MS4 Compliance

The Village of Fishkill has been designated as an “Urbanized Area” as defined by the U.S. Census.  Furthermore, the Village operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (“MS4”), which collects stormwater runoff and conveys that runoff through a system of catch basins, pipes and ditches, ultimately discharging into waters of the United States. 

As of March 2003, the federal Phase II stormwater program has required operators of MS4’s in urbanized areas to obtain State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit coverage for the stormwater discharges under their jurisdiction and control. 

In order to maintain conformance with the Phase II program and the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from MS4s, the Village must comply with six minimum control measures that serve as the basis for this permit.

Six Minimum Measures:

  • Public Education and Outreach
  • Public Involvement/Participation
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
  • Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
  • Post-Construction Stormwater Management
  • Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

The Village is obliged to submit an “Annual Report” to the NYSDEC to demonstrate compliance with these minimum measures. This compliance required the Village to adopt two local laws by January 2008 to prohibit illicit discharges, activities and connections to the storm sewer system, and to regulate land development activities by stipulating the implementation of stormwater management standards in site design.

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is the central document of a development plan’s stormwater management design. The Village’s local law amended the site plan and subdivision regulations to require a SWPPP and the law includes sections that outline the requirements and components of a SWPPP. 

The General Permit also requires the Village of Fishkill to develop a Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP plan) that addresses how the regulated MS4 will comply with all six minimum control measures.