Posted: | September 18, 2017 01:21 PM |
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From: | Senator Mike Folmer |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Resolution: Delay and Review of MS4 Permits |
Shortly, I plan to introduce a resolution calling upon The Environmental Protection Agency to delay and review its municipal separate storm sewer systems program (“MS4”) for issuing stormwater permits. Under EPA’s MS4 program, permits are issued to regulate stormwater discharges by municipalities. Unfortunately, these permits have sometimes negatively affected commercial, industrial and residential property owners who discharge stormwater in those municipalities. These problems have resulted in a number of court challenges – including questions on EPA’s statutory authority to implement the MS4 program. For municipalities, MS4 permits have become a recurring headache as they struggle to plan and fund implementation of these permits. Given these costs and complexities, property owners have sometimes faced increased local fees and regulatory requirements imposed as municipalities seek to comply with MS4 requirements. During the extensive debates over the cost and compliance burdens imposed on both municipalities and property owners, it has become apparent the MS4 program is not meeting its objectives and is needlessly costing billions of dollars without any justifiable results. I hope you will join with me in calling upon Congress to delay and review EPA’s MS4 program. Thank you. |
Introduced as SR216