Industrial Activity (MSGP) FAQ

Is my facility required to have permit coverage?

Stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity to surface waters of the state or to an MS4 require coverage under an NPDES permit. Most facilities are eligible for coverage under the MSGP for their stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity. Some facilities are required to obtain an NPDES individual permit if there is reasonable potential for the stormwater discharge to exceed limits in their previously issued NPDES individual permit.

Description of “Stormwater Discharges associated with Industrial Activity.”

Can my facility be exempted from the requirement to obtain NPDES permit coverage?

Yes, facilities that have no exposure of materials or industrial activities to stormwater may submit a “No Exposure” certification to DEP and be excluded from the requirement to obtain MSGP coverage. More information about the Conditional No Exposure Exclusion is available on this website.

How do I obtain coverage under the Multi-Sector Generic Permit (MSGP)?

The process to obtain coverage under the MSGP first requires the creation and implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) followed by submitting a NOI by either using the iNOI online system or submitting a complete paper Notice of Intent (NOI) and fee of $500 to the NPDES Stormwater Notices Center.

How do I renew coverage under the Multi-Sector Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge Associated with Industrial Activity (MSGP)?

Coverage under the Multi-Sector Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge Associated with Industrial Activity (MSGP) is effective for a period of five years. To renew coverage, the facility must ensure the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) has been updated to reflect conditions currently occurring at the facility and submit a new Notice of Intent (NOI) (DEP Form Number 62-621.300(5)(b)) and appropriate $500 fee. Coverage under the MSGP is effective two days after the submittal of a complete NOI and appropriate fee. (Rule 62-621.300(5)(f), F.A.C.).

Facilities must file a new NOI to renew coverage at least two days prior to the expiration date of their current permit. In order to allow adequate time for processing and confirmation, the department recommends reapplying at least two or three weeks prior to the expiration date of the permit.

When is my permit coverage effective?

Permit coverage is effective two days after the postmark date of your complete NOI and fee submittal.

How can I update my permit information?

Please submit an updated NOI to the Notices Center by fax at 850-245-7524 or by mail to:

Ensure that your updated NOI clearly indicates your Facility ID (FLR) and says UPDATE so that it is not processed as an early renewal.

How do I determine my facility’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code?

The SIC code system is maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Note also that SIC codes are typically required on other forms submitted to the government (e.g., federal tax return, etc.), so you may look to those sources of information.

What is my monitoring code as required for the NOI?

The monitoring code to be entered on the NOI is determined by the permit requirements for the sector(s) of the MSGP under which the facility is covered. That is, the “Sector-Specific” monitoring requirements. The possible monitoring codes, as indicated in the NOI instructions, are:

1 =  Not subject to monitoring requirements under the conditions of the permit.
2 = Subject to monitoring requirements and required to submit data.
3 = Subject to monitoring requirements but not required to submit data.
4 = Subject to monitoring requirements but submitting certification for monitoring exclusion.

Quarterly Visual Examinations

All sectors of the MSGP, except Sector S, require “Quarterly Visual Examination” of stormwater discharges. The visual examination is considered a monitoring requirement; however, it does not require the sample to be analyzed by a laboratory and the results are not required to be submitted to the department. Instead, the results of the Quarterly Visual Examinations are required to be kept by the facility with its Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Therefore, the monitoring code for a facility that is only required to conduct Quarterly Visual Monitoring would be “3.”

Analytical Monitoring

Some sectors of the MSGP require quarterly analytical monitoring in Years 2 and 4 of the permit cycle. This monitoring is sometimes referred to as “Analytical Monitoring” or “Benchmark Monitoring.” Analytical Monitoring results are required to be submitted to the department; therefore, the monitoring code for this type of monitoring would be “2.”

Compliance Monitoring

A few sectors of the MSGP impose numeric effluent limitations. This type of monitoring is called “Compliance Monitoring” and is required to demonstrate compliance with the effluent limitations. Analytical results from compliance monitoring are required to be submitted to the department; therefore, the monitoring code for Compliance Monitoring would be “2.”

Refer to the MSGP for sector-specific monitoring requirements for your facility.

How do I submit my Discharge Monitoring Reports?

As of Dec. 16, 2016, all NPDES Stormwater facilities were incorporated into the department’s Electronic Discharge Monitoring Report System (EzDMR) to submit their Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) electronically.    

My facility is in a sector that requires Analytical Monitoring. When am I required to monitor?

Analytical Monitoring is required in Years 2 and 4 of your permit cycle. Year 2 of permit coverage begins Jan. 1 of the year following permit coverage, and Year 4 would begin Jan. 1 after that. For example, if a facility’s permit is issued at any point during calendar year 2016, Year 2 monitoring would begin Jan. 1, 2017. Year 4 would begin Jan. 1, 2019.  

Analytical Monitoring requires quarterly samples to be taken each calendar quarter. The quarters are: Jan.–March; April– June; July– Sept.; and Oct.– Dec. You are required to obtain at least one sample during a qualifying discharge event and record each sampling separately. If there is no qualifying discharge event for a given quarter, you will need to report that there was no discharge or the applicable reason that a sample was not taken.  

After the end of the monitoring year, results from the four quarterly sampling events may be reported using the EzDMR system. If the annual average results for all parameters from Year 2 monitoring are below the cutoff concentrations for established for your sector, Year 4 Analytical Monitoring is not required.

What is the deadline for submitting my benchmark monitoring DMRs?

DMRs must be submitted by March 31 of the year following the monitoring year. For instance, if 2016 is your Year 2 monitoring year, the data must be submitted by March 31, 2017.

Can I transfer coverage under the MSGP when I sell the facility or change ownership of it?

No. If a facility is sold or the ownership otherwise changes, the current owners must submit a NOT to terminate their coverage and the new owner must submit a Notice of Intent and the $500 permit fee to obtain coverage.

Do I have to address the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) provisions in my SWPPP?

No. The provisions of the MSGP regarding the ESA and NHPA are applicable only in areas where EPA is the NPDES Permitting Authority.