Stormwater Legislation

Federal Law

The U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 established anti-pollution regulations administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a permit system known as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). To expand controls beyond end-of-pipe industrial effluents and include the now dominant water pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, land disposal and urban runoff, the EPA established in 2000 the Storm Water Phase II Final Rule, which regulates Municipal Separate Storm Systems (MS4s). As a small municipality, the City the Newburgh is covered by the EPA's Small MS4 Program. For more information, see the following EPA Storm Water Phase II Final Rule fact sheets:

The EPA Storm Water Phase II Final Rule requires local governments to implement six minimum control measures to improve water quality:

  • Construction Site Runoff Control
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  • Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping
  • Post Construction Runoff Control
  • Public Information and Education
  • Public Involvement and Participation

New York State Regulations

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) requires local municipalities to adopt and enforce the EPA NPDES Phase II MS4 regulations in order to obtain an annual permit for storm water discharge. The City's MS4 compliance certification annual reports are available online.

City of Newburgh Stormwater Management Program

In addition, the City of Newburgh has completed a Stormwater Management Plan (PDF) and a Storm Sewer Outfall Inventory Map (PDF). The plan includes local legislation requiring stormwater management for various activities within the city. Learn how Better Site Design (PDF) fit into the NYS Stormwater Program.

The purpose of the law is to "set forth standards for development of property within the City in order to obtain compliance with regulatory stormwater management requirements and sound engineering practices."