New construction projects in Maryland will have to meet new requirements for stormwater discharges beginning April 1.

The Maryland Department of Environment has reissued the Maryland National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity. The new permit applies to stormwater discharges from construction activities that disturb one acre or more. It also applies to activities that will disturb less than one acre of land but are part of a common plan of development that will ultimately disturb one or more acres of land. The new permit will be effective April 1, 2023.

Projects covered under the previous permit are required to submit a new Notice of Intent, fee payment and updated documents to the department within six months after the effective date (April 1, 2023) of the permit, no later than September 30, 2023 in order to continue coverage under the General Permit.

The final permit, a longer notice which includes a full description of the changes, responses to comments and associated documentation may be found on the department’s website. The full text of the final permit and supporting documents are available on the MDE website.

The department will be offering training opportunities to any party interested in learning more about the new General Permit. The dates will be posted to MDE’s webpage as the sessions are scheduled and sent directly to existing permit holders.