NCG080000_2017 General Permit No Changes_20171116

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DIVISION OF ENERGY, MINERAL AND LAND RESOURCES
GENERAL PERMIT NO. NCG080000
TO DISCHARGE STORMWATER UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
for establishments primarily engaged in the following activities:
Vehicle Maintenance Areas
In compliance with the provision of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards and
regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, this permit is hereby issued to all owners or
operators, hereafter permittees, which are covered by this permit as evidenced by receipt of a Certificate of
Coverage by the Environmental Management Commission to allow the discharge of stormwater to the
surface waters of North Carolina or to a separate storm sewer systems conveying stormwater to surface
waters in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Coverage under this general permit is applicable to:
• All owners or operators of stormwater point source discharges associated with activities that have
Vehicle Maintenance Areas (including vehicle rehabilitation, mechanical repairs, painting, fueling,
lubrication and equipment cleaning operation areas) associated with activities classified as Rail
Transportation [Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 40], Local and Suburban Transit and
Interurban Highway Passenger Transportation [SIC 41], Motor Freight Transportation and
Warehousing [SIC 42], except Public Warehousing and Storage [SIC 4221-4225], Postal Service [SIC
43], and Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals [SIC 5171] with total petroleum storage capacity of
less than 1 million gallons.
On a case -by -case basis, the State may require other industrial activities to be permitted under this general
permit that are not categorically required to be permitted. These other activities may include stormwater
discharges from oil water separators, secondary containments structures at petroleum storage facilities,
and/or vehicle maintenance areas at any facilities other than those listed above. Discharge limitations in
Part 11, Section C. only apply to such activities when designated by the Division.
Except upon DEMLR determination of similarity as provided immediately above, the following
activities and associated discharges are excluded from coverage under this General Permit:
• Vehicle maintenance areas at activities classified as Water Transportation [SIC 44] and
Transportation by Air [SIC 45] and
• Wash water from steam cleaning operations or other equipment cleaning operations.
Semi-annual monitoring shall continue, unless more frequent monitoring is required in
accordance with Tiers in Part 11, Section R
The General Permit shall become effective November 16, 2017.
The General Permit shall expire at midnigh o ctober 31, 2018
Signed this day November 16, 2017. � l / f
Tracy E. Davis, P.E., CPM, Directof
Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
By the Authority of the Environmental Management Commission

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Permit No. NCG080000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INTRODUCTION
Section A: General Permit Coverage
Section B: Permitted Activities
PART II MONITORING, CONTROLS, AND LIMITATIONS FOR PERMITTED DISCHARGES
Section A: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
Section B: Analytical Monitoring Requirements - Vehicle Maintenance Activities
Section C: Discharge Limitations and Analytical Monitoring Requirements - Oil Water Separators
and/or Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
Section D: Qualitative Monitoring Requirements
PART III STANDARD CONDITIONS FOR NPDES STORMWATER GENERAL PERMITS
Section A: Compliance and Liability
1.
Compliance Schedule
2.
Duty to Comply
3.
Duty to Mitigate
4.
Civil and Criminal Liability
S.
Oil and Hazardous Substance Liability
6.
Property Rights
7.
Severability
8.
Duty to Provide Information
9.
Penalties for Tampering
10.
Penalties for Falsification of Reports
11.
Onshore or Offshore Construction
12.
Duty to Reapply
Section B: General
Conditions
1.
General Permit Expiration
2.
Transfers
3.
When an Individual Permit May be Required
4.
When an Individual Permit May be Requested
5.
Signatory Requirements
E

Permit No. NCG080000
6. General Permit Modification, Revocation and Reissuance, or
Termination
7. Certificate of Coverage Actions
8. Annual Administering and Compliance Monitoring Fee Requirements
Section C: Operation and Maintenance of Pollution Controls
1. Proper Operation and Maintenance
2. Need to Halt or Reduce not a Defense
3. Bypassing of Stormwater Control Facilities
Section D: Monitoring and Records
1.
Representative Sampling
2.
Recording Results
3.
Flow Measurements
4.
Test Procedures
5.
Representative Outfall
6.
Records Retention
7.
Inspection and Entry
Section E: Reporting
Requirements
1.
Discharge Monitoring Reports
2.
Submitting Reports
3.
Availability of Reports
4.
Non-Stormwater Discharges
5.
Planned Changes
6.
Anticipated Noncompliance
7.
Spills
7.
Bypass
8.
Twenty-four Hour Reporting
9.
Other Noncompliance
10.
Other Information
PART IV DEFINITIONS

Permit No. NCG080000
PART I INTRODUCTION
SECTION A: GENERAL PERMIT COVERAGE
All persons desiring to have facilities covered by this General Permit must register with the Division
of Water Quality by the filing of a Notice of Intent (NOI) and applicable fees. The NOI shall be
submitted and a certificate of coverage issued prior to any point source discharge of stormwater
associated with industrial activity to the surface waters of the state.
Any owner or operator not wishing to be covered or limited by this General Permit may make
application for an individual NPDES permit in accordance with NPDES procedures in 15A NCAC 2H
.0100, stating the reasons supporting the request. Any application for an individual permit should
be made at least 180 days prior to commencement of discharge.
This General Permit does not cover activities or discharges covered by an individual NPDES permit
until the individual permit has expired or has been revoked. Any person conducting an activity
covered by an individual permit but which could be covered by this General Permit may request
that the individual permit be revoked and coverage under this General Permit be provided.
If industrial materials and activities are not exposed to precipitation or runoff as described in 40
CFR §122.26(g), the facility may qualify for a No Exposure Exclusion from NPDES stormwater
discharge permit requirements. Any owner or operator wishing to obtain a No Exposure Exclusion
must submit a No Exposure Certification Notice of Intent (NOI) form to the Division; must receive
approval by the Division; must maintain no exposure conditions unless authorized to discharge
under a valid NPDES stormwater permit; and must recertify the No Exposure Exclusion annually.
Any facility may apply for new or continued coverage under this permit until a Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) for pollutants for stormwater is established. A TMDL sets a pollutant -loading
limit that affects a watershed, or portion of a watershed, draining to a specific impaired water. For
discharges to watersheds affected by a TMDL, coverage under this permit may depend on the
facility demonstrating it does not have reasonable potential to violate applicable water quality
standards for those pollutants as a result of discharges. If DWQ determines that discharges have
reasonable potential to cause water quality standard violations, the facility shall apply for an
individual permit 180 days prior to the expiration date of this General Permit. Once that individual
permit is effective, the facility will no longer have coverage under this General Permit. Note that the
permittee must identify impaired waters (scheduled for TMDL development) and waters already
subject to a TMDL in the Site Plan, as outlined in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, Part II,
Section A.
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, the
permittee is authorized to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity. Such
discharges shall be controlled, limited, and monitored as specified in this permit.
Part I Page 1 of 2

Permit No. NCG080000
SECTION B: PERMITTED ACTIVITIES
Until coverage under this permit expires or is modified or revoked, the permittee is authorized to
discharge stormwater to the surface waters of North Carolina or separate storm sewer system
which has been adequately treated and managed in accordance with the terms and conditions of
this General Permit.
Any other point source discharge to surface waters of the state is prohibited unless it is an
allowable non-stormwater discharge or is covered by another permit, authorization or approval.
The stormwater discharges allowed by this General Permit shall not cause or contribute to
violations of Water Quality Standards.
This permit does not relieve the permittee's responsibility for compliance with any other applicable
federal, state, or local law, rule, standard, ordinance, order, or decree.
Part I Page 2 of 2

Permit No. NCG080000
PART II MONITORING, CONTROLS, AND LIMITATIONS FOR PERMITTED DISCHARGES
SECTION A: STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN
The permittee shall develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP). The
SPPP shall be maintained on site unless exempted from this requirement by the Division. The SPPP
is public information in accordance with Part III, Standard Conditions, Section E, paragraph 3 of this
permit. The SPPP shall include, at a minimum, the following items:
Site Overview. The Site Overview shall provide a description of the physical facility and the
potential pollutant sources that may be expected to contribute to contamination of stormwater
discharges. The Site Overview shall contain the following:
a. A general location map (USGS quadrangle map or appropriately drafted equivalent map),
showing the facility's location in relation to transportation routes and surface waters; the
name of the receiving waters to which the stormwater outfalls discharge, or if the discharge
is to a municipal separate storm sewer system, the name of the municipality and the
ultimate receiving waters; and accurate latitude and longitude of the points of stormwater
discharge associated with industrial activity. The general location map (or alternatively the
site map) shall identify whether any receiving waters are impaired (on the state's 303(d)
list of impaired waters) or if the site is located in a watershed for which a TMDL has been
established, and what the parameters of concern are.
b. A narrative description of storage practices, loading and unloading activities, outdoor
process areas, dust or particulate generating or control processes, and waste disposal
practices. A narrative description of the potential pollutants that could be expected to be
present in the stormwater discharge from each outfall.
c. A site map drawn at a scale sufficient to clearly depict: the site property boundary; the
stormwater discharge outfalls; all on -site and adjacent surface waters and wetlands;
industrial activity areas (including storage of materials, disposal areas, process areas,
loading and unloading areas, and haul roads); site topography and finished grade; all
drainage features and structures; drainage area boundaries and total contributing area for
each outfall; direction of flow in each drainage area; industrial activities occurring in each
drainage area; buildings; stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs); and impervious
surfaces. The site map must indicate the percentage of each drainage area that is
impervious, and the site map must include a graphic scale indication and north arrow.
d. A list of significant spills or leaks of pollutants during the previous three (3) years and
any corrective actions taken to mitigate spill impacts.
Certification that the stormwater outfalls have been evaluated for the presence of non-
stormwater discharges. The permittee shall re -certify annually that the stormwater
outfalls have been evaluated for the presence of non-stormwater discharges. The
certification statement will be signed in accordance with the requirements found in Part III,
Standard Conditions, Section B, Paragraph S.
Part II Page 1 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
2. Stormwater Management Strategy. The Stormwater Management Strategy shall contain a
narrative description of the materials management practices employed which control or
minimize the stormwater exposure of significant materials, including structural and
nonstructural measures. The Stormwater Management Strategy, at a minimum, shall
incorporate the following:
a. Feasibility Study. A review of the technical and economic feasibility of changing the
methods of operations and/or storage practices to eliminate or reduce exposure of
materials and processes to rainfall and run-on flows. Wherever practical, the permittee
shall prevent exposure of all storage areas, material handling operations, and
manufacturing or fueling operations. In areas where elimination of exposure is not
practical, this review shall document the feasibility of diverting the stormwater run-on
away from areas of potential contamination.
b. Secondary Containment Requirements and Records. Secondary containment is
required for: bulk storage of liquid materials; storage in any amount of Section 313 of Title
III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) water priority chemicals;
and storage in any amount of hazardous substancesin order to prevent leaks and spills
from contaminating stormwater runoff. A table or summary of all such tanks and stored
materials and their associated secondary containment areas shall be maintained. If the
secondary containment devices are connected to Stormwater conveyance systems, the
connection shall be controlled by manually activated valves or other similar devices (which
shall be secured closed with a locking mechanism). Any stormwater that accumulates in the
containment area shall be at a minimum visually observed for color, foam, outfall staining,
visible sheens and dry weather flow, prior to release of the accumulated stormwater.
Accumulated stormwater shall be released if found to be uncontaminated by any material.
Records documenting the individual making the observation, the description of the
accumulated stormwater, and the date and time of the release shall be kept for a period of
five (5) years.
For facilities subject to a federal oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)
plan, any portion of the SPCC plan fully compliant with the requirements of this permit may
be used to demonstrate compliance with this permit.
c. BMP Summary. A listing of site structural and non-structural Best Management Practices
(BMPs) shall be provided. The installation and implementation of BMPs shall be based on
the assessment of the potential for sources to contribute significant quantities of pollutants
to stormwater discharges and on data collected through monitoring of stormwater
discharges. The BMP Summary shall include a written record of the specific rationale for
installation and implementation of the selected site BMPs. The BMP Summary shall be
reviewed and updated annually.
d. Locomotive Sanding Areas (applicable to Rail Transportation only). The plan must
describe measures that prevent or minimize contamination of the Stormwater runoff from
areas used for locomotive sanding. The facility shall consider covering sanding areas,
minimizing stormwater runon/runoff, appropriate sediment removal practices to minimize
the offsite transport of sanding material by stormwater, or other equivalent measures.
e. Vehicle and Equipment Cleaning Areas. The plan must describe measures that prevent
or minimize contamination of the stormwater runoff from all areas used for vehicle and
equipment cleaning. The facility shall consider performing all cleaning operations indoors,
covering the cleaning operation, ensuring that all wash waters drain to the sanitary sewer
Part II Page 2 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
system (i.e., not the stormwater drainage system, unless permitted by another NPDES
general or individual permit), collecting the stormwater runoff from the cleaning area and
providing treatment or recycling, or other equivalent measures. If sanitary sewer is not
available to the facility and cleaning operations take place outdoors, the cleaning operations
shall take place on grassed or graveled areas to prevent point source discharges of the wash
water into the storm drains or surface waters. Where cleaning operations cannot be
performed as described above and when operations are performed in the vicinity of a storm
drainage collection system, the drain shall be covered with a portable drain cover during
cleaning activities. Any excess ponded water shall be removed and properly handled by
pump to a sanitary sewer system prior to removing the drain cover. Detergents used
outdoors shall be biodegradable and the pH adjusted to be in the range of 6 to 9 standard
units. The point source discharge of vehicle and equipment wash waters, including tank
cleaning operations, are not authorized by this permit and must be covered under a
separate NPDES general or individual permit or discharged to a sanitary sewer in
accordance with applicable industrial wastewater pretreatment requirements.
f. Remote Fueling Operations. If remote fueling (or other vehicle maintenance activities)
are conducted at off site locations but coordinated from the permitted facility, the plan shall
include a component that describes the stormwater management practices and BMPs used
to prevent and/or minimize the contamination of stormwater from such activities.
3. Spill Prevention and Response Procedures. The Spill Prevention and Response Procedures
(SPRP) shall incorporate an assessment of potential pollutant sources based on a materials
inventory of the facility. Facility personnel responsible for implementing the SPRP shall be
identified in a written list incorporated into the SPRP and signed and dated by each individual
acknowledging their responsibilities for the plan. A responsible person shall be on -site at all
times during facility operations that have the potential to contaminate stormwater runoff
through spills or exposure of materials associated with the facility operations. The SPRP must
be site stormwater specific. Therefore, an oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure
plan (SPCC) may be a component of the SPRP, but may not be sufficient to completely address
the stormwater aspects of the SPRP. The common elements of the SPCC with the SPRP may be
incorporated by reference into the SPRP.
4. Preventative Maintenance and Good Housekeeping Program. A preventative maintenance
and good housekeeping program shall be developed and implemented. The program shall
address all stormwater control systems (if applicable), stormwater discharge outfalls, all on -site
and adjacent surface waters and wetlands, industrial activity areas (including material storage
areas, material handling areas, disposal areas, process areas, loading and unloading areas, and
haul roads), all drainage features and structures, and existing structural BMPs. The program
shall establish schedules of inspections, maintenance, and housekeeping activities of
stormwater control systems, as well as facility equipment, facility areas, and facility systems
that present a potential for stormwater exposure or stormwater pollution where not already
addressed under another element of the SPPP. Inspection of material handling areas and
regular cleaning schedules of these areas shall be incorporated into the program. Timely
compliance with the established schedules for inspections, maintenance, and housekeeping
shall be recorded and maintained in the SPPP.
5. Employee Training. Training programs shall be developed and training provided at a
minimum on an annual basis for facility personnel with responsibilities for: spill response and
cleanup, preventative maintenance activities, and for any of the facility's operations that have
the potential to contaminate stormwater runoff. The facility personnel responsible for
Part II Page 3 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
implementing the training shall be identified, and their annual training shall be documented by
the signature of each employee trained.
6. Responsible Party. The SPPP shall identify a specific position or positions responsible for the
overall coordination, development, implementation, and revision of the SPPP. Responsibilities
for all components of the SPPP shall be documented and position assignments provided.
7. SPPP Amendment and Annual Update. The permittee shall amend the SPPP whenever there
is a change in design, construction, operation, site drainage, maintenance, or configuration of
the physical features which may have a significant effect on the potential for the discharge of
pollutants to surface waters. All aspects of the SPPP shall be reviewed and updated on an
annual basis. The annual update shall include:
(a) an updated list of significant spills or leaks of pollutants for the previous three (3)
years, or the notation that no spills have occurred (element of the Site Overview);
(b) a written re -certification that the stormwater outfalls have been evaluated for the
presence of non-stormwater discharges (element of the Site Overview);
(c) a documented re-evaluation of the effectiveness of the on -site stormwater BMPs
(BMP Summary element of the Stormwater Management Strategy).
(d) a review and comparison ofsample analytical data to benchmark values (if
applicable) over the past year, including a discussion about Tiered Response status.
The permittee shall use the Division's Annual Summary Data Monitoring Report
(DMR) form, available from the Stormwater Permitting Unit's website (See
'Monitoring Forms' here: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq./ws/su/npdessw).
The Director may notify the permittee when the SPPP does not meet one or more of the
minimum requirements of the permit. Within 30 days of such notice, the permittee shall submit
a time schedule to the Director for modifying the SPPP to meet minimum requirements. The
permittee shall provide certification in writing (in accordance with Part III, Standard
Conditions, Section B, Paragraph 5) to the Director that the changes have been made.
8. Facility Inspection Program. Inspections of the facility and all stormwater systems shall
occur at a minimum on a semi-annual schedule, once during the first half of the year (January to
June) and once during the second half (July to December), with at least 60-days separating
inspection dates (unless performed more frequently). The inspection and any subsequent
maintenance activities performed shall be documented, recording date and time of inspection,
individual(s) making the inspection and a narrative description of the facility's stormwater
control systems, plant equipment and systems. Records of these inspections shall be
incorporated into the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. These facility inspections are
different from, and in addition to, the stormwater discharge characteristic monitoring required
in Part II of this permit.
9. SPPP Implementation. The permittee shall implement the Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Plan and all appropriate BMPs to prevent contaminants from entering surface waters via
stormwater. Implementation of the SPPP shall include documentation of all monitoring,
measurements, inspections, maintenance activities, and training provided to employees,
including the log of the sampling data and of actions taken to implement BMPs associated with
the industrial activities, including vehicle maintenance activities. Such documentation shall be
kept on -site for a period of five (5) years and made available to the Director or the Director's
authorized representative immediately upon request.
Part II Page 4 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
SECTION B: ANALYTICAL MONITORING REQUIREMENTS - VEHICLE MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Analytical monitoring of stormwater discharges shall be performed as specified in Table 1, for those
facilities conducting vehicle maintenance activities and utilizing more than 55 gallons new motor oil per
month when averaged over the year (those vehicle maintenance activities not utilizing more than 55
gallons of new motor oil per month are not required to conduct analytical monitoring).
Table 1. Analytical Monitoring Requirements
Discharge
Characteristics
Units
Measurement
Fre uenc 1
Sample
Type2
Sample
Location3
H
standard
semi-annual
Grab
SDO
Non -Polar Oil & Grease / TPH
EPA Method 1664 SGT-HEM
mg/1
semi-annual
Grab
SDO
Total Suspended Solids
mg/1
semi-annual
Grab
SDO
Total Rainfa114
inches
semi-annual
Rain gauge
New Motor Oil Usage
I gallons/month
I semi-annual
I Estimate
-
Footnotes:
1 Measurement Frequency: Twice per year during a measureable storm event.
2 Sample collection must begin within the first 30 minutes of discharge and continue to all outfalls until
completed.
3 Sample Location: Samples shall be collected at each stormwater discharge outfall (SDO) unless
representative outfall status (ROS) has been granted. A copy of the DWQ letter granting ROS must be
kept on site. DWQ's ROS letter remains in effect through the subsequent reissuance of this permit and as
long as the pertinent site conditions and operations remain unchanged, unless the ROS letter provides
for other conditions or duration.
4 For each sampled measureable storm event the total precipitation must be recorded. An on -site rain
gauge or local rain gauge reading must be recorded.
All analytical monitoring shall be performed during a measurable storm event at each stormwater
discharge outfall (SDO).
A measurable storm event is a storm event that results in an actual discharge from the
permitted site outfall. The previous measurable storm event must have been at least 72 hours
prior. The 72-hour storm interval does not apply if the permittee is able to document that a shorter
interval is representative for local storm events during the sampling period, and the permittee
obtains approval from the local DWQ Regional Office. See Definitions.
The permittee shall complete the analytical samplings in accordance with the schedule specified in
Table 2, unless adverse weather conditions prevent sample collection (see Adverse Weather in
Definitions). A minimum of 60 days must separate Period 1 and Period 2 sample dates, unless
monthly monitoring has been instituted as part of other requirements of this permit. Inability to
sample because of adverse weather conditions must be documented in the SPPP and recorded on
the DMR. The permittee must report the results from each sample taken within the monitoring
period (see Part III, Section E). Sampling is not required outside of the facility's normal operating
hours.
Part II Page 5 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
Table 2. Monitoring Schedule
Sample Number
Start
End
Year 1- Period 1
1
January 1, 2013
June 30, 2013
Year 1 - Period 2
2
July 1, 2013
December 31, 2013
Year 2 - Period 1
3
January 1, 2014
June 30, 2014
Year 2 - Period 2
4
July 1, 2014
December 31, 2014
Year 3 - Period 1
5
January 1, 2015
June 30, 2015
Year 3 - Period 2
6
July 1, 2015
December 31, 2015
Year 4 - Period 1
7
January 1, 2016
June 30, 2016
Year 4 - Period 2
8
July 1, 2016
December 31, 2016
Year 5 - Period 1
9
January 1, 2017
June 30, 2017
Year 5 - Period 2
10
July 1, 2017
October 31, 2017
Footnotes:
1 Maintain semi-annual analytical monitoring throughout the permit renewal process (unless
other provisions of this permit prompt monthly sampling).
If no discharge occurs during the sampling period, the permittee must submit a monitoring report indicating
"No Flow" or "No Discharge" within 30 days of the end of the sampling period. Failure to monitor semi-
annually per permit terms may result in the Division requiring monthly monitoring for all
parameters for a specified time period. "No discharge" from an outfall or inability to collect a
sample because of adverse weather conditions during a monitoring period does not constitute
failure to monitor, as long as it is properly reported.
The permittee shall compare monitoring results to the benchmark values in Table 3. The benchmark
values in Table 3 are not permit limits but should be used as guidelines for the permittee's Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP). Exceedances of benchmark values require the permittee to increase
monitoring, increase management actions, increase record keeping, and/or install stormwater Best
Management Practices (BMPs) in a tiered program. See below the descriptions of Tier One, Tier Two,
and Tier Three response actions below. In the event that DWQ releases the permittee from continued
monthly monitoring under Tier Three, DWQ's release letter remains in effect through the subsequent
reissuance of this permit, unless the release letter provides for other conditions or duration.
Table 3. Benchmark Values for Analytical Monitoring Requirements
Discharge Characteristics
Benchmark Value
pH1
6 - 9 standard unitsl
Non -Polar Oil & Grease TPH by EPA Method 1664 SGT-HEM
15m 1
Total Suspended Solids ORW, H W, Trout & PNA waters
50 mg/1
Total Suspended Solids
100 mg/1
Footnotes:
1 If pH values outside this range are recorded in sampled stormwater discharges, but ambient
precipitation pH levels are lower, then the lower threshold of this benchmark range is the pH of
the precipitation (within instrument accuracy) instead of 6 S.U. Readings from an on -site or local
rain gauge (or local precipitation data) must be documented to demonstrate background
concentrations were below the benchmark pH range of 6-9.
Part II Page 6 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
Tier One
I If: The first valid sampling results are above a benchmark value, or outside of the benchmark range, for any pI
arameter at anv outfall;
Then: The permittee shall:
1. Conduct a stormwater management inspection of the facility within two weeks of receiving sampling
results.
2. Identify and evaluate possible causes of the benchmark value exceedance.
3. Identify potential and select the specific: source controls, operational controls, or physical
improvements to reduce concentrations of the parameters of concern, and/or to bring concentrations
within the benchmark range.
4. Implement the selected actions within two months of the inspection.
5. Record each instance of a Tier One response in the SPPP. Include the date and value of the benchmark
exceedence, the inspection date, the personnel conducting the inspection, the selected actions, and the
date the selected actions were
Tier Two
If: During the term of this permit, the first valid sampling results from two consecutive monitoring periods are
above the benchmark values, or outside of the benchmark range, for any specific parameter at a specific
Then: The permittee shall:
1. Repeat all the required actions outlined above in Tier One.
2. Immediately institute monthly monitoring for all parameters. The permittee shall conduct monthly
monitoring at every outfall where a sampling result exceeded the benchmark value for two consecutive
samples. Monthly (analytical and qualitative) monitoring shall continue until three consecutive sample
results are below the benchmark values or within benchmark range.
3. If no discharge occurs during the sampling period, the permittee is required to submit a monthly
monitoring report indicating "No Flow' to comply with reporting requirements.
4. Benchmark exceedances for a different parameter separately trigger a tiered response.
5. Maintain a record of the Tier Two response in the SPPP.
Tier Three
If. During the term of this permit, if the valid sampling results required for the permit monitoring periods
exceed the benchmark value, or are outside the benchmark range, for any specific parameter at any specific
outfall on four occasions, the permittee shall notify the DWQ Regional Office Supervisor in writing within
30 days of receipt of the fourth analytical results. DWQ may but is not limited to:
• require that the permittee revise, increase, or decrease monitoring frequency for some or all
parameters;
• rescind coverage under the General Permit, and require that the permittee apply for an individual
stormwater discharge permit;
• require the permittee to install structural stormwater controls;
• require the permittee to implement other stormwater control measures;
• require the permittee to perform upstream and downstream monitoring to characterize impacts on
receiving waters; or
• require the permittee implement site modifications to qualify for a No Exposure Exclusion.
Part Il Page 7 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
SECTION C: DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS AND ANALYTICAL MONITORING REQUIREMENTS - OIL
WATER SEPARATORS AND/OR PETROLEUM BULK STATIONS AND TERMINALS
During the period beginning on the effective date of the permit and lasting until expiration, unless
otherwise prohibited, the permittee is authorized to discharge stormwater from oil water separators
and/or petroleum bulk stations and terminals secondary containment areas subject to the provisions of
this permit. If such activities have been designated by the Division, discharges shall be monitored and
limited as specified in Table 4, and sampled in accordance with the schedule presented in Table 2.
Clarification: The limitations in Table 4 only apply to oil water separators, secondary containment
structures at petroleum bulk stations and terminals with a total petroleum storage capacity of less than 1
million gallons, or other stormwater discharges that have been specifically designated by the Division as
subject to these discharge requirements in the permit. This means that, unless specified differently by the
Division, discharges from oil/water separators or from secondary containment areas that are associated
with vehicle maintenance activities at facilities categorically captured by the federal NPDES Stormwater
Program are otherwise subject to Part II., Section B. (Stormwater Analytical Monitoring Requirements) of
this general permit.
Table 4. Discharge Limitations and Analytical Monitoring Requirements
for Stormwater Discharges as Designated by the Division
Discharge
Characteristics
Limitations
and Units
Measurement
Fre uenc 1
Sample
Type2
Sample
Location3
H
6.0 to 9.0 s.u.
semi-annual
Grab
SDO
Non -Polar Oil & Grease / TPH
EPA Method 1664 SGT-HEM
15mg/l
semi-annual
Grab
SDO
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
100 mg/1
semi-annual
Grab
SDO
TSS ORW, HQW, Trout & PNA waters
50 mg/1
Total Rainfall4
inches
I semi-annual
IRain gauge
-
Footnotes:
1 Measurement Frequency: Twice per year during a measureable storm event.
2 Sample collection must begin within the first 30 minutes of discharge and continue to all outfalls until
completed.
3 Sample Location: Samples shall be collected at each stormwater discharge outfall (SDO) unless
representative outfall status (ROS) has been granted. A copy of the DWQ letter granting ROS must be
kept on site. DWQ's ROS letter remains in effect through the subsequent reissuance of this permit and as
long as the pertinent site conditions and operations remain unchanged, unless the ROS letter provides
for other conditions or duration.
4 For each sampled measureable storm event the total precipitation must be recorded. An on -site rain
gauge or local rain gauge reading must be recorded.
Part II Page 8 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
Section D: Stormwater Discharges: Qualitative Monitoring Requirements
The purpose of qualitative monitoring is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan (SPPP) and assess new sources of stormwater pollution. Qualitative monitoring of
stormwater outfalls must be performed during a measurable storm event.
Qualitative monitoring requires a visual inspection of each stormwater outfall regardless of
representative outfall status. Qualitative monitoring requires a visual inspection of each
stormwater outfall regardless of representative outfall status and shall be performed as specified in
Table 5, during the analytical monitoring event. Inability to sample because of adverse weather
conditions must be documented in the SPPP and recorded on the DMR (see Adverse Weather in
Definitions). Only SDOs discharging stormwater associated with industrial activity must be
monitored (See Definitions). Qualitative monitoring is not required outside of the facility's normal
operating hours.
Table S. Qualitative Monitoring Requirements
Discharge Characteristics
Frequencyl
Monitoring
Location2
Color
semi-annual
SDO
Odor
semi-annual
SDO
Clarity
semi-annual
SDO
Floating Solids
semi-annual
SDO
Suspended Solids
semi-annual
SDO
Foam
semi-annual
SDO
Oil Sheen
semi-annual
SDO
Erosion or deposition at the outfall
semi-annual
SDO
Other obvious indicators of stormwater pollution
semi-annual
SDO
Footnotes:
Frequency: Twice per year during a measureable storm event. See Table 2 for schedule of monitoring
periods through the end of this permitting cycle. The permittee must continue qualitative monitoring
throughout the permit renewal process.
Monitoring Location: Qualitative monitoring shall be performed at each stormwater discharge outfall
(SDO) regardless of representative outfall status.
A minimum of 60 days must separate monitoring dates, unless additional sampling has been
instituted as part of other analytical monitoring requirements in this permit.
If the permittee's qualitative monitoring indicates that existing stormwater BMPs are ineffective, or
that significant stormwater contamination is present, the permittee shall investigate potential
causes, evaluate the feasibility of corrective actions, and implement those corrective actions within
60 days, per the Qualitative Monitoring Response, below. A written record of the permittee's
investigation, evaluation, and response actions shall be kept in the Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan.
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Permit No. NCG080000
Qualitative Monitoring Response
Qualitative monitoring is for the purposes of evaluating SPPP effectiveness, assessing new sources
of stormwater pollution, and prompting the permittee's response to pollution. If the permittee
repeatedly fails to respond effectively to correct problems identified by qualitative monitoring, or if
the discharge causes or contributes to a water quality standard violation, DWQ may but is not
limited to:
• require that the permittee revise, increase, or decrease monitoring frequency for some or
all parameters (analytical or qualitative);
• require the permittee to install structural stormwater controls;
• require the permittee to implement other stormwater control measures;
• require the permittee to perform upstream and downstream monitoring to characterize
impacts on receiving waters; or
• require the permittee implement site modifications to qualify for a No Exposure Exclusion.
Part II Page 10 of 10

Permit No. NCG080000
PART III STANDARD CONDITIONS FOR NPDES STORMWATER GENERAL PERMITS
SECTION A: COMPLIANCE AND LIABILITY
1. Compliance Schedule
The permittee shall comply with Limitations and Controls specified for stormwater discharges
in accordance with the following schedule:
Existing Facilities already operating but applying for permit coverage for the first time:
The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan shall be developed and implemented within 12
months of the effective date of the Certificate of Coverage and updated thereafter on an annual
basis. Secondary containment, as specified in Part II, Section A, Paragraph 2(b) of this general
permit, shall be accomplished within 12 months of the effective date of the issuance of the
Certificate of Coverage.
New Facilities applying for coverage for the first time: The Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan shall be developed and implemented prior to the beginning of discharges from
the operation of the industrial activity and be updated thereafter on an annual basis. Secondary
containment, as specified in Part II, Section A, Paragraph 2 (b) of this general permit shall be
accomplished prior to the beginning of discharges from the operation of the industrial activity.
Existing facilities previously permitted and applying for renewal under this General
Permit: All requirements, conditions, limitations, and controls contained in this permit (except
new SPPP elements in this permit renewal) shall become effective immediately upon issuance
of the Certificate of Coverage. New elements of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for
this permit renewal shall be developed and implemented within 6 months of the effective date
of this general permit and updated thereafter on an annual basis. Secondary containment, as
specified in Part III, Paragraph 2 (b) of this general permit shall be accomplished prior to the
beginning of discharges from the operation of the industrial activity.
2. Duty to Comply.
The permittee must comply with all conditions of this general permit. Any permit
noncompliance constitutes a violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and is grounds for
enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or
denial of a permit upon renewal application [40 CFR 122.41].
a. The permittee shall comply with standards or prohibitions established under section 307(a)
of the CWA for toxic pollutants within the time provided in the regulations that establish
these standards or prohibitions, even if the general permit has not yet been modified to
incorporate the requirement.
b. The CWA provides that any person who violates section[s] 301, 302, 306, 307, 308, 318 or
40S of the Act, or any permit condition or limitation implementing any such sections in a
permit issued under section 402, or any requirement imposed in a pretreatment program
approved under sections 402(a)(3) or 402(b)(8) of the Act, is subject to a civil penalty not
to exceed $37,500 per day for each violation. [33 USC 1319(d) and 40 CFR 122.41(a)(2)]
Part III Page 1 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
c. The CWA provides that any person who negligently violates sections 301, 302, 306, 307,
308, 318, or 405 of the Act, or any condition or limitation implementing any of such sections
in a permit issued under section 402 of the Act, or any requirement imposed in a
pretreatment program approved under section 402(a)(3) or 402(b)(8) of the Act, is subject
to criminal penalties of $2,500 to $25,000 per day of violation, or imprisonment of not more
than 1 year, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction for a negligent
violation, a person shall be subject to criminal penalties of not more than $50,000 per day of
violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 2 years, or both. [33 USC 1319(c)(1) and 40
CFR 122.41(a)(2)]
d. Any person who knowingly violates such sections, or such conditions or limitations is
subject to criminal penalties of $5,000 to $50,000 per day of violation, or imprisonment for
not more than 3 years, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction for a
knowing violation, a person shall be subject to criminal penalties of not more than $100,000
per day of violation, or imprisonment of not more than 6 years, or both. [33 USC 1319(c)(2)
and 40 CFR 122.41(a)(2)]
Any person who knowingly violates section 301, 302, 303, 306, 307, 308, 318 or 405 of the
Act, or any permit condition or limitation implementing any of such sections in a permit
issued under section 402 of the Act, and who knows at that time that he thereby places
another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, shall, upon conviction,
be subject to a fine of not more than $250,000 or imprisonment of not more than 15 years,
or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction for a knowing endangerment
violation, a person shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500,000 or by imprisonment
of not more than 30 years, or both. An organization, as defined in section 309(c)(3)(B)(iii)
of the CWA, shall, upon conviction of violating the imminent danger provision, be subject to
a fine of not more than $1,000,000 and can be fined up to $2,000,000 for second or
subsequent convictions. [40 CFR 122.41(a)(2)]
f. Under state law, a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 per violation may be assessed
against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or
requirements of a permit. [North Carolina General Statutes § 143-215.6A]
g. Any person may be assessed an administrative penalty by the Administrator for violating
section 301, 302, 306, 307, 308, 318 or 405 of this Act, or any permit condition or limitation
implementing any of such sections in a permit issued under section 402 of this Act.
Administrative penalties for Class I violations are not to exceed $16,000 per violation, with
the maximum amount of any Class I penalty assessed not to exceed $37,500. Penalties for
Class II violations are not to exceed $16,000 per day for each day during which the violation
continues, with the maximum amount of any Class II penalty not to exceed $177,500. [33
USC 1319(g)(2) and 40 CFR 122.41(a)(3)]
3. Duty to Mitigate
The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any discharge in violation
of this general permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or
the environment [40 CFR 122.41(d)].
Part III Page 2 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
4. Civil and Criminal Liability
Except as provided in Part I11, Section C of this general permit regarding bypassing of
stormwater control facilities, nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee
from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties for noncompliance pursuant to NCGS 143-215.3,
143-215.6, or Section 309 of the Federal Act, 33 USC 1319. Furthermore, the permittee is
responsible for consequential damages, such as fish kills, even though the responsibility for
effective compliance may be temporarily suspended.
5. Oil and Hazardous Substance Liability
Nothing in this general permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action
or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the permittee
is or may be subject to under NCGS 143-215.75 et seq. or Section 311 of the Federal Act, 33 USC
1321.
6. Property Rights
The issuance of this general permit does not convey any property rights in either real or
personal property, or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to private
property or any invasion of personal rights, nor any infringement of Federal, State or local laws
or regulations [40 CFR 122.41(g)].
7. Severability
The provisions of this general permit are severable, and if any provision of this general permit,
or the application of any provision of this general permit to any circumstances, is held invalid,
the application of such provision to other circumstances, and the remainder of this general
permit, shall not be affected thereby [NCGS 15013-231.
8. Duty to Provide Information
The permittee shall furnish to the Permit Issuing Authority, within a reasonable time, any
information which the Permit Issuing Authority may request to determine whether cause exists
for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating the general permit issued pursuant to this
general permit or to determine compliance with this general permit. The permittee shall also
furnish to the Permit Issuing Authority upon request, copies of records required to be kept by
this general permit [40 CFR 122.41(h)].
9. Penalties for Tampering
The Clean Water Act provides that any person who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly
renders inaccurate, any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this
general permit shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 per
violation, or by imprisonment for not more than two years per violation, or by both. If a
conviction of a person is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under
this paragraph, punishment is a fine of not more than $20,000 per day of violation, or by
imprisonment of not more than 4 years, or both [40 CFR 122.411.
Part III Page 3 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
10. Penalties for Falsification of Reports
The Clean Water Act provides that any person who knowingly makes any false statement,
representation, or certification in any record or other document submitted or required to be
maintained under this general permit, including monitoring reports or reports of compliance or
noncompliance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 per
violation, or by imprisonment for not more than two years per violation, or by both [40 CFR
122.41].
11. Onshore or Offshore Construction
This general permit does not authorize or approve the construction of any onshore or offshore
physical structures or facilities or the undertaking of any work in any navigable waters.
12. Duty to Reapply
Dischargers covered by this general permit need not submit a new Notice of Intent (NOI) or
renewal request unless so directed by the Division. If the Division chooses not to renew this
general permit, the permittee will be notified to submit an application for an individual permit
[15A NCAC 02H .0127(e)].
SECTION B: GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. General Permit Expiration
General permits will be effective for a term not to exceed five years, at the end of which the
Division may renew them after all public notice requirements have been satisfied. If a general
permit is renewed, existing permittees do not need to submit a renewal request or pay a
renewal fee unless directed by the Division. New applicants seeking coverage under a renewed
general permit must submit a Notice of Intent to be covered and obtain a Certificate of Coverage
under the renewed general permit [15A NCAC 02H .0127(e)].
2. Transfers
This general permit is not transferable to any person without prior written notice to and
approval from the Director in accordance with 40 CFR 122.61. The Director may condition
approval in accordance with NCGS 143-215.1, in particular NCGS 143-215.1(b)(4)b.2., and may
require modification or revocation and reissuance of the Certificate of Coverage, or a minor
modification, to identify the new permittee and incorporate such other requirements as may be
necessary under the CWA [40 CFR 122.41(1)(3), 122.61] or state statute. The Permittee is
required to notify the Division in writing in the event the permitted facility is sold or
closed.
Part III Page 4 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
3. When an Individual Permit May be Required
The Director may require any owner/operator authorized to discharge under a certificate of
coverage issued pursuant to this general permit to apply for and obtain an individual permit or
an alternative general permit. Any interested person may petition the Director to take action
under this paragraph. Cases where an individual permit may be required include, but are not
limited to, the following:
a. The discharger is a significant contributor of pollutants;
b. Conditions at the permitted site change, altering the constituents and/or characteristics of
the discharge such that the discharge no longer qualifies for a general permit;
c. The discharge violates the terms or conditions of this general permit;
d. A change has occurred in the availability of demonstrated technology or practices for the
control or abatement of pollutants applicable to the point source;
e. Effluent limitations are promulgated for the point sources covered by this general permit;
f. A water quality management plan containing requirements applicable to such point sources
is approved after the issuance of this general permit;
g. The Director determines at his or her own discretion that an individual permit is required.
4. When an Individual Permit Maybe Requested
Any permittee operating under this general permit may request to be excluded from the
coverage of this general permit by applying for an individual permit. When an individual
permit is issued to an owner/operator the applicability of this general permit is automatically
terminated on the effective date of the individual permit.
S. Signatory Requirements
All applications, reports, or information submitted to the Permitting Issuing Authority shall be
signed and certified [40 CFR 122.41(k)].
a. All Notices of Intent to be covered under this general permit shall be signed as follows:
(1) For a corporation: by a responsible corporate officer. For the purpose of this Section, a
responsible corporate officer means: (a) a president, secretary, treasurer or vice
president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other
person who performs similar policy or decision making functions for the corporation, or
(b) the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities,
provided, the manager is authorized to make management decisions which govern the
operation of the regulated facility including having the explicit or implicit duty of
making major capital investment recommendations, and initiating and directing other
comprehensive measures to assure long term environmental compliance with
environmental laws and regulations; the manager can ensure that the necessary
systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and accurate information
for permit application requirements; and where authority to sign documents has been
assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures.
(2) For a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor,
respectively; or
Part III Page 5 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
(3) For a municipality, State, Federal, or other public agency: by either a principal executive
officer or ranking elected official [40 CFR 122.22].
b. All reports required by the general permit and other information requested by the Permit
Issuing Authority shall be signed by a person described in paragraph a. above or by a duly
authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only
if:
(1) The authorization is made in writing by a person described above;
(2) The authorization specified either an individual or a position having responsibility for
the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity, such as the position of plant
manager, operator of a well or well field, superintendent, a position of equivalent
responsibility, or an individual or position having overall responsibility for
environmental matters for the company. (A duly authorized representative may thus be
either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position.); and
(3) The written authorization is submitted to the Permit Issuing Authority [40 CFR 122.22]
c. Changes to authorization: If an authorization under paragraph (b) of this section is no
longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall
operation of the facility, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of paragraph (b) of
this section must be submitted to the Director prior to or together with any reports,
information, or applications to be signed by an authorized representative [40 CFR 122.22]
d. Certification. Any person signing a document under paragraphs a. or b. of this section shall
make the following certification [40 CFR 122.22]. NO OTHER STATEMENTS OF
CERTIFICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED:
"1 certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under
my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified
personnel properlygather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the
person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible forgathering
the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true,
accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false
information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonmentfor knowing violations."
6. General Permit Modification. Revocation and Reissuance, or Termination
The issuance of this general permit does not prohibit the Permit Issuing Authority from
reopening and modifying the general permit, revoking and reissuing the general permit, or
terminating the general permit as allowed by the laws, rules, and regulations contained in Title
40, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 122 and 123; Title 15A of the North Carolina
Administrative Code, Subchapter 2H .0100; and North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1 et al.
After public notice and opportunity for a hearing, the general permit may be terminated for
cause. The filing of a request for a general permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or
termination does not stay any general permit condition. The Certificate of Coverage shall
expire when the general permit is terminated.
Part III Page 6 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
7. Certificate of Coverage Actions
The general permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause. The
notification of planned changes or anticipated noncompliance does not stay any general permit
condition [40 CFR 122.41(f)].
8. Annual Administering and Compliance Monitoring Fee Requirements
The permittee must pay the administering and compliance monitoring fee within 30 (thirty)
days after being billed by the Division. Failure to pay the fee in timely manner in accordance
with 15A NCAC 2H .0105(b)(2) may cause this Division to initiate action to revoke coverage
under the general permit.
SECTION C: OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF POLLUTION CONTROLS
1. Proper Operation and Maintenance
The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of
treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the permittee
to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance
also includes adequate laboratory controls and appropriate quality assurance procedures. This
provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar systems which are
installed by a permittee only when the operation is necessary to achieve compliance with the
conditions of this permit [40 CFR 122.41(e)].
2. Need to Halt or Reduce Not a Defense
It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been
necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the
condition of this general permit [40 CFR 122.41(c)].
3. Bypassing of Stormwater Control Facilities
Bypass is prohibited and the Director may take enforcement action against a permittee for
bypass unless:
a. Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury or severe property damage;
and
b. There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary control
facilities, retention of stormwater or maintenance during normal periods of equipment
downtime or dry weather. This condition is not satisfied if adequate backup controls
should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a
bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive
maintenance; and
c. The permittee submitted notices as required under, Part III, Section E of this general permit.
If the Director determines that it will meet the three conditions listed above, the Director may
approve an anticipated bypass after considering its adverse effects.
Part III Page 7 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
SECTION D: MONITORING AND RECORDS
1. Representative Sampling
Samples collected and measurements taken, as required herein, shall be characteristic of the
volume and nature of the permitted discharge. Analytical sampling shall be performed during a
measureable storm event. Samples shall be taken on a day and time that is characteristic of the
discharge. All samples shall be taken before the discharge joins or is diluted by any other waste
stream, body of water, or substance. Monitoring points as specified in this general permit shall
not be changed without notification to and approval of the Permit Issuing Authority [40 CFR
122.410)].
2. Recording Results
For each measurement or sample taken pursuant to the requirements of this general permit,
the permittee shall record the following information [40 CFR 122.41]:
a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
b. The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements;
c. The date(s) analyses were performed;
d. The individual(s) who performed the analyses;
e. The analytical techniques or methods used; and
f. The results of such analyses.
3. Flow Measurements
Where required, appropriate flow measurement devices and methods consistent with accepted
scientific practices shall be selected and used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of
measurements of the volume of monitored discharges.
4. Test Procedures
Test procedures for the analysis of pollutants shall conform to the EMC regulations published
pursuant to NCGS 143-215.63 et. seq, the Water and Air Quality Reporting Acts, and to
regulations published pursuant to Section 304(g), 33 USC 1314, of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, as Amended, and Regulation 40 CFR 136.
To meet the intent of the monitoring required by this general permit, all test procedures must
produce minimum detection and reporting levels and all data generated must be reported down
to the minimum detection or lower reporting level of the procedure. If no approved methods
are determined capable of achieving minimum detection and reporting levels below general
permit discharge requirements, then the most sensitive (method with the lowest possible
detection and reporting level) approved method must be used.
Part III Page 8 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
5. Representative Outfall
If a facility has multiple discharge locations with substantially identical stormwater discharges
that are required to be sampled, the permittee may petition the Director for representative
outfall status. If it is established that the stormwater discharges are substantially identical and
the permittee is granted representative outfall status, then sampling requirements may be
performed at a reduced number of outfalls.
6. Records Retention
Qualitative monitoring shall be documented and records maintained at the facility along with
the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP). Copies of analytical monitoring results shall
also be maintained on -site. The permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information,
including:
• all calibration and maintenance records,
• all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation,
• copies of all reports required by this general permit,
• copies of all data used to complete the Notice of Intent to be covered by this general permit.
These records or copies shall be maintained for a period of at least 5 years from the date of the
sample, measurement, report or Notice of Intent application. This period may be extended by
request of the Director at any time [40 CFR 122.41]. If this volume of records cannot be
maintained on -site, the documents must be made available to an inspector upon request as
immediately as possible.
7. Inspection and Entry
The permittee shall allow the Director, or an authorized representative (including an
authorized contractor acting as a representative of the Director), or in the case of a facility
which discharges through a municipal separate storm sewer system, an authorized
representative of a municipal operator or the separate storm sewer system receiving the
discharge, upon the presentation of credentials and other documents as may be required by
law, to:
a. Enter upon the permittee's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or
conducted, or where records must be kept under the conditions of this general permit;
b. Have access to and copy, at reasonable times, any records that must be kept under the
conditions of this general permit;
c. Inspect at reasonable times any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control
equipment), practices, or operations regulated or required under this general permit; and
d. Sample or monitor at reasonable times, for the purposes of assuring permit compliance or
as otherwise authorized by the Clean Water Act, any substances or parameters at any
location [40 CFR 122.41(i)].
Part III Page 9 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
SECTION E: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Discharge Monitoring Reports
Samples analyzed in accordance with the terms of this general permit shall be submitted to the
Division on Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) forms provided by the Director. DMR forms
are available on the Division's website (http://12ortal.ncdenr.org/web/wq,/ws/su/npdessw).
Submittals shall be delivered to the Division no later than 30 days from the date the facility
receives the sampling results from the laboratory.
When no discharge has occurred from the facility during the report period, the permittee is
required to submit a discharge monitoring report, within 30 days of the end of the specified
sampling period, giving all required information and indicating "NO FLOW" as per NCAC T15A
02B .0506.
If the permittee monitors any pollutant more frequently than required by this general permit
using test procedures approved under 40 CFR Part 136 and at a sampling location specified in
this general permit or other appropriate instrument governing the discharge, the results of such
monitoring shall be included in the data submitted on the DMR.
The permittee shall record the required qualitative monitoring observations on the SDO
Qualitative Monitoring Report form provided by the Division and shall retain the completed
forms on site. Qualitative monitoring results should not be submitted to the Division, except
upon DWQ's specific requirement to do so. Qualitative Monitoring Report forms are available at
the website above.
2. Submitting Reports
Two signed copies of Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) shall be submitted to:
Central Files
Division of Water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
3. Availability of Reports
Except for data determined to be confidential under NCGS 143-215.3(a)(2) or Section 308 of
the Federal Act, 33 USC 1318, all reports prepared in accordance with the terms shall be
available for public inspection at the offices of the Division. As required by the Act, analytical
data shall not be considered confidential. Knowingly making any false statement on any such
report may result in the imposition of criminal penalties as provided for in NCGS 143-215.613 or
in Section 309 of the Federal Act.
4. Non-Stormwater Discharges
If the storm event monitored in accordance with this general permit coincides with a non-
stormwater discharge, the permittee shall separately monitor all parameters as required under
all other applicable discharge permits and provide this information with the stormwater
discharge monitoring report.
Part III Page 10 of 12

Permit No. NCG080000
S. Planned Changes
The permittee shall give notice to the Director as soon as possible of any planned changes at the
permitted facility which could significantly alter the nature or quantity of pollutants discharged
[40 CFR 122.41(1)]. This notification requirement includes pollutants which are not specifically
listed in the general permit or subject to notification requirements under 40 CFR Part 122.42
(a).
6. Anticipated Noncompliance
The permittee shall give advance notice to the Director of any planned changes at the permitted
facility which may result in noncompliance with the general permit [40 CFR 122.41(1)(2)].
7. Spills
The permittee shall report to the local DWQ Regional Office, within 24 hours, all significant
spills as defined in Part IV of this general permit. Additionally, the permittee shall report spills
including: any oil spill of 25 gallons or more, any spill regardless of amount that causes a sheen
on surface waters, any oil spill regardless of amount occurring within 100 feet of surface
waters, and any oil spill less than 25 gallons that cannot be cleaned up within 24 hours.
8. Bypass
Notice [40 CFR 122.41(m)(3)]:
a. Anticipated bypass. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall
submit prior notice, if possible at least ten days before the date of the bypass; including an
evaluation of the anticipated quality and affect of the bypass.
b. Unanticipated bypass. The permittee shall submit notice within 24 hours of becoming
aware of an unanticipated bypass.
9. Twenty-four Hour Reporting
a. The permittee shall report to the central office or the appropriate regional office any
noncompliance which may endanger health or the environment. Any information shall be
provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee became aware of the
circumstances. A written submission shall also be provided within 5 days of the time the
permittee becomes aware of the circumstances.
The written submission shall contain a description of the noncompliance, and its causes; the
period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times, and if the noncompliance has not
been corrected, the anticipated time compliance is expected to continue; and steps taken or
planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance [40 CFR
122.41(1)(6)].
b. The Director may waive the written report on a case -by -case basis for reports under this
section if the oral report has been received within 24 hours.
c. Occurrences outside normal business hours may also be reported to the Division's
Emergency Response personnel at [phone], [phone] or [phone].
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Permit No. NCG080000
10. Other Noncompliance
The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under 24 hour reporting
at the time monitoring reports are submitted [40 CFR 122.41(1)(7)].
11. Other Information
Where the Permittee becomes aware that it failed to submit any relevant facts in a Notice of
Intent to be covered under this general permit, or submitted incorrect information in that
Notice of Intent application or in any report to the Director, it shall promptly submit such facts
or information [40 CFR 122.41(1)(8)].
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Permit No. NCG080000
PART IV DEFINITIONS
Act
See Clean Water Act.
2. Adverse Weather
Adverse conditions are those that are dangerous or create inaccessibility for personnel,
such as local flooding, high winds, or electrical storms, or situations that otherwise make
sampling impractical. When adverse weather conditions prevent the collection of samples
during the sample period, the permittee must take a substitute sample or perform a visual
assessment during the next qualifying storm event. Documentation of an adverse event
(with date, time and written narrative) and the rationale must be included with your SPPP
records. Adverse weather does not exempt the permittee from having to file a monitoring
report in accordance with the sampling schedule. Adverse events and failures to monitor
must also be explained and reported on the relevant DMR.
3. Allowable Non-Stormwater Discharges
This general permit regulates stormwater discharges. Non-stormwater discharges which
shall be allowed in the stormwater conveyance system are:
a. All other discharges that are authorized by a non-stormwater NPDES permit.
b. Uncontaminated groundwater, foundation drains, air -conditioner condensate without
added chemicals, springs, discharges of uncontaminated potable water, waterline and
fire hydrant flushings, water from footing drains, irrigation waters, flows from riparian
habitats and wetlands.
c. Discharges resulting from fire -fighting or fire -fighting training, or emergency shower or
eye wash as a result of use in the event of an emergency.
4. Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Measures or practices used to reduce the amount of pollution entering surface waters.
BMPs may take the form of a process, activity, or physical structure. More information on
BMPs can be found at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdesIstormwaterImenuofbmps/index.cfm.
Bypass
A bypass is the known diversion of stormwater from any portion of a stormwater control
facility including the collection system, which is not a designed or established operating
mode for the facility.
6. Bulk Storage of Liquid Products
Liquid raw materials, manufactured products, waste materials or by-products with a single
above ground storage container having a capacity of greater than 660 gallons or with
multiple above ground storage containers located in close proximity to each other having a
total combined storage capacity of greater than 1,320 gallons.
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Permit No. NCG080000
Certificate of Coverage
The Certificate of Coverage (COC) is the cover sheet which accompanies a general permit
upon issuance and lists the facility name, location, receiving stream, river basin, effective
date of coverage under the general permit and is signed by the Director.
8. Clean Water Act
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), as
amended, 33 USC 1251, et. seq.
9. Division or DWQ
The Division of Water Quality, Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
10. Director
The Director of the Division of Water Quality, the permit issuing authority.
11. EMC
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission.
12. Grab Sample
An individual sample collected instantaneously. Grab samples that will be analyzed
(quantitatively or qualitatively) must be taken within the first 30 minutes of discharge.
13. Hazardous Substance
Any substance designated under 40 CFR Part 116 pursuant to Section 311 of the Clean
Water Act.
14. Landfill
A disposal facility or part of a disposal facility where waste is placed in or on land and which
is not a land treatment facility, a surface impoundment, an injection well, a hazardous waste
long-term storage facility or a surface storage facility.
15. Measureable Storm Event
A storm event that results in an actual discharge from the permitted site outfall. The
previous measurable storm event must have been at least 72 hours prior. The 72-hour
storm interval may not apply if the permittee is able to document that a shorter interval is
representative for local storm events during the sampling period, and obtains approval
from the local DWQ Regional Office. Two copies of this information and a written request
letter shall be sent to the local DWQ Regional Office. After authorization by the DWQ
Regional Office, a written approval letter must be kept on site in the permittee's SPPP.
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Permit No. NCG080000
16. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
A stormwater collection system within an incorporated area of local self-government such
as a city or town.
17. No Exposure
A condition of no exposure means that all industrial materials and activities are protected
by a storm resistant shelter or acceptable storage containers to prevent exposure to rain,
snow, snowmelt, or runoff. Industrial materials or activities include, but are not limited to,
material handling equipment or activities, industrial machinery, raw materials,
intermediate products, by-products, final products, or waste products. DWQ may grant a
No Exposure Exclusion from NPDES stormwater permitting requirements only if a facility
complies with the terms and conditions described in 40 CFR §122.26(g).
18. Notice of Intent
The state application form which, when submitted to the Division, officially indicates the
facility's notice of intent to seek coverage under a general permit.
19. Permit Issuing Authority
The Director of the Division of Water Quality (see "Director" above).
20. Permittee
The owner or operator issued a Certificate of Coverage pursuant to this general permit.
21. Point Source Discharge of Stormwater
Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance including, but not specifically limited to,
any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, or discrete fissure from which stormwater is
or may be discharged to waters of the state.
22. Representative Outfall Status
When it is established that the discharge of stormwater runoff from a single outfall is
representative of the discharges at multiple outfalls, the DWQ may grant representative outfall
status. Representative outfall status allows the permittee to perform analytical monitoring at a
reduced number of outfalls.
23. Secondary Containment
Spill containment for the contents of the single largest tank within the containment
structure plus sufficient freeboard to allow for the 25-year, 24-hour storm event.
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Permit No. NCG080000
24. Section 313 Water Priority Chemical
A chemical or chemical category which:
b. Is listed in 40 CFR 372.65 pursuant to Section 313 of Title III of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986, also titled the Emergency
Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act of 1986;
c. Is present at or above threshold levels at a facility subject to SARA title III, Section 313
reporting requirements; and
d. Meets at least one of the following criteria:
i. Is listed in appendix D of 40 CFR part 122 on Table II (organic priority pollutants),
Table III (certain metals, cyanides, and phenols) or Table IV (certain toxic
pollutants and hazardous substances);
ii. Is listed as a hazardous substance pursuant to section 311(b)(2)(A) of the CWA at
40 CFR 116.4; or
iii. Is a pollutant for which EPA has published acute or chronic water quality criteria.
25. Severe Property Damage
Substantial physical damage to property, damage to the control facilities which causes them
to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources which can
reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does
not mean economic loss caused by delays in production.
26. Significant Materials
Includes, but is not limited to: raw materials; fuels; materials such as solvents, detergents,
and plastic pellets; finished materials such as metallic products; raw materials used in food
processing or production; hazardous substances designated under section 101(14) of
CERCLA; any chemical the facility is required to report pursuant to section 313 of Title III of
SARA; fertilizers; pesticides; and waste products such as ashes, slag and sludge that have
the potential to be released with stormwater discharges.
27. Significant Spills
Includes, but is not limited to: releases of oil or hazardous substances in excess of
reportable quantities under section 311 of the Clean Water Act (Ref: 40 CFR 110.3and 40
CFR 117.3) or section 102 of CERCLA (Ref: 40 CFR 302.4).
28. Stormwater Discharge Outfall (SDO)
The point of departure of stormwater from a discernible, confined, or discrete conveyance,
including but not limited to, storm sewer pipes, drainage ditches, channels, spillways, or
channelized collection areas, from which stormwater flows directly or indirectly into waters
of the State of North Carolina.
29. Stormwater Runoff
The flow of water which results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following
rainfall or as a result of snowmelt.
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Permit No. NCG080000
30. Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity
The discharge from any point source which is used for collecting and conveying stormwater
and which is directly related to manufacturing, processing or raw material storage areas at
an industrial site. Facilities considered to be engaged in "industrial activities" include those
activities defined in 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14). The term does not include discharges from
facilities or activities excluded from the NPDES program.
31. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPPI
A comprehensive site -specific plan which details measures and practices to reduce
stormwater pollution and is based on an evaluation of the pollution potential of the site.
32. Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
TMDLs are written plans for attaining and maintaining water quality standards, in all
seasons, for a specific water body and pollutant. A list of approved TMDLs for the state of
North Carolina can be found at http://aortal.ncdenr.org/web/wc11ps/mtu/tmdl.
33. Toxic Pollutant
Any pollutant listed as toxic under Section 307(a) (1) of the Clean Water Act.
34. Vehicle Maintenance Activity
Vehicle rehabilitation, mechanical repairs, painting, fueling, lubrication, vehicle cleaning
operations, or airport deicing operations.
35. Visible Sedimentation
Solid particulate matter, both mineral and organic, that has been or is being transported by
water, air, gravity, or ice from its site of origin which can be seen with the unaided eye.
36. 25-year. 24 hour Storm Event
The maximum 24-hour precipitation event expected to be equaled or exceeded, on the
average, once in 25 years.
Part IV Page 5 of 5