. In addition to implementing control measures and developing a
SWPPP, the 2015 MSGP also requires operators to preform inspections; conduct various types of
monitoring, including effluent limit monitoring, impaired waters monitoring, and benchmark
monitoring; preform corrective actions, and comply with other sector-specific requirements. EPA
reorganized the 2015 MSGP from the 2008 MSGP to more clearly distinguish effluent limitations
from SWPPP documentation requirements. The 2015 MSGP also more clearly distinguished
between technology-based and water quality-based effluent limits. The 2015 MSGP currently covers
approximately 2,400 facilities.

V.	COST IMPLICATIONS OF KEY PROPOSED PERMIT CHANGES

Total Incremental Cost to Comply with the 2020 MSGP

This analysis demonstrates that the new proposed requirements in the proposed 2020 MSGP will
conservatively have an approximate average incremental cost (compared to the 2015 MSGP)
of:

•	$472.75 per facility per year; or

•	$2,363.74 per facility over the 5-year permit term; or

•	$5,672,983 for all 2,400 facilities over the 5-year permit term to comply with new
requirements.

Assumptions and Limitations

EPA estimated the cost of certain proposed 2020 MSGP requirements as unit cost instead of total
cost, which are not included in the overall incremental cost of $2,363 per facility over the 5-year
permit term. EPA conducted generic assessments of economic impacts for some requirements
predominantly due to data unavailability and the site-specific nature of the proposed changes.
The MSGP is a national general permit and covers a wide variety of activities across the 29
different sectors in a range of climates and geographic regions across the United States. The
nature of the general permit also presents challenges for an accurate cost estimate since EPA
issues the permit first then receives Notices of Intent from facilities seeking coverage under the
permit. This permitting structure precludes EPA from knowing exactly where and what type of
facilities will be covered under the general permit ahead of permit issuance, although the
Agency is aware that many facilities are existing facilities that have been covered under
previous MSGPs. Although some industrial facilities under the MSGP have similar operations and
discharge properties, variables such as industrial activity and sector, facility and operations size,
precipitation pattern, climate, existing stormwater control measures, and variable labor and
material costs across the country may impact the overall compliance cost significantly. These

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factors make many of the proposed requirements highly location-specific making it difficult to
make a unique global assumption for all facilities that may be covered under this permit while
conducting a cost analysis. In addition, EPA does not currently collect data on number of
employees or annual receipts of entities that may seek coverage under the MSGP, and
therefore estimating impacts on small entities is not possible.

For example, under the proposed Additional Implementation Measures (AIM) specified in part
E.2, facilities would be subject to tiered responses based on benchmark exceedance events.
EPA was unable to estimate the "total cost" associated with tiered responses because the
information on the prevalence of the proposed triggering events among currently permitted
facilities is not captured by any current reporting requirement under the 2015 MSGP. Therefore,
EPA assessed the unit cost of each proposed requirement, ensuring facilities have a general cost
estimate for each measure that could be used to comply with the proposed requirement and to
calculate the estimated total cost in the future (please see section specific discussion in part E of
this report).

EPA assumes an average of 2.4 discharge points per facility based on analysis of 2015 MSGP NOI
data, noting that currently permitted facilities have a broad range of the number of discharge
points, from as few as 1 to as many as 66.

EPA presents all costs are in June 2019 dollars. EPA developed sampling costs by updating 2015
sampling costs (Tetra Tech, 2015) and adjusting for inflation factors. Sampling costs include the
cost of sampling materials such as containers, coolers, and packing materials but do not include
shipping costs to laboratories and any discounts. When calculating industrial facility private
sector labor costs, EPA assumed the average hourly rate of $34.49 (BLS, 2019).

From the recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC) National Academies of
Sciences (NAS) 2019 report on industrial stormwater, EPA considered two recommendations from
the study in this cost analysis that are not included in the proposed permit and thus not included
in total cost estimate. After conducting a cost analysis for the 3 options for developing a
benchmark threshold for PAHs, EPA concluded that COD is the most cost-effective option as a
surrogate, and since it is already being proposed under the new universal benchmark
monitoring, no additional monitoring for PAHs is being proposal at this time and therefore costs
for PAH monitoring are not included in the total cost estimate. See Section E.3 of this analysis.
Similarly, EPA considered the inspection-only option in the cost analysis conducted for this
proposed permit using the criteria discussed in Section E.5 of this analysis (i.e., "light
manufacturing" facilities; two inspections per permit term; the inspections conducted by a PE).
Based on the results of this analysis, EPA made a preliminary conclusion that the costs show the
inspection-only option may not be a viable alternative and that benchmark monitoring may be
more cost effective for operators. This is due to the relatively high labor rates of a professional
inspection from a PE as compared to the sampling costs of benchmarking monitoring. EPA notes
this is just one approach and requests comment on other approaches the Agency should
evaluate in order to make the inspection-only option an effective alternative for low-risk facilities.
See Part 4.2.1.1 of the Fact Sheet for this proposed permit for more background this request for
comment.

Finally, EPA notes that this cost analysis does not account for impacts on operators permitted
under state-issued MSGPs. NPDES-authorized states are not required to conform or match their
industrial stormwater permits to EPA's MSGP. However, EPA recognizes that many states use
EPA's MSGP as a model for their own permits. EPA's analysis of state MSGPs indicates that
approximately 30% of state permits are substantially similar to EPA's MSGP; approximately 47%

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are somewhat similar; and approximately 22% are substantially different. To the extent a given
state decide to propose their next MSGP to mirror any changes proposed in EPA's MSGP, those
state permittees would likely incur similar incremental costs detailed in this analysis.

A.	Streamlining of Permit

For the proposed 2020 MSGP, EPA streamlined and simplified the permit language to present the
requirements in a generally more clear and readable manner. This structure should enhance
operators' understanding of and compliance with the permit's requirements. For example, EPA
moved language that was not necessary for the permit into the relevant appendix or to the fact
sheet. EPA improved the permit language by simplifying text and took an organizational
approach to re-order permit sections. The anticipated outcome of this approach is to improve
permit readability, help operators better understand and comply with the permit's requirements,
and reduce time and cost associated with understanding the permit's requirements.

Cost Impact

EPA assumes no additional cost or burden from permit streamlining. The new proposed structure
improved permit clarity and readability and should result in a slight reduction in burden as
operators can more quickly read and understand the requirements.

B.	Eligibility

1. Coal Tar Sealants
Proposed Permit Change

EPA proposes to include an eligibility criterion that would apply to operators who will use coal-tar
sealcoat. To be eligible for coverage under the proposed 2020 MSGP, operators must not have
any stormwater discharges from paved surfaces that will be sealed or re-sealed with coal-tar
sealcoat where industrial activities are located.

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

No equivalent
requirement

Permit

To be eligible for coverage under this permit, you must not have any
stormwater discharges from paved surfaces that will be initially
sealed or re-sealed with coal-tar sealcoat where industrial activities
are located during your coverage under this permit. EPA may
authorize your coverage under this permit if you eliminate such
discharge or EPA will notify you that an individual permit application
is necessary per Part 1.3.7.

Notice of Intent (NOD

Will you, during the term of this permit, use coal-tar sealcoat on
paved surfaces where industrial activities are located? DYes ~ No

Cost Impact Discussion

The coal tar sealant requirement specified above is a new requirement for the proposed 2020
MSGP.

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To be eligible under the proposed 2020 MSGP, the operator must not have any stormwater
discharges from paved surfaces that will be sealed or re-sealed with coal-tar sealcoat where
industrial activities are located. At present, EPA does not have information on the universe of
facilities that are currently using a coal-tar sealcoat on paved surfaces associated with industrial
activities. EPA assumes there might be some cost burden to facilities associated with the
identification process of such locations. To determine the cost, EPA assumed operators need on
average 2 hours to identify locations they intend to pave with coal-tar sealcoat and assess
appropriate control measures to eliminate discharges from those surfaces. The overall process
will incur a cost of $68.98 (considering $34.49 hourly labor rate for private industry sector workers,
BLS 2019) on average per site.

One of the many alternatives of using coal-tar sealcoat is to substitute the product with an
asphalt-based sealant or acrylic sealant. Unlike coal-tar sealcoat (see proposed MSGP Fact
Sheet discussion Part 1.1.8), asphalt sealant has negligible polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH) levels and is considered significantly less harmful to water quality and the environment
than coal-tar based sealant (USGS, 2019). EPA estimated that an operator using an asphalt-
based sealant on 5 feet by 2 feet with a design thickness of 3 inches (2.5 cubic feet) paved
surface will incur an average cost of $24.30/cubic feet for the application of an asphalt-based
alternative (Needleman, 2016). This is equitable to the cost of using a coal-tar based sealcoat of
approximately $34.02/cubic feet for the same area. Given the comparable costs among
products, EPA assumes that most facilities who intend to use coal-tar sealcoat will be able to find
a product alternative at negligible cost difference. This cost does not account for labor cost as
labor cost widely varies with the dimension of the paved surface and facility-specific location
and other factors. Since the labor cost will be similar for both applications, there will be no
significant economic impact associated with labor cost under the proposed requirement. There
are different alternatives of coal-tar sealcoat available and the price of these alternatives
widely differ based on their characteristics.

Under the 2015 MSGP, there was no condition or provision of eligibility that applied to operators
who planned to use coal-tar sealcoat. In the proposed 2020 MSGP, facilities would be required
to document in their NOI if they will use coal-tar sealant on paved surfaces where industrial
activities are located during the permit term. Therefore, with the addition of this proposed
eligibility criterion, EPA proposes adding a new question on the NOI for operators to indicate if
they will use coal-tar sealant on paved surfaces where industrial activities are located during the
permit term. This new question allows EPA to determine the operator's eligibility for permit
coverage and understand the prevalence of the use of coal-tar sealcoat within the MSGP
permitted universe. EPA assumes no additional cost or burden for the proposed changes to the
NOI form.

2. CERCLA eligibility provision
Proposed Permit Change

The 2015 MSGP requires facilities in EPA Region 10 and Indian country that discharge stormwater
to certain Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
sites (as defined in MSGP Appendix A and listed in MSGP Appendix P) to notify the EPA Regional
Office in advance, and requires the EPA Regional Office to determine whether the facility is
eligible for permit coverage. In determining eligibility for coverage, the EPA Regional Office may
evaluate whether the facility has included appropriate controls and implementation procedures
designed to ensure that the discharge will not lead to recontamination of aquatic media at the
CERCLA Site. In the proposed 2020 MSGP, EPA requests comment on whether this current

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eligibility criterion should be applied in all EPA Regions for facilities that discharge to Federal
CERCLA sites that may be of concern for recontamination from stormwater discharges. EPA is
also interested in information from the public that would assist the Agency in identifying such
sites. EPA also requests comment on requiring such facilities to notify the EPA Regional Office a
minimum of 30 days in advance of submitting the NOI form.

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

For Discharges to a Federal CERCLA Site. If you discharge to a
federal CERCLA Site listed in Appendix P, you are ineligible for
coverage under this permit, unless you notify the EPA Regional
Office in advance and the EPA Regional Office determines that
you are eligible for permit coverage. In determining eligibility for
coverage under this Part, the EPA Regional Office may evaluate
whether you are implementing or plan to implement adequate
controls and/or procedures to ensure that your discharge will not
lead to recontamination of aquatic media at the CERCLA Site such
that your discharge will cause or contribute to an exceedance of a
water quality standard. If it is determined that your facility
discharges to a CERCLA Site listed in Appendix P after you have
obtained coverage under this permit, you must contact the EPA
Regional Office and ensure that you either have implemented or
will implement adequate controls and/or procedures to ensure that
your discharges will not lead to recontamination of aquatic media
at the CERCLA Site such that it will to cause or contribute to an
exceedance of a water quality standard.

No changes to permit
language besides the
following "and/or
procedures to ensure
that your discharges will
not lead to
recontamination of
aquatic media at the
CERCLA Site such that it
will not meet an
applicable water
quality standard;
possible additional sites
listed in Appendix P.

Cost Impact Discussion

Under the 2015 MSGP, EPA limited the applicability of this eligibility criterion to specific CERCLA
clean-up sites only in EPA Region 10 (see Appendix P) based on sites most likely to experience
contamination/recontamination from stormwater discharges introduced/reintroduced into
these sites and subsequent receiving waters. Because of the very limited list of CERCLA sites
currently in Appendix P that EPA identified for the 2015 MSGP, EPA expected that very few MSGP
facilities would be affected by the requirement. Expected costs to operators discharging
stormwater to these CERCLA sites were not quantifiable with information available at the time.
EPA evaluated 2015 MSGP NOI data and found that only 12 facilities have been subject to this
requirement in the current permit. All facilities were able to get coverage under the MSGP, and
only one facility was required to do additional monitoring.

Under the proposed 2020 MSGP, EPA requests comment on whether this current eligibility
criterion applicable to EPA Region 10 should be applied in all EPA Regions for facilities that
discharge to Federal CERCLA sites that may be of concern for contamination/recontamination
from stormwater discharges. If new sites are added to Appendix P and an operator discharges
to one of those sites, there is a probability of potential cost burden for operators to implement
additional controls and/or procedures, if the EPA Region determined planned controls were not
adequate to ensure that discharges will not lead to recontamination of aquatic media at the
CERCLA Site such that the discharge will cause or contribute to an exceedance of a water
quality standard. The controls and their associated implementation costs to meet this eligibility
criterion are highly site-specific and dependent on pollutants of concern. During the 2015 MSGP
reissuance, EPA had no knowledge of the on-site conditions or existence of pollutants of

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concern that could impact the cost of compliance with this provision at the few industrial
facilities possibly affected by this requirement. Due to the variable site-specific nature of the
requirement and the lack of information on which CERCLA sites would be added to Appendix P,
EPA is currently not able to accurately assess the total cost impacts for facilities to meet this
requirement. However, as with the 2015 MSGP, EPA expects very few facilities in each EPA
Region to be impacted. Based on 2015 MSGP NOI data on this current eligibility criterion for
Region 10, EAP estimates that approximately 4% of facilities in each EPA Region, or 103 facilities
total, may be required to meet the requirement.

C. Getting MSGP Authorization
1. Permit Authorization Relating to Enforcement
Proposed Permit Change

EPA proposes to establish a discharge authorization wait period of 60 calendar days after NOI
submission for any operators whose discharges were not previously covered under the 2015
MSGP and who have a pending enforcement action related to stormwater by the EPA, a state,
or a citizen (to include both notices of violation (NOVs) by the EPA or a state and notices of
intent to bring a citizen suit).

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

Cateaorv of Facility

No equivalent category in the 2015 MSGP

Discharae Authorization Date

30 days after EPA notifies you that it has received
a complete NOI, unless EPA notifies you that your
authorization has been denied or delayed

Cateaorv of Facility

New or existing facility without 2015 MSGP
coverage that has a pending enforcement
action. Operators of industrial activities whose
discharges were not covered previously under the
2015 MSGP and who have a pending
enforcement action related to stormwater by
EPA, a state, or a citizen (to include both notices
of violation (NOVs) by EPA or a State and notices
of intent to bring a citizen suit).

Discharae Authorization Date

60 calendar days after EPA notifies you that it has
received a complete NOI, unless EPA notifies you
that your authorization has been denied or
delayed.

Cost Impact Discussion

EPA assumes no additional cost for this proposed eligibility criterion. The new language does not
add a new requirement for the operator but simply clarifies that there will be an additional
permit authorization wait time for operators who have a pending enforcement action who were
not previously covered under the 2015 MSGP.

2. Public signage of permit coverage
Proposed Permit Change

EPA proposes to include a requirement that MSGP operators must post a sign of permit
coverage at a safe, publicly accessible location in close proximity to the facility. EPA proposes
that this notice must also include information that informs the public on how to contact EPA if

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stormwater pollution is observed in the discharge. EPA is requesting comment on this proposal
and what information could be included on any sign or other notice.

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

No equivalent
requirement

You must post a sign or other notice of your permit coverage at a
safe, publicly accessible location in close proximity to your facility
and at potentially impacted public access areas. You must use a
font large enough to be readily viewed from a public right-of-way
and conduct periodic maintenance of the sign to ensure that it is
legible, viable, and factually correct. At a minimum, the sign must
include:

•	The NPDES ID (i.e., permit tracking number assigned to your
NOI);

•	A contact name and phone number for obtaining additional
facility information;

•	The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the SWPPP (if available),
or the following statement: " If you would like to obtain a copy
of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for this site,
contact the EPA Regional Office at [include the appropriate
MSGP Regional Office contact information found at
https://www.epa.gov/npdes/contact-us-
stormwater#regional];" and

•	The following statement" If you observe indicators of
stormwater pollutants in the discharge or in the receiving
waterbody, contact the EPA through the following website:
https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations."

Cost Impact Discussion

EPA assumes a one-time production and installation cost and recurring maintenance cost from
the proposed requirement for posting signage at a publicly accessible location. The production
cost of signage depends on multiple factors such as size, materials, location, and type of signs.
Due to EPA's intentional lack of specificity on material or dimension of the signage, costs may
vary widely depending on facilities' choice of size, materials, location, and type of sign.
According to the Department of Transportation, an informative sign should have a font size of at
least 3 inches for an ideal 30 feet readable distance and be sized between 10 by 18 to 42 by 24
inches (USDOT, 2019a, 2019b). EPA's average cost estimate for public signage requirements for
Combined Sewer System permittees is $127.65 to produce and install a sign and $12.45 for
annual maintenance (USEPA, 201 7). For this analysis, EPA assumes these costs are representative
of the cost that industrial facilities may experience while installing and maintaining a similar
signage under the proposed signage requirement of 2020 MSGP. This equates to an incremental

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cost of $37.98 per facility per year, $189.91 per facility per permit term, and $455,792 for all 2,400
facilities throughout the permit term that EPA expects to seek coverage under the 2020 MSGP.

D. Control Measures

1. Major storm planning

Proposed Permit Change

EPA proposes that operators would be required to consider implementing enhanced measures,
such as structural improvements, additional pollution prevention measures, and other mitigation
measures that are complementary to stormwater pollution prevention planning to encourage
industrial site operators to consider the risks to their industrial activities and the potential impact
of pollutant discharges caused by high stormwater flows, extreme flooding conditions, and
major storm events.

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

No equivalent
requirement

Control Measure Selection and Design Considerations. You must
consider the following when selecting and designing control
measures:

•

• Implementing structural improvements, enhanced pollution
prevention measures, and other mitigation measures, to
minimize impacts from stormwater discharges during extreme
flooding conditions, such as the following:
o Reinforce materials storage structures to withstand

flooding and additional exertion of force:
o Prevent floating of semi-stationary structures by
elevating to the Based Flood Elevation (BFE)2 level
or securing with non-corrosive device:
o When a delivery of materials is expected, and a
storm is anticipated within 48 hours, delay delivery
until after the storm or store materials as
appropriate (refer to emergency procedures):
o Temporarily store materials and waste above the
BFE level:

o Temporarily reduce or eliminate outdoor storage:
o Temporarily relocate any mobile vehicles and

equipment to upland areas:
o Develop scenario-based emergency procedures
for major storms that is complementary to regular
stormwater pollution prevention planning and
identify emergency contacts for staff and
contractors: and
o Conduct staff training for implementing your
emergency procedures at regular intervals.

2 Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the computed elevation to which floodwater is anticipated to rise during the
base flood. BFEs are shown on FEMA Flood Maps and on the flood profiles.

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Cost Impact Discussion

This proposed requirement would require the operator to consider implementing enhanced
control measures to minimize impacts from stormwater discharges during extreme flooding
conditions. Because only a consideration of these controls is proposed to be required and EPA
would leave this determination up to the operator where controls are appropriate (e.g., if the
facility was located in a flood zone), EPA estimated a unit cost to implement each enhanced
control measure suggested in the permit. To develop this cost estimate, EPA conducted a
literature review from publicly available literature and provided an approximate cost estimate of
each recommended enhanced control measures.

•	Reinforce materials storage structures to withstand flooding and additional exertion of force:

o Different type of barriers (levees/floodwalls) used to withstand and protect the

storage structure from a flood and floodwaters. For Levees, the cost ranges between
$84 to $240 per linear foot (depending on the levee height). For Floodwalls, the cost
ranges between $130 to $276 per linear foot (FEMA, 2002). These numbers were
generated using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' publication, Flood Proofing - How
to Evaluate Your Options, and updated to June 2019 dollars using inflation factors.

o Steel beams: Walls may be strengthened with steel beams to reinforce the structure
and provide further protection to the structure from a flood and floodwaters. For steel
beams, the average costs of production and installing a steel beam ranges between
$1,021 and $4,646. However, this cost is highly variable and depends on the site
characteristics, raw steel prices, labor cost, type of steel beams, and structural design
(HomeAdvisor, 2019b).

•	Prevention of floating of semi-stationary structures by elevating BFE level or securing with
non-corrosive device:

o Elevating existing BFE may be achieved by: (1) lifting the structure and building a
new, or extending the existing, foundation below it or (2) leaving the structure in
place and either building an elevated floor within the house or adding a new upper
story. A study conducted by the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
estimated the approximate cost of elevating a 2,000 square-foot house's base level
to prevent it from the flood (ASFPM, 2018). Depending on the foundation
characteristics, the cost of building higher than the BFE level was estimated between
$890 and $4,470 per additional foot.

o Anchoring: Non-corrosive anchors might be an excellent option to secure a semi-
stationary structure from floating during a flood event. EPA did not estimate the cost
of the non-corrosive anchor as the selection, and the number of anchors needed to
secure the structure will depend on the type of structure. Many online retailers
recommended one anchor per leg per stationary structure (ShelterLogic, 2010) and
provided a cost of approximately $20 for a set of 4 anchor kit (PGD, 2013).

•	Delayed delivery of products or materials: Facilities may experience extra cost due to the
delayed delivery or materials for major storm events. EPA estimates this cost will be minimal
and may vary significantly with location and carrier.

•	Temporarily store materials and waste above the BFE level: Once a flood event occurs within
the facility boundary, operators may transport and store their materials and wastes at a
temporary location that has an elevated level compared to BFE level. EPA assumed an

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additional cost to store the materials in a temporary space, which includes storage fee,
labor cost, and conveyance cost. The land rental or leasing cost for temporary storage will
vary widely depending on geographic location. EPA estimated that the monthly average
cost of renting commercial land is between $3 to $6 per square foot (LoopNet, 2019). The
cost is estimated based on Louisiana rental (LoopNet, 2019) and did not include labor cost,
which may impact the overall costs associated with this measure.

Temporarily reduce or eliminate outdoor storage: During a flood event, outdoor storage
areas may be reduced by renting indoor storage and temporarily store the materials inside
the desired location. For 20 feet by 20 feet indoor storage unit in New Orleans, LA, the cost is
estimated at $170 per month.

Temporarily relocate any mobile vehicles and equipment to upland areas: The cost should
be similar to the cost of temporary storage described in the "Temporarily store materials and
waste above BFE level" section above.

Develop scenario-based emergency procedures for major storms: EPA expects there to be a
minimal cost for developing a scenario-based emergency procedure for major storms. Per
the requirement of 29 CFR 1910.38, an employer must have an emergency action plan when
an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard requires one. Therefore,
if a facility plans to update their existing emergency action plan to include emergency
procedures for major storm event, the only incurred cost is labor cost associated with
additional time required to update the existing plan.

Conduct staff training for implementing your emergency procedures at regular intervals: EPA

estimates this is a negligible cost for employee training to implement emergency
procedures. This is based on the current requirements of the 2015 MSGP, in which facilities
are already required to conduct employee training on SWPPPs, spill response procedures,
pollution prevention requirements, etc. Including the additional component regarding
emergency procedures during major storm events will incur very minimal cost involving
increased labor.

In summary, Table 2 outlines the summary of cost estimates of enhanced control measures
described in Part D.l.

Table 2: Cost Estimates of Enhanced Control Measures for High Stormwater Flows

Description of
enhanced
measure

Cost (low)

Cost (high)

Unit

Notes

References

Levee

$84

$240

Per linear
foot

Cost varies
with barrier
height above
ground

FEMA, 2002

Floodwall

$130

$276

Per linear
foot

Cost varies
with barrier
height above
ground

FEMA, 2002

Steel Beams

$1,021

$4,646

-

-

HomeAdvisor,
2019b

Building higher
than the BFE
level

$2,345

$7,035

-

For a 2000
square feet

ASFPM, 2018

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Description of
enhanced
measure

Cost (low)

Cost (high)

Unit

Notes

References









house filled
with stem wall



Anchors

-

$20

Set of 4

30" Auger
Anchor Kit Set
of 4

PGD, 2013

Delayed
delivery

-

-

-

-

See

discussion
above

Temporary
storage at a
location with
elevated
ground level

$3

$6

Per square
feet

Monthly

LoopNet

Indoor storage
(eliminating
outdoor
storage)

-

$170

-

Monthly, For 20
feet by 20 feet
storage unit

LoopNet

Development
of emergency
action plan (for
major storm)

-

-

-

Negligible;
Labor cost
specific

See

discussion
above

Staff training

-

-

-

Negligible;
Labor cost
specific

See

discussion
above

The total cost to the affected industrial facilities is a function of the number of facilitates that
implement one of these listed enhanced measures and the cost of specific measures chosen
from the list above. Moreover, the site-specific nature of enhanced measures implementation
complicates the process of determining appropriate measures. EPA clarifies that the cost
estimates for the enhanced measures described above are conservative as they do not
account for site-specific factors (e.g., topography, soil type) that may impact the costs and/or
installation of the recommended enhanced measures.

Moreover, the proposed requirement explicitly says that the recommended enhanced
measures must be considered, but not required. Therefore, EPA assumes that 2020 MSGP facilities
would incur about half of the potential cost burden associated with implementing site-specific
enhanced control measures.

E. Monitoring

1. Discharges to Impaired Waters without an EPA-Approved or Established
TMDL

Proposed Permit Change

The 2015 MSGP requires facilities discharging to impaired waters to monitor once per year for
pollutants for which the waterbody is impaired. Facilities can discontinue if these pollutants are
not detected or not expected in the discharge. EPA proposes to require monitoring only for

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those pollutants that are both causing impairments and associated with the industrial activity
and/or are benchmarks. The proposal specifies that impaired waters monitoring would continue
for three years, at which point it can be discontinued if the pollutants are not detected.

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2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

Discharges to impaired waters without an
EPA-approved or established TMDL:

Beginning in the first full quarter following
September 2, 2015 or your date of discharge
authorization, whichever date comes later,
you must monitor all pollutants for which the
waterbody is impaired and for which a
standard analytical method exists (see 40
CFR Part 136) once per year at each outfall
(except substantially identical outfalls)
discharging stormwater to impaired waters
without an EPA-approved or established
TMDL

If the pollutant of concern for the impaired
waterbody is suspended solids, turbidity or
sediment/sedimentation, you must monitor
for Total Suspended Solids (TSS). If a pollutant
of concern is expressed in the form of an
indicator or surrogate pollutant, you must
monitor for that indicator or surrogate
pollutant. No monitoring is required when a
waterbody's biological communities are
impaired but no pollutant, including indicator
or surrogate pollutants, is specified as
causing the impairment, or when a
waterbody's impairment is related to
hydrologic modifications, impaired
hydrology, or other non-pollutant. Permittees
should consult the appropriate EPA Regional
Office for any available guidance regarding
required monitoring parameters under this
part.

If the pollutant of concern is not detected
and not expected to be present in your
discharge, or it is detected but you have
determined that its presence is caused solely
by natural background sources, you may
discontinue monitoring for that pollutant. To
support a determination that the pollutant's
presence is caused solely by natural
background sources, you must document
and maintain with yourSWPPP, as required
by Part 5.5:

• An explanation of why you believe that the
presence of the pollutant of concern in your
discharge is not related to the activities or
materials at your facility; and

Discharges to impaired waters without an
EPA-approved or established TMDL:

Beginning in the first full quarter following
[date 90 days after permit effective date] or
your date of discharge authorization,
whichever date comes later, you must
monitor once per year at each discharge
point (except substantially identical
discharge points) discharging stormwater to
impaired waters without an EPA-approved or
established TMDL, as follows:

Compare the list of industrial pollutants
identified in Part 5.2.3.2 and any sector-
specific benchmark monitoring pollutants to
the list of pollutants for which the waterbody
is impaired and for which a standard
analytical method exists (see 40 CFR Part
136). You must monitor for pollutants that
appear on both lists, including "indicator" or
"surrogate" pollutants that clearly overlap
those lists. Note: if the pollutant of concern for
the impaired waterbody is suspended solids,
turbidity, or sediment/sedimentation, you
must monitor for Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
If a pollutant of concern is expressed in the
form of an indicator or surrogate pollutant,
you must monitor for that indicator or
surrogate pollutant. No monitoring is required
when a waterbody's biological communities
are impaired but no pollutant, including
indicator or surrogate pollutants, is specified
as causing the impairment, or when a
waterbody's impairment is related to
hydrologic modifications, impaired
hydrology, or other non-pollutant. If you have
questions, you should consult the appropriate
EPA Regional Office for any available
guidance regarding required monitoring
parameters under this part.

If the monitored pollutant is not detected in
your discharge for three consecutive years, or
it is detected, but you have determined that
its presence is caused solely by natural
background sources, you may discontinue
monitoring for that pollutant only after
submitting a change NOI per Part 7.4 with the
appropriate justification . To support a
determination that the pollutant's presence is
caused solely by natural background	

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2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

• Data and/or studies that tie the presence
of the pollutant of concern in your discharge
to natural background sources in the
watershed.

Natural background pollutants include those
that occur naturally as a result of native soils,
and vegetation, wildlife, or ground water.
Natural background pollutants do not
include legacy pollutants from earlier activity
on your site, or pollutants in run-on from
neighboring sources that are not naturally
occurring. However, you may be eligible to
discontinue annual monitoring for pollutants
that occur solely from these sources and
should consult the appropriate EPA Regional
Office for related guidance.

sources, you must document and maintain
with your SWPPP, as required by Part 5.5:

•	An explanation of why you believe that the
presence of the pollutant of concern in your
discharge is not related to the activities or
materials at your facility: and

•	Data and/or studies that tie the presence
of the pollutant of concern in your discharge
to natural background sources in the
watershed.

Natural background pollutants include those
that occur naturally as a result of native soils,
and vegetation, wildlife, or ground water.
Natural background pollutants do not
include legacy pollutants from earlier activity
on your site, or pollutants in run-on from
neighboring sources that are not naturally
occurring. However, you may be eligible to
discontinue annual monitoring for pollutants
that occur solely from these sources and
should consult the appropriate EPA Regional
Office for related guidance.

Cost Impact Discussion

Incremental costs for facilities subject to impaired waters monitoring are due to a change in
frequency of monitoring events under the proposed 2020 MSGP (i.e., a continuation of
monitoring for3 years vs. 1 year). EPA evaluated 2015 MSGP NOI data and concluded that 912
facilities are subject to impaired waters monitoring under the 2015 MSGP. Each of these 912
facilities would be required to monitor industrial pollutants identified in both the impaired water
pollutant list and those parameters which are associated with the industrial activity and/or are
sector-specific benchmark monitoring parameters. Under the proposed 2020 MSGP, these 912 facilities
would be required to monitor 2 additional events over the first 3 years (once per year at each
discharge point) over the permit term. Considering the average sampling cost of $25.28 (Tetra
Tech, 2015, as updated) and the average number of discharge points of 2.4, the additional
monitoring cost for this proposed requirement would be approximately $24.27 per facility per
year, $121.34 per facility over the permit term (considering two additional samples over the
permit term), and $110,649 for all 912 facilities over the permit term. For the purpose of analysis,
EPA assumed that the list of monitored pollutants under the proposed requirement remained the
same from the 2015 MSGP. The table below displays the breakdown of costs by facility and
permit year:

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Table 3: Cost Estimates of Impaired Water Monitoring

Number of
Facilities

Cost per Facility per
year (§June 2019)

Cost per Facility per
Permit Term (§June 2019)

Total Incremental Cost for
all Facilities over the Permit
Term (§June 2019)

912

$24.27

$121.34

$110,649

Total Sampling Cost (§June 2019)

$110,649

Under the 2015 MSGP, facilities that discharge to an impaired water without approved total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs) are required to monitor all pollutants for which the waterbody is
impaired. However, under the proposed 2020 MSGP, operators would be required to monitor
only those parameters that are apparent in both impaired water pollutant list (pollutants for
which the waterbody is impaired) and are associated with the industrial activity and/or are
sector-specific benchmark monitoring parameters. These lists widely vary within sectors and
water bodies, and different operators may require monitoring different sets of parameters.
Therefore, EPA expects the implementation of the requirement to be lower than the above cost
estimate, which does not account for the potential decrease in cost from the proposed
narrowing of the list of pollutants that operators would be required to monitor.

2. Additional Implementation Measures
Proposed Permit Change

The EPA proposes revisions to the 2015 MSGP's provisions regarding benchmark monitoring
exceedances. The corrective action conditions, subsequent action deadlines, and
documentation requirements in proposed Part 5.1 remain unchanged from the 2015 MSGP. In
proposed Part 5.2, the EPA proposes new tiered "additional implementation measures," or AIM,
that are primarily triggered by benchmark monitoring exceedances. There are three AIM levels:
AIM Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Operators would be required to respond to different AIM levels with
increasingly robust control measures depending on the nature and magnitude of the
benchmark threshold exceedance. The EPA proposes to retain exceptions to AIM triggers based
on natural background sources or run-on. The EPA also proposes two other exceptions for a one-
time catastrophic event and for operators who are able to demonstrate that the benchmark
exceedance does not result in any exceedance of applicable water quality standards

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

4.2 Conditions Requiring SWPPP Review
to Determine if Modifications Are
Necessary.

If any of the following conditions occur,
you must review your SWPPP (e.g.,
sources of pollution, spill and leak
procedures, non-stormwater
discharges, selection, design,
installation and implementation of your
control measures) to determine if
modifications are necessary to meet
the effluent limits in this permit:

• Construction or a change in design,
operation, or maintenance at your
facility that significantly changes the
nature of pollutants discharged in

5.2 Additional Implementation Measures (AIM)

If any of the following events in Parts 5.2.1, 5.2.3, or 5.2.3
occur, you must follow the response procedures described in
those parts, called "additional implementation measures" or
"AIM." There are three AIM levels: AIM Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3.
You are required to respond to different AIM levels which
prescribe increasingly robust responses depending on the
nature and magnitude of the benchmark exceedance. See
Part 5.2.4 for AIM exceptions.

5.2.1 AIM Tier 1

5.2.1.1 AIM Tier 1 Triggering Events. If any of the following
events occur, you are in AIM Tier 1. You must follow AIM Tier 1
responses (Part 5.2.1.2) and deadlines (Part 5.2.1.3).
One Annual Average Over the Benchmark Threshold. If one
annual average for a parameter is over the benchmark
threshold, you are in AIM Tier 1. An annual average

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2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

stormwater from your facility, or
significantly increases the quantity of
pollutants discharged.

• The average of four quarterly
sampling results exceeds an applicable
benchmark (see Part 6.2.1.2). If less
than four benchmark samples have
been taken, but the results are such
that an exceedance of the four
quarter average is mathematically
certain (i.e., if the sum of quarterly
sample results to date is more than four
times the benchmark level) this is
considered a benchmark
exceedance, triggering this review.

4.3.1 Immediate Actions.

If corrective action is needed, you
must immediately take all reasonable
steps necessary to minimize or prevent
the discharge of pollutants until a
permanent solution is installed and
made operational, including cleaning
up any contaminated surfaces so that
the material will not discharge in
subsequent storm events.

Note: In this context, the term
"immediately" requires you to, on the
same day a condition requiring
corrective action is found, take all
reasonable steps to minimize or
prevent the discharge of pollutants
until a permanent solution is installed
and made operational. However, if a
problem is identified at a time in the
work day when if is too late to initiate
corrective action, the initiation of
corrective action must begin no later
than the following work day. "All
reasonable steps" means that the
permittee has undertaken initial
actions to assess and address the
condition causing the corrective
action, including, for example,
cleaning up any exposed materials
that may be discharged in a storm
event (e.g., through sweeping,
vacuuming) or making arrangements
(i.e., scheduling) for a new BMP to be
installed at a later date. "All
reasonable steps" for purposes of	

exceedance can occur from the average of four quarterly
samples for a parameter, or from less than four samples with
results such that an exceedance is mathematically certain
(i.e., the sum of quarterly sample results to date is already
more than four times the benchmark threshold).

One Single Sampling Event Over 4 Times the Benchmark
Threshold. If one single sampling event for a parameter is over
4 times the benchmark threshold, you are in AIM Tier 1. (If one
single sampling event is 8 times over the benchmark, you are
in AIM Tier 2).

5.2.1.2 AIM Tier 1 Responses. Except as provided in Part 5.2.4
(AIM Exceptions) if any of the triggering events in Part 5.2.1.1
occur, you must:

Review Stormwater Control Measures. Immediately review the
selection, design, installation, and implementation of your
control measures to determine if modifications are necessary
to meet the benchmark threshold for the applicable
parameter3 and

Implement Additional Measures. After reviewing your control
measures, you must implement additional implementation
measures to ensure the effectiveness of your control
measures to bring your exceedances below the parameter's
benchmark threshold; or if you determine nothing further
needs to be done with your control measures, you must
document per Part 5.3 and include in your annual report why
you expect your existing control measures to bring your
exceedances below the parameter's benchmark threshold
for the next 12-month period; and

Continue Quarterly Benchmark Monitoring. After compliance
with (a) and (b) in this Part, you must continue quarterly
benchmark monitoring into the next year.

AIM Tier 1 Deadlines. If any modifications related to control
measures are necessary, you must implement those actions or
modifications within 14 days, unless doing so within 14 days is
infeasible. If doing so within 14 days is infeasible, you must
document per Part 5.3 why it is infeasible and implement such
modifications within 45 days.

Exception: You do not have to implement any modifications if
you determine and document in your SWPPP that the
exceedance is solely attributable to natural background
sources or, with EPA agreement, run-on sources, consistent
with Part 5.2.4 (AIM Exceptions).

3 Examples include: review sources of pollution, spill and leak procedures, and/or non-stormwater
discharges; conducting a single comprehensive clean-up, making a change in subcontractor,
implementing a new control measure, and/or increasing inspections.

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complying with Part 4.2 Conditions
Requiring SWPPP Review to Determine
if Modifications Are Necessary, when
you conclude a corrective action is, in
fact, not necessary, could include
documenting why a corrective action
is unnecessary

4.3.2 Subsequent Actions.

If you determine that additional
actions are necessary beyond those
implemented pursuant to Part 4.3.1,
you must complete the corrective
actions (e.g., install a new or modified
control and make it operational,
complete the repair) before the next
storm event if possible, and within 14
calendar days from the time of
discovery of the corrective action
condition. If it is infeasible to complete
the corrective action within 14
calendar days, you must document
why it is infeasible to complete the
corrective action within the 14-day
timeframe. You must also identify your
schedule for completing the work,
which must be done as soon as
practicable after the 14-day timeframe
but no longer than 45 days after
discovery. If the completion of
corrective action will exceed the 45
day timeframe, you may take the
minimum additional time necessary to
complete the corrective action,
provided that you notify the EPA
Regional Office of your intention to
exceed 45 days, your rationale for an
extension, and a completion date,
which you must also include in your
corrective action documentation (see
Part 4.4). Where your corrective actions
result in changes to any of the controls
or procedures documented in your
SWPPP, you must modify your SWPPP
accordingly within 14 calendar days of
completing corrective action work.

These time intervals are not grace
periods, but are schedules considered
reasonable for documenting your
findings and for making repairs and
improvements. They are included in this
permit to ensure that the conditions
prompting the need for these repairs
and improvements do not persist
indefinitely.

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5.2.1 AIM Tier 2

5.2.2.1	AIM Tier 2 Triaaerina Events. If any of the following
events occur, you are in AIM Tier 2. You must follow
AIM Tier 2 responses (Part 5.2.2.2) and deadlines (Part
5.2.2.3).

a. Two Consecutive Annual Averages Each Over the
Benchmark Threshold. If two consecutive annual
averages for a parameter are each over the
benchmark threshold, you are in AIM Tier 2. An
annual average exceedance can occur from the
average of four quarterly samples for a parameter,
or from less than four samples with results such that
an exceedance is mathematically certain (i.e., the
of quarterly sample results to date is already more
than four times the benchmark threshold).

b.	Two Sampling Event Results in 2-Year Period Each
Over 4 Times the Benchmark Threshold. If two single
sampling event results for a parameter within a 2-
year period are each over 4 times the benchmark
threshold, you are in AIM Tier 2.

c.	One Single Sgmpling Event Over 8 Times the
Benchmgrk Threshold. If one single sampling event
for a parameter is over 8 times the benchmark
threshold, you are in AIM Tier 2.

i. Exception: This event triggers Tier 2 unless you
immediately document per Part 5.3 that the
single event was an aberration, how any
measures taken within 14 days of such event will
prevent a reoccurrence, and you take a sample
during the next qualifying rain event that is either
less than the benchmark threshold, in which case
you do not trigger any AIM requirements based
on the aberrant event, or less than 4 times but
greater than 1 time the benchmark threshold, in
which case you trigger Tier 1. You may only avail
yourself of the "aberration" demonstration
opportunity one time per parameter per
discharge point, which shall include substantially
similar discharge points.

5.2.2.2	AIM Tier 2 Responses. Except as provided in Part 5.2.4
(AIM Exceptions), if any of the events in 5.2.2.1 occur, you
must:

a. Implement Sector-Specific Stormwgter Control Megsures.

Implement all feasible SCMs from the relevant sector-
specific Stormwater Control Measure Checklist(s) that
applies to your facility in Appendix Q of the permit. You
must notate in the checklist which SCMs you implement
and keep the checklist with your SWPPP. (Note: You do
not have to implement an SCM where it would be
counter-productive to the implementation of another
control measure, or not result in any reduction in the
discharge of the pollutant of concern.)

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b. Continue Quarterly Benchmark Monitorina. After
compliance with (a) in this Part, you must continue
quarterly benchmark monitoring into the next year.

5.2.2.3 AIM Tier 2 Deadlines. You must implement all feasible
SCMs within 14 days and document per Part 5.3 how the
measures will achieve benchmark thresholds and why you did
not implement any sector-specific measures from the
checklist. If it is feasible for you to implement a measure, but
not within 14 days, you may take up to 45 days to implement
such measure. You must document per Part 5.3 why it was
infeasible to implement such measure in 14 days. EPA may
also grant you an extension beyond 45 days, based on an
appropriate demonstration by you, the operator.

i. Exception: You do not have to implement anv of the
feasible control measures if you determine and
document in your SWPPP that the exceedance is
solely attributable to natural background sources or,
with EPA agreement, run-on sources, consistent with
Part 5.2.4 (AIM Exceptions).



5.2.2 AIM Tier 3

5.2.3.1	AIM Tier 3 Triaaerina Events. If anv of the followina
events occur, you are in AIM Tier 3. You must follow AIM
Tier 3 responses (Part 5.2.3.2) and deadlines (Part
5.2.3.3):

a.	Three Consecutive Annual Averaaes Each Over
the Benchmark Threshold. If three consecutive
annual averages for a parameter are each over
the benchmark threshold, you are in AIM Tier 3. An
annual average exceedance can occur from the
average of four quarterly samples for a
parameter, or from less than four samples with
results such that an exceedance is
mathematically certain (i.e., the sum of quarterly
sample results to date is already more than four
times the benchmark threshold).

b.	Three Samolina Event Results in 3-Year Period
Each Over 4 Times the Benchmark Threshold. If
three sampling event results for a parameter
within a 3-year period are each over 4 times the
benchmark threshold, you are in AIM Tier 3.

c.	Two Samolina Events in 3-Year Period Each Over 8
Times the Benchmark Threshold. If two samolina
events for a parameter within a 3-year period are
each over 8 times the benchmark threshold, you
are in AIM Tier 3.

d.	Four Consecutive Samples Each Over Benchmark
Threshold with Averaae More than 2 Times the
Benchmark. If four consecutive samples for a
parameter are each over the benchmark
threshold and their average is more than 2 times
the benchmark threshold, you are in AIM Tier 3.

5.2.3.2	AIM Tier 3 Responses. Except as provided in Part
5.2.4 (AIM Exceptions), if any of the triggering
events in 5.2.3.1 occur, you must:

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a. Install Permanent Controls. Install structural



source controls (e.g. permanent controls



such as permanent cover, berms, and



secondary containment), and/or treatment



controls (e.g., sand filters, hydrodynamic



separators, oil-water separators, retention



ponds, and infiltration structures), except as



provided in Part 5.2.4 (AIM Exceptions). The



treatment technologies or treatment train



you install should be appropriate for the



pollutants that triggered AIM Tier 3 and



should be more rigorous than the pollution



prevention-type measures employed under



AIM Tier 2 in Part 5.2.2. You must select



controls with pollutant removal efficiencies



that are sufficient to bring your



exceedances below the benchmark



threshold. You must have a professional



engineer or geologist assist with the



installation of such controls for the



discharge point in question and for



substantially similar discharge points, unless



you individually monitor those substantially



similar discharge points and demonstrate



that Tier 3 requirements are not triggered at



those discharge points; and/or



b. Alternative Option: Infiltrate. As an



alternative or adjunct to structural source



controls and/or treatment controls, you



may install infiltration or retention controls



(e.g., through green infrastructure) for your



industrial stormwater, if such an approach is



appropriate and feasible for your site-



specific conditions. If this approach is



feasible, the execution must be compliant



with regulations for ground water protection



and underground injection control (UIC).



The analysis that shows infiltration/retention



is appropriate for your site-specific



conditions and is compliant with other



applicable regulations must be provided to



the EPA Regional Office in Part 7 BEFORE



you can choose this option and the EPA



Regional Office must concur with your



conclusions. Successful compliance with



the provisions in this part may allow EPA to



waive or lessen benchmark monitoring



requirements; and



c. Continue Quarterly Benchmark Monitorina.



After compliance with (a) and/or (b) (if EPA



approves) in this Part, you must continue



quarterly benchmark monitoring into the



next year.

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5.2.3.3 AIM Tier 3 Deadlines. You must install the



appropriate structural source and/or treatment



control measures within 30 days. If is not feasible



within 30 days, you may take up to 90 days to



install such measures, documenting in your SWPPP



why it is infeasible to install the measure within 30



days. EPA may also grant you an extension



beyond 90 days, based on an appropriate



demonstration by you, the operator.



a. Exception: You do not have to install structural



source controls or treatment controls if you



determine and document in your SWPPP that



the exceedance is solely attributable to



natural background sources or, with EPA



agreement, run-on sources, consistent with



Part 5.2.4 (AIM Exceptions).



b. Exception: You do not have to install structural



source controls or treatment controls if you



adequately demonstrate to EPA within 30



days of the Tier 3 trigger occurrence that your



discharge does not result in any exceedance



of water quality standards and EPA approves



such demonstration within 90 days of receipt



(EPA may take up to 180 days upon notice to



you before the 90th day that EPA needs such



extra time). The demonstration to EPA, which



will be made publicly available, must include



the following minimum elements in order to be



considered for approval by EPA:



(1) the water quality standards



applicable to the receiving water:



(2) the flow rate of the stormwater



discharge:



(3) the instream flow rates of the



receiving water immediately upstream



and downstream of the discharge



point:



(4) the ambient concentration of the



parameters) of concern in the



receiving water immediately upstream



and downstream of the discharge



point demonstrated by full-storm



composite sampling:



(5) the concentration of the



parameter(s) of concern in the



stormwater discharge demonstrated



by full-storm, flow-weighted composite



sampling:



(6) any relevant dilution factors



applicable to the discharge: and



(7) the hardness of the receiving water.



If EPA disapproves such demonstration within 90 days (or 180



days if EPA notifies you that it needs more than 90 days), you



must install structural source controls and/or treatment controls

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within 30 days of such disapproval (or 90 days if you document
in your SWPPP why it is infeasible within 30 days; EPA may also
grant an extension beyond 90 days based on an appropriate
demonstration by you, the operator). If you continue to
exceed the benchmark threshold for the same parameter
even after installation of structural source controls or treatment
controls, EPA may require you to apply for an individual permit.
If EPA does not approve or disapprove the demonstration
within 90 days (or 180 days if EPA has provided notice that it
needs that extra time), then you may submit to EPA a Notice
of Dispute. Within 30 days, EPA shall submit a response. If that
response does not include an approval or disapproval of the
demonstration, then both filings shall be submitted to the
Director of the Water Management Division for the EPA
Region, who shall approve or disapprove the demonstration
within 30 days of receiving the filings. Time for action by you,
the operator, upon disapproval shall be tolled during the
period from filing of the Notice of Dispute until the decision is
issued by the Director of the Water Management Division. That
decision shall be final and not appealable.

Notes from 4.2 Conditions Requiring
SWPPP Review to Determine if
Modifications Are Necessary.

Note: A benchmark exceedance does
not trigger a corrective action if you
determine that the exceedance is
solely attributable to natural
background sources, or if you make a
finding that no further pollutant
reductions are technologically
available and economically
practicable and achievable in light of
best industry practice (see Part 6.2.1.2).

Note: When run-on to your facility
causes a benchmark exceedance, in
addition to reviewing and revising, as
appropriate, your SWPPP, you should
notify the other operators contributing
run-on to your discharges to abate
their pollutant contribution. Where the
other operators fail to take action to
address the stormwater run-on, you
should contact your EPA Regional
Office.

6.2.1.2 Benchmark Monitoring
Schedule.

Data exceeding benchmarks

After collection of four quarterly
samples, if the average of the four
monitoring values for any parameter
exceeds the benchmark, you must, in

5.2.4 AIM Exceptions. At anv point or tier level of AIM, the
below exceptions from AIM requirements and additional
benchmark monitoring below may apply. You must still review
your stormwater control measures, SWPPP, and other on-site
activities to determine if actions or modifications are
necessary or appropriate.

5.2.4.1 Natural Backaround Pollutant Levels: You are not

required to perform AIM or additional benchmark
monitoring for any parameters for which you can
demonstrate that the benchmark exceedance is
solely attributable to the presence of that pollutant in
natural background sources, provided that all the
following conditions are met and you submit your
analysis and documentation to the EPA Regional
Office:

a.	The four-quarter average concentration of
your benchmark monitoring results minus
the concentration of that pollutant in the
natural background is less than or equal to
the benchmark threshold; and

b.	You document and maintain with your
SWPPP, as required in Part 6.5, your
supporting rationale for concluding that
benchmark exceedances are in fact
attributable solely to natural background
pollutant levels. You must include in your
supporting rationale any data previously
collected by you or others (including
literature studies) that describe the levels of
natural background pollutants in your
stormwater discharge. Natural background
pollutants are those substances that are
naturally occurring in soils or ground water.
Natural background pollutants do not

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accordance with Part 4, review the
selection, design, installation, and
implementation of your control
measures to determine if modifications
are necessary to meet the effluent
limits in this permit, and either:

•	Make the necessary modifications
and continue quarterly monitoring until
you have completed four additional
quarters of monitoring for which the
average does not exceed the
benchmark; or

•	Make a determination that no further
pollutant reductions are
technologically available and
economically practicable and
achievable in light of best industry
practice to meet the technology-
based effluent limits or are necessary
to meet the water-quality-based
effluent limitations in Parts 2.1 and 2.2
of this permit, in which case you must
continue monitoring once per year.
You must also document your rationale
for concluding that no further pollutant
reductions are achievable, and retain
all records related to this
documentation with your SWPPP.

You must review your control measures
and perform any required corrective
action immediately (or document why
no corrective action is required), per
Part 4, without waiting for the full four
quarters of monitoring data, when an
exceedance of the four quarter
average is mathematically certain. If
after modifying your control measures
and conducting four additional
quarters of monitoring, your average
still exceeds the benchmark (or if an
exceedance of the benchmark by the
four quarter average is mathematically
certain prior to conducting the full four
additional quarters of monitoring), you
must again review your control
measures and take one of the two
actions above.

Natural background pollutant levels:

Following the first four quarters of
benchmark monitoring (or sooner if the
exceedance is triggered by less than
four quarters of data; see above), if the
average concentration of a pollutant
exceeds a benchmark value, and you

include legacy pollutants from earlier
activity on your site, or pollutants in run-on
from neighboring sources which are not
naturally occurring, such as other industrial
facilities or roadways.

5.2.4.2 Run-On: You are not required to perform AIM or

additional benchmark monitoring for any parameters
for which you can demonstrate and obtain EPA
agreement that run-on from a neighboring source
(e.g., a source external to your facility) is the cause of
the exceedance, provided that all the following
conditions are met and you submit your analysis and
documentation to the EPA Regional Office for
concurrence:

a.	After reviewing and revising your SWPPP, as
appropriate, you should notify the other facility or
entity contributing run-on to your discharges and
request that they abate their pollutant
contribution.

b.	If the other facility or entity fails to take action to
address their discharges or sources of pollutants,
you should contact your EPA Regional Office.

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determine that exceedance of the
benchmark is attributable solely to the
presence of that pollutant in the
natural background, you are not
required to perform corrective action
or additional benchmark monitoring
provided that:

•	The average concentration of your
benchmark monitoring results is less
than or equal to the concentration of
that pollutant in the natural
background; and

•	You document and maintain with
your SWPPP, as required in Part 5.5,
your supporting rationale for
concluding that benchmark
exceedances are in fact attributable
solely to natural background pollutant
levels. You must include in your
supporting rationale any data
previously collected by you or others
(including literature studies) that
describe the levels of natural
background pollutants in your
stormwater discharge. Natural
background pollutants are those
substances that are naturally occurring
in soils or ground water. Natural
background pollutants do not include
legacy pollutants from earlier activity
on your site, or pollutants in run-on from
neighboring sources which are not
naturally occurring, such as other
industrial sites or roadways. However,
the EPA Regional Office may
determine that you are eligible to
discontinue monitoring for pollutants
that occur solely from run-on sources.

Cost Impact Discussion

As noted previously, EPA was unable to estimate "total cost" associated with the proposed
Additional Implementation Measures (AIM) responses because the information on the
prevalence of the proposed triggering events among currently permitted facilities is not
captured by any current reporting requirement under the 2015 MSGP.

EPA conducted a general analysis of the number of facilities that had at least one benchmark
exceedance per permit year under the 2015 MSGP for calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018. Out
of the 1,010 facilities that started submitting benchmark monitoring data in calendar year 2016,
374 facilities (about 37%) had at least one benchmark exceedance in the 2016. From those 374
facilities, 290 (about 29%) had at least one exceedance in 2017. From those 290 facilities, 251
(about 25%) had at least one exceedance in 2018. Note that the percentage of facilities is

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calculated based on the number of facilities that started submitting benchmark monitoring data
in 2016, not the total number of facilities covered under the permit.

This analysis gives a broad overview of the percentage of facilities that continue to have at least
one parameter exceed the benchmark threshold over a three-year period. The data show that
a moderate number of facilities are exceeding at least one benchmark threshold, but that
benchmark exceedances decline over time.

The results of this analysis cannot be used to estimate one-to-one how many facilities might
trigger AIM Tier 1, 2, or 3. This analysis did not consider the magnitude of the exceedance, what
pollutant parameter was exceeded or repeatedly exceeded, when exactly each facility
obtained permit coverage or may have terminated coverage, or other nuances that affect
how and whether benchmark data is captured on a per facility basis, such as if the facility
becomes inactive (or active), or whether benchmark data was no longer required (e.g., due to
an exception such as exceedances solely due to natural background concentrations). The
analysis focused on facilities that submitted benchmark data in 2016 and continued to submit
data through 2018.

However, generalizing from the above analysis, the number of facilities that may trigger AIM Tier
3 responses would be relatively fewer compared to the facilities that would trigger AIM Tier 1 or
Tier 2 under the proposed 2020 MSGP.

For compliance with AIM Tier 1 responses, EPA assumes facilities will not incur any additional cost
that was not already accounted for in 2015 MSGP requirements. AIM Tier 1 responses to review
and modify stormwater existing controls and the SWPPP are substantially similar to those
requirements for corrective action for benchmark exceedances which are already in the 2015
MSGP. Therefore, this requirement would not incur an incremental cost under the proposed 2020
MSGP. Operators who previously did not have benchmark monitoring requirements in the 2015
MSGP, but are now proposed to have them in the 2020 MSGP, were still subject to the corrective
action requirements in the 2015 MSGP to review and revise the SWPPP for certain other triggers in
Part 4.1 and 4.2 of the 2015 MSGP, akin to the proposed Tier 1 requirements. EPA expects that
operators who did not have benchmark monitoring requirements in the 2015 MSGP could still
have reason to review their SWPPP and keep it up-to-date during their permit coverage. For
informational purposes, EPA is providing MDEP (2014) information on the labor hours that may be
required for existing and new facilities to revise SWPPPs. According to MDEP (2014), it takes 4
hours and 10 hours, respectively, to update existing and new facility SWPPPs subject to MS4
permits in Massachusetts. For analysis, EPA assumes that these hours are representative of the
labor hours that are required to update a SWPPP for an industrial facility. The additional cost to
revise the existing SWPPP may cost between $96 and $240 (depending on the SWPPP length and
complexity) based on an approximate hourly labor rate of $24.00. EPA assumed facilities subject
to AIM Tier 1 might experience a similar cost burden.

Facilities that would be subject to AIM Tier 2 responses are required to implement sector-specific
feasible SCMs whenever an AIM Tier 2 triggering event occurs. The operator must select SCMs
from the appropriate sector-based Stormwater Control Measure Checklist(s) in the proposed
2020 MSGP.

Facilities that would be subject to AIM Tier 3 responses are required to select and install
permanent structural source controls and treatment controls. EPA estimated the unit cost of
these controls. Under the proposed 2020 MSGP, the recommended options for structural source
controls include permanent cover, berms, and secondary containment; for treatment controls,

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recommendations include sand filters, hydrodynamic separators, oil-water separators, retention
ponds, and infiltration structures. The cost of implementing permanent controls varies depending
on the type of control measure the operator selects and installs.

The estimated cost of structural source controls (e.g., berms and secondary containment) are
discussed below. FEMA (2013) provided a general estimate of the unit costs for typical barrier
projects. The cost for a standard berm ranged between $85 to $240 per linear feet depending
on the height above ground. Similarly, the cost of a floodwall varied between $130 and $276 per
linear foot. These costs were initially developed for a study for the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer
District and were generated using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' publication, Flood Proofing -
How to Evaluate Your Options. Structural controls may also include secondary containment that
prevents the leaks or spills from spreading and eliminates a corresponding discharge from
leaving a specified containment area. If a new or replaced tank is used as secondary
containment, the installation and one-time cost is estimated at $9,112. These one-time
expenditures are annualized over 20 years at a seven percent interest rate (USEPA, 2015).

EPA also recommended several treatment controls for AIM Tier 3 responses such as sand filters,
retention ponds, and infiltration structures. The initial cost of treatment control SCM varies widely
from $6.3 to $63.74 per cubic feet, depending on the characteristics of the measures (USEPA,
2016). Operations and maintenance costs (O&M) may also vary between $1,500 to $3,000
depending on the type of control measures and associated maintenance hours. EPA estimates
that the average annual cost of installation and maintenance of a bioretention system is $1,890
($2016) and $3,060 ($2016) for a retention pond (USEPA, 2016). However, it is difficult to obtain
accurate O&M costs, because they are highly variable depending on the size, location, and
equipment needed. Table 4 below summarizes the proposed cost estimates for treatment
controls installation and O&M costs recommended for AIM Tier 3 responses.

Table 4: Cost Estimates for AIM Tier 3 Treatment Controls

AIM Tier 3 treatment
controls

Cost ($/ft3)
($2010)

Cost ($/ft3)
($2019)

Annual O&M
cost ($2016)

Annual O&M
cost ($June
2019)

Enhanced
bioretention

$13.50

$15.62

$1,890

$2,209

Infiltration basin

$5.40

$6.31

-

-

Infiltration Trench

$10.80

$12.62

-

-

Sand filter

$15.51

$18.13

$2,807

$3,280

Wet pond

$5.88

$6.87

-

-

Subsurface
infiltration

$54.54

$63.74





Source: USEPA, 2016

Additional recommendations for AIM Tier 3 responses treatment controls include oil-water
separators and hydrodynamic separators. These technologies can help to improve water quality
by treating complex influent properties with variable nature. An online retailer has a price guide
for oil-water separators, ranging from $2,500 to $100,000 depending on the specifications and
capacity (Cleanwater, 2019), not including installation. The hydrodynamic separator (HDS) is also
considered as a treatment control option to manage stormwater runoff. HDS is considered a

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structural SCM and widely used to treat and pre-treat stormwater. The capital and installation
cost of a standard Continuous Deflective Separation HDS ranged between $2,300 to $7,200 per
cubic feet capacity depending on site-specific considerations (USEPA, 1999)

As an alternative or adjunct to structural source controls and/or treatment controls, facilities may
install infiltration or retention controls (e.g., green infrastructure) for industrial stormwater. Costs
are estimated for green infiltration controls, which include rain gardens. Initial purchase and
installation cost are estimated to be $15.62 per cubic feet for rain garden (USEPA, 2016).

The proposed requirements include the assistance of a qualified person to design and/or install
AIM Tier 3 control measures. EPA estimates that a Professional Engineer would have an hourly
labor cost of $179.04. but the total cost for compliance with AIM Tier 3 is unquantifiable because
of the site-specific nature of the control measures. The hourly labor rate for professional
engineers was calculated assuming $114,081 average annual salary, 2,080 labor hours (ASCE,
2013, as updated), and a net labor multiplier of 2.97 (Deltek, 2015) accounting for overhead and
company profit.

3. Adding New Sector Specific Benchmarks for Sectors I, P and R, and for
PAHs

Proposed Permit Change

Currently, the 2015 does not require sector-specific benchmark monitoring for Sector I (Oil and
Gas Extraction), Sector P (Land Transportation and Warehousing), nor Sector R (Ship and Boat
Building and Repair Yards). EPA proposes to add sector-specific benchmark monitoring
requirements for these three sectors.

Facilities in Sector I (Oil and Gas Extraction) use many types of chemicals that could become
sources of pollutants in stormwater discharges. These include diesel fuel, oil, solvents, drilling fluid,
acids, and various chemical additives. The NRC study listed ammonia, lead, nickel, nitrate, zinc,
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as pollutants associated with oil and gas
extraction facilities. EPA proposes that facilities in Sector I have benchmark monitoring for
ammonia, nickel, total recoverable lead, nitrate-nitrogen, total recoverable zinc, and hardness.
EPA does not currently have recommended aquatic life criteria for PAHs so no specific PAH
benchmark monitoring is required. However, the NRC study suggested that COD could be used
as a surrogate for PAHs and EPA recognizes that it could be a surrogate for other organic
pollutants as well.

Facilities in Sector P (Land Transportation and Warehousing) typically have areas for vehicle and
equipment storage, cleaning, and maintenance, fueling, material storage, and locomotive
sanding areas. They can use onsite chemicals like solvents, diesel fuel, gasoline, hydraulic fluids,
antifreeze, and transmission fluids. Leaks and spills from petroleum-based products and
chemicals can also contain PAHs. EPA proposes that facilities in Sector P have benchmark
monitoring for lead, mercury, and hardness.

Facilities in Sector R (Ship and Boat Building and Repair Yards) perform activities like fluid
changes, mechanical repairs, engine maintenance and repair, parts cleaning, refinishing, paint
removal, painting, fueling, metal working, welding, cutting, and grinding. These sorts of activities
can include using solvents, oils, fuel, antifreeze, acid and alkaline wastes, abrasives, and paints
and can create dust. EPA proposes that facilities in Sector R have benchmark monitoring for

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total recoverable chromium, total recoverable copper, total recoverable lead, total
recoverable nickel, total recoverable zinc, and hardness.



2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

Sector 1:
Oil and Gas

No benchmark monitoring
requirements

Add ammonia, nickel, total
recoverable lead, nitrate-nitrogen, total
recoverable zinc, and hardness

Sector P:

Land

Transportation

No benchmark monitoring
requirements

Add lead, mercury, and hardness

Sector R:
Ship & Boat
Building

No benchmark monitoring
requirements

Add total recoverable chromium, total
recoverable copper, total recoverable
lead, total recoverable nickel, total
recoverable zinc, and hardness

Cost Impact Discussion

In developing the proposed new sector-specific benchmark monitoring requirements for the
proposed 2020 MSGP, EPA evaluated 2015 MSGP NOI information submitted by currently
permitted industrial facilities. EPA estimates there are 29, 426, and 77 facilities from Sectors I, P,
and R, respectively, who are not subject to sector-specific benchmark monitoring under the
requirements of the 2015 MSGP. Under the proposed 2020 MSGP, there will be an incremental
cost associated with proposed benchmark monitoring in these sectors.

Assuming an average sampling cost of $25.28 per pollutant (Tetra Tech, 2015, as updated), 2.4
average discharge points per facility, and quarterly sampling during the first year of permit
coverage, the total incremental sampling cost for all facilities from Sectors I, P, and R over the
permit term was estimated at approximately $366,272 ($0.37 million). To provide a better
understanding of the estimates, EPA provided a breakdown of total incremental sampling costs
in Table 5, below.

Table 5: Incremental Sampling Cost for Sectors 1, P, anc

R

Sector

Number of
Facilities

Cost per
Facility for
First Year
(§June
2019)1

Cost per
Facility per
Year (§June
2019)2

Cost per
Facility per
Permit Term
(§June 2019)

Total Incremental
Sampling Cost for
all Facilities over
the Permit Term
(§June 2019)

1

29

$1,191

$238.26

$1,191

$34,548

P

426

$591

$118.19

$591

$251,734

R

77

$1,039

$207.77

$1,039

$79,990

Total Sampling Cost (§June 2019)

$366,272

'Sampling is only required quarterly during the first year of permit term.

2 Cost per facility per year is calculated from averaging the cost per facility per permit term
over five years. The cost per facility per permit term is the same as cost per facility for the first
year given that sampling is only required quarterly during the first year of the permit term.

Permitted facilities currently submit their benchmark monitoring data through NetDMR, which will
incur an additional cost for facilities. Under the 2015 MSGP, facilities in these sectors do not
submit benchmark monitoring data because they do not have benchmark monitoring
requirements. The proposed 2020 MSGP will increase the amount of information that facilities in
these sectors must submit to EPA. Estimating data entry costs are a function of the number of

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data elements, the frequency at which those elements are reported, and data entry time per
data element, depending on the method chosen, the labor may fluctuate significantly between
1.62 minutes to 5.45 minutes per data element for industrial and stormwater facilities (USEPA,
2015). Considering data clerk hourly wage rate of $29.22 (USEPA, 2015, as updated), an average
number of 2.4 discharge points per facility, and quarterly data reporting for the first year of
permit term, the total estimated incremental data entry cost for all applicable facilities during
the permit term was estimated between $14,498 and $48,775. Similar to the sampling cost, EPA
provided a breakdown of total incremental data entry costs in Table 6, below.

Table 6: Incremental Data Entry Cost for Sector I, P, and R 1

Secto
r

Number

of
Facilitie

s

Cost per Facility
for First Year
(§June 2019)1

Cost per
Facility per
Year (§June
2019)2

Cost per Facility
per Permit Term
(§June 2019)

Total Incremental Data
Entry Cost for all
Facilities over the
Permit Term (§June
2019)

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

1

29

$45.4
5

$152.9
0

$9.0
9

$30.5
8

$45.4
5

$152.9
0

$1,318.01

$4,434.05

P

426

$22.7
2

$76.45

$4.5
4

$15.2
9

$22.7
2

$76.45

$9,680.57

$32,567.3
4

R

77

$45.4
5

$152.9
0

$9.0
9

$30.5
8

$45.4
5

$152.9
0

$3,499.55

$11,773.1
7





Total Incremental Data Entry Cost (§June
2019)

$14,498.1
3

$48,774.5
6

'Data entry is only required quarterly during the first year of permit term.

2 Cost per facility per year is calculated from averaging the cost per facility per permit term
over five years. The cost per facility per permit term is the same as cost per facility for the first
year given that sampling is only required quarterly during the first year of the permit term.

Under the proposed 2020 MSGP, the incremental cost (sampling and data entry) to address
additional benchmark monitoring for sectors I, P, and R is estimated at approximately between
$380,770 ($0.38 million) and $415,047 ($0.42 million).

Table 7 summarizes the potential incremental costs to the applicable industrial sector facilities of
complying with the changes described in this Part.

Table 7: Total Incremental Cost (Sampling and Data Entry) Estimates for Sector I, P, and R

Sectors

Num-
ber of
Facil-
ities

Number of
Monitored
Parameters

Cost per Facility
per Year

Cost per Facility per
Permit Term

Total Cost for all Facilities over
the Permit Term

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

Sector 1

29

6

$247

$268.84

$1,237

$1,344.21

$35,865.97

$38,982

Sector P

426

3

$123

$133.47

$614

$667.37

$261,414.91

$284,302

Sector
R

77

6

$217

$238.35

$1,084

$1,191.73

$83,489.51

$91,763

Total incremental costs for all facilities over the permit term

$380,770.40

$415,046.83

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Proposed Permit Change

The NRC study also recommended that EPA collect data to inform possibly requiring new
benchmarks to reduce stormwater risks from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which
can be toxic to aquatic life. Activities like vehicle maintenance and using certain chemicals as
well as spills and leaks can become sources of PAHs in stormwater discharges. EPA conducted
an industry analysis that looked at sectors/subsectors included in the 2015 MSGP that may have
petroleum hydrocarbons at their facilities and could be exposed to stormwater. The analysis
looked at industrial process wastewater discharges as a proxy to identify industries that may use,
handle, or generate PAHs. EPA identified the following subsectors and related activities that
have total PAH loadings of greater than 1 kg/year:

Applicable
MSGP Sub-
Sector

Activity Represented

Contributing
SIC Codes1

Pollutant
Load

(kg/year)

C5

Industrial Organic Chemicals; Petroleum Refining

2865, 2869,
2911

131,0732

Q1

Water Transportation Facilities

4491,4493

6,3513

C4

Plastics Materials and Synthetic Resins, Synthetic
Rubber, Cellulosic and Other Manmade Fibers
Except Glass

2821,2822

3,2704

F1

Steel Works, Blast Furnaces, and Rolling and
Finishing Mills

3312, 3313,
3317

628s

C2

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals

2812,2813,
2819

4916

C3

Soaps, Detergents, and Cleaning Preparations;
Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Other Toilet Preparations

2843

287

Y2

Miscellaneous Plastic Products; Musical Instruments;

Dolls, Toys, Games, and Sporting and Athletic
Goods; Pens, Pencils, and Other Artists' Materials;
Costume Jewelry, Costume Novelties, Buttons, and
Miscellaneous Notions, Except Precious Metal;
Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries

3081

282

PI

Railroad Transportation; Local and Highway
Passenger Transportation; Moto Freight
Transportation and Warehousing; United States
Postal Service; Petroleum Bulk Stations and
Terminals

4011,4013,
4213, 4226,
4231, 5171

2537

A2

Wood Preserving

2491

251

A1

General Sawmills and Planing Mills

2421

206

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Applicable
MSGP Sub-
Sector

Activity Represented

Contributing
SIC Codes1

Pollutant
Load

(kg/year)

AC1

Computer and Office Equipment; Measuring,
Analyzing, and Controlling Instruments;
Photographic and Optical Goods, Watches, and
Clocks; Electronic and Electrical Equipment and
Components, Except Computer Equipment

3624

164

D2

Miscellaneous Products of Petroleum and Coal

2992,2999

90

CI

Agricultural Chemicals

2873

46

11

Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas; Natural Gas
Liquids; Oil and Gas Field Services

133, 1321,
1389

ll8

Ml

Automobile Salvage Yards

5012

6.9

SI

Air Transportation Facilities

4581

4.9

F5

Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metals;
Secondary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous
Metals; Miscellaneous Primary Metal Products

3334,3399

3.79

AB1

Industrial and Commercial Machinery, Except
Computer and Office Equipment; Transportation
Equipment Except Ship and Boat Building and
Repairing

3523, 3537,
3713, 3714,
3721,3724,
3743

1.4'°

Applicable SIC codes with reported total PAH loadings used in calculating the total annual pollutant load.

2	Petroleum refining (SIC code 2911); and industrial organic chemicals, not elsewhere classified (SIC code 2869) accounts for
most of the loading identified in this sector (130,571 kg/year and 496 kg/year, respectively).

3	Marinas (SIC code 4491) account for most of the loading identified in this sector (6,379 kg/year).

4	Plastics materials, synthetic resins, and nonvulcanizable elastomers (SIC code 2821) accounts for most of the loading
identified in this sector (3,265 kg/year).

5	Steel works, blast furnaces (including coke ovens), and rolling mills (SIC code 3312); and electrometallurgical products,
except steel (SIC code 3313) account for most of the loading identified in this sector (589 kg/year and 39 kg/year,
respectively).

6	Industrial inorganic chemicals, not elsewhere classified (SIC code 2819); and alkalies and chlorine (SIC code 2812) account
for most of the loading identified in this sector (440 kg/year and 51 kg/year, respectively).

7	Petroleum bulk stations and terminals (SIC code 5171); railroads, line-haul operating (SIC code 4011); and special
warehousing and storage, not elsewhere classified (SIC code 4226) account for most of the loading identified in this sector
(146 kg/year, 85 kg/year, and 22 kg/year, respectively).

8	Oil and gas field services, not elsewhere classified (SIC code 1389); and crude petroleum and natural gas (SIC code 1311)
account for most of the loading identified in this sector (9 kg/year and 2 kg/year, respectively).

9	Primary production of aluminum (SIC code 3334) accounts for most of the loading identified in this sector (3 kg/year).

10	Aircraft engines and engine parts (SIC code 3724) account for most of the loading identified in this sector (0.9 kg/year).

EPA could consider requiring monitoring for PAHs or surrogates if the information and/or
preliminary monitoring shared with EPA indicates it is warranted. However, EPA does not have
recommended aquatic life criteria for either individual or total PAHs at this time. The 1995 and

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2000 MSGPs included a benchmark for pyrene of 0.01 mg/L based on the laboratory-derived
minimum level (ML). As an alternative, EPA could consider requiring monitoring for total
petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), a variety of chemicals that come from crude oil. These
chemicals can include hexane, jet fuels, mineral oils, benzene, toluene, xylenes, naphthalene,
fluorene, other petroleum products, and gasoline components. Another alternative is to require
monitoring for chemical oxygen demand (COD) as a surrogate for PAHs. The NRC study stated
that COD could be a possible surrogate, but that more data could help analyze to correlate
PAH concentrations to COD and COD may not be specific or sensitive enough to detect
moderate/low concentrations.

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

No sectors with
benchmark monitoring
requirements for PAHs

Options for subsectors and related activities that have total PAH
loadings of greater than 1 kg/year:

•	Requiring benchmark monitoring for PAHs

•	Requiring benchmark monitoring for total petroleum
hydrocarbons (TPH)

•	Requiring benchmark monitoring for chemical oxygen
demand (COD) as a surrogate for PAHs

Cost Impact Discussion

EPA is considering how to develop new benchmark monitoring requirements for PAHs and is
evaluating several options for subsectors that have total PAH loadings of greater than 1 kg/year,
including developing a benchmark threshold for PAHs, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), or
chemical oxygen demand (COD) as a surrogate for PAHs for facilities from subsectors (Al, A2,
CI, C2, C3, C4, C5, D2, Fl, F5, II, Ml, PI, Ql, SI, Y2, AB1, and AC1) specified in the table above.
To address the cost associated with a potential new benchmark for PAHs, EPA evaluated 2015
MSGP NOI data from currently permitted industrial facilities and identified 1,116 facilities with the
applicable subsectors listed above. Since there is no benchmark monitoring requirement for
PAHs in the 2015 MSGP, there would be an incremental cost associated with proposed PAH, TPH,
or COD benchmark monitoring in these sectors under the proposed 2020 MSGP, depending on
which is used for the benchmark parameter.

As benchmark monitoring of PAHs, TPH, and COD are three separate options, EPA estimated
and presented the cost for each option separately.

• Option 1 (Cost for implementing benchmark monitoring for PAHs): The sampling and
data entry cost could be substantially significant for PAHs class compared to other
pollutants (i.e., COD) as the laboratory analytical testing of PAHs involves an analysis of
the pollutant group instead of a single pollutant. In nature, PAHs can exist in over 100
different combinations. However, using the Toxic Release Inventory reporting category
for polycyclic aromatic compounds, the National Waste Minimization Program defined
this group by including 28 specific pollutants in this category (USEPA, 2008). Most
laboratories offer a package of PAH sampling that includes testing for on average 16
PAH pollutants (ENR, 2019). Assuming a sampling cost of $218.28 per sample (Energylab,
2014, as updated; ENR, 2019), an average of 2.4 discharge points per facility, and
quarterly sampling over the first year of the permit term, the total sampling cost is
estimated at $2,337,371 ($2.34 million) (cost of $419 per facility per year, cost of $2,094
per facility per permit term) for all applicable subsectors. The data entry cost ranges
between $135,255 and $455,025 (cost of $24.24-$81.55 per facility per year, cost of

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$121,10-$407.73 per facility per permit term) assuming quarterly data reporting frequency
for first year, 16 data elements, an average data entry time per element of 1.62-5.45
minutes, and a data clerk hourly wage rate of $29.22 (USEPA, 2015, as updated). This
option is the most expensive among the three options.

• Option 2 (Cost of implementing benchmark monitoring for total petroleum hydrocarbons
(TPH): Similar to PAHs sampling, TPH sampling also refers to numerous test methods and
includes analysis of many different petroleum hydrocarbon ranges, which may affect the
sampling cost significantly. Usually, the gasoline range organics (GRO) method is
considered the standard analysis method of TPH and is comprised of an individual
analysis of 10 pollutants (AAL, 2016). Depending on the combination of pollutants and
test methods, the sampling cost for TPH varies widely. Pricing also varies lab to lab $63
(Weld Laboratories, 2016), $75 (Energy lab, 2014; Envirochem, 2019) and $195 (ENR, 2019).
For the purpose of this analysis, EPA assumed a sampling cost of $80 for TPH sampling
providing an analysis of 10 TPH pollutants. The total sampling cost is estimated at $857,088
($0.86 million) (cost of $154 per facility per year, cost of $768 per facility per permit term)
for all applicable subsectors assuming an average of 2.4 discharge points per facility and
quarterly sampling over the first year only of the permit term. The data entry cost ranges
between $84,534 and $284,391 (cost of $15.15-$50.97 per facility per year, cost of $75.75-
$254.83 per facility per permit term) considering quarterly data reporting frequency for
first year, 10 data elements, an average data entry time per element of 1.62-5.45
minutes, and a data clerk hourly wage rate of $29.22 (USEPA, 2015, as updated).

• Option 3 (Cost of implementing benchmark monitoring for chemical oxygen demand
(COD) as a surrogate for PAHs): Assuming $29.06 sampling cost for COD sampling (Tetra
Tech, 2015, as updated), an average of 2.4 discharge points per facility, and quarterly
sampling over the first year only of the permit term, the total sampling cost is estimated at
$311,326 for all applicable sectors (cost of $56 per facility per year, cost of $279 per
facility per permit term). The data entry cost is ranges between $8,453 and $28,439 (cost
of $1.51-$5.10 per facility per year, cost of $7.57-$25.48 per facility per permit term)
assuming quarterly data reporting frequency for first year, an average data entry time
per element of 1.62-5.45 minutes, and a data clerk hourly wage rate of $29.22 (USEPA,
2015, as updated). It is important to note that COD monitoring can be used as a
surrogate for PAHs and it is already monitored per the requirement in Part E.4 of the
proposed 2020 MSGP. This option is the least expensive among the three options.

Tables 8 through 10 below provide the breakdown of both sampling and data entry costs for
each option based on the number of facilities and compliance time:

Table 8: Incrementa Sampling Cost for Three Alternatives (§June 2019)

Options

Cost per
Facility
for First
Year
(§June
2019)1

Cost per Facility
per Year ($June
2019)2

Cost per Facility
per Permit Term
($June 2019)

Total Incremental Sampling
Cost for all Facilities over the
Permit Term ($June 2019)

PAHs monitoring

$2,094

$419

$2,094

$2,337,371

TPH monitoring

$768

$154

$768

$857,088

COD monitoring

$279

$56

$279

$311,326

'Sampling is only required quarter

y during the first year of permit term.

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2 Cost per facility per year is calculated from averaging the cost per facility per permit term over
five years. The cost per facility per permit term is the same as cost per facility for the first year
given that sampling is only required quarterly during the first year of the permit term.

Table 9: Incremental Data Entry Cost for Three Alternatives (§June 2019)

Options

Cost per Facility
for First Year
(§June 2019)1

Cost per Facility
per Year ($June
2019)2

Cost per Facility per
Permit Term ($June
2019)

Total Incremental Data Entry
cost for all facilities over the
Permit Term ($June 2019)



Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

PAHs
monitor

$121.20

$407.73

$24.24

$81.55

$121.20

$407.73

$135,255.24

$455,025.34

ing

















TPH
monitor

$75.75

$254.83

$15.15

$50.97

$75.75

$254.83

$84,534.52

$284,390.84

ing

















COD
monitor

$7.57

$25.48

$1.51

$5.10

$7.57

$25.48

$8,453.45

$28,439.08

ing

















'Samp ing is only required quarterly during the first year of permit term.

2 Cost per facility per year is calculated from averaging the cost per facility per permit term
over five years. The cost per facility per permit term is the same as cost per facility for the first
year given that sampling is only required quarterly during the first year of the permit term.

Tab

e 10: Total Incremental Cost for Three Alternatives ($June 2019)

Options

Sampling Cost

Data Entry Cost

Total Cost

Low

High

Low

High

PAHs monitoring

$2,337,371

$135,255

$455,025

$2,472,626

$2,792,396

TPH monitoring

$857,088

$84,535

$284,391

$941,623

$1,141,479

COD monitoring

$311,326

$8,453

$28,439

$319,780

$339,765

Assuming appropriate sampling cost per sample ($218.25 for PAHs, $80 forTPHs, and $29.06 for
COD), an average of 2.4 discharge points per facility, and quarterly sampling over the first year
only of the permit term, the range of total incremental cost is estimated between $319,780 (COD
monitoring) and $2,792,396 (PAH monitoring). After conducting this cost analysis for the 3 options
for developing a benchmark threshold for PAHs, EPA concluded that COD is the most cost-
effective option as a surrogate, and since it is already being proposed under the new universal
benchmark monitoring, no additional monitoring for PAHs is being proposal at this time and
therefore costs for PAH monitoring are not included in the total cost estimate. EPA clarifies that
operators will not have to covert or compare COD for PAH monitoring purposes. EPA requests
comment on information and data related to specific sectors with petroleum hydrocarbon
exposure that can release PAHs, any concentrations of individual PAHs and/or total PAHs at
industrial sites, and the correlation of PAHs and COD. EPA may consider additional monitoring for
PAHs in the final permit if it receives sufficient information to develop an appropriate benchmark
threshold.

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4. Universal Benchmark Monitoring Applicable to All Sectors
Proposed Permit Change

EPA is continuing to require benchmark monitoring as an indicator of the performance of the
stormwater control measures. For clarity, EPA continues to emphasize that the benchmark thresholds
in the EPA MSGP are not, and have never been, effluent limits themselves. The 2015 MSGP required
benchmark monitoring for around 55% of MSGP facilities; the other 45% of facilities did not have any
chemical-specific benchmark monitoring. More specifically, in the 2015 MSGP, 19 subsectors were not
subject to any benchmark monitoring requirements (B2, C5, D2, E3, F5, II, J3, N2, PI, Rl, Tl, U3, VI,
Wl, XI, Y2, Zl, AB1, and AC1) while the remaining 34 subsectors did have required benchmark
monitoring.

EPA proposes to require facilities to conduct benchmark monitoring for three indicator
parameters of pH, total suspended solids (TSS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD),
regardless of sector/subsector, called universal benchmark monitoring, as recommended by the
NRC study. This proposed requirement would apply to all sectors/subsectors, including those
facilities that previously did not have any chemical-specific monitoring requirements and those
that previously did not have these three specific benchmark parameters under the 2015 MSGP.
The NRC study suggested that such universal benchmark monitoring would provide a baseline
and comparable understanding of industrial stormwater risk, broader water quality problems,
and stormwater control effectiveness across all sectors. The NRC study states that "all three
parameters are direct measures of water quality and are appropriate choices for industry-wide
sampling because all three can be indicators of broader water quality problems and the
presence of other pollutants." In addition, the NRC study says these parameters can indicate
absence, neglect, or failure of a stormwater control measure, which can lead to high
concentrations of potential pollutants (NRC, 36). EPA previously considered adding these three
parameters as universal benchmark monitoring requirements to the 2005 MSGP (O'Donnell,
2005), and several states currently require some degree of universal monitoring in their industrial
stormwater permits (California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Washington).

All operators in all sectors would be required to monitor for these three parameters in addition to
any existing or proposed benchmark parameters that may be finalized in the 2020 MSGP, if
applicable. Any sector/subsector that had to monitor for pH, TSS, and/or COD as a sector-
specific benchmark under the 2015 MSGP would now monitor for these parameters in the 2020
MSGP as part of universal benchmark monitoring, which EPA is proposing to have a different
monitoring frequency than existing sector-specific benchmark monitoring, discussed further
below.

For universal benchmark monitoring parameters of pH, TSS, and COD, EPA proposes that
operators would be required to conduct quarterly benchmark monitoring, as identified in
proposed Part 6.1.7, for each year of permit coverage commencing no earlier than [date 90
days after permit effective date]. For any data exceeding the benchmark threshold for these
three parameters that triggered any event as specified in Parts 5.2.1.1, 5.2.2.1, and 5.2.3.1,
operators would be required to comply with Part 5.2 (Additional Implementation Measures).

EPA proposes that facilities monitor and report for these three parameters on a quarterly basis for
the entire permit term, regardless of any benchmark threshold exceedances or not, to ensure
facilities have current indicators of the effectiveness of their stormwater control measures
throughout the permit term. For facilities that had pH, TSS, and/or COD as a benchmark in the
2015 MSGP, those parameter(s) would follow the newly proposed quarterly monitoring schedule
for the entire permit term. The NRC study suggests that quarterly stormwater event samples
collected over only the first year of the permit term are inadequate to characterize industrial
stormwater discharges or describe industrial stormwater control measure performance over the

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permit term. The study states that "extended sampling over the course of the permit would
provide greater assurance of continued effective stormwater management and help identify
adverse effects from modifications in facility operation and personnel over time" (NRC, 83).

There are well-established standardized analytical procedures for all three parameters of pH, TSS,
and COD. Analytical determinations are expected to be relatively inexpensive (less than
$100/yearforall three). The NRC study acknowledges that the additional cost burden for these
three parameters is expected to be relatively small given that all facilities are already required to
collect quarterly stormwater samples for visual monitoring.

Because some operators choose to sample more than the required number of times, EPA has included
specific proposed language in the permit that the extra samples may be used to calculate their
benchmark average. Any additional sampling does not reduce the requirement that the monitoring be
completed over a minimum of four calendar quarters. Therefore, additional samples collected in one
quarter for this purpose cannot replace sampling required in other quarters. (Note: requirement for
four calendar quarters of monitoring is not applicable to airports given that the monitoring
requirements for that sector are related to winter application of deicing chemicals.)

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

Benchmark Monitoring. This permit
specifies pollutant benchmark
concentrations that are applicable
to certain sectors / subsectors.
Benchmark monitoring data are
primarily for your use to determine
the overall effectiveness of your
control measures and to assist you
in determining when additional
corrective action(s) may be
necessary to comply with the
effluent limitations in Part 2.

The benchmark concentrations are
not effluent limitations; a
benchmark exceedance,
therefore, is not a permit violation.
However, if corrective action is
required as a result of a benchmark
exceedance, failure to conduct
required corrective action is a
permit violation.

At your discretion, more than four
samples may be taken during
separate runoff events and used to
determine the average benchmark
parameter concentration for
facility discharges.

Applicability of Benchmark
Monitoring. You must monitor for
any benchmark parameters	

Benchmark Monitoring. This permit proposes benchmark
monitoring parameters that are both universal
(applicable to all sectors) and sector-specific.
Benchmark monitoring data are primarily for your use to
determine the overall effectiveness of your control
measures and to assist you in determining when
additional action(s) may be necessary to comply with
the effluent limitations in Part 2.

The benchmark thresholds are not effluent limitations; a
benchmark exceedance, therefore, is not a permit
violation. However, if a benchmark exceedances
triggers Additional Implementation Measures in Part 5,
failure to conduct any required measures would be a
permit violation.

At your discretion, you may take more than four
samples during separate discharge events to determine
the average benchmark parameter value for facility
discharges.

Applicability of Benchmark Monitoring.

a. Universal and Sector-specific Benchmark
Monitoring. You must monitor for pH, TSS, and
COD, and for any benchmark parameters
specified for the industrial sector(s), both primary
industrial activity and any co-located industrial
activities, applicable to your discharge. Universal
benchmark monitoring thresholds applicable to
all sectors (pH, TSS, and COD) and your sector-
specific benchmark thresholds are listed in Part 8.

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2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

specified for the industrial sector(s),
both primary industrial activity and
any co-located industrial activities,
applicable to your discharge. Your
industry specific benchmark
concentrations are listed in the
sector-specific sections of Part 8. If
your facility is in one of the industrial
sectors subject to benchmark
concentrations that are hardness-
dependent, you are required to
submit to EPA with your NOI a
hardness value, established
consistent with the procedures in
Appendix J, which is representative
of your receiving water.

Samples must be analyzed
consistent with 40 CFR Part 136
analytical methods and using test
procedures with quantitation limits
at or below benchmark values for
all benchmark parameters for
which you are required to sample.

Benchmark Monitoring Schedule.

Benchmark monitoring must be
conducted quarterly, as identified
in Part 6.1.7, for your first four full
quarters of permit coverage
commencing no earlier than
September 2, 2015. Facilities in
climates with irregular stormwater
runoff, as described in Part 6.1.6,
may modify this quarterly schedule
provided that this revised schedule
is reported directly to EPA by the
due date of the first benchmark
sample (see EPA Regional contacts
in Part 7.9.1), and that this revised
schedule is kept with the facility's
SWPPP as specified in Part 5.5.

When conditions prevent you from
obtaining four samples in four
consecutive quarters, you must
continue monitoring until you have
the four samples required for
calculating your benchmark
monitoring average. As noted in
Part 6.1.7, you must use NetDMR to
report using a "no data" or "NODI"

If your facility is in one of the industrial sectors
subject to benchmark thresholds that are
hardness-dependent, you must submit to EPA
with your NOI a hardness value, established
consistent with the procedures in Appendix J,
that is representative of your receiving water.
Hardness is not a specific benchmark and
therefore the permit does not include a
benchmark threshold with which to compare.

Samples must be analyzed consistent with 40
CFR Part 136 analytical methods and using
test procedures with quantitation limits at or
below benchmark thresholds for all
benchmark parameters for which you are
required to sample.

Benchmark Monitoring Schedule.

Schedule for Universal Benchmarks Applicable to All
Sectors (pH, TSS, and COD). For universal benchmark
monitoring parameters of pH, TSS, and COD, you must
conduct quarterly benchmark monitoring, as
identified in Part 6.1.7, for each year of permit
coverage commencing no earlier than [date 90 days
after permit effective date]. You must comply with
Part 5.2 (Additional Implementation Measures) for any
data exceeding the benchmark threshold as specified
in Parts 5.2.1.1, 5.2.2.1, and 5.2.3.1.

Schedule for Sector-Specific Benchmarks. For all

sector-specific benchmark monitoring parameters,
you must conduct quarterly benchmark monitoring, as
identified in Part 6.1.7, for your first four full quarters of
permit coverage commencing no earlier than [date
90 days after permit effective date]. If the annual
average for any parameter does not exceed the
benchmark threshold, you have fulfilled your
benchmark monitoring requirements for that
parameter for the permit term and can discontinue
benchmark monitoring for that parameter. You must
comply with Part 5 (Additional Implementation
Measures) and continue quarterly benchmark
monitoring for any data exceeding the benchmark
threshold as specified in Parts 5.2.1.1, 5.2.2.1, and
5.2.3.1.

Facilities in Climates with Irregular stormwater
Discharges. As described in Part 4.1.6, facilities in
climates with irregular stormwater discharges may
modify this quarterly schedule provided you report
this revised schedule directly to EPA by the due date
of the first benchmark sample (see EPA Regional	

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code for any 3-month interval that
you did not take a sample.

Data not exceeding benchmarks:

After collection of four quarterly
samples, if the average of the four
monitoring values for any
parameter does not exceed the
benchmark, you have fulfilled your
monitoring requirements for that
parameter for the permit term.

Data exceeding benchmarks: After
collection of four quarterly samples,
if the average of the four
monitoring values for any
parameter exceeds the
benchmark, you must, in
accordance with Part 4, review the
selection, design, installation, and
implementation of your control
measures to determine if
modifications are necessary to
meet the effluent limits in this
permit, and either:

•	Make the necessary
modifications and continue
quarterly monitoring until you
have completed four additional
quarters of monitoring for which
the average does not exceed
the benchmark: or

•	Make a determination that no
further pollutant reductions are
technologically available and
economically practicable and
achievable in light of best
industry practice to meet the
technology-based effluent limits
or are necessary to meet the
water-quality-based effluent
limitations in Parts 2.1 and 2.2 of
this permit, in which case you
must continue monitoring once
per year. You must also
document your rationale for
concluding that no further
pollutant reductions are
achievable, and retain all
records related to this

contacts in Part 7.9.1), and you keep this revised
schedule with the facility's SWPPP as specified in Part
5.5. When conditions prevent you from obtaining four
samples in four consecutive quarters, you must
continue monitoring until you have the four samples
required for calculating your benchmark monitoring
average. As noted in Part 4.1.7, you must use NetDMR
to report using a " no data" or" NODI" code for any 3-
month interval that you did not take a sample.

Part 8 - Sector Requirements for Industrial Activity

Universal Benchmark Monitoring Applicable to All
Sectors (see also Part 4.2.1)

You must comply with the universal benchmark
monitoring requirements below for pH, total suspended
solids (TSS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD).

These requirements apply to all sectors/subsectors and
are in addition to any sector-specific requirements
contained in this Part and requirements applicable to all
facilities in Parts 1 through 7 and the appendices of the
permit.

Table 8.1.1 identifies the benchmark monitoring
thresholds for pH, TSS, and COD that apply to all
industrial sectors/subsectors. These benchmark
parameters serve as performance indicators of other
stormwater pollutants.

Table 8.1.1 - Universal Benchmark Monitoring Applicable to All
Sectors

Subsector

Parameter

Concentration

All sectors/
subsectors

PH

6.0-9.0 s.u.

Total Suspended Solids
(TSS)

100
mg/L

Chemical Oxygen
Demand (COD)

120
mg/L

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Proposed 2020 MSGP

documentation with your
SWPPP.

You must review your control
measures and perform any
required corrective action
immediately (or document why no
corrective action is required), per
Part 4, without waiting for the full
four quarters of monitoring data,
when an exceedance of the four
quarter average is mathematically
certain. If after modifying your
control measures and conducting
four additional quarters of
monitoring, your average still
exceeds the benchmark (or if an
exceedance of the benchmark by
the four quarter average is
mathematically certain prior to
conducting the full four additional
quarters of monitoring), you must
again review your control measures
and take one of the two actions
above.



Cost Impact Discussion

The universal benchmark monitoring requirements in the proposed 2020 MSGP may trigger
additional sampling cost and additional data entry cost. Under the proposed 2020 MSGP, the
estimated 2,400 industrial facilities that EPA expects to seek coverage under the MSGP
irrespective of subsectors would be required to collect quarterly samples of three conventional
parameters, pH, TSS, and COD, during each year of permit coverage. Based on EPA's analysis of
benchmark monitoring requirements for currently permitted facilities under the 2015 MSGP, there
are approximately 1089 facilities that currently monitor for at least one of these parameters.
Therefore, EPA estimates that universal benchmark sampling would cost an average of $269 per
facility per year (or approximately an average of $1,353 per facility for the 5-year permit term)
and a total cost of $4.33 million for all 2,194 applicable facilities over the 5-year permit term.

Note that EPA only evaluated primary sub-sector data for this analysis and therefore this is a
conservative cost estimate; around 400 operators have multiple sub-sectors and could already
monitor for a parameter not captured in their primary sub-sector monitoring requirements in this
analysis. Note that the total estimated number of facilities that would have new parameter(s)
does not add up to 2,400 facilities. This is due to a legacy error in the NPDES eReporting Tool,
EPA's online NOI system, that led to the collection of incomplete subsector data.

Table 11 shows the cost breakdown for the number of facilities that would have new parameters
under the proposed universal benchmark monitoring requirements. EPA makes the following
assumptions: 1) a facility is covered for the duration of the permit term (5 years) meaning 20
samples are taken over the permit term, and 2) the average unit sampling and analysis cost of

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pH, TSS, and COD is $8.66, $15,88, and $29.06, respectively (Tetra Tech, 2015, as updated), and 3)
the average number of discharge points per facility is 2.4.

EPA assumes a negligible cost for facilities with existing benchmark monitoring and reporting
requirements to enter additional benchmark monitoring information into the NetDMR. However,
there will be some additional cost to enter this information into the NetDMR for facilities that
were not previously required to conduct and report any benchmark monitoring data. Based on
2015 MSGP NOI data, there are 1,105 facilities that currently do not have any benchmark
monitoring requirements but would be required to report universal benchmark monitoring
information under the proposed 2020 MSGP. The data entry cost range is between $125,551 and
$422,381 ($22.72 - $76.45 cost per facility per year, $113.62 - $382.25 per facility per permit term).
This assumes a data clerk hourly wage rate of $29.22, 3 data elements, an average of 2.4
discharge points per facility, and quarterly data reporting frequency (4 times per year) over the
permit term (USEPA, 2015).

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Table 11: Incremental Sampling Cost ($June 2019)

New
Parameter(s)

Number of
Subsectors
that would
have new
Benchmark
Parameter(s)

Subsectors
that would
have new
Benchmark
Parameter(s)

Average
Number of
Discharge
Points per
Facility

Number of
New
Parameter(s)

Estimated
Cost per
Facility
per Year

Estimated
Additional
Cost per
Facility for
5-year
Permit
Term

Estimated
Number of
Facilities that
would have

new
Benchmark
Parameter(s)

4

Estimated
Additional
Cost for ALL
Facilities 5-
year Permit
Term

PH

5 subsectors

Al, A4, Gl, Nl,
U2

2.40

1

$83

$415.85

218

$90,470

pH and TSS

2 subsectors

Bl, K1

2.40

2

$235

$1,178.24

5

$5,875

TSS

1 subsector

SI

2.40

1

$152

$762.39

149

$113,240

pH and COD

10 subsectors

A3, Dl, E2, F2,
HI, Jl, J2, LI,
Ml, U1

2.40

2

$362

$1,810.68

676

$1,223,560

COD

1 subsector

G2

2.40

2

$278

$1,394.90

41

$56,990

pH, TSS, and

35 subsectors

A2, B2, CI,

2.40

3

$514

$2,573.07

1,105

$2,839,850

COD



C2, C3, C4,
C5, D2, El,
E3, Fl, F3, F4,
F5, 11, J3, L2,
N2, Ol, PI,
Ql, Rl, Tl,
U3, VI, Wl,
XI, Yl, Y2, Zl,
AA1, AA2,
AB1, AC1,
AD1













Total for all Facilities for 5-year Permit Term

$4,329,985 ($4.33 million)

4 Note that the total for estimated number of facilities that would have new parameter(s) does not add up to 2,400 facilities. This is due to a legacy
error in the NPDES eReporting Tool, EPA's online NOI system, that led to collection of incomplete subsector data.

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5. Inspection-only option in lieu of benchmark monitoring
Proposed Permit Change

The NRC study recommended that EPA provide low-risk facilities with an option to have a
certified inspector perform a comprehensive site inspection in lieu of the benchmark monitoring
requirements (including proposed universal benchmark monitoring for pH, TSS, and COD) in the
proposed 2020 MSGP. Providing an option for inspection in lieu of monitoring can reduce the
burden on small, low-risk facilities while improving stormwater management.

Identifying "low-risk" facilities:

Categorizing low-risk facilities that would be eligible for an inspection-only option is somewhat
challenging. The NRC Study suggested some example conditions for low pollutant discharge risk
but acknowledges that EPA would need to further develop concrete and implementable
criteria for determining low-risk facilities (NRC, 57). One option EPA could consider is an
inspection-only option based on "light manufacturing" industrial facilities (e.g., food processing,
printing and publishing, electronic and other electrical equipment manufacturing, public
warehousing and storage) categorized in 40 CFR 122.26(b) (14) (xi). These facilities have a primary
standard industrial classification (SIC) code of one of following: 20XX, 21XX, 22XX, 23XX, 2434,
25XX, 265X, 267X, 27XX, 283X, 285X, 30XX, 31XX (except 31IX), 323X, 34XX (except 3441), 35XX,
36XX, 37XX (except 373X), 38XX, 39XX, and 4221-25 (where "X" indicates other possible digits in
the SIC code, e.g., 20XX could be 2041). Light manufacturing industrial facilities are involved in
the manufacturing and distribution of goods and services that typically take place indoors, as
opposed to the production and handling of raw materials and chemicals, and therefore exhibit
a lower risk of contributing to water quality problems via stormwater discharges. The Phase II
stormwater rule brought "light industry" under the stormwater permitting regulations but
continued to acknowledge the low-risk characteristics of this category of industries. See 64 FR
68722.

Frequency of Inspections:

EPA is interested in the appropriate inspection frequency for an inspection-only option. One
approach could be to require eligible facilities to undergo two comprehensive site inspections
conducted by a certified, professional inspector during their permit coverage instead of
conducting benchmark monitoring. The first professional site inspection could be conducted
within the first year of permit coverage, and the second inspection could occur in the third year
of permit coverage. EPA initially considered two inspections per permit term in the cost analysis,
but requests comment the appropriateness of other frequencies for this option.

Contents of the Inspection:

The inspection could include the following, or a combination thereof:

•	Review the permit and the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP); include in the
report a detailed description and professional opinion of whether and/or to what degree the
SWPPP meets the requirements set forth in the permit:

•	Review all permit-related records, including self-inspection reports: include in the report a
detailed description and professional opinion of whether and/or to what degree the facility
is complying with the permit and the SWPPP:

•	Walk the facility site and verify that the SWPPP is accurate and that the SCMs are in place
and functioning: include in the report a detailed description and professional opinion of
whether and/or to what degree the SWPPP is accurate and that the SCMs are in place and
functioning: and

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•	Identify in the report additional control measures or other actions the facility needs to take
and the timeframe by which those measures or actions should be completed to effectively
manage stormwater pollution.

•	Consideration of the degree of exposure of industrial activities and materials at a facility.

EPA also requests comment on what follow up the Agency should require with the inspection
report. EPA could consider requiring the operator to submit the original, unmodified inspection
report from the professional inspector to EPA electronically within 30 days of the inspection. If
after reviewing the inspection report, EPA determines that conditions at the facility indicate
substantial concerns and/or recurrent problems that have remained unaddressed, or there has
been a lapse in inspections, EPA could consider requiring the operator to conduct benchmark
monitoring.

Professional Inspector Credentials:

The NRC Study recommended that the certified inspector be an employee of a municipal
separate storm sewer system (MS4), a private third-party company, or a parent corporation, as
long as the inspector is not directly involved in the day-to-day operation or oversight of the
facility being inspected (NRC, 55). Because the inspection-only option would be available to
eligible facilities instead of conducting benchmark monitoring, EPA wants to ensure the
inspector has the appropriate credentials to evaluate the effectiveness of the facility's
stormwater control measures, does not have any conflicts of interest, and will conduct an un-
biased, fair inspection.

EPA currently does not have its own certification program for industrial stormwater inspections
nor can the Agency officially endorse private third-party certification programs. The 2015 MSGP
does require a "qualified personnel" to prepare the SWPPP and conduct facility self-inspections.
In this context, a "qualified personnel" is defined as "qualified personnel are those who are
knowledgeable in the principles and practices of industrial stormwater controls and pollution
prevention, and who possess the education and ability to assess conditions at the industrial
facility that could impact stormwater quality, and the education and ability to assess the
effectiveness of stormwater controls selected and installed to meet the requirements of the
permit." EPA assumes that the "qualified personnel" who prepares the SWPPP and conducts
facility self-inspections is involved in the day-to-day operation of the facility, therefore this person
would not be appropriate to conduct the professional inspection. EPA initially evaluated the
professional inspection being conducted by a Professional Engineer (PE) in the cost analysis.

Cost Impact Discussion

EPA considered the inspection-only option using the criteria discussed above (i.e., "light
manufacturing" facilities; two inspections per permit term; the inspections conducted by a PE).
EPA evaluated 2015 MSGP NOI data and identified 436 facilities with SIC codes under the light
manufacturing categories that would be eligible for the inspection-only option, about 18% of
facilities. Based on the email communication with certified inspectors and engineers (PG,
2019a), EPA provided an approximate breakdown of hours that might be needed for a
professional engineer or geologist to conduct a professional inspection described above (PG,
2019):

	Table 12: Inspection hours breakdown by items (PG, 2019a)	

Inspection Item

Estimated hours

Notes

Permit review

2

Focused on the understanding
SWPPP requirements

SWPPP review

4

Detailed review of SWPPP

Report on SWPPP compliance with permit
Requirements

4

-

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Inspection Item

Estimated hours

Notes

Review permit-related records

8

The inspection hours are
dependent on breadth of
records to review

Updating SWPPP compliance report
based on observations from records
review

4

-

Site inspection (onsite SWPPP and SCM
verification)

8

Estimated for one full day on
site

Updating SWPPP compliance report
based on observations from site
inspection

4

-

Updating SWPPP compliance report to
include recommendations regarding
additional control measures and actions

6

-

General QA time for SWPPP compliance
report draft and final

6

3 hours for internal QA to draft;
3 hours to respond to client
comments

Total estimated hours to complete an
inspection under the requirements of
2020 MSGP

46

Using an hourly labor rate of $1 79.04 for professional engineers (ASCE, 2013, as updated; Deltek,
2015), two complete inspections over the permit term, and 46 hour per inspection event, the
cost is approximately $16,471 per facility per permit term, about $7,181,653 ($7.18 million) for all
eligible facilities over the 5-year permit term. However, EPA estimates there are a potential
savings of $1,121,859.23 ($1.12 million) for the 436 facilities that are not required to do
benchmark monitoring (assuming the permittees are required to do monitoring for on at
minimum 3 parameters, per proposed universal benchmark monitoring for pH, TSS, and COD.
Note that the inspection-only option is envisioned to be in lieu of all benchmark monitoring, but
EPA used the sampling cost for these 3 parameters as they are proposed to be the minimum
parameters facilities would be required to monitor for). The savings might vary from facility to
facility as the number of parameters that have a benchmark monitoring requirement varies
widely.

Table 13 shows the cost and benefit breakdown for the number of facilities that would require
inspection under the proposed requirements.

Table 13: Cost and benefit breakdown for the number of facilities that would require inspection

Number of Facilities

436

Inspection Cost

Cost per facility per year

$3,294.34

Cost per facility per permit term

$16,471.68

Total inspection cost over the permit term ($June 2019)

$7,181,652.48

3-parameter Sampling Savings

Savings per facility per year

$514.61

Savings per facility per permit term

$2,573.07

Total samplings savings from all facilities

$1,121,859.23

Data Entry Savings

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Savings per facility per year - low

$22.72

Savings per facility per permit term - low

$113.62

Total data entry savings from all facilities - low

$49,539.05

Savings per facility per year-high

$76.45

Savings per facility per permit term -high

$382.25

Total data entry savings from all facilities-high

$166,659.15

Total Incremental Cost - Low (§June 2019)

$5,893,134.10

Total Incremental Cost - High (§June 2019)

$6,010,254.20

Based on the results of this analysis, EPA made a preliminary conclusion that the costs show the
inspection-only option may not be a viable alternative and that benchmark monitoring may be
more cost effective for operators. This is due to the relatively high labor rates of a professional
inspection from a PE as compared to the sampling costs of benchmarking monitoring. EPA notes
this is just one approach and requests comment on other approaches the Agency should
evaluate in order to make the inspection-only option an effective alternative for low-risk facilities.
See Part 4.2.1.1 of the Fact Sheet for this proposed permit for more background this request for
comment.

6. Require lab results in DMR
Proposed Permit Change

EPA proposes to require facilities to include a copy of their monitoring data lab reports with the
Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR). Facilities would be able to upload a copy or PDF file to
NeTDMR.

2015 MSGP

Proposed 2020 MSGP

Monitoring Reports. Monitoring data must
be reported using EPA's electronic
NetDMR tool at www.epa.gov/netdmr, as
described in Part 7.4 (unless a waiver from
electronic reporting has been granted
from the EPA Regional Office, in which
case you may submit a paper DMR form).

Monitorina Reports. Monitorina data, includina a
copv of vour lab report(s), must be reported
using EPA's electronic NetDMR tool at
www.epa.gov/netdmr, as described in Part 7.4
(unless a waiver from electronic reporting has
been granted from the EPA Regional Office, in
which case you may submit a paper DMR form).

Cost Impact Discussion

EPA assumes a negligible cost or burden for including the additional information (a copy of lab
report) since the operators are already required to report their monitoring data through
eReporting (NetDMR). Therefore, uploading additional information should not add a high
incremental cost to the existing costs.

References:

•	ASFPM. (2018). The Costs & Benefits of Building Higher. Retrieved from
https://www.floods.ora/ace-imaaes/BenefitsCostFreeboardFlverFinalFeb2018.pdf

•	ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers). 2013. The Engineering Income and Salary
Survey. Retrieved from:

https://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/Membership_and_Communities/salary-survey-asce-
asme-2013.pdf

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•	American Analytical Laboratories (AAL). (2016). Sampling Guide. Retrieved from
http://www.american-analvtical.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Samplina-Guide-
2016.pdf

•	Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2019, March). EMPLOYER COSTS FOR EMPLOYEE
COMPENSATION - MARCH 2019. Retrieved from
https://www.bls.aov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf

•	CleanWater. (2019). Oil-water separators: a price guide. Retrieved from
https://cleanawater.com.au/information-centre/oil-water-separators-a-price-auide

•	Deltek. 2015. Architecture and Engineering Industry Study. 36th Annual Comprehensive
Report.

•	Energylab. (2014). Technical services and fee schedule. Energy Laboratories Inc.
Retrieved from: http://www.energylab.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Technical-
Services-and-Fee-Schedule.pdf

•	ENR (Environmental and Natural Resources). 2019. Taiga Environmental Laboratory Price
Guide. Retrieved from: https://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/en/services/taiga-environmental-
laboratory/price-guide

•	Enviro-Chem Laboratories. 2019. Services. Retrieved from: http://www.enviro-
chem.net/content/services.

•	HomeAdvisor. 2019a.Make and Install Signs, https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/safety-
and-security/make-and-install-signs/ (accessed 07/23/2019).

•	HomeAdvisor. 2019b. Make and Install Signs.
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•	MDEP (Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection). (2014). Comprehensive
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142442/unrestricted/DEP Final Paper V9.pdf

•	MDOT (Maryland Department of Transportation). (2019, January). Price Index January
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https://www.roads.marvland.aov/ohd2/MDOTSHA Priceindex Jan2019.pdf

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https://www. portableaaraqedepot.com/index. cfm?catid=505

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•	ShelterLogic. (2010). Anchor Quick Guide. Retrieved from
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•	USGS. (2019). Coal-Tar-Based Pavement Sealant, PAHs, and Environmental Health.
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science center obiects=Q#at-science center objects

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USEPA. (2017, December). Public Notification Requirements for Combined Sewer
Overflows to the Great Lakes Basin: Supporting Documentation for the Cost and Burden
Analysis.

USEPA. (2015, September). Economic Analysis of the National Pollutant Discharge
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